A portable security camera can help you keep an eye on what matters most to you in your home. But with so many options out there, it might be hard to decide which one is for you. 

One of the major benefits of a portable security camera system is that you can take it with you from home to home. The components that make up that system can include many different types of cameras and sensors.

  • Outdoor cameras
  • Indoor cameras
  • Motion sensors
  • Life safety alarms, like carbon monoxide and fire detectors
  • Smart home safety, like smart locks and smart garage controllers

In this article, we’ll discuss the portable camera component of a home surveillance system. We'll review some advantages and disadvantages of these cameras to help you decide which camera might work best for you. 

 

How do security cameras connect to a power source?

Wired Camera

Wired cameras are hardwired to an outlet and connect to the internet if it's a digital camera. Analog cameras are wired and connected to the DVR, then to the internet. When installing these cameras, you'll likely need one wire or two, depending on the type of camera. 

Traditional wired cameras plug into a power outlet and into an internet router, so there will be two wires. However, if you have a PoE (Power over Internet) setup, your camera will have one cable that connects to both a power source and the internet through that single cable.

A wired security camera tends to be more reliable than a wireless camera. Because you’ll set up wires outside your home, and these wires will be there for a while, these cameras are best for homeowners.

 

Wireless Cameras

A portable wireless security camera typically relies on batteries to power the camera, making it popular for outdoor use. The footage is sent directly to your smartphone or tablet as a live feed that you can view at leisure. Because it is battery-operated, you’ll need to make sure it stays charged so it keeps recording.

Portable cameras are generally easy to install and require no additional power wiring. They can be installed on a rental property or go with you from home to home, regardless of if you rent or own your home. 

 

Read more about security cameras here: How Do Security Cameras Work? 

Is there a security camera that works without a subscription?

Not every security system needs a professional subscription service to work. ADT has a DIY security option that you can choose to monitor and set up yourself. ADT’s DIY security system includes both indoor and outdoor cameras, as well as a video doorbell, sensors and more. 

 

How to choose the best outdoor security camera system without a subscription? 

You can find many outdoor security cameras on the market for any home or budget. When you're trying to decide on an outdoor camera, one of the main things to consider is whether you want wireless or wired outdoor cameras.  

Other things you might want to ask yourself:

  • Do I want a professional to install my cameras, or do I want to install them myself? 
  • Do I want to add life safety detectors to my home?
  • Do I want to monitor my cameras or have them professionally monitored? 
  • Does my camera need to be waterproof?
  • Do I want a camera system with intelligent home automation or smart sensors? 

 

Should security cameras be visible?

There is some evidence that a visible camera can deter burglars, but there may come a time when you want to hide your camera. Another option is to have a mix of hidden and visible outdoor surveillance cameras. Whichever option you choose, make sure it's the one that makes you feel safe and secure. 

You may want to hide a camera if something suspicious seems to be going on around your neighborhood and you want to catch it happening without the individual knowing you’re recording them.

It is important to note that laws and regulations differ in some states regarding hiding indoor cameras. But these recommendations are only for outdoor use, not indoor. If you have any questions about indoor cameras, make sure you adhere to your local state and city laws.

Read more about how to hide an outdoor home security camera: How to Make an ADT Outdoor Camera a Hidden Security Camera

Should security cameras be above or below lights?

You should install your outdoor security cameras below any lights to reduce glare or out of view of the camera. This allows the light to pass below the camera and illuminate the field of view with minimal glare. Some cameras come with floodlights built right in for easy illumination of your property.

ADT's security experts can also install your outdoor camera for you. Our trained experts know exactly where to position your camera to maximize the field of view and the placement.

Pro-tip: Test your camera placement at night to make sure your lights don’t obscure your camera.

 

What should you consider before installing security cameras? 

When looking for any security camera, you'll want to investigate its features to ensure it can do what you want it to do.  

Here are a few things to consider when looking for an outdoor camera:

  • HD (high definition) video determines the image quality that you'll see. Opt for a camera with the highest resolution in your budget for the best video quality. 
  • Remote access allows you to monitor your cameras from virtually anywhere you are, so you don't have to be onsite to see what's going on.
  • Cloud storage stores your data in the cloud for remote viewing.
  • Choose a camera with motion detection and automatic recording. Some surveillance cameras can record 24/7, but a motion-detecting camera will start recording when the action is happening.
  • Real-time notifications can alert you as things are happening in the camera's field of view.
  • You want your outdoor surveillance camera to be weatherproof and temperature-resistant, so you're protected in high and low temperatures.
  • Infrared night vision allows you to see images clearly, even at night. 
  • Cloud storage enables you to store video in the cloud to view later. This is beneficial if your camera is damaged, since your data will remain accessible in the cloud.

 

Can your security camera be hacked? 

Hackers can break through vulnerable security systems, but there are measures you can put in place to make your camera system less likely to be hacked. 

Here are four ways you can help protect your camera from being hacked:

  1. Ensure that your firmware is updated and update new versions as they come out.

  2. App-based cameras have a lower risk of getting hacked than other camera systems.

  3. Always change your default passwords, using a combination of lower and uppercase letters, numbers and special characters.

  4. Make sure you turn on two-factor authentication.

 

Go beyond security cameras with ADT home security

Choosing the right outdoor security camera system can be difficult. But ADT can help. We have indoor and outdoor cameras, motion sensors, a smart doorbell and everything else you need to have a complete home security system—whether you rent or own your home.

Contact us today to see how an ADT Specialist can help you get the perfect home security system.

Frequently Asked Questions About Portable Security Cameras

Is there a security camera that doesn't use the internet?

If you have a camera that uploads to the cloud, it will require the internet to work properly and download your footage. 

Some CCTV surveillance systems may use monitors and either DVR (digital video recorder) or NVR (network video recorder). NVR integrates with digital security cameras, while a DVR receives transmission from analog cameras. NVR does not need to use the internet, instead it uses an IP network.

Do security cameras record all the time?

Whether a camera records or not depends on your security camera. Some surveillance cameras can record 24/7, while others are motion-activated and only start recording once you activate the sensors. When it comes to ADT’s home security cameras, ADT monitoring agents never view your live feed or recorded history.

Can security cameras see in the dark?

Infrared night vision allows your outdoor security camera to see in the dark. When you're looking for an outdoor camera, it's important to make sure your camera has this function.

Can I use an ADT system without a subscription?

Yes, you can use ADT’s DIY home security option without a subscription. However, pro-monitoring gives you 'round-the-clock emergency alerts that can be sent to you and the authorities for enhanced protection.  

Do all outdoor security cameras have to be plugged in to work?

Outdoor security cameras don’t have to be plugged in to work. You can use them with batteries, plug them into a power connection, or combine batteries and wires to receive power in some cases.

Some hardwired cameras that are plugged into a power supply can get power through an outlet or down the same wire as the video feed (otherwise known as Power over Ethernet).

Related Articles:

Get a free quote and ADT offers

Call or complete the form and an ADT specialist will contact you with a quote.

Personal Information
All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

By clicking the 'Get a Free Quote' button below, I agree that an ADT specialist may contact me via text messages or phone calls, from time to time, to the phone number provided by me using automated technology about ADT offers and consent is not required to make a purchase. Your information is collected and used in accordance with our privacy policy. Msg & data rates apply.