Top 10 Face Detection & Facial Recognition Security Cameras

Security cameras with face detection or facial recognition make it very easy to identify people coming into a camera’s field of view. With an approved list of faces, you can use it to improve security around your home or keep track of people in and around your premises.

You can automate the security system to trigger notifications or in some cases sirens or active deterrence lights based on detecting unrecognized faces.

Below, we have shortlisted our top ten security cameras with facial recognition. We’ve simplified our lineup to include general-purpose security cameras; hence, we have excluded PTZ cameras and positioning camera systems (which have their own lists).

Let’s get started.

Top 10 Face Detection & Facial Recognition Security Cameras

Our top pick is the Lorex E892ABW, a 4K resolution bullet-type security camera. What makes this our top pick are the high-accuracy facial recognition capabilities and the other functional intelligent features such as abandoned and missing object detection.

The camera’s notification system is fully customizable, allowing you to prioritize faces over persons and vehicles and vice versa. In this manner, you can limit unnecessary notifications.

However, this camera is not a standalone device; hence you need to purchase a Lorex NVR and enable facial recognition. Also, based on the recorders' computing power, you may not be able to activate this for multiple cameras. (Most NVRs only support two cameras with facial recognition.)

Our runner-up is the Amcrest 4K turret-style security camera. Compared to most other facial recognition cameras on this list, this device includes multiple intelligent features for motion detection, perimeter protection, and other security functions.

The camera includes a 4K resolution sensor and a 5x optical zoom lens, allowing it to detect and track faces easily. However, you have to link the camera to a compatible AI NVR. (Preferably one from Amcrest.)

Apart from face recognition, you also have person and vehicle detection, tripwire detection, and other intelligent security features such as network disconnection, storage anomaly, and video tampering.

The eufyCam 2C Pro bundle includes two eufy Cam 2C Pro add-on cameras with a HomeBase 2 device. (The HomeBase 2 is necessary for the cameras to connect to the Wi-Fi.)

The included cameras can perform human and face detection with the help of the HomeBase 2. As soon as a human or face comes into view, the camera sends out a push notification via the Eufy security mobile app.

These security cameras do not support continuous recording mainly because of the battery-operated power system and 16GB of local storage in the HomeKit 2 (supposed to store a year’s worth of 1080p footage). Instead, they only have a motion-activated recording feature with short clips lasting from a (customizable) length of 120 to 300 seconds.

Google’s Nest Cam (Indoor/Outdoor battery-operated device) is an affordable and reliable security camera for detecting faces.

This security camera, on its own, can only carry out face detection. Nonetheless, there is a facial recognition feature (called “Familiar Faces”), but in order to set it up, you need a Nest Aware online subscription.

We highly recommend subscribing to this service because most of the other fundamental features on this camera are locked behind this service. A few of these include compatibility with Google Assistant and Google Nest Hub, remote viewing via the Google Nest mobile app, and cloud storage.

The Montavue MTZ4040 PTZ camera is a budget-friendly alternative that includes a 4MP camera with a motorized lens.

When coupled with a compatible NVR, the camera allows simple face detection. Also, it can carry out person and vehicle detection, tripwire detection, and several other intelligent motion detection features.

In terms of storage, you can connect the camera to your PC, NVR, or server (via FTP) with ONVIF-compatible devices. The device has an IP66 rating and an operating temperature range of -22F to 140F.

Also, the motorized lens allows for 355-degree panning, 90-degree tilting, and 4x optical zoom.

The Axis M4216–V dome-style camera is a high-end IP-based device with an 8MP camera and varifocal lens. The footage is processed with 110dB True WDR and transferred via PoE. It also has local MicroSD card storage and support for multiple ONVIF profiles (G, S, M, and T)

Even though this device lacks a face recognition feature, it performs extremely well in carrying out real-time face detection. Along with that, the camera can also perform vehicle, face, and other intelligent security measures such as perimeter crossing, storage anomaly, and IP address conflict, to name a few...

Unfortunately, the device has an IP42 rating; hence, it’s primarily designed for indoor applications such as banks, supermarkets, malls, etc...

The ANKNE NC800 bullet-type camera is a high-end device with intelligent perimeter and object detection features.

The camera system comprises an 8MP resolution sensor and a fixed focus lens covering a 124-degree diagonal FOV. (102 degrees horizontal.) There is 120db True WDR functionality, and the camera system works with Synology, Blue Iris, and other ONVIF compatible applications.

To help improve motion detection: this camera has support for the human, vehicle, and face detection algorithms along with line crossing, missing objects, and abandoned object detection features.

On top of that, the enclosure has an IP67 rating, making it an ideal solution for outdoor installations.

The Swann SWNVW-800CAM is a bullet-type wireless camera with an 8MP camera sensor. It is a budget-friendly alternative that includes face, vehicle, and person detection. Along with that, it supports several smart integration platforms such as Alexa, Google Assistant, Chromecast, and Nest Hub.

Despite being a 2.4GHz Wireless camera, the device cannot interface directly with your Wi-Fi router; instead, you need a SecureAlert™ NVW-800 Base unit/NVR for storage and interfacing with the Swann app.

Also, you can only configure the camera to either recognize faces or vehicles and persons. I.e., you can’t recognize faces while also detecting vehicles and humanoid shapes.

Night Owl’s wireless 4K resolution IP camera is a viable mid-range alternative for seamlessly carrying out face, vehicle, and human detection.

The camera is an AC-powered plug-and-play device (an adapter that plugs into a wall outlet) with wireless 2.4GHz data transmission. It has an 8MP camera and can record footage at 3840x2160 (4K resolution).

There are several storage solutions for the camera, including but not limited to a 128GB MicroSD card, BTWN8 Series Wi-Fi NVR, BTD8 Series DVR, and cloud storage.

One of the notable advantages of this system is the fast-response face detection feature, with instant notifications sending you a photo of the detected face(s).

Our final option in this list is the LaView Saturn Series 4K UltraHD 8MP Turret Dome Outdoor PoE Audio IP Camera.

This mid-range device includes intelligent video surveillance (IVS) features such as intrusion and tripwire detection (perimeter protection). Apart from that, the camera also supports the usual face detection and abandoned/missing object detection.

The camera processes footage at 120dB True WDR and exports three separate streams, with the primary stream sending out 4K resolution footage at 15fps. (There is support for 30 fps at lower resolutions.)

The camera comes with ONVIF, RTSP, and CGI compatibility, and the available storage options include a 128GB MicroSD card, NVR, NAS, and FTP. Unfortunately, setting up the camera with the NVR is not so straightforward since it needs to be configured manually. (Won't support direct plug-and-play like many other cameras/systems.)

Decision Factors when Choosing a Face Detection / Facial Recognition Security Camera

Face detection vs Facial Recognition

Facial recognition is the more advanced feature that allows the camera system to differentiate faces from one another and categorize them into known/unknown presets. It is a more demanding feature unavailable in many low and mid-range security cameras. Face recognition is almost exclusively used in commercial/industrial systems where they need to track employees and create automated systems such as a security lock/door with face recognition.

Night Vision

Recognising faces (or detecting them) is inaccurate with infrared night vision. That is why many cameras prioritize full-color night vision instead. Thus, when going for a device with face detection, we highly recommend sticking with a camera that can carry out full-color night vision. In this manner, you won’t have to worry about supplementing the camera with external ambient light sources. 

Two-Way Communication

Audio-based features such as two-way communication can be a great deterrent against intruders. Most cameras on this list have built-in microphones and speakers for two-way communication, allowing you to talk to the person on the other side. If they are trespassing, you can warn them, and they will think twice about breaking into your property ever again. 

IP rating

As always, a solid IP rating will determine if you can install the cameras in an outdoor setting. We suggest going for IP66 or IP67-rated devices for better protection against the elements. Lower IP ratings such as IPX4 and IPX5 may be advertised as water-resistant, but they won’t guarantee complete protection against water. (Most of these low-rated devices usually suffer from water damage just after their first night in a storm) 

Storage Solutions

To get the most out of your face detection feature, it’s best to couple these cameras with the recommended “heavy-duty” storage options. That means setting it up with an NVR or cloud storage service with enough processing power to carry out face detection/recognition. These may be expensive, but you need them for receiving notifications and remote viewing.

Conclusion

Nowadays, face detection/recognition is a regular feature included in most modern IP security cameras, thanks to advances in artificial intelligence.

Most cameras on this list can easily detect faces and send you instant notifications with a corresponding photo. It is a handy feature that improves security and minimizes false positives caused by shadows, animals, and other unnecessary artifacts. (Ones that can easily trigger a typical motion sensor/detection algorithm.)

So, what is your preferred camera for carrying out face detection? Let us know in the comments.