Why do the higher megapixels (3-4MP) perform worst at night than 2MP?

M

MakeItRain

Pulling my weight
Aug 7, 2017
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Can someone explain why is it that the 3-4MP cameras have far worse night time performance than the 2MP cameras? That doesn't seem to make any sense to me. Assuming both have the same IR hardware and capabilities, why is the 2MP outshining the 3 and the 4MP?

We know that the 3-4MP perform way better during the day, but why are they worse at night? Something I'm missing here?
 
MakeItRain said:
Can someone explain why is it that the 3-4MP cameras have far worse night time performance than the 2MP cameras? That doesn't seem to make any sense to me. Assuming both have the same IR hardware and capabilities, why is the 2MP outshining the 3 and the 4MP?

We know that the 3-4MP perform way better during the day, but why are they worse at night? Something I'm missing here?
Click to expand...
There is actually very little difference between 2mp and 3/4mp cameras in terms of pixel per foot...a 4mp is not double as clear as a 2mp camera...
HTC explains why 4 megapixels are better than 8
 
MakeItRain said:
Can someone explain why is it that the 3-4MP cameras have far worse night time performance than the 2MP cameras? That doesn't seem to make any sense to me. Assuming both have the same IR hardware and capabilities, why is the 2MP outshining the 3 and the 4MP?

We know that the 3-4MP perform way better during the day, but why are they worse at night? Something I'm missing here?
Click to expand...

The secret is in the chip / sensor.

The cameras do not use the same chip

Even the 8MP / 4K Dahua cameras perform worse in low light conditions than the Dahua Starlight line which has a chip optimized for low light conditions.
 
So basically you're saying that based on today's technology, a sacrifice must be made to choosing higher resolution at the expense of low light performance, or lower resolution with higher low light performance; and assuming that these are not $1000+ cameras.
 
MakeItRain said:
So basically you're saying that based on today's technology, a sacrifice must be made to choosing higher resolution at the expense of low light performance, or lower resolution with higher low light performance; and assuming that these are not $1000+ cameras.
Click to expand...

To some degree - yes

Note you can still get a crappy 720p camera which is poor in details and low light ;-)

Please do feel free to search the forum for a better answer on why the Dahua Starlights are so good in low light conditions.
 
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