Basic Features and Settings of Trail Cameras

Whether you are in the process of choosing a camera or are trying out some new settings, the variety of features available on trail cameras can be overwhelming. Below, we have pinpointed and explained some of the key trail camera features and settings that we are often asked about.

Trigger Speeds

Trail cameras use passive infrared (PIR) sensors to pick up on a change in ambient heat combined with movement. The trigger speed of a camera tells you how quickly a photo or video will be captured after this change has been detected.

A quick trigger speed is often high on people’s priority lists. With a slow trigger, you can end up missing the action e.g. only catching an animal’s tail as it moves out of the frame. Trail camera technology has moved forward rapidly in recent years, meaning many modern cameras now have an almost instant trigger speed.

Do be aware that photo trigger speeds will always be faster than the equivalent video trigger, usually by a few fractions of a second. This will be especially evident if using a dual/hybrid mode (see below).

Resolution

The resolution tells us the quality of the video and images the camera will produce. Image resolution is provided in megapixels (MP), whereas video resolution is measured in pixels in a format such as 1080p (Full HD) or 720p.

An important thing to understand is that almost all trail cameras (other than Reconyx) use interpolation. Interpolation is the process of adding similarly coloured pixels to an image after it has been taken, in order to artificially boost the resolution. Most trail cameras actually have a base sensor of between 2-5MP (listed in our specs under CMOS sensor).

For this reason, we actually recommend using the lower photo resolution setting on your camera. This avoids excessive interpolation and can actually improve the image quality overall.

If comparing models, it is best to look at example footage rather than basing your decision purely on the written specifications. Cameras can advertise the same resolution but perform very differently in the field. When comparing products on our shop, the handy ‘Watch in Action’ sections on the product pages can provide example footage. Our YouTube channel also hosts a wealth of example clips.

LED Types

Trail cameras use infrared (IR) LEDs to illuminate images and videos taken at night. These LEDs are described as either ‘Low-Glow’ or ‘No-Glow’. The Low-Glow LEDs will produce a faint red glow, whereas the No-Glow light is not visible to the human eye.

The response by animals can be variable, however, we usually find species to respond similarly to both wavelengths of light. Often, animals appear more likely to be alerted to the camera's presence by other cues such as scent and noise.

The main thing to consider here is that there is a trade-off with No-Glow LEDs. You lose about 30% of the flash brightness and IR range with No-Glow LEDs. The cameras compensate for this reduction, by having slower shutter speeds on photos (thereby increasing the chances of the animal being blurred) and boosting exposure on the video which means the definition is slightly eroded.

We generally recommend using Low-Glow cameras wherever possible as the image quality will be better, however where the camera is intended to be used for security purposes or in areas where there are risks of theft or vandalism a No-Glow camera would be the better choice.

Hybrid mode

Hybrid modes offer the ability to take both a photo and video at the same time, after the same triggered event.

In practice, the photo is taken first and there is usually a small delay before the video is captured. We do not always recommend hybrid/dual modes for this reason (they also can burn through batteries pretty quickly!).

Not all manufacturers offer a dual mode (Browning does not currently, for example), and instead provide the choice between photos or videos. Again, if this is an important feature for you do check the full specifications of your specific model.

Sensitivity

The detection sensitivity of your camera is impacted by a variety of factors, with positioning playing a very important part.

Aside from the placement choice, many manufacturers also allow you to alter the sensitivity to some degree using your camera’s settings. The wording differs between manufacturers, so the model-specific manual should be checked to confirm the exact setting. For Browning cameras, for example, the setting is called ‘Motion Detection’ whereas Bushnell uses ‘Sensor Level’.

For British wildlife, higher sensitivity settings are usually preferable. Increasing the sensitivity improves the chances of detecting our animals with smaller heat signatures.

However, if you are experiencing high numbers of false triggers caused by foliage/moving water, ensure the lowest sensitivity setting is selected. Otherwise, you may run through your batteries and memory more rapidly.

Timelapse

Timelapse modes allow you to programme your trail camera to take images at set intervals e.g. a photo every hour. Timelapse captures are not triggered by motion but are instead automatically taken at the chosen times. All cameras available via our shop will list whether a timelapse mode is included within their full specifications.

Such a feature is not always necessary for general wildlife watching but can be very handy for specific purposes e.g. monitoring habitat changes or the progression of a nest. Occasionally timelapse modes have also been used to observe species that are harder to camera trap traditionally e.g. reptiles and amphibians that do not trigger the PIR sensors.

If a timelapse feature is of interest then we highly recommend reviewing the model-specific manual for the camera you are using/looking to purchase. It is vital to ensure the camera offers the flexibility and settings that you require as this differs greatly between manufacturers. Some cameras offer 24-hour timelapse modes (e.g. Bushnell Core models) while others are limited to daylight hours.

When not actively required, it is favourable to keep timelapse options switched off. Leaving it on will drain batteries more rapidly and fill up your SD card.

Hopefully the advice presented in this article will help you understand the specifications of trail cameras in more depth. However if you have any further questions please get in touch.org.

Whether you are in the process of choosing a camera or are trying out some new settings, the variety of features available on trail cameras can be overwhelming. Below, we have pinpointed and explained some of the key trail camera features and settings that we are often asked about.