In truth, this comparison is a bit misleading, because Wi-Fi cameras are, in fact, IP cameras.

IP stands for Internet Protocol, and that means that any camera that sends data over an internet connection is therefore an IP camera.

Perhaps a more pertinent comparison would be between wired and wireless cameras, how they work, and how each might stack up against the other. But before we get into that, what exactly is an IP camera?

What is an IP Camera?

IP cameras are surveillance cameras that are connected to the internet in some way. Whether through a Wi-Fi connection or a Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable, the data from such a camera is sent to its destination via the internet.

There is usually a small amount of on-board storage on these devices, but it is essential that the footage is sent to a larger and more secure storage site, such as a cloud server, or a network or digital video recorder (NVR or DVR).

Wired vs Wireless Cameras

What is a Wired Camera?

A wired camera is one that receives its power and sends its data via a cable. In the case of a PoE camera, both are supplied via the same cable at the same time, meaning that there does not need to be a separate power cable, and installation and maintenance time are minimized.

Another advantage of a wired camera is that the data transmission is generally more stable and secure, and the signal cannot be interrupted by an external device. However, these wires could be cut by an intruder if not properly hidden upon installation, and that makes them time consuming and more expensive to install.

The other disadvantage of a wired camera is that it is not portable, and once installed, will have to stay put. If your goal is to surveille a static area, like a building or yard, this type of system may be ideal for you.

What is a Wi-Fi Camera?

A Wi-Fi camera is a wireless IP camera that sends its data over a Wi-Fi connection, either to cloud storage or to an NVR or DVR nearby that is also connected to the Wi-Fi network. These networks rely on a very stable internet connection if they are to provide good security, and they are also easier to hack.

That is not to say there is no place for a security system run on Wi-Fi. The advantages of these systems include portability, ease of setup, low-cost installation, and the ability to cover large areas without needing to run extensive networks of Ethernet cables.

Within the range of wireless IP cameras there are also what are called “wire-free” cameras. These take the “wireless” description to a whole new level, as they don’t even need a power cable. They are run on batteries, making them completely portable and able to be used anywhere that has an internet connection.

What are the Advantages of IP Cameras?

IP cameras may be more hackable than analog cameras, due to their connection to the internet, but camera manufacturers are constantly working on making them as secure as they can possibly be, using end-to-end encryption. In fact, this level of encryption and authentication makes IP cameras even more secure than analog ones.

Aside from this, there are a host of advantages to installing IP cameras that are undeniable. Here are just a few of the most important ones:

Instant Sharing of Data

No matter where your security system is set up and where you are in the world, your video footage can be transmitted to you instantaneously as soon as you need it. This means that whenever an event takes place, you can view the footage and contact the necessary authorities immediately, assuming that your security system has not already done that for you.

Your video data can be shared with any and all important parties via email, live link sharing, cloud sharing, or even text message, ensuring that within minutes, everyone who needs to be involved has been notified.

Superior Video Quality

Because the video footage is transmitted as a digital signal to off-board storage, the images captured can be of a higher quality. The video file sizes do not need to be limited to what can be stored on the camera, or even on the video recorder, considering the ease of cloud storage today.

This means that not only can the camera itself capture a higher quality image, but more advanced features can be incorporated into the camera’s software, such as low-light imaging and facial recognition. This allows the authorities to react faster to an incident, and have a clearer picture of exactly who was involved.

Ease of Installation

Whether you choose to go for a wired or a wireless surveillance system, you are still choosing easier installation than if you went for an analog system. Analog camera systems require both a video cable and a power cable, meaning that you require more hardware, more installation work and time, and more money to set it up.

Also, for an analog system, each camera must be directly linked to the DVR. With a wired IP system only one cable needs to be installed for each camera, as the PoE cable will supply power while receiving video, and a group of cameras can be connected to a switch, rather than each one needing to be linked to the video recorder.

The wireless system is easiest of all, with the cameras only needing to be connected to a wireless network. This means that they can be moved to anywhere with a signal, no matter how far that is from a video recorder, as long as the cameras have access to electrical power.

Conclusion

In conclusion, any surveillance camera that transmits data over the internet, whether wirelessly or via an Ethernet cable, is in fact an IP camera. The great difference within IP camera types is whether they are wired or wireless.

Wired cameras are not portable, and are more expensive and more complicated to install, but offer a more stable connection and are less prone to hacking. Wireless cameras require a very stable internet connection to be truly useful, but make up for it in portability and ease of installation.