Can you actually blind a security camera with a laser pointer like in Better Call Saul?
We explore the optics, hardware sensitivities, and practical challenges behind the famous TV trope, from sensor limitations to real-world targeting difficulties.
How cameras react to light
Security cameras convert light into electrical charges to create video. Because they rely on light, they are sensitive to strong light sources. A bright light can cause anything from temporary glare to permanent damage to the camera.
However, to cause real damage, a combination of three elements is required: a very powerful laser, an older camera, and an extremely steady hand.
Researchers have found that it's very difficult to hold a laser steady on a target from about 5 feet away without your hand shaking. The Better Call Saul co-creator admitted that the trick would only work on a 1960s camera model.
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What do the facts show?
Low-power lasers, below 5mW, are likely to cause only a temporary reflection. In fact, in the US, portable lasers above 5mW are prohibited from being sold or promoted by the relevant authority.
In a 2021 incident in Clearwater, a man was arrested for using a laser on cameras at the Church of Scientology. The perpetrator caused more than $2.000 in damage, but the cameras were not damaged and recorded his movements.
How are cameras protected?
To reduce the chances of damage or targeting, experts recommend some preventive measures:
- Placing the cameras high or at an angle.
- Use of moving cameras.
- Overlaying sensitive areas with multiple cameras simultaneously.
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