How to choose a dash cam: resolution, night vision and parking mode

A dash cam records what happens on the road, so it is only useful if the footage is clear when you need it. Most of the decisions come down to four things: video quality at night, how it handles parking, how it stores footage, and how easy it is to install.

Resolution is less important than you think

1080p (Full HD) is enough for reading a number plate in daylight. Many “4K” cameras look better on the box than on the road, because the sensor is small and the lens is cheap. Look for a camera with a good image sensor and a wide dynamic range (often listed as WDR or HDR) rather than the highest resolution.

Night vision is where cameras differ

Check reviews for night footage specifically. Cameras with a larger sensor or a “starlight” style sensor keep number plates readable in streetlights and under headlights. Glare from wet roads and oncoming headlights is the most common problem in cheap cameras.

Parking mode

Parking mode records when a bump or movement is detected while the car is off. It needs a hard-wire kit connected to the car battery with a low-voltage cut-off, so the battery is not drained. A camera without a cut-off can leave you with a flat battery, so check that the kit includes one.

Storage and loop recording

microSD card: use a card rated for continuous video (often labelled “high endurance”). Standard cards fail quickly.
Loop recording: the camera overwrites the oldest footage. Make sure it protects the clips it saves after an impact.
GPS: adds speed and location to the footage, which can help in a dispute.