Comparing and Contrasting Outdoor Security Cameras by Use Case

Knowing that you can see what’s happening in and around your home, set smart home automation alerts, and talk to your kids in real time can provide much-needed peace of mind, no matter where you are.

Outdoor security cameras can record real-time footage of your property, alert you about suspicious activity in the area, and even deter lurkers who linger for too long outside your property.

But with so many choices available, choosing the right outdoor camera can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time investing in a home security device.

In this guide, we look at different use cases to help you choose the best home security camera for your needs.

Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro (Gen 2)

The Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro is one of the smartest outdoor security cameras available on the market. Designed for outdoor use and equipped with Smart Deter technology, the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro can help protect your home in a number of ways.

Benefits

• Monitor your property remotely. A Wi-Fi network is all you need to see what’s happening around your home. With Vivint, you can record and view live footage of your property remotely, no matter where you are.
• Stream live and recorded HD camera footage. The Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro delivers 1080p 4K Ultra-HD video quality straight to your smartphone or the Vivint Smart Hub, allowing you to clearly see what’s happening at home.
• Deter burglars automatically. Featuring a Smart Deter system, the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro automatically detects lurkers around your property and scares them off with a loud sound and LED illumination.
• See what’s happening around the clock. Featuring an IP65 rating and color night vision, this weather-resistant device delivers a crisp image from dusk to dawn.
• Enjoy a fully-automated home experience. The Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro connects to your home’s Wi-Fi, bringing you closer to a fully automated experience. It integrates seamlessly with many smart home platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Home Kit, and Google Assistant.

Specs

• 4k Ultra-HD with high dynamic range image sensor
• 140-degree field of view
• IP65 weatherproof rating
• 3x HD zoom, 10x digital
• 55-feet night vision range
• Power over Ethernet (PoE), PLC, and Wi-Fi bridge connectivity
• 108-pixels HD video resolution
• Motion detection
• Playback DVR

What people say about the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro (Gen 2)

Take a look at some Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro reviews:

Chantress's review:

Our home was broken into prior to getting Vivint. We got the system and caught on the back door camera at 2:15 am someone trying to get in again. I am so satisfied with the quality of the camera and the comfort it gives us when we are home asleep and away working! Excellent choice!

Chantress

Gary's review:

After installing Vivint Securiy cameras in our home, we feel more secure. We added two additional outside cameras that I didn't have with my previous provider with less the cost. We later plan to add more options to our home. At this time, we are completely satisfied with Vivint.

Gary

Mary's review:

They installed the system this past summer, 3-4 days before my car was broke into with no video from my previous system. The salesman and installers was here maybe 2 hours installed and ready to go. I now have 2 cameras, and the videos are great. Two weeks later the thief, intruder come back again now I have a video for the police department and my neighbor help me getting the video to the patrolman on duty and the police department . Now they have the profile of said intruder..... I am very Thankful for my system and my videos on my porch and in front of my house are great.... talking to people when they step up on my porch startles them..... I can’t complain it’s done everything that I need. I am still figuring out the details of my alarm system with help from family and friends. Taking the time to learn about my system!

Mary

Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro (Gen 2)

If you want to enhance your front door security, the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro is a great investment. Equipped with smart technology and advanced functionality, video doorbells attach to your front door to monitor what’s happening and warn you about suspicious activity.

Benefits

• Get alerted when a package arrives. No more worrying about someone stealing your package. The Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro helps minimize the chances of someone stealing your package by notifying you as soon as a package arrives at your front door.
• Speak to visitors with two-way audio. Whether you’re at work, running errands, or doing housework in the backyard, you can speak to guests through your mobile phone or smart hub before opening your home.
• View what’s happening at night. Equipped with high-powered infrared night vision, the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro allows you to see high-definition footage of your doorstep 24/7, even when it’s really dark.
• Receive motion notifications. An advanced doorbell camera like the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro can notify you whenever there’s something suspicious going outside your porch.
• Integrate with other smart devices. Do you love the idea of a smart home? Connect your Vivint home security system with other intelligent devices in your home, such as floodlight cameras, indoor cameras, and smart locks. This means you can turn on the lights when a person is detected, lock the garage doors with your smartphone, and do other custom actions.
• Rest easy with always-on protection. The Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro is a wired camera that maintains constant connectivity while you’re away for long periods. This way, you don’t have to worry about maintaining the battery life of a battery-powered device.

Specs

• 1664 x 1664p with 2X HDR image sensor
• High-powered IR LEDs (850nm) night vision
• 180 x 180-degree field of view
• 1080-pixels HD video resolution
• 90-dB speaker
• Two far-field mics with echo canceling
• 2.4/5GHz 802.11 b/g/n/ac band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC connectivity
• Motion detection

What people have to say about the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro (Gen 2)

Take a look at some Vivint Doorbell Camera reviews:

Eileen's review:

We have had Vivint as our Security System for about 4 years now. The system is very good at letting us know when batteries need changing or when we need to install an upgrade. We are always alerted when someone or something is near our front door through the doorbell camera. We are satisfied overall with our services.

Eileen

Regina's review:

I love my security system! So I was on the road meeting my brother. Halfway to his house I realized I didn’t have my purse. l was frazzled. I told him I’d have to go back home to see where I dropped it. Then it dawned on me to use my Vivint doorbell camera! There it was, laying in my driveway. It gives me peace of mind. I can’t wait until they make a camera with motion censored lights. I’m definitely in!

Regina

Which outdoor camera to choose: 6 use cases

An outdoor security system helps give you control over everything happening around your home.

Keep reading to learn more about which type of security camera will work for your needs. Then, rest easy knowing your home and family are safe and protected.

Keep an eye on your kids when you are away

Leaving children home alone can be nerve-wracking for many parents. But thanks to smart home technology, you can rest assured that your kids are safe at home even when you’re hundreds of miles away.

With a Vivint home security system, you can ensure your kids arrive home safely after school, check on them while they’re playing outside, and monitor the exterior of your home in real time. You can even communicate with visitors to tell them to come back another time, or talk to your kids in real time in case of an emergency.

Our pick: Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro or Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro

Supervise your pets

If you’re a pet parent, you know that leaving your pets behind is much harder than it sounds. But an outdoor security camera system can make things easier.

Whether you’re going to work for the day or heading to a weekend getaway, an outdoor security system can help ensure your pet sitter gives your pet water, food, and some well-deserved pampering.

If you worry about your four-legged friends escaping, you can also set custom actions that will notify you as soon as motion is detected. This way, you know your beloved animals are safe while you’re not there.

Our pick: Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro

Monitor your property

No big surprise here, but monitoring your property in real time is one of the biggest benefits of an outdoor security camera.

With an outdoor CCTV camera, you can ensure your family and valuables are safe from theft and vandalism. The Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro comes with motion sensors and facial recognition technology to detect suspicious activity and automatically deter anyone nearby with its built-in siren and LED illumination ring around the camera lens.

For wire-free home security, use the Smart Drive to store up to 30 days of 24/7 video recording. The Smart Drive lets you review suspicious activity or trace criminals in the unfortunate event of trespassing.

On the same note, cloud storage is a great option if you want to access, manage, and share your clips on the go. Although it comes with a monthly fee depending on your security company, it provides more flexibility than local storage (e.g., microSD card).

Our pick: Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro

Keep watch of kids in the pool

Having a swimming pool in your backyard is definitely something to be happy about. However, considering drowning is a leading cause of death for children under 4, safety should be your top priority.

With Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro, you can easily enable pool alerts to make your swimming pool a safer place for your kids. This beta feature notifies you when there’s motion in the area, so you can ensure no one enters the pool when it’s unsupervised.

Although smart devices don’t replace adult supervision, they can provide a second pair of “eyes” for keeping little humans safe around a pool.

Our pick: Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro

Set smart home automation triggers

If you’re like us, you love the feeling of controlling your devices from the palm of your hand or even with your voice.

Pair Vivint wireless security cameras with other smart home devices for a fully automated home experience that can make your life easier and safer.

For example, you can open and close your garage doors with your phone, control your video doorbell with your voice, and set an automation for the lights to turn on as soon as they detect motion.

Our pick: Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro or Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro

Prevent porch pirates

Busy lives call for online shopping delivered right to your door. But amid a booming courier delivery business, you should be mindful of porch pirates trying to steal your packages.

If a package locker isn’t available to you, a video doorbell camera can provide peace of mind because you’ll know your package is protected from theft.

Equipped with Smart Deter technology, the Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro detects packages at your door and automatically plays a loud sound and illuminates an LED light if anyone comes too close.

Our pick: Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro

Discover the benefits of Vivint

Whether you want to watch the kids in the pool, monitor the exterior of your property, or keep an eye on your pets, an outdoor surveillance camera is the answer.

Check out our Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro and Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro, or contact our Smart Home Pros for a free consultation today.

We offer professional monitoring and installation services so you don’t have to DIY your camera setup. Call us at 855.822.1220 for a free consultation today.