Megapixels in Security Cameras: What’s the Real Difference Between 2MP, 4MP, 6MP and 8MP?

Megapixels aren’t everything. See the real difference between 2MP, 4MP, 6MP and 8MP cameras — and which one suits your site.

Shane Tellini

1/9/20263 min read

When people compare security cameras, the first thing they often look at is megapixels (MP). More megapixels can mean more detail — but only when the camera, lens, lighting and scene are matched correctly.

This guide breaks down what you actually get from 2MP, 4MP, 6MP and 8MP, how they impact identification, storage, and low-light performance, and how the major brands AXIS Communications, Dahua, and Hikvision support each resolution tier.

What a “megapixel” really means (and why it’s not the whole story)

A megapixel is simply one million pixels. More pixels can allow:

  • More detail on the same scene (better zoom-in after the fact), or

  • Wider coverage while maintaining usable detail.

But megapixels don’t automatically guarantee better results, because image quality also depends heavily on:

  • Sensor size and sensitivity (low light)

  • Lens quality and field of view

  • Dynamic range (WDR) for backlit scenes

  • Compression settings and bitrate

  • Motion blur (shutter settings, lighting)

So think of megapixels as potential detail, not a guaranteed outcome.

Resolution cheat sheet (with real-world camera examples from major brands)

Below are the most common “real” pixel dimensions used in security cameras for each megapixel tier (as shown in manufacturer specs).

TierTypical max resolutionPixels per frame (calculation)What it’s commonly called

2MP 1920 × 10801,920 × 1,080 = 2,073,600 (~2.07MP)1080p / Full HD
4MP2688 × 15202,688 × 1,520 = 4,085,760 (~4.09MP)“4MP”
6MP3072 × 20483,072 × 2,048 = 6,291,456 (~6.29MP)“6MP”
8MP3840 × 21603,840 × 2,160 = 8,294,400 (~8.29MP)4K / UHD

Proof these are common in real products:

  • 2MP (1920×1080): AXIS M3085-V max video resolution 1920×1080 ; Dahua IPC-HFW2241T-ZS outputs 2MP (1920×1080) ; Hikvision DS-2CD2123G0-I(S) max resolution 1920×1080

  • 4MP (2688×1520): AXIS M3106-LVE Mk II max video resolution 2688×1520 ; Dahua IPC-HFW2449T-AS-IL outputs 4MP (2688×1520) ; Hikvision DS-2CD2345G0P-I max resolution 2688×1520

  • 6MP (3072×2048): AXIS M3067-P datasheet lists 6MP (3072×2048) ; Dahua DH-IPC-HDW3666EMP-S-AUS outputs 6MP (3072×2048) ; Hikvision DS-2CD2365G1-I max resolution 3072×2048

  • 8MP / 4K (3840×2160): AXIS P1388 highlights 8MP / 4K ; Dahua IPC-HDW3849H-AS-PV-ANZ-S2 outputs 8MP (3840×2160) ; Hikvision DS-2CD2386G2-I(U) max resolution 3840×2160

2MP (1080p): the “workhorse” for general coverage

Best for:

  • Lobbies, hallways, small offices

  • Situations where you’ll mount the camera closer to the subject

  • Projects prioritising low storage and stable streaming


Pros

  • Lower bandwidth + storage compared with higher MP

  • Often strong low-light performance when paired with a good sensor/lens

  • Great value and easy to deploy at scale


Cons

  • Less ability to digitally zoom in and still retain detail

  • Wide-angle scenes may not deliver enough detail at a distance


Brand examples

  • AXIS offers many 2MP models (e.g., AXIS M3085-V is 1920×1080).

  • Dahua WizSense 2MP models commonly output 1920×1080.

  • Hikvision Pro-series 2MP cameras list 1920×1080 max resolution.

4MP: the “sweet spot” for sharper detail without going full 4K

Best for:

  • Strata common areas, car parks, and loading docks

  • Retail floors where you want extra facial/incident detail

  • Wider scenes where 2MP starts to look soft when zoomed

Pros

  • Noticeably more detail than 2MP for the same view

  • Often a strong balance of cost, storage, and clarity


Cons

  • More storage and bandwidth than 2MP

  • If you push very wide angles, you can still run into pixel-density limits


Brand examples

  • AXIS M3106-LVE Mk II lists 2688×1520 max video resolution.

  • Dahua IPC-HFW2449T-AS-IL lists 4MP (2688×1520).

  • Hikvision DS-2CD2345G0P-I lists 2688×1520 max resolution.

6MP: where detail starts to become “investigation-friendly”

Best for:

  • Larger areas where you still need identifiable detail

  • Sites that want clearer images for incident review (without the full overhead of 8MP)

  • Multi-use scenes (people + vehicles) where you may need to crop in


Pros

  • Strong step-up for zooming/cropping footage

  • Useful when you can’t mount closer but still need detail


Cons

  • Higher bandwidth/storage

  • Can require better lighting and a correct lens choice to avoid motion blur


Brand examples

  • AXIS supports 6MP in various cameras (e.g., AXIS M3067-P is 3072×2048).

  • Dahua 6MP WizSense models commonly output 3072×2048.

  • Hikvision 6MP models list 3072×2048 max resolution.

8MP (4K): maximum detail — when you can support the bandwidth and lighting

Best for:

  • Large open areas: car parks, warehouses, perimeter lines

  • Scenarios where you expect to zoom in during investigations

  • When you want to cover a wider scene without sacrificing as much detail


Pros

  • Highest ability to crop in and still keep detail

  • Great for scenes where subjects may be further from the camera


Cons

  • Significantly higher storage and bandwidth requirements

  • Needs good lighting and correct settings to avoid blur/noise

  • Poor design choices (wrong lens/placement) can waste the extra pixels


Brand examples

  • AXIS P1388 promotes 8MP with “excellent image quality in 4K”.

  • Dahua 8MP models list 3840×2160 output.

  • Hikvision 8MP AcuSense turret shows max resolution 3840×2160.

The biggest mistake: choosing megapixels before you choose the outcome

The right question isn’t “How many megapixels?” — it’s:

What do you need the footage to do?

  • Detect: Is someone there?

  • Observe: What are they doing?

  • Recognise: Is it the same person you’ve seen before?

  • Identify: Can you clearly identify them?


These are commonly referred to as DORI, and manufacturers like AXIS publish planning guidance that ties required detail to pixel density and operational outcomes. Also worth noting: AXIS has discussed how the IEC 62676-4 standard is evolving beyond the familiar DORI framework (with updates described in late 2025), reinforcing that performance planning is more than just “MP”.

Practical recommendations (simple, real-world)

  • Choose 2MP when cameras are close to the subject and you want efficient storage (corridors, small rooms, entrances).

  • Choose 4MP for the best all-round balance in most strata/commercial jobs.

  • Choose 6MP when you need better zoom-in detail across mid-to-large scenes.

  • Choose 8MP (4K) when the scene is big and you’re prepared to design around bandwidth, lighting, lens choice, and recording capacity.

Advance Digital Systems 2025