Security Camera

Security Cameras help maintain order throughout Rapture by alerting the security system of intruders. If a tresspasser stays in its field of view for too long, it will initiate an alarm. It is possible to end the alarm prematurely by paying up at a Bot Shutdown Panel. Security Cameras can be hacked by the player, allowing them to be used to the latter's advantage.

Big Daddies and Little Sisters and Splicers are normally ignored by Security Cameras. Hacking a camera causes it to be hostile to Splicers but not to Big Daddies or Little Sisters. Using Security Bullseye on a Big Daddy or Splicer will cause cameras to initiate an alarm against them.

Red Light
A Camera with a red light is hostile to the player, and will initiate an alarm if the latter stays in their field of view for too long.

White Light
If the Camera spots an intruder, it will lock onto the enemy, produce a loud, high-pitched ringing and shine a white light onto the target. If the trespasser remains in the Camera's field of vision it will initiate an alarm, as well as maintain a white light onto the enemy for the duration of the entire alarm.

Green Light
A Camera hacked by the player will produce a green light. It will perform the same actions as an unhacked Camera, only it will target Splicers rather than the player. The player can hack an unlimited amount of Cameras at a time, and they will remain hacked if the player returns to the level.

= BioShock =

General

 * It is usually better to hack a Security Camera rather than destroy it. Not only is it more economical, but it will ensure the player control over a key part of the level, therefore preventing unpleasant surprises. Security Cameras are also relatively easy to hack (see below). In fact, they're the most easily hackable Security Device in the game (at the beginning), as it is possible to hack them without entering a fight. However, some Cameras are either impossible to hack and/or completely useless (they may only cover an isolated room unreachable by any other enemy type, for instance), and in those cases it easier to destroy them


 * The Camera's field of view is represented by the searchlight it casts over the area. It also possesses a blind spot right under it, enabling a cunning player to approach it without ever attracting its attention.


 * Cameras are the only enemy unable to deal direct damage to the player. They also have a short (and extendable) reaction time before setting off an alarm, so entering its field of view for a short period won't harm the player.


 * The best way to research a Security Camera is to get right under it blind spot, and proceed to take as many photographs as one wishes. This is easy to accomplish, brings the best quality snaps and since there is only a limited amount of Cameras it is better to optimize every snapshot one can make.

Hacking

 * The strategy for hacking is the same as for researching: simply approach the camera when it isn't looking in the player's direction, get under its blind spot and initiate the hack.


 * Some Cameras are placed too high for the player to reach from the ground. It is possible in some cases to jump and, when in mid-air, initiate the hack. This requires some timing, though.


 * It is advised to research Security Cameras to level 4, as it will significantly slow down the flow of the liquid when hacking.

Combat

 * Always try to attack the Camera by surprise, and always attack quickly. If the Camera isn't destroyed witin around two seconds of the player getting spotted, it is recommended to retreat and repeat the attack once the Camera resumes normal activity.


 * An even better strategy is to attack the Camera from its blind spot. Cameras are very large targets, and as such it will be extremely easy to take them down from point-blank range.

General

 * Security Bullseye will temporarily distract the Camera (not to mention every Security Device in the area), as well as severely weaken or kill the targeted enemy. If the player has set off an alarm, it will be transferred onto the target.


 * Target Dummy will also distract the Camera, as well as any Security Bots called in if the player has set off an alarm. However, the distraction only lasts as long as the dummy does, meaning this Plasmid will only buy the player more time. If the Dummy has set off an alarm, when it disappears so will the alarm.


 * Winter Blast will temporarily disable the Camera, allowing the player to make an escape.

Hacking

 * Security Bullseye, by distracting the Camera, will give the player more than enough time to approach it to initiate a hack.


 * Target Dummy will also distract the Camera, giving the player an opportunity to approach it. It also has the advantage of distracting every enemy in the area, meaning the player can take their time even in the middle of a room full of Splicers.


 * Winter Blast not only stuns the Camera, but also slows down the flow of the liquid while hacking. It does no damage to the Camera, although a stray shot may shatter it.


 * Electro Bolt will stun the Camera and will be the first tool offered to the player. However, it presents several disadvantages: it damages the Camera, and if not upgraded won't stun the Camera for long.

Combat

 * Security Bullseye will not only cause grief to another enemy, but will leave the Camera open for attack, without fear of retribution.


 * Target Dummy will distract the Camera, allowing the player to destroy it as they see fit.


 * Winter Blast will stun the Camera, as well as significantly reduce the number of shots required to bring it down. However, it will cause it to shatter, leaving no loot.


 * Electro Bolt will stun the Camera as well as deal it damage. However, it will only disable it for a small amount of time, lest the player upgrades.


 * Telekinesis is a quick and effective way of taking down a Camera, as most projectiles will destroy it in one hit.

General

 * Liquid Nitrogen will temporarily disable the Camera, allowing the player to retreat or escape.

Hacking

 * Liquid Nitrogen will stun the Camera as well as slow down the flow of the liquid. It is the only type of ammunition which does not damage the enemy, although avoid using it in the middle of a fight, as a stray shot might shatter the Camera.

Combat

 * Armor-piercing rounds will kill any machine in a couple of shots, and on any difficulty.


 * Electricity-based weaponry, such as Electric Buck and Electric Gel is extremely effective against machines, usually killing them in a fraction of a second with a minimal ammo cost. However, this ammunition is also the best against Big Daddies, so the player will have to choose who will have the priority.


 * Liquid Nitrogen will make killing a Security Camera much easier, and due to its low ammo cost is very cost efficient.


 * The Pistol, Machine Gun and Shotgun are the most efficient weapons against Cameras, as they can usually destroy them in a couple of shots on any difficulty, and using any ammo type.

General

 * Natural Camouflage is an incredibly useful tool when approaching Security Cameras: By standing still when spotted, the player will become invisible, thus evading the Camera and allowing them to approach it stealthily. If the player somehow manages to trip an alarm, standing still is all that is needed to remain undetected. With this Gene tonic, the player becomes literally undetectable, provided they don't stay visible for too long if spotted.


 * The Security Evasion line of tonics will significantly increase the time it will take for a Security Camera to initiate an alarm upon spotting the player. Note: These Gene Tonics become more or less obsolete if the player has already equipped Natural Camouflage.


 * The Shorten Alarms line of tonics will significantly reduce the duration of alarms set off by the player.


 * The SportBoost line of tonics will enable the player to evade Security Cameras more easily, as well as make faster retreats if spotted.

Hacking

 * The Alarm Expert, Hacking Expert and Security Expert tonic lines will reduce the number of Alarm Tiles when hacking.


 * The Focused Hacker, Hacking Expert and Security Expert tonic lines will reduce the number of Overload Tiles when hacking.


 * The Speedy Hacker line of tonics will slow down the flow of the liquid when hacking.


 * The Hacker's Delight line of tonics will restore a part or even the totality of the player's Health and EVE after completing a successful hack.

Combat

 * The Machine Buster line of tonics will significantly increase damage against all machines.


 * The Damage Research line of tonics will increase damage against enemies researched using the Research Camera. The effectiveness of this Gene tonic is entirely dependent on the amount of research the player has done

= BioShock 2 =

Hacking

 * When hacking Security Camera's in BioShock 2, Blue Bonus area will disable a currently active alarm on the player.