The 6 Positioning Camera Systems (2023)

Positioning camera systems are an advanced form of PTZ cameras. They have almost instantaneous panning/tilting and extremely high optical zooming multipliers.

These cameras usually involve artificial intelligence to track objects in the environment. These can be people, their faces, vehicles, or other artifacts.

My top pick is the Bosch 540TVL Positioning Security Camera. It’s an analog camera with 15x optical zoom and 100°/second panning capabilities.

The Uniview 2MP Positioning Security Camera. It’s got a tough IP67-rated enclosure and can perform 44x optical zoom at 1080p HD resolution.

The 6 Positioning Camera Systems (2023)

Our top pick is the Bosch 540TVL Positioning Security Camera. It is an analog-based device that requires coaxial cables for data transmission with a compatible DVR.

The base system can only carry data (via coax) to a distance of 1000ft. However, with external amplifiers (such as Bosch’s Bilinx coaxial interface device,) the maximum range can be increased to 3000ft.

The maximum resolution has a fixed 540TVL. (The IP equivalent of 720x540 non-HD resolution.) The camera can carry out continuous 360° panning at 100°/second along with 130° tilting (-90° to +40°) at a speed of 40°/sec. Also, it can carry out 15x optical zooming.

Our runner-up is the Uniview 2MP Positioning Security Camera. It is an IP-based intelligent network positioning camera system with options for DC and AC power options.

The only available data transmission medium is PoE ethernet. (via a compatible NVR) Nonetheless, the device supports microSD, NAS, and FTP storage. (With a maximum 256GB microSD storage capacity.)

The motorized lens allows for automated presets and tracking with panning capability of 360° horizontally and 50° vertical tilting. However, its most impressive feature is the 44x optical zoom.

The camera has an IP67 rating with operating temperatures ranging between -40F and 158F. On top of that, the device includes a wiper that automatically switches on during rain.

The Hanwha 640×480 Positioning Security Camera records footage at the given resolution. However, the positioning system allows the camera to perform 360° continuous panning and 50° tilting. There is no optical zooming feature because the lens is a fixed focus type.

The camera system features a plethora of intelligent features, a few of these include Heat mapping, sound detection, and line crossing. Unfortunately, some important aspects missing from this system are True WDR and night vision. (Neither Full-color nor infrared.)

The enclosure has an IP66 rating and supports an operating temperature range of -40F to 131F. There’s also an in-built heater to maintain the device during freezing temperatures.

The Hikvision 2MP Positioning Security Camera is a feature-packed IP-based device. The setup can be powered either via DC, AC, or PoE. Apart from NVR, there are also MicroSD, NAS, and FTP storage options.

The automated PTZ features include presets, patterns, tracking, and scanning. There is 360° endless panning, 90° tilting, and a maximum optical zoom magnification of 25x.

A few of the camera’s intelligent features include face detection, line crossing, video tampering, and audio exception detection. It can carry out full-color night vision (in low-light) and incorporates an eight IR LED configuration with a maximum distance of 820ft.

The Dahua PTZ85260-HNF-WA is one of the best positioning camera systems with the highest optical zoom. The motorized lens allows for 60x optical with 16x digital zooming, and there is complete 360° panning and 90° tilting.

The footage is processed with True WDR and has a maximum 1080p resolution. The system supports MicroSD (256GB maximum capacity), NVR, and FTP for storage. On top of that, include ONVIF (Profiles S, G, and T,) RTSP, and CGI interoperability support.

To properly utilize the 60x optical zoom, the camera includes multiple intelligent features, including but not limited to the advanced face and animal detection, customized tripwire detection, and IP address conflict event triggers.

The enclosure is IP67 rated and operates at a temperature range of -40F to 158F.

Our final entry on this list is the Axis 2MP Positioning Security Camera. (Q8685-E) It is an IP-based device with DC/AC power options. The preferred data transmission medium is ethernet (with a compatible NVR, NAS, or FTP server,) but the system also supports local storage via MicroSD.

The automated PTZ functions include touring, presets, and tracking, and like many positioning camera systems, there is endless 360° panning, 135° tilting, 30x optical zoom, and 16x digital zoom.

The enclosure has an IP66 rating and operates between temperatures of -58F to 131F.

Decision Factors when Choosing a Positioning Camera System

Optical Zooming

For detecting and tracking objects in the scene, the camera needs to have high degrees of optical magnification. Most systems in this niche peak at 60x optical magnification. However, depending on your installation location you might not need to zoom that much to focus on objects. Therefore, for a general-purpose positioning security camera, we recommend a minimum of 20x optical zoom.

PT Functions

PT capabilities are also another crucial spec in these types of cameras. We always recommend going for devices with endless 360° horizontal panning and a minimum of 50° vertical tilting. The panning and tilting speed are not very important for general purposes, but the extra cost for 100°/s panning is definitely worth it.

IP rating

Positioning camera systems are primarily installed in outdoor locations. They are meant to monitor large open spaces such as fields, beaches, or parking lots. Therefore, picking out a camera with an IP66 rating (or higher) is always recommended for complete weatherproofing.

Night Vision

Tracking objects over long distances can be inefficient in low light, especially using consumer-grade infrared LEDs that can only reach 30ft. Fortunately, most positioning camera systems include high-powered infrared emitters with maximum distances of 800ft. Therefore, it is recommended to note the IR distance of the device and supplement the system with IR illuminators if necessary. (Some systems also offer high-range IR emitters as an optional accessory.)

Intelligent Features

For positioning camera systems, intelligent features such as human and vehicle detection are a must-have. Most devices on this list include these basic object detection features. However, only a few sets of devices support advanced features such as face detection, heat mapping, customizable motion zones, and illegal access event triggers. For better security and automation, we recommend purchasing a high-end system. (with these additional features.)

Conclusion

Positioning camera systems offer high optical zoom and professional panning and tilting functionality. They also have high-end illuminators for long-range infrared and color night vision.

This makes it ideal to track and gather data from objects far out in the distance.

My top recommendation is the Bosch 540TVL Positioning Security Camera. It’s got 360° panning and 130° tilting with 15x optical zoom.

My second pick is the Uniview 2MP Positioning Security Camera. It’s an IP-based camera that can record in 1080p with a whopping 44x optical zoom multiplier.