If you can’t be physically present to keep an eye on your home, business or vacation property, the next best thing is a state-of-the-art digital camera that can stream real-time video to the networked device of your choice.
Unlike typical security cameras, network cameras, Cloud Cameras, or Wi-Fi Cameras don’t require a closed circuit TV system and special cabling to work. Instead, they connect to your home’s existing network via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, just like a laptop or tablet. Once connected, they stream live video you can access from any connected computer. The most flexible systems even let you view feeds through a web browser, smartphone or tablet; great for on-the-go viewing.
Wi-Fi cameras are the perfect solution for homeowners, business owners, pet owners, parents and anyone with something to watch. To help you sort through the choices, this guide offers some quick recommendations and plenty of info about key features to look for in your next camera.
Wi-Fi cameras for every need
The average home user needs reliable monitoring that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, whereas a business owner might be interested in greater functionality and integration with existing security systems. Network cameras fall into two classes corresponding to these types of users.
Entry Level Cameras 
These cameras are small, very affordable and perfect for the home user. Designed to be easy to set up and easy to use, they connect to a wireless home network at the push of a button. Key features include:
- Wireless capability and compact size for flexibility of placement
- Low cost so you can purchase enough cameras to cover multiple areas
- Ability to check camera feeds from any web browser, iPhone®, Android® device or tablet
Professional Level Cameras 
These cameras are more expensive than entry-level cameras. However, the added investment pays off in upgraded features that make it possible to integrate your cameras with dedicated alarm and sensor systems. Key features include:
- Designed for permanent installation, with durable, rugged housing
- Wired or wireless connectivity
- Outputs for alarm and access control systems
This guide will focus on entry level network cameras, as they offer plenty of functionality for the average household. If you need more robust features, visit the network camera page on dlink.com to learn more.
Features to look for
Not all cameras work the same way or offer the same capabilities. In this section, we’ll look at the most important features and what they mean to you.
Web Access
Some cameras require software to access a camera’s output and only computers that have this software installed can view the feed. Other cameras, like D-Link Cloud Cameras, offer more flexibility and are viewable using a web browser so you can check your cameras locally or remotely from any connected computer.
Recommended Models: DCS-933L, DCS-2132L, DCS-2330L, DCS-5020L
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Wi-Fi Connectivity
Some cameras support wireless, or Wi-Fi, while others require a wired connection of some kind. Wireless cameras give you the flexibility to keep an eye on areas that would be too hard to reach with a wired model. However, a wired connection may be more reliable depending on the building’s construction and the router’s location. So, what’s the better option? Both. D-Link Cloud Cameras are wireless-ready and offer a wired Ethernet option, giving you the best of both worlds.
Recommended Models: DCS-933L, DCS-2132L, DCS-2330L, DCS-5020L
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Mobile Apps 
For truly mobile viewing, you need a camera that allows you to see a live feed from your smartphone or tablet. D-Link’s mobile interface is a free app called mydlink™ Lite and is available for both iPhone and Android devices. The app works with all mydlink-enabled cameras and is completely free to use. With mydlink Lite, you can view your home or office and keep an eye on your kids, pets and possessions from anywhere with a Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G connection.
Recommended Models: DCS-933L, DCS-2132L, DCS-2330L, DCS-5020L
Motion Sensing
If you choose to record footage only when motion is detected, you’ll save disk space and know exactly what footage you need to view. If you plan to record footage, select a camera that makes it easy to set motion triggers as well as specify recording schedules so you can record exactly what you want directly to your PC.
Recommended Models: DCS-933L, DCS-942L, DCS-2132L, DCS-2332L, DCS-5010L, DCS-5020L
Enhanced Motion Detection
For more reliable motion detection day and night, certain cameras feature passive infrared (PIR) sensors that use changes in heat to detect movement, rather than visual cues. This is great for monitoring at night when a standard camera would not be able to detect motion due to low light conditions.
Recommended Models: DCS-942L, DCS-2132L, DCS-2332L
Night Vision 
Some network cameras can illuminate a low-light or no-light area with infrared lighting so you can clearly see what is happening day or night. Infrared lighting is invisible to the human eye but allows the camera a clear view, even in total darkness.
Recommended Models: DCS-932L, DCS-933L, DCS-942L, DCS-2132L, DCS-2330L, DCS-2332L, DCS-5010L, DCS-5020L, DCS-5222L
IR-cut Filter for Best Color Quality
For the best color representation during the daytime, choose a camera with an infrared cut-off filter, or an IR-cut filter. Network cameras see much more of the color spectrum than the human eye, particularly near the infrared region, which can often result in strange or skewed color representation. IR-cut filters work by blocking this infrared light so the colors appear more realistic.
D-Link Camera Models: DCS-933L, DCS-942L, DCS-2132L, DCS-2332L, DCS-5010L, DCS-5020L
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MicroSD Card Slot for Local Recording 
Sometimes you need the ability to record footage in addition to viewing a live stream. All D-Link Cloud Cameras support recording to a PC or storage device, but for seamless use, some feature a microSD card slot, so you can record directly to a microSD card and view footage from anywhere using the free mydlink app or by logging in to http://www.mydlink.com. D-Link’s cameras with MicroSD slots use H.264 enhanced video compression, which allows you to record up to 5x more footage when compared to MJPEG.
D-Link Camera Models: DCS-942L, DCS-2132L, DCS-2330L, DCS-2332L, DCS-5222L
Sound Detection
For those looking to keep an eye on their loved ones or their homes while on vacation, sound detection is the perfect addition to the standard motion detection feature. With automatic email alerts and the ability to configure sound detection for a specific area, cameras with this feature allow you to stay one step ahead.
D-Link Camera Models: DCS-931L, DCS-933L, DCS-5020L
Built-In Wireless Extender
To ensure that you are able to place your camera wherever you need to without going outside of your wireless network range, choose a camera that comes with a built-in Wi-Fi extender. Simply place your camera anywhere within your signal range to instantly increase your wireless home coverage and easily add additional cameras to your network.
D-Link Camera Models: DCS-931L, DCS-933L, DCS-5010L, DCS-5020L
D-Link’s most popular cameras
Find your perfect match
Let’s consider your monitoring needs and identify network camera models that suit you.
The Day/Night Cloud Camera 
You want to keep a close eye on your home and everything in it. You need a camera with infrared LEDs that give you a clear view day or night and enhanced motion detection so you can be alerted if there’s any movement inside when there shouldn’t be.
Recommended Camera: Day & Night Wi-Fi Camera (DCS-933L)
The HD Wireless Cloud Camera 
You want to keep a watchful eye on those in your care and monitor their daily activities. You need a discreet camera with two-way audio and the clarity of HD so you can check in on (and communicate with!) your loved ones for peace of mind, anytime.
Recommended Camera: HD Day & Night Wi-Fi Camera (DCS-2132L)
The Wireless Pan/Tilt Cloud Camera 
No matter how many shoes they chew up or how many rolls of toilet paper they shred, you love your pets. You need a camera with pan/tilt functionality and night vision, so you can get a clear view of your cherished companion no matter where they wander.
Recommended Camera: Pan & Tilt Wi-Fi Camera (DCS-5020L)
The HD Wireless Outdoor Cloud Camera 
This durable, weather-proof camera lets you keep tabs on important outdoor areas like your home’s exterior, your back yard, or the outside of your store or office.
Recommended Camera: HD Outdoor Wi-Fi Camera (DCS-2330L)
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