Sony security cameras incorporate an AGC (Automatic Gain Control) function that increases the camera gain as a scene darkens, but always provides S/N ratios that are acceptable for surveillance monitoring.

Security cameras generally provide an AGC (Automatic Gain Control) function to automatically increase the gain, in other words amplify the signal generated by the cameras, when capturing images under low light conditions. However, it must be noted that increasing the gain also increases the noise; thus degrading the S/N ratio. The AGC function in Sony security cameras limits the increase in gain so that S/N ratios that are acceptable for surveillance monitoring applications are attained, thus providing clear images with minimal noise.