A dash cam spec sheet can look more complicated than it really is. Resolution, night vision, parking mode, and the G-sensor all affect how useful your footage will be. This guide breaks each one down in plain language. Once you know what to look for, buying gets a lot easier. Still deciding? Our guide on whether dash cams are worth it lays out the bigger picture.
What Resolution Do You Need: 1080p or 4K?
Resolution is basically how sharp the video is. 1080p is the standard for most drivers and can read number plates up close. 4K captures much more detail, so plates stay clearer from farther away. The trade-off is that higher resolution uses more storage. For most people, solid 1080p or 1440p is enough.
Number plates are usually the detail that matters most. In an insurance claim, a clear plate can make all the difference. With 1080p, you can usually read plates a few metres ahead in daylight.
4K keeps more detail across wider shots and at a distance. It is useful if you want to zoom in later and inspect the footage. Just remember that the files will be larger.
Frame rate matters too. A higher frame rate gives smoother motion when you are driving at speed. Most car dash cameras in Sri Lanka record at 30 frames a second, which is perfectly fine for road use. Resolution is separate from whether you choose one or two channels. See our guide to single vs dual channel dash cams.
How Good Is Dash Cam Night Vision?
Night vision is how well the camera handles low light. It depends on a good sensor and HDR. HDR balances bright headlights against dark surroundings. Without it, oncoming lights can wash out the frame. Strong night performance matters because many incidents happen after dark.
Streetlights and headlights create harsh contrast at night. HDR pulls detail back from both the bright and dark areas, so plates and faces stay more readable.
A larger sensor gathers more light, which usually means less grain in dim conditions. Cheaper cameras often struggle here.
Keep your expectations realistic. No small camera sees perfectly in complete darkness. But a good HDR model is a clear step up from a basic one.
Parking Mode, G-Sensor, and Loop Recording Explained
Parking mode records while the car is off. It wakes up when it detects motion or impact, so it can catch hit-and-run damage. The G-sensor detects a knock and locks that clip so it cannot be overwritten. Loop recording keeps the camera running by overwriting the oldest footage first.
Loop recording is what keeps a dash cam from filling up. When the card is full, it deletes the oldest clip and keeps going. You do not have to clear files manually.
The G-sensor protects important moments. If the camera feels an impact, it saves that clip to a locked folder. That footage stays safe from the loop.
Parking mode needs constant power, usually through hardwiring. It relies on motion or impact to start recording. For it to work properly, use a fast, high-capacity card. Look for one that meets the SD Association speed classes. Card speed and size decide how much footage you can keep. We cover that in our recording-time guide.
Browse dash cams at Xclusive and check the spec sheet with these terms in mind.
FAQs
What resolution do I need, 1080p or 4K?
1080p can read number plates at close range and works well for most drivers. 4K keeps more detail from farther away and lets you zoom into footage later. The downside is that 4K fills the memory card faster.
What does a dash cam G-sensor do?
The G-sensor detects a sudden knock or impact. It then locks that clip so loop recording cannot write over it. That keeps crash footage safe until you are ready to save it.
What is loop recording on a dash cam?
Loop recording writes over the oldest footage when the card is full. That way, the camera keeps recording without you deleting files. Clips saved by the G-sensor stay protected from the loop.