5 Cameras to Surveil Your Home During Vacation Season

For the holidays, treat yourself to a truly carefree vacation by securing your home from the inside out before you leave. Whether you're bolting for a leisurely weekend upstate or an extended European vacation, you want to make sure you have the peace of mind to enjoy life to the fullest.
Today, home security camera systems are supremely simple to install and use. You don't have to be a advanced techie to access camera feeds on a personal computer or smartphone.

Easy-to-install and simple-to-view security systems let you breathe a sigh of relief, knowing your house, apartment or storefront is safe and sound. On some systems, you can even receive real-time alerts when unexpected visitors are at the door.

We've rounded up a few of the best home security resources which you can learn about in the gallery above.

1. Logitech Security Cameras

Logitech's customizable home security systems are easy to personalize and create. All you have to do is scroll through a few screens here and build your custom system, depending on your home security preferences. Home owners have the option of building an indoor or outdoor camera network with night vision or without. Prices for cameras, accessories and premium services are clearly listed on the website. As you click through the quiz-like module, you'll see your total rung upon the side, so you don't go over your budget.
Making your system's feed web- or mobile- accessible costs $79.99. Consider how relaxing it will be knowing your humble abode is just as you left it. With the Web and Mobile Commander, you'll be able to manage your system remotely, pan, zoom and change alert settings.
Ideal for: Interiors and exteriors of homes and stores
Price: Starts at $300 for base system
Features: 720p HD Video, connects to your home's powerlines, motion detection, email/cellphone alerts

Image courtesy of Flickr, Michelle Gow

2. Dropcam HD Wi-Fi Monitoring Camera

Whether you're basking in the warm sunshine on a beachfront terrace or a walking the dog, you can see what's happening at home with Dropcam HD. The thin Wi-Fi video monitoring camera picks up footage from whatever you point it. With audio or motion detection, you'll be alerted when someone's home. Two-way audio will allow you to chat with your son or daughter when he or she gets home from school, for example. The company estimates set-up takes just 60 seconds. The Wi-Fi camera will keep rolling despite possible interruptions in Wi-Fi connection. The video stream is encrypted and secure on Dropcam servers.
Ideal for: Interiors of homes
Price: Camera starts at $149; Free iOS and Android apps
Features: 720p HD Video, connects by Wi-Fi, motion detection, email/cellphone alerts, two-way audio.

Photo by Bianca Consunji

3. VueZone

VueZone is recommended for home owners who want peace of mind without the messy cables and complicated software installations. Each wireless VueZone video camera can be strategically placed and focused to watch over important parts of the house. Check up on your kids in the living room with the babysitter or your pet while you're away at work. The compact camera can be attached to a wall mount and aimed at anything. Conveniently, homeowners can tune into live streams via smartphone or computer.
Ideal for: Home interiors
Price: Camera starts at $199.99; Free iOS and Android apps
Features: 640p, motion detection, email/cellphone alerts, digital zooms and pans, photo capture capabilities.

Image courtesy of Flickr, allie pasquier

4. Foscam

Foscam offers a range of wireless IP (internet protocol) cameras for indoor and outdoor surveillance. Digital feeds can be accessed from any web-enabled device with a password. Each network can support up to nine cameras.
Ideal for: Home interiors
Price: Camera starts at $199.99; Free iOS and Android apps
Features: Motion detection, email/cellphone alerts, digital zooms and pans, photo capture capabilities

Image courtesy of Flickr, Maga Soto

5. Archerfish

Archerfish is a sophisticated video monitoring system for homes and businesses. Customers have a choice between the Archerfish Solo package that comes with one "thinking" camera or the Archerfish Quattro, which includes four cameras, for larger residences. The cameras rely on Archerfish's Intelligent Surveillance Technology, which analyzes footage before sending out alerts and notifications. You can customize what you want alerts for -- people on the front porch from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on week days, for example. Archerfish will email short clips of footage to your smartphone, so you can examine the situation yourself.
Ideal for: Indoor and outdoor situations
Price: The Archerfish Solo starts at $349.99
Features: The Archerfish SmartPortal is available on any computer, iPhone and iPod touch. The Android portal is coming soon. Features include a video search engine, 24/7 DVR video saved onto a MicroSD card, tamper detection and HD video.

Image courtesy of Flickr, BK.BROWN

5 Cameras to Surveil Your Home During Vacation Season

Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera

Nikon D3100 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens

Nikon's affordable, compact and lightweight Nikon D3100 digital SLR features a high-resolution 14-megapixel CMOS DX sensor, high-quality 3x NIKKOR 18-55mm VR image stabilization zoom lens and intuitive onboard assistance including the learn-as-you grow Guide Mode.

Capture beautiful pictures and amazing Full HD 1080p movies with sound and full-time autofocus.

Easily capture the action other cameras miss with a fast start up time, split-second shutter release, 3 frames per second shooting and 11-point autofocus.  

Capture pictures and make movies in near darkness with an ISO range of 100 to 3200 (expandable to 12800-Hi2). EXPEED 2, Nikon's new image processing engine, assures breathtakingly rich image quality, managing color, contrast, exposure and noise.

One-touch Live View and movie recording lets you see the action on the 3-inch monitor and the Scene Recognition System automatically chooses the ideal settings.

You can also select from 6 Automatic Exposure Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close-up or Night Portrait for stunning results in otherwise challenging conditions.

Active D-Lighting restores picture-enhancing detail in shadows and highlights.

A built-in pop-up flash is ready for those times when there just isn't enough light and in-camera image editing allows creative freedom and effects, without the need for a computer. 

Nikon D3100 Highlights

Easy-to-use Guide Mode walks you through the settings you need for the shot you want.

14.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS Image Sensor
Delivers beautiful photographs and prints well beyond 20 x 30 inches.

Includes 3x 18-55mm Zoom-NIKKOR VR Image Stabilization Lens
Included lens offers the legendary NIKKOR optical quality and fast, accurate autofocus for vivid color, striking contrast and crisp detail and VR image stabilization to ensure the sharpest hand-held pictures and movies.

Full 1080p HD Cinematic Video
Features full-time autofocus and sound; record cinematic-quality movies in Full 1080p HD format (1920 x 1080 pixels).

Easy-To-Use
The D3100 features Nikon's Guide Mode with intuitive controls and on-board assistance helping you take better pictures every step of the way.

Compact and Lightweight Design
Beautifully styled--ready to go wherever life takes you.

Split-second Shutter Response
Eliminates the frustration of shutter delay, capturing moments that other cameras miss.

Fast 11-point Autofocus System
Delivers razor-sharp pictures.

ISO sensitivity 100-3200, expandable to ISO 12800 equivalent
Delivers exceptional results, even in the most challenging low-light situations.


3-inch monitor
Features One-Touch Live View shooting and movie capture.

Scene Auto Selector
Lets the D3100 decide the best mode to match the shooting situation when using Live View.

EXPEED 2
Nikon's new image processing engine assures breathtakingly rich image quality, managing color, contrast, exposure, noise and speed.

Scene Recognition System in Live View
Automatically optimizes exposure, autofocus, and white balance, allowing you to obtain beautiful photos without the hassle of making complicated camera adjustments yourself.

6 Automatic Exposure Scene Modes
Just set the Mode dial to Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close-up or Night Portrait for stunning results in otherwise challenging conditions.

Active D-Lighting
Restores picture-enhancing detail in shadows and highlights.

Picture Control
Choose from Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, or Landscape to apply a personal look and feel to your pictures.

Automatic Image Sensor Cleaning
Ultrasonic process and exclusive Airflow Control combats the accumulation of dust in front of the image sensor, safeguarding image quality shot after shot.

Built-in pop-up flash
Perfect for those times when there isn't enough light.

In-camera Image Editing
Allows creative freedom, without the need for a computer, offering easy editing functions.

Compatible Lenses

• AF-S and AF-I: All functions supported
• Type G or D AF NIKKOR without built-in autofocus motor: All functions except autofocus supported. IX NIKKOR lenses not supported.
• Other AF NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D color matrix metering II. Lenses for F3AF not supported.
• Type D PC NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and some shooting modes.
• AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except autofocus and 3D color matrix metering II.
• Non-CPU: Autofocus not supported. Can be used in exposure mode M, but exposure meter does not function.

_{Note: Electronic rangefinder can be used if lens has a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster.}

What's in the Box
D3100 digital SLR camera body; AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens; EN-EL14 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery, MH-24 Battery Charger, DK-5 Eyepiece Cap, DK-20 Rubber Eyecap, AN-DC3 Camera Strap, BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover, BF-1B Body Cap, ViewNX 2 CD-ROM

Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch Vari-Angle LCD Monitor

Nikon D5100 16.2MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch Vari-Angle LCD Monitor (Body Only)

The Nikon D5100 offers a host of new photographic and video tools that deliver superior performance and exceptional image quality with surprising versatility. With 16.2 megapixels, a swivel Vari-Angle LCD monitor, full HD movie capabilities, new EFFECTS Mode and new HDR setting, you hold the power and performance to capture beautiful moments and the freedom to get creative.

Vari-angle LCD Monitor

Creativity from any point of view

Take pictures or record movies from a unique viewpoint, the D5100’s 3.0 inch, super sharp, 921,000-dot Vari-angle LCD monitor allows for versatile high quality viewing and playback. Explore every angle, with overhead shots, waist level candids, ground level and fun self portraits; you will never miss a shot. This Vari-angle monitor allows you to be creative from any point of view.

Effects Mode

More fun and artistic pictures and movies

The D5100 incorporates an amazing array of special effects for use when taking still pictures or recording D-Movie Full HD movies. Selective Color isolates any color within the scene, capture details in places too dark for your own eyes using Night Vision, create bright, glowing images filled with atmosphere with High Key, emphasize the mood of a scene using Low Key, Miniature Effect makes a scene look like a miniature scale model and Color Sketch creates color outlines of the subject that are played back as a series of stills in a slide show.

Tell better stories

Full HD 1080p D-Movie with Sound

The D5100 delivers exceptionally high-quality movie performance due to its full HD capability while the latest in full-time autofocus takes the guess work out of tracking your subjects while in motion. Effortless moviemaking is at your fingertip thanks to D5100’s ergonomically placed Live View and Movie start button. Your D-Movies will come to life thanks to D5100’s sound recording capability — get stereo sound with Nikon’s optional ME-1 Stereo Microphone.

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

Exquisite detail in highlight and shadow

In scenes with extreme contrasts, such as bright, sunlit clouds and a foreground deep in shadow, it was once quite difficult to render the textures of both equally. Not any more. D5100 combines two exposures to create an image revealing an extremely wide dynamic range, but with less noise and richer color gradation than ever before.

Stunning image quality

Image quality in a class of its own

Incorporating the latest Nikon D-SLR technologies such as the 16.2MP DX-format CMOS sensor and EXPEED 2 image processing engine, the D5100 delivers outstanding image quality. Its CMOS sensor offers a remarkably wide ISO range (ISO 100 to 6400) with reduced noise which enables you to shoot at faster shutter speeds and capture scenes and subjects with less blur. Handheld shooting and full HD movies come out looking great even in low light.

Speed and performance that delivers

With high-speed continuous shooting at approx. 4 frames per second, you’ll never miss a moment and with D5100’s large optical viewfinder providing accurate and realistic composition, you’ll get a precise view and focus in every situation.

Capture your subjects precisely

D5100’s 11-point AF system provides flexibility to compose the shot you want ensuring your subject is captured sharply wherever it’s located in the frame. Working together with the Scene Recognition System, the camera can keep your main subject in focus even if the composition changes using Nikon’s exclusive 3D-tracking.

10 Best Digital Cameras

Point-and-Shoot Cameras

Canon PowerShot S100

$429.99 direct

The Canon PowerShot S100 is a worthy successor to our previous Editors' Choice high-end point-and-shoot camera, the PowerShot S95. It adds a longer zoom lens and GPS, and improves on the S95's image quality and performance. Read the full review ››

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX150

$249.99 direct

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX150 is a svelte point-and-shoot with a long 10x zoom lens. It can slip into your pocket and capture sharp images in all kinds of light—a rare feat for a compact model, making it our top choice for midrange point-and-shoot cameras. Read the full review ››

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Digital SLRs

Nikon D4

$5,999.95 list, body only

The Nikon D4 is a pro shooter's dream, with controls galore, and a big, bright optical viewfinder. This fully loaded full-frame D-SLR rattles off shots at a quick 10 frames per second, but all of this comes with a rather high sticker price and a steep learning curve. Read the full review ››

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Nikon D5100

$899.99 list with 18-55mm lens
The Nikon D5100 offers a fantastic mix of still-image and video-recording quality, along with plenty of features including top-notch in-camera effects. This well-rounded shooter is an easy Editors' Choice for under-$1,000 D-SLRs. Read the full review ››

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Sony Alpha 77 (SLT-A77VQ)

$1,999.99 direct with 16-50mm lens

The Sony Alpha 77 pumps out 24-megapixel stills at 10.3 frames per second and records 1080p60 video with continuous autofocus. A sharp f/2.8 kit lens, Solid low-light performance, a high-quality OLED EVF, and GPS capability are the icing on the cake. Read the full review ››

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Compact Interchangeable-Lens Cameras

Olympus OM-D E-M5

$1,299.99 direct with 12-50mm lens

The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is the best Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested. It's got a top-notch stabilization system, is fully weather sealed, can shoot in all types of light, and ships with a sharp and versatile kit lens. Add it all up, and you have our new Editors' Choice for high-end compact interchangeable lens cameras. Read the full review ››

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Sony Alpha NEX-F3

$599.99 direct with 18-55mm lens
The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 is a worthy successor to the Editors' Choice NEX-C3. The latest iteration impresses with superb image quality, even at very high ISO settings, and you get a deeper handgrip, built-in flash, and support for an optional EVF. Read the full review ››

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Superzoom Cameras

Nikon Coolpix P510

$429.95 direct

The Nikon Coolpix P510 manages to squeeze a 42x zoom lens into a body that's larger than a point-and-shoot, but much smaller than any SLR. A sharp lens, built-in GPS, and HD video capture round out the package, and are enough to make it our Editors' Choice full-size superzoom. Read the full review ››

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V

$419.99 direct
With its Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V, Sony packs a long 20x zoom lens, Wi-Fi, and GPS into one decidedly svelte camera. It's one of the more expensive compact superzoom models you'll find, but all those features along with high performance warrant the price. Read the full review ››

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Rugged/Waterproof Cameras

Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS

$399.99 direct

The Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS would be a very good camera even without a tough, waterproof build. Its go-anywhere design, GPS, fast f/2 lens, and impressive high ISO performance make it our Editors' Choice for ruggedized point-and-shoot cameras. Read the full review ››

Best Superzoom Cameras

Superzoom Cameras

 
Nikon COOLPIX P510 16.1 MP

$396.95
The Nikon Coolpix P510 manages to squeeze a 42x zoom lens into a body that's larger than a point-and-shoot, but much smaller than any SLR. A sharp lens, built-in GPS, and HD video capture round out the package, and are enough to make it our Editors' Choice full-size superzoom. Read Nikon COOLPIX P510 16.1 MP Review ››

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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V 18.2 MP

$378.00
With its Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V, Sony packs a long 20x zoom lens, Wi-Fi, and GPS into one decidedly svelte camera. It's one of the more expensive compact superzoom models you'll find, but all those features along with high performance warrant the price. Read Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V Review ››

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Rugged/Waterproof Cameras

Olympus Tough TG-820 iHS

$259.95

The Olympus Tough TG-1 iHS would be a very good camera even without a tough, waterproof build. Its go-anywhere design, GPS, fast f/2 lens, and impressive high ISO performance make it our Editors' Choice for ruggedized point-and-shoot cameras. Read Olympus Tough TG-820 iHS Review››

Best Compact Interchangeable-Lens Cameras

Olympus OM-D E-M5

$1,299.99 direct with 12-50mm lens
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is the best Micro Four Thirds camera we've tested. It's got a top-notch stabilization system, is fully weather sealed, can shoot in all types of light, and ships with a sharp and versatile kit lens. Add it all up, and you have our new Editors' Choice for high-end compact interchangeable lens cameras. Read Olympus OM-D E-M5 Review ››

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Sony NEX-F3

$599.99 direct with 18-55mm lens
The Sony Alpha NEX-F3 is a worthy successor to the Editors' Choice NEX-C3. The latest iteration impresses with superb image quality, even at very high ISO settings, and you get a deeper handgrip, built-in flash, and support for an optional EVF. Read Sony NEX-F3 Review ››