The outdoor security camera market isn't the same as it used to be.
Rather than trying to decide among a ton of identical-looking standard-definition devices, today's DIY market is flooded with a wide variety of high-definition outdoor-rated models.
Some have to be hardwired to an existing doorbell or light fixture. Others rely on batteries. Some have optional cellular backup and other still, like the Canary Flex (pictured above), come with a unique assortment of accessories so you can find the perfect install spot for your home.
Read on to discover the wide world of outdoor home security.
This smart buzzer has to be hard-wired, though and its square shape won't fit on every doorframe. At the current exchange rate, $199 coverts to roughly £150/AU$260.
Bosch announced its Eyes Outdoor camera at the IFA 2016 conference in Berlin this September.
The Eyes Outdoor isn't available for sale just yet, but Bosch says it will have similar features to the Kuna Light Fixture and the Netatmo Presence.
It will hit stores in Europe first for €350, with plans to expand to the UK and the US after. The price in Euros converts to roughly $390/£300 at the current exchange rate.
Complete with 1080p streaming resolution, a microSD card slot, an 8GB microSD card and cloud storage, it also comes with a variety of accessories.
The most interesting is a Flir-designed weatherproof cover that converts the otherwise indoor FX into an outdoor camera (the cover costs an extra 80 bucks, though).
The $199 Kuna Light Fixture is a seriously cool device (roughly £150 and AU$260 at the current exchange rate).
It's an outdoor light fixture with a built-in security camera hiding in its base.
Of course, that means you'll have to uninstall an existing fixture to get the hardwired-only Kuna up and running, but it's a clever, discreet way to watch over your front or backyard in 720p high-definition.
Logitech's Circle 2 is actually two different indoor/outdoor cameras -- -- the $180/£169 wired Circle 2 (AU$235, converted) and the $200/£199 battery-powered Circle 2 (AU$260, converted).
Nest's $200/£150 outdoor camera is similar to its indoor model.
With 1080p high-definition live streaming, motion and sound detection, activity zones, IFTTT integration and integration with other Nest products via the related Android and iPhone app, this camera can do a lot.
You can do even more with a monthly subscription to the Nest Aware service, including Person Alerts. This feature shoots you a notification both when it thinks it sees a person and when it's sure it sees a person.
The $229 Nest Hello doorbell is similar to the Nest Cam IQ Indoor and IQ Outdoor cameras. It offers person alerts, familiar face alerts (with a Nest Aware subscription) and HD live streaming.
Like the Welcome cam, Netatmo's Presence camera has a facial-recognition feature. That means, it's supposed to be able to tell the difference between people and well, everything else.
It also works outside and offers zones, as well as 1080p resolution and a 100-degree field-of-view.
The $450 US-only Netgear Arlo Go is an outdoor security camera with cellular backup via AT&T's 3G and LTE wireless networks. Here's an overview of its key specs and features:
HD resolution: Arlo Go has 720p 24-7 high-definition live streaming
Alerts -- when Arlo Go detects either motion or sound, you should get an alert or an email
Battery-powered: Like Arlo Pro, Arlo Go uses rechargeable batteries
Two-way talk: A built-in mic and speaker should let app users intercom with anyone near the camera
Cloud storage: Netgear saves seven days of event-based clips for free (other options are available for a fee)
Local storage: An included microSD card slot allows for backup recording
Night vision: Even in low-light conditions, you should still be able to monitor clearly
At the current exchange rate, $450 converts to roughly £335 and AU$590.
The $250/£300 Netgear Arlo Pro (AU$330, converted) is a rechargeable indoor/outdoor security camera. Like the Netgear Arlo, you get seven days of free clip-based cloud storage. Its rechargeable battery should last for up to six months.
Panasonic's Nubo is a quirky little security camera.
First it's rated for both indoor and outdoor use at an operating temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit (that's about -20 to 50 degrees Celsius).
And, like the Canary Flex, it's also designed to work over both Wi-Fi and cellular connections.
The Nubo is available in Europe for €349, as well as in the UK (roughly £300 at the current exchange rate).
US retail availability is still in the works, with the price set at $249.
Panasonic's Outdoor Home Surveillance Camera Kit is available in the US for $300.
It's pretty easy to install, configure and use, but the app looks outdated and is difficult to navigate.
The cameras also streams and records in standard-definition, rather than high-definition. At the current exchange rate, $300 converts to roughly £225 and AU$395.
The $199 (roughly £150 and AU$250, converted) DoorCam is a battery-powered door-mounted outdoor camera. Here's an overview of what a DoorCam is supposed to do:
Indoor/outdoor; fits over "any residential door"
Wi-Fi-enabled; the Wi-Fi module and antenna sit on the inside of the door
720p high-definition live-streaming camera
Battery-powered; three D-cell batteries with up to 12 months of expected life
Passive infrared motion sensor to distinguish between people and everything else
The Remo+ RemoBell costs $199 (roughly £155 and AU$265 converted). This doorbell is powered by 6 AA batteries and offers 30-day event-based cloud storage for $3 per month.
The $249 (£195, AU$330 converted) Ring Floodlight Cam replaces an existing wired outdoor light fixture. The Floodlight Cam comes with two LEDs and an HD security camera with 1080p HD live streaming.
The battery-powered $199 (£150/AU$260, converted) Ring Spotlight Cam has built-in LEDs, motion detection, 1080p HD live streaming and two-way talk. An optional solar-powered model is available for $229 (£170/AU$300, converted).
Ring's $199 Stick Up Cam can be used alone or jointly with its $199 Ring Video Doorbell -- international pricing for both converts to roughly £135 or AU$280 at the current exchange rate.
Ring was one of the first startups to offer a DIY smart doorbell.
Its Video Doorbell, available in the US for $199, Australia for AU$244 and in the UK for £127, has a 180-degree field-of-view and motion detection zones.
It also has a rechargeable battery -- or you can hardwire it for continuous power.
The $199/£155/AU$299 Ring Video Doorbell 2 can either be hardwired or you can use the removable, rechargeable battery. It has 1,920x1,080p HD resolution, a 160-degree field of view and optional 60-day storage for $3 per month. This model works with Amazon's Alexa, IFTTT and Wink.
Ring's $250 Video Doorbell Pro has a much thinner design than the company's first generation of Wi-Fi buzzers.
The Video Doorbell Pro has 1080p high-definition resolution, interchangeable face plates and motion detection zones.
It also has to be hard-wired, so reconsider this model if you don't want to bother with a wired doorbell. $250 converts to roughly £185 and AU$330 at the current exchange rate.
Pricing and availability hasn't quite been locked in for the SkyBell's Trim Plus doorbell just yet, but it shares a lot of specs with its HD Wi-Fi Video Doorbell.
With 1080p high-definition resolution and live streaming, you can always see who's at your front door at-a-glance.
But this model is smaller, and therefore more likely to fit on a standard doorframe. The Trim Plus also offers optional battery power in case you'd rather not go the hardwired route.
Lock maker Yale recently announced plans to get in on the smart doorbell market with its Yale Look.
A Wi-Fi video doorbell scheduled to hit US retail in October, Yale's Look also comes with a standalone video monitor that you install inside your home to view live footage -- a fine option if you don't have your phone handy.
The video monitor has a rechargeable battery that's expected to last from six months to a year and local storage via an SD card slot and an included 8GB SD card.
The $200 Zmodo Torch Pro (roughly £165 and AU$265, converted) is an outdoor security kit. The main piece of hardware is a camera hidden inside a color-changing outdoor LED with 720p HD live streaming. It's an intriguing concept, but the light is huge and might not fit in any of your existing outside light fixtures.
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