Scene: what kind of scene do you want to monitor? How important is it?

• This will help you determine the features you'd like to have in a network camera, such as video quality, light sensitivity and type of lens.

Lighting conditions: level of indoor and/or outdoor light sensitivity required

• Axis offers network cameras for indoor use, as well as ones for both indoor/outdoor conditions. Indoor/outdoor cameras have varifocal lens that automatically adjust the lens' iris. Day/night cameras, which provide color images during daytime and black & white images during nighttime are also available.
• Check details on the network camera's light sensitivity both in indoor and/or outdoor environments. Lighting conditions are measured in "lux". 

Distance from position of camera to object being monitored

• This determines the type of camera and type of lens (normal, telephoto, wide-angle) to use, as well as the placement of the camera(s). Certain Axis network cameras have lens that are replaceable.

Angle of view needed: wide, narrow, general or detailed coverage (Determine how much of the scene you need to see)

• Network cameras come with fixed angle and focus, as well as variable ones that allow remote pan/tilt/zoom capability, which enables a wider area of coverage

High or low traffic

• The higher the traffic, perhaps more cameras are needed

NEXT: Determine your application needs