An outdoor security camera shows you who is at the door, in the driveway or by the back gate. The big decision is how it gets power: a cord, a solar panel or a battery. Here’s how to choose one, plus four top-selling outdoor cameras and the City of Toronto’s advice on where to point them.
Quick answer
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Decide how the camera will be powered first, then point it only at your own property. The City of Toronto says cameras should record your own property, not your neighbour’s land or people walking past.
A simple place to start: the DEKCO pan-tilt camera 2 pack, ranked #2 in Surveillance Cameras & Security Systems when we checked. It is wired, so it suits a spot near an outlet. No outlet nearby? Look at the aosu solar camera.
Four outdoor cameras, by how they’re powered
| Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| DEKCO outdoor pan-tilt security camera, 2 pack | Best if you want to cover the front and back with one purchase. The product page lists a 2 pack of wired cameras that pan 360° and tilt 90°, with a floodlight, siren, two-way audio and an IP66 weather rating. It supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only, and a microSD card (up to 128 GB, not included) or cloud storage. #2 in Surveillance Cameras & Security Systems when we checked. | See price |
| Tapo C530WS 3K outdoor pan-tilt camera | Best if you want the sharpest picture from a wired camera. The product page lists 3K (5 MP) video, color night vision up to 98 ft, person, pet and vehicle detection, an IP66 rating, dual antennas and a 2-year warranty. Storage is a microSD card (up to 512 GB, sold separately) or Tapo Care cloud. #2 in Dome Surveillance Cameras when we checked. | See price |
| aosu 2K solar security camera | Best if you can’t run a cord. The product page lists a fixed solar panel with a battery, 100% wire-free power, a 360° pan view, 2K video, automatic human tracking and an IP65 rating. It supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only, and the page says that below -5°C (23°F) solar charging pauses and the camera runs on its battery. #4 in Dome Surveillance Cameras when we checked. | See price |
| Tapo C500 1080p outdoor pan-tilt camera | Best if you want a lower-cost wired camera. The product page lists 1080p video, a 360° pan and 130° tilt range, night vision up to 98 ft, a physical privacy mode that blocks the lens, an IP65 rating, a power adapter and a microSD slot (up to 512 GB, sold separately). #2 in Dome Surveillance Cameras when we checked. | See price |
Features come from the retailer’s product pages and can change, so check the current page before you order.
Wired, solar or battery: which suits your spot?
- Wired. A camera on a power adapter needs an outlet within reach, so plan the cord run before you buy. In this group the DEKCO and both Tapo cameras are wired, and the DEKCO page says in plain words that it is not a battery camera.
- Solar. The aosu has a fixed solar panel and a battery. Its product page says that below -5°C (23°F) solar charging pauses and it runs on the battery, which matters in a Canadian winter, so check the sun your wall really gets.
- Wi-Fi. The DEKCO and aosu pages say they support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only. Check that the signal reaches the spot you want to cover.
- Storage. Find out where the footage is saved. The DEKCO and Tapo pages list a microSD card slot (cards are sold separately) and a cloud option, so check what the cloud plan costs before you rely on it.
Where should you point an outdoor camera?
The City of Toronto says it does not regulate security cameras on private residential properties, and it gives best practices instead. Rules can differ where you live, so check your own city or province. The Toronto page suggests you:
- Record only your own property, and avoid capturing footage or sound from neighbouring land or from people walking past.
- Put up a notice, such as a small sign near the camera, so visitors know recording is happening.
- Delete recordings regularly and store them securely, with limited access.
- Talk to your neighbour first if their camera seems to capture your property.
How do you keep an outdoor camera secure?
A camera is a connected device, so the Government of Canada’s advice for smart devices applies to it:
- Use a strong, unique password or passphrase for each device and account.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication on your accounts where it is offered.
- Review the privacy settings when you set it up.
- Keep the software up to date.
- If your router has a guest network, put smart devices on it.
Common questions
Do outdoor cameras need a subscription? Not always. The Tapo and DEKCO pages list microSD storage, and each also offers a cloud option. Check the product page for the model you pick.
Can I point a camera at the street? The City of Toronto’s advice is to record only your own property and to avoid people walking past. Check the rules where you live.
Which one needs no cord at all? The aosu, which uses a solar panel and a battery. Its page says solar charging pauses below -5°C (23°F).
Before you buy
- Decide how it will be powered: an outlet, solar or a battery.
- Check that your Wi-Fi reaches the spot, and which band the camera supports.
- Choose where the footage will be stored, and check whether any feature you want needs a paid plan.
- Plan the view so it covers only your own property, and put up a notice.
- Already have a camera at the door? See our video doorbell guide and our smart lock guide.
Sources: City of Toronto, Security cameras; Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, Cyber security at home and in the office; Get Cyber Safe, Smart Device Week. Product details come from the retailer’s product pages, so check the current page before you order.
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