Dahua WizColor 5x59-PRO and SmartLight 5x59-IL new series

  • Like
Reactions: JPmedia
Keep in mind folks, we were seeing the limitations of the PRO series cameras all the way back in October 2024....Granted they were the 2x and 3x series, but it appears material build quality and few bells/whistles separated those from the 5x series.

General consensus then was they were brighter than say the 5442 series, but motion was a blur....

caveat emptor


1778760458381.png
 
  • Like
  • Angry
Reactions: CCTVCam, bigredfish and Arjun
Arjun said:
When I saw the price of the -IL being $259 yesterday, I was sticker-shocked. I really pray that Ubiquiti considers incorporating settings for controlling shutter speed / exposure so that I can move away from all of these Chinese companies once and for all due to unstable pricing. Like you said, there is no accountability. For now, I don't really need any new cameras, but I know some friends and family that will like to upgrade, but now I am hesitant to recommend these Dahua cameras mainly due to price. It sucks that the 5442 cameras are reached EOL. I can't even sell any more of my own used cameras due to the lack of better cameras available from Dahua. Going all out Ubiquiti is not something I ever considered and I certainly hope it does not go to that extent. I have already started recommending the Ubiquiti Starter Kit for $699 to colleagues, friends, and family after they were hesitant to consider other alternatives to the 5442 model. This really affects Andy's business and also signals parting away from the forum as it is heavily driven by his sales; very rarely do I see new discussions on Hikvision and Ubiquiti here.

We have no evidence that the -IL model is better than the 5442 and/or it resolves the woes of last year's models which got a lot of backlash here on the forum.
Click to expand...

Have we seen what ubiquiti's next move is - raise prices or put in inferior components to keep the price down?

Andy has done a great job of keeping prices down and mentioned he is only raising prices as the existing stock goes down.

I think the price increases on components should have everyone questioning their purchases moving forward - some companies like Ring, with the backing of Amazon, may keep their prices the same, while others may have to increase based on component costs. And then we will have some that will increase because everyone else does, but also goes to lower quality components to lower their costs and increase profits.

I think we have concluded the IL model is like all the PRO models that produce a brighter static image but at the cost of blur with motion.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CCTVCam, bigredfish and Arjun
wittaj said:
Have we seen what ubiquiti's next move is - raise prices or put in inferior components to keep the price down?

Andy has done a great job of keeping prices down and mentioned he is only raising prices as the existing stock goes down.

I think the price increases on components should have everyone questioning their purchases moving forward - some companies like Ring, with the backing of Amazon, may keep their prices the same, while others may have to increase based on component costs. And then we will have some that will increase because everyone else does, but also goes to lower quality components to lower their costs and increase profits.

I think we have concluded the IL model is like all the PRO models that produce a brighter static image but at the cost of blur with motion.
Click to expand...
Ring prices stay the same because they were overly priced piece of crap to begin with
What Ubiquiti is doing is essentially price-gouging - they incorporate memory surcharges into some of their newly released camera models as well. What is bad about Ubiquiti is that each of their cameras cannot be independently configured in its respective user interface and it relies on being configured through an NVR exclusively.
I think as you said, we have to question our purchases and see if it is even a viable path at this time.
We need to follow the "if it ain't broken, don't fix it" mentality - there is no need to always upgrade when that upgrade can actually be seen as a downgrade.
Its too bad not everyone sees the necessity of cameras.
 
wittaj said:
Have we seen what ubiquiti's next move is - raise prices or put in inferior components to keep the price down?

Andy has done a great job of keeping prices down and mentioned he is only raising prices as the existing stock goes down.

I think the price increases on components should have everyone questioning their purchases moving forward - some companies like Ring, with the backing of Amazon, may keep their prices the same, while others may have to increase based on component costs. And then we will have some that will increase because everyone else does, but also goes to lower quality components to lower their costs and increase profits.

I think we have concluded the IL model is like all the PRO models that produce a brighter static image but at the cost of blur with motion.
Click to expand...


Same camera, fewer features.

“ Product segmentation “
 
Would it be fair to say that maybe Dahua should focus on quality over quantity approach, with regards to the range of cameras. This would massively reduce development and associated costs, allow them to bring out quality cameras like the previous 5442 and 4K series, and surely keep their customer base happy. I say all of this and fully accept that a lot of customers only care about whether it is 6 or 8 megapixels, without giving a second thought to actual footage quality. Also, object detection is all well and good, along with Ai and other add ons, but maybe focus on the image quality initially, then look to work on the extras. Mainly they should just buy in and install quality sensors, until such a time that their 'own' are suitable for mass market.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CCTVCam
CamCrazy said:
Would it be fair to say that maybe Dahua should focus on quality over quantity approach, with regards to the range of cameras. This would massively reduce development and associated costs, allow them to bring out quality cameras like the previous 5442 and 4K series, and surely keep their customer base happy. I say all of this and fully accept that a lot of customers only care about whether it is 6 or 8 megapixels, without giving a second thought to actual footage quality. Also, object detection is all well and good, along with Ai and other add ons, but maybe focus on the image quality initially, then look to work on the extras. Mainly they should just buy in and install quality sensors, until such a time that their 'own' are suitable for mass market.
Click to expand...

LOL

Its the same as any other manufacturing industry.

Profits come first.
Bells n Whistles drive profits because the consumer is a lazy fucking idiot and not only doesn't know the difference, he won't spend 5 minutes TO know the difference
 
  • Like
Reactions: CCTVCam, looney2ns and Arjun
JPmedia said:
I don't think you're using this far from home or even possibly at home. It's 230 volts and uses a special VEAM mains plug. At 24000-watt output, you're drawing over 100 amps at 230 volts. In some small homes, that would be over the limit of a 100-amp electrical system
Click to expand...
When not on a studio power grid they are always usually run on gennys.:)

edited
 
Last edited:
I think the bigger thing that comes into play is it appears they are trying to get into the consumer market directly instead of thru OEMs.

This means they have to "meet" what the naïve consumer is looking for when they are looking at what is available to them - and that is a bright static image in low light and AI capabilities.

Most of us here are really a small minority % that they don't have to care about and wouldn't impact the bottom line.

We are the ones getting off auto/default settings and pushing these cameras to perform in low light conditions.

The average business/retail customer typically has enough light to get by with default settings.

Most residential consumers will just leave it on default.

Heck my neighbor bought from Andy and I dialed in all the cameras to eliminate blur and within a week he changed them to default settings because he said I made the image too dark LOL.

And that is why he has a bright image that can see further than mine, but his motion is a blur.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
  • Wow
Reactions: CCTVCam, looney2ns, Arjun and 3 others
wittaj said:
Most of us here are really a small minority % that they don't have to care about and wouldn't impact the bottom line.
Click to expand...
Sad truth unfortunately, still the completely wrong approach from Dahua, they could half their range and still have a consumer series and a 'commercial' or installer series.

wittaj said:
Heck my neighbor bought from Andy and I dialed in all the cameras to eliminate blur and within a week he changed them to default settings because he said I made the image too dark LOL.

And that is why he has a bright image that can see further than mine, but his motion is a blur.
Click to expand...
Your neighbour failed to realise just how fortunate he was on this occasion, you can take a horse to water as they say...:idk:

Here's hoping he does not get broken into anytime soon, unlikely with a security concious neighbour - depending on proximity of properties of course.
 
CamCrazy said:
Sad truth unfortunately, still the completely wrong approach from Dahua, they could half their range and still have a consumer series and a 'commercial' or installer series.


Your neighbour failed to realise just how fortunate he was on this occasion, you can take a horse to water as they say...:idk:

Here's hoping he does not get broken into anytime soon, unlikely with a security concious neighbour - depending on proximity of properties of course.
Click to expand...

Yep, his LPR cam is now useless at night because he didn't like the all black image LOL.
 
  • Wow
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: Techie007L, CCTVCam, Chokolinho and 1 other person
wittaj said:
Yep, his LPR cam is now useless at night because he didn't like the all black image LOL.
Click to expand...
Wow, seriously! amazing, you were generous to help him and that is the thanks you get. Ah well, you just can't help some people I guess. Been there, done that!
 
wittaj said:
Yep, his LPR cam is now useless at night because he didn't like the all black image LOL.
Click to expand...

Very good friend I helped install 23 cameras at his house and small goat farm did same.
Had two Z12's that had great LPR both ways on the street, now they're fuzzy motion overview cameras that dont get license plates and are usually covered in cob webs.. :rolleyes:
 
  • Haha
Reactions: looney2ns and Chokolinho
bigredfish said:
Very good friend I helped install 23 cameras at his house and small goat farm did same.
Had two Z12's that had great LPR both ways on the street, now they're fuzzy motion overview cameras that dont get license plates and are usually covered in cob webs.. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Hey! What's the matter with these kids today?! With all these big box cameras being sold, there's an opportunity for them, after the first month or two, in the world of home security maintenance! "Hey mister, that's a nice camera set-up you got there. Hire me and I will come over regularly to keep everything clean for you. You will never have to worry about dirty lenses or cobwebs ever again! Say, 'yes' now, and I will throw in for free, regular testing of your audio alarm!" :D

Gotta keep them purty still pictures purty

edit: punctuation
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: bigredfish and Arjun
Said it before, the only thing that will change any of this is a tranisition to larger sensors. No matter what you do, to quote Startrek "You canny beat the Laws of Physics". Larger Pixels = more light captured period = brighter image = faster shutter speed / lower gain possible. If it was any different, all the flagship low light cameras and phones would be on tiny sensors. There may be some argument for higher sensivity coatings, but you're still limited ultimately by how many photons hit the pixel and that in turn is dictated by it's size. I always think of them as raindrops. You capture more in a bucket than a teacup.
 
  • Like
Reactions: StevenFromTexas, bigredfish, Arjun and 2 others
CCTVCam said:
Said it before, the only thing that will change any of this is a tranisition to larger sensors. No matter what you do, to quote Startrek "You canny beat the Laws of Physics". Larger Pixels = more light captured period = brighter image = faster shutter speed / lower gain possible. If it was any different, all the flagship low light cameras and phones would be on tiny sensors. There may be some argument for higher sensivity coatings, but you're still limited ultimately by how many photons hit the pixel and that in turn is dictated by it's size. I always think of them as raindrops. You capture more in a bucket than a teacup.
Click to expand...
Since they managed to produce the 4K series with the larger sensors, in relative terms, I do not understand why this could not be a longer term strategy. Assuming the sensors are available from Sony or similar, this could be the real 'Pro' line, imagine a 4K size sensor with improved lens quality over the existing 4K-T/X and with more powerful processing. That is a camera I would happily pay $300++ for, providing they executed it with a priority given to image quality and focus on high grade and powerful daylight LED's.

Dahua obviously spend large amounts of time and money on high grade PTZ's surely they can pay more attention to some similar options in the bullet range at least, turrets if size permits.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arjun and alekk
The 4kt in terms of size is still small. Many phones and action and drone cameras are on 1 inch sensors which whilst only slightly larger than 1/1.2" seems to give gains.

Even then the best cameras are on 35mm given even sensors larger than 1" don't seem to come close to the best 35mm performance. With phones / action / drone cameras it's easy to understand the size limitation. However, CCTV cameras already have quite large bodies making sensor sizes beyond 1" theoretically possible. The Sony from 2016 used a 35mm sesnor albeit it was a large bullet / box style camera. Drone cameras are generally small and if 1" fits in a drone eg the excellent Hassleblad DJI model, then surely a CCTV camera is a cavern by comparison (it has to be said with the Hassleblad DJI, the lens quality appears outstanding from the footage I've seen, another factor with CCTV = not only does a clearer lens allow more light in, but it offers superior sharpness, detail and clarity.

BTW I'm not selling these or receiving commission or recommending them or the seller, just a random link to show how small the cameras are - 3 on 1 drone!


Yep it costs £1,700 but that's 3 cameras plus a drone plus a controller whereas CCTV requires only the 1 camera.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigredfish
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom