Security cameras
What is the difference between 1080p, 2K and 4K?
1080p, 2K and 4K describe resolution: how many pixels form the image. 1080p (Full HD) is 1920×1080; on consumer cameras 2K usually means 2560×1440; and 4K (UHD) is 3840×2160. More pixels mean more detail when you zoom in, but also heavier files.
What you gain with more resolution
The difference shows when you zoom. On a security camera, more resolution lets you enlarge the recorded image and still make out a face or a license plate. On a screen or a projector, text and edges look sharper, especially at large sizes.
At the normal distance and size of a phone, the gap between 1080p and 2K is small. It shows most on big screens or when cropping the image.
What it costs
Each step up in resolution multiplies the size of the video. A 2K camera fills the memory card sooner than a 1080p one and needs a stronger WiFi signal to stream without stutter. That is why many cameras let you lower the quality in the app when the connection is weak.
Resolution is not everything either: the sensor, the lens and the video compression matter as much as the pixel count. A good 1080p camera can look better at night than a mediocre 2K one.
What to check before you buy
- To watch a door or a room, 1080p is enough; for yards or parking areas, 2K helps when zooming.
- More resolution needs more storage: check which microSD card the device accepts.
- On projectors, look at native resolution, not supported resolution.
Products with 1080p, 2K and 4K in our store
This is how it appears on their spec sheet. Open each one to see all its specifications.
Guides to help you choose
Frequently asked questions
Not exactly. 2560×1440 has about 1.8 times the pixels of 1920×1080. The name comes from the approximate width of the image, not from doubling the resolution.