Buying good cameras is only half the job. Where you put them decides whether your footage shows a clear face at the gate or just a blurry shape in the dark. This guide covers how far CCTV cameras can really see, how much area one camera covers, and where to place cameras around a typical Sri Lankan home.
How far can a CCTV camera see?
There are two different distances to think about:
- How far the camera can see something. In daylight, a camera can show movement a long way off.
- How far it can identify someone. To recognise a face or read a number plate, the person or vehicle needs to be much closer, usually within a few metres for a standard wide-angle camera.
At night, the range depends on the camera's night vision. Infrared cameras light up the scene with invisible light, and the infrared range is listed in the specifications, often 20 to 30 metres for common home cameras and more for larger bullet cameras. Full-colour night vision cameras use a small visible light or very sensitive sensors to record in colour after dark.
The rule of thumb: use a wide view to see what is happening, and place cameras close to entry points to identify who is doing it.
How much area does one CCTV camera cover?
Coverage depends on the lens. A wide-angle lens (commonly around 2.8mm) covers a broad area, such as a whole driveway or a room, but shows less detail at a distance. A narrower lens (around 4mm or 6mm) covers a smaller area but shows more detail further away, which suits long driveways and gates set back from the house.
Instead of trying to cover everything with one camera, plan cameras in layers:
- Entry points: gates, doors, and driveways, where you want to identify faces.
- Paths and perimeter: the sides and back of the house, where you want to see movement.
- Key indoor areas: living areas or a shop floor, if you want indoor coverage.
Where to place CCTV cameras at home
- The main gate: the most important camera for most homes. Aim it so faces are visible as people approach, not just the tops of their heads.
- The front door: covers visitors and deliveries at close range.
- The driveway and parking area: watches vehicles coming and going.
- Side and back entrances: these are common entry points because they are less visible from the road.
- The boundary wall: a bullet camera along the wall covers anyone climbing over.
Mount outdoor cameras around 2.5 to 3 metres high. That is high enough to be hard to tamper with, but low enough to capture faces. Angle them slightly downward, and keep the sky out of the frame where possible, because bright sky makes faces appear dark.
Where not to put security cameras
- Facing directly into the sun or a bright light, which washes out the image.
- Behind glass windows, because infrared night vision reflects off the glass and blinds the camera.
- Pointing into a neighbour's house or garden. Keep cameras focused on your own property to respect your neighbours' privacy.
- Private areas such as bathrooms and bedrooms.
- Too high, where cameras only capture the tops of heads.
- Where there is no protection from rain, unless the camera is weatherproof and its cable connections are sealed.
Can a CCTV camera see through walls or at your phone screen?
No. Normal CCTV cameras cannot see through walls. Whether a camera can read a phone screen depends on how close it is, the angle, and the resolution. In normal home or shop installations, cameras are placed to cover areas and entrances, not to read screens.
Plan it once, plan it properly
Getting placement right from the start saves you from moving cameras and running new cables later. A site survey checks the angles, distances, lighting, and cable routes for each camera position before anything is installed.
Our CCTV installation service starts with a free site survey anywhere in Sri Lanka. If you are still comparing options, read our guide to what a full CCTV system costs, or browse our CCTV cameras and kits.