2026 New Release from EmpireTech

[bigredfish]

I have no other 2.8 mm cameras to test against.

Surely the VF isn’t top secret enough to prohibit getting one?

And I hope folks don’t think testing it with white LEDs on vs the 5442 in IR is an actual real useful test…

 

[Arjun]

I have no other 2.8 mm cameras to test against.

Surely the VF isn’t top secret enough to prohibit getting one?

And I hope folks don’t think testing it with white LEDs on vs the 5442 in IR is an actual real useful test…

Its needs to be tested with IR on and IR off, but most importantly - IR on (for night)
Daytime, any of the new models are decent
Could care less about the warm LEDs because we all know how that is going to perform lol

 

[Chokolinho]

As someone who has had a -IL side-by-side with an S3 for 9 months, I do NOT agree with that.


Maybe that's an explanation. I've got no inside info, and am not willing to disassemble the cameras to see for myself. All I know is what I see every day.

I have the IL Fixed version here and tested it outside. It seems to have exactly the same problem as the Pro camera.

 

[Chokolinho]

But its fixed focal - darn pricey at $210, should not cost more than $160 honestly
I'm shocked no one purchased one for biased-free testing

I paid 175€ for one.

 

[Chokolinho]

Seems like it, what is nice is that it retains the original turret cover design
Its available in the EU for purchase

NET CAMERA 4MP EYEBALL/HDW5459T-ZE-IL-2712-B DAHUA

NET CAMERA 4MP EYEBALL/HDW5459T-ZE-IL-2712-B DAHUA - ⚡ Only selected IT equipment for business intended for the Lithuanian market. A wide range of IT products. Delivery within 1 day

shop.mdpcloud.com

I buy the 5442-ZE-S3 for 175€ and could buy the IL ZE for 175 too.

 

[bigredfish]

I have the IL Fixed version here and tested it outside. It seems to have exactly the same problem as the Pro camera.

Ok saw that. My bad. I’m having a hard time keeping up with all of the new model Andy model #s

 

[Chokolinho]

IL Fixed Version in 2.8mm. Firmware 6R.

 

[Arjun]

Ok saw that. My bad. I’m having a hard time keeping up with all of the new model Andy model #s

Its not just you, these Chinese companies cracked the code knowing how to overwhelm American consumers (with a thousand choices) giving them no choice but to spend their hard-earned money
Most importantly, don't be fooled

 

[Arjun]

IL Fixed Version in 2.8mm. Firmware 6R.

Have you tried playing with shutter exposure to reduce that smearing?
Also, what about adjusting the IR intensity - these new models don't seem to be anywhere close in performance to REAL Starlight cameras

 

[Chokolinho]

Have you tried playing with shutter exposure to reduce that smearing?
Also, what about adjusting the IR intensity - these new models don't seem to be anywhere close in performance to REAL Starlight cameras

Shutter was 6 , Gain 50 and 2-3D NR 45/45 , IR was 100%.

 

[Arjun]

Shutter was 6 , Gain 50 and 2-3D NR 45/45 , IR was 100%.

Well that sucks because the integrated IR illuminator clearly appears to perform poorly versus its 5442 predecessor
WTF is it with these new cameras being cranked out of their factories? This is horrifying.
Unless you got a dud, that is a different story, but I doubt that its DOA

 

[Arjun]

This explains it then, since COVID, nobody seems to care anymore
China is forcing LAZY America and LAZY West to Wake Up

 

[OD1]

This explains it then, since COVID, nobody seems to care anymore
China is forcing LAZY America and LAZY West to Wake Up

It’s not complicated. US banned Chinese cameras. China doubles down and says "fine, we go outside all western alliance all together and be self-sufficient." Small hiccup, everyone notices. But if you look at late 2025 and early 2026 sensor specs, they are improving rapidly. It should be exciting that we are actually seeing progress in this market even if it took a step backward to get there. It hasn't happened in a very long time.

SC489SL is the 2026 smart clarity 3 sensor 4MP 1/1.8" and has their Lightbox-2 IR promising 50% IR improvement. SC285SL is the first 2MP 1/1.8" sensor we've seen for the security market. It still shows Lightbox-1 IR on spec sheet but it has 4 micron pixels and boasts 92db HDR meaning a lot less people will need WDR. They don't list an updated 8MP 1/1.2", just a 1/1.8" update so the newer 8MP 1/1.2" versions are likely just last year's with only "Advanced NIR+ technology."


Still not known if the new PRO-X is using SC489SL with lightbox-2 IR or the SC485SL with the original Lightbox IR. Maybe they will put the 489SL in the 5 series.