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Which Panoramic Camera Goes Where?

By | February 6, 2024


When it comes to panoramic cameras, there are many options on the market to choose from. Some include multiple sensors in a single housing. Others produce panoramas with a single camera sensor; these cameras are also known as fisheye cameras.

Each of these has its strengths that allow it to shine in particular situations. The challenge is knowing which camera is best suited for a particular application. We’re going to answer that question to help make sure you get the most out of our panoramic cameras.

Stitched Multi-sensor Technology

Stitched multi-sensor cameras combine video streams from multiple sensors to produce a high-resolution 180º or 360º panoramic image. Stitched images are the optimal choice for busy scenes where wide-area security is needed such as stadiums or malls.

Mental fatigue can set in quickly when security operators need to constantly switch between several camera views to monitor a scene. Stitched cameras provide a single, all-encompassing image for monitoring that eliminates this problem.

Dahua offers two-, four-, or eight-sensor cameras that are precisely aligned within a single housing to produce a seamless, widescreen 180º to 360º view with minimal blind spots.

Unstitched Multi-Sensor Cameras

Unstitched multi-sensor cameras have two or more single-sensor cameras in one housing. Each sensor provides a single output and can be positioned independently of one another based on the specific requirements of a scene or application.

When customization is required, unstitched images are the best option. They deliver the functionality of multiple single-sensor cameras with the convenience of using a single camera.

These cameras provide a comprehensive, multi-camera view of a scene without the clutter of multiple cameras, decreasing the total cost of ownership and offering a more flexible solution. They’re ideal for intersecting hallways or scenarios with multiple targeted monitoring points.

Dahua’s 4 x 5MP Flexible Multi-sensor Network Camera is a great example of a high-performing, multi-directional, unstitched panoramic camera. One potential application of this camera could be a convenience store.  One sensor can be pointed at the front door and another at the register. The two remaining sensors could be aimed at the aisles. This configuration allows for a comprehensive view of the store without the use of multiple cameras.

Whether you choose stitched or unstitched cameras, multi-sensor cameras deliver improved image quality, flexibility, and depth of field. Additionally, end users get a higher return on investment from deploying a multiple-sensor camera in place of multiple single-sensor units.

Fisheye Cameras

Unlike the first two camera types, Dahua’s fisheye cameras have a single CMOS sensor with 5MP, 8MP, or 12MP resolutions within one compact housing. These cameras use a special fisheye or panomorphic lens to produce video in a circular shape. The image will need to be dewarped by external software to allow operators to make sense of the data.

Fisheye cameras are designed to replace multiple single-sensor cameras. They have a lower risk of failure, can be used indoors or outdoors, are compact, and provide true 360° coverage. Many Dahua fisheye cameras offer advanced analytics such as people counting and advanced heat mapping for heightened situational awareness.

Ideal applications for fisheye cameras are open spaces such as retail stores lobbies and classrooms. For retail and warehouse customers, Dahua fisheye cameras with Analytics+ capabilities provide actionable intelligence to help identify suspicious activity while enabling better business decisions. Another application is in the expanding cannabis market where growers require detailed and expansive attention to their operations.

There’s the right panoramic camera for every application. Check out all of our panoramic cameras to find models that will perform best for you.


About Dahua Technology USA

Dahua Technology USA Inc. is a subsidiary of Dahua Technology, which is estimated to be the second largest supplier of video security equipment in the world according to the Omdia 2020 Market Share Database. Dahua Technology USA brings high-value, total security solutions to the North American market by focusing on integrity and personal relationships to enhance the customer experience. Dahua Technology’s security solutions, from award-winning cameras to video management software, deliver unparalleled quality, reliability, and stability, providing sales and support throughout the U.S. and Canada.

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