Bullet and dome cameras are the two most common camera housing form factors in commercial security, distinguished primarily by shape and the way each communicates its presence and directionality.
A bullet camera is cylindrical and mounted with a visible, fixed direction of view. Its clearly visible orientation is itself a deterrent, since it’s obvious to anyone nearby exactly what area is being recorded. A dome camera is housed in a rounded enclosure, typically ceiling or wall mounted, that obscures the exact direction the lens is pointed and is generally more resistant to tampering or vandalism due to its low profile and protective housing.
The choice between the two typically comes down to deterrence goals, since bullet cameras signal coverage clearly while dome cameras are more discreet, along with environmental factors like accessible, high-traffic areas where vandal resistance matters more. Many commercial deployments use both, positioning bullet cameras at entrances and perimeters for visible deterrence and domes in interior or higher-tamper-risk locations.
