Looking for a recommendation for a “high”zoom PTZ cam, preferably POE. Mounting location would be under a roof eave above a balcony ~20’ high. My balcony overlooks a pond with about 180deg wide view of the property. The furthest points of interest would be ~600’ away and I’d like to be able to make out faces. ChatGPT says I should look for 30X Zoom and 5deg FOV, which sounds pretty tight. I’m not concerned with IR performance or close up targets as I have other cams for that, but have had good luck with my starlight cams if there is something with that level of low light performance.
High zoom PTZ recommendation
- Thread starter bigredaggie
- Start date
EmpireTech (Dahua) SD8A840-HNF-PA 1/1.8" CMOS 8MP 40x Starlight IR PTZ AI Network Camera could fit your needs. Check the data sheet to make sure.
There is also the DH-SD8C845FG-HNF which is on a 1/1.2 sensor in place of a 1/1.8 unit.
There is also the DH-SD8C845FG-HNF which is on a 1/1.2 sensor in place of a 1/1.8 unit.
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Thanks those both look like they have great specs. I wasn’t expecting the price tag though. Don’t think I’ve ever paid more than $200 for a camera. Any options in the $500 or less range? Is it optical zoom that’s driving up the price so much? If it’s AI features I’m not sure I’d use them that much.
Broachoski
Getting comfortable
In the cheaper price range, do not fall for the misleading ZOOM advertised as it can be deceiving. Andy with EmpireTech provides the true focal length. I have a couple of the SD6CE245XA-HNR which is now his labeled PTZ6X2M-45X. It is currently selling for $759..
At 600 feet at night, I think it would be poor with no added light source.
Here is a tracking quick example at 960 feet. It detected at zoom 9 and extended to 45x. at 600 feet it can identify very well during the day but at night it is limited to a few yard in total darkness.
View attachment Ellen closing gate 960ft away PTZ45x-100-F.20250403_090000_2.mp4
Amazon.com : EmpireTech Starlight 2MP 1/2.8" CMOS 45x Optical Zoom IR Smart IP PTZ Camera 3.95mm–177.75mm Lens Support Auto-Tracking and Motion Detection,Perimeter Protection,PTZ6C2M-45X : Electronics
Amazon.com : EmpireTech Starlight 2MP 1/2.8" CMOS 45x Optical Zoom IR Smart IP PTZ Camera 3.95mm–177.75mm Lens Support Auto-Tracking and Motion Detection,Perimeter Protection,PTZ6C2M-45X : Electronics
www.amazon.com
At 600 feet at night, I think it would be poor with no added light source.
Here is a tracking quick example at 960 feet. It detected at zoom 9 and extended to 45x. at 600 feet it can identify very well during the day but at night it is limited to a few yard in total darkness.
View attachment Ellen closing gate 960ft away PTZ45x-100-F.20250403_090000_2.mp4
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I agree with broach, you’re going to have to spend at least $700 if you want anything decent.
I put the same one in, this optical zoom from clients location is a half mile out.
I put the same one in, this optical zoom from clients location is a half mile out.
Couple of other data points/opinions
$700 isnt going to cut it for 600ft+Face ID IMHO
One of the PTZs I have shown here is 25X but only 135mm.
The Gray minivan is at 625ft
The blue pickup is at 125ft
View attachment HOARearP2P_ch1_20260104100159_20260104100227.mp4
I would look at the PTZs with Laser IR for 600ft+and 1/1.8" sensor on 4MP (1/2.8" sensor on 4MP sucks IMHO)
All are going ton be close to $2000
empiretech01.com
$700 isnt going to cut it for 600ft+Face ID IMHO
- Dont pay attention to _X Zoom. What matters is the lens max. The camera @Alaska Country shows is a 223mm lens
- Getting Light, either white or IR out to 600ft will be the bigger challenge
One of the PTZs I have shown here is 25X but only 135mm.
The Gray minivan is at 625ft
The blue pickup is at 125ft
View attachment HOARearP2P_ch1_20260104100159_20260104100227.mp4
I would look at the PTZs with Laser IR for 600ft+and 1/1.8" sensor on 4MP (1/2.8" sensor on 4MP sucks IMHO)
All are going ton be close to $2000
EmpireTech SD8X442FA-HNF 1/1.8”CMOS 4MP 42X Starlight Laser Nonred Net
1/1.8” 4Megapixel CMOS 42x optical zoom Ultra light sensitivity Max. 50/60fps@4M Laser distance up to 600m Perimeter protection Face recognition Video Metadata Privacy Protection Gyroscope EIS IP67 Smart Wiper Acupick Smart Pan-Tilt Correction WizTracking Xinghan Large-Scale AI Models
empiretech01.com
Here is a video from the SD8X442FA-HNF.
It was originally shared here:
It was originally shared here:
That’s amazing. I was not expecting that level of focused illumination. Almost seemed like the cat knew it was being irradiated it ran off right after the IR laser turned on.
Laser IR - more that even sounds cool. I had written off actually being able to illuminate at that distance was figuring it would be daylight use onlyCouple of other data points/opinions
$700 isnt going to cut it for 600ft+Face ID IMHO
- Dont pay attention to _X Zoom. What matters is the lens max. The camera @Alaska Country shows is a 223mm lens
- Getting Light, either white or IR out to 600ft will be the bigger challenge
One of the PTZs I have shown here is 25X but only 135mm.
The Gray minivan is at 625ft
The blue pickup is at 125ft
View attachment 235669
I would look at the PTZs with Laser IR for 600ft+and 1/1.8" sensor on 4MP (1/2.8" sensor on 4MP sucks IMHO)
All are going ton be close to $2000
EmpireTech SD8X442FA-HNF 1/1.8”CMOS 4MP 42X Starlight Laser Nonred Net
1/1.8” 4Megapixel CMOS 42x optical zoom Ultra light sensitivity Max. 50/60fps@4M Laser distance up to 600m Perimeter protection Face recognition Video Metadata Privacy Protection Gyroscope EIS IP67 Smart Wiper Acupick Smart Pan-Tilt Correction WizTracking Xinghan Large-Scale AI Models
Here is the datasheet for the SD8X442FA-HNF camera. Take note that it is a POE 302.3bt standards camera. i.e. 90 watts. The overall power requirements are in the range of 70 W thus your standard POE or POE+ will not power this cam.
If your layout and needs would allow it, consider the placement of a cam closer to your desired target. Then if close enough (within 300 feet) use CAT 5e for power and data. If more distant (600 feet) perhaps adding a dedicated 110 volt line for power could be an option. For this longer link either use a power line adapter for data, an RF link or fiber for data transfer. The advantage is that a less costly cam could perhaps be used to fulfill your needs.
The SD5A425XA-HNR PTZ is in the $700 range but does not have the range of the $2000 camera. If interested in either cam, contact Andy for current price and availability.
If your layout and needs would allow it, consider the placement of a cam closer to your desired target. Then if close enough (within 300 feet) use CAT 5e for power and data. If more distant (600 feet) perhaps adding a dedicated 110 volt line for power could be an option. For this longer link either use a power line adapter for data, an RF link or fiber for data transfer. The advantage is that a less costly cam could perhaps be used to fulfill your needs.
The SD5A425XA-HNR PTZ is in the $700 range but does not have the range of the $2000 camera. If interested in either cam, contact Andy for current price and availability.
Agree the SD5A425XA-HNR PTZ isn’t going to work at that distance. Was showing that 135mm isn’t near enough lens