Wired cameras do fall short of battery-powered models in one niche scenario—when the power goes out. It varies from model to model, but most wired cameras can only last for 30 minutes to, at most, a few hours before they go dark. Trevor RaabMotion and Sound DetectionTo avoid recording 24/7, which wastes power and storage space, outdoor security cameras usually feature motion sensors that trigger recording whenever there’s activity. Video Quality and RangeThe best outdoor security cameras record video in "Full HD" (1920 x 1080p) resolution, which captures enough detail to identify facial features or a car’s license plate. Nearly all security cameras are built to connect with other smart home devices.