Illustra Pro cameras for long range, compared to 5442

[m4gnum]

Hi. All my cameras are Dahua/Empiretech 5442 but I am hoping to add a better varifocal camera to monitor a low lit area 60–80 ft away. Unfortunately Dahua cameras zoom is pretty slow and clumsy so it's definitely a "set and forget" and the IR range is limited. I would set it at 20mm but hoping sporadically to zoom in on demand for better identification. I don't need any extra features or AI, since I'm using a custom AI model handled by an NVR system. A better long range mic would be great as well.
A local dealer suggested American Dynamics (Tyco) Illustra Pro cameras, I am looking at the IPS08-B16-OIA4.

Does anyone have any experience with these?
Would this realistically be any better than the 5442-Z4E and 5442-Z12E?

Here are the specs:

Image sensor	Sony 1/1.8” progressive scan ultra-lowlight CMOS sensor
Telephoto lens	Motorized 4K optics, 13-55 mm F1.5-F2.8, P iris FOV (H): 34.2° ~ 8.3° FOV (V): 20° ~ 5.6°
Focus assistant	Physical AF button on camera, remote one-push AF Focal means Screw Focus
Day and night	True D/N by mechanically removable IR-cut filter, thresholds adjustable
Minimum illumination	Color: 0.15 lux B/W: 0.05 lux IR: 0 lux
Shutter speed	1/32,000 sec ~ 1/8 sec
IR illumination	850 nm IR, power-efficient and durable Adaptive IRSmart IR Effective up to PoE 50 m (164 ft), PoE+ 70 m (230 ft)
Resolution and frame rate	Up to 3840x2160 (16:9) at 30/25 fps, 1080p up to 60/50 fps
Video streaming	IntelliZip smart compression in H.264 and H.265 Quad streaming CBR/VBR/CVBR configurable bitrate control Higher compression ROI
Wide dynamic range	True WDR 120dB technologies Smart WDR, TWDR 2x, TWDR 3x Smart Defog
Image settings	Configurable color contour, auto exposure, AE compensation, auto white balance, auto gain control, auto electronicshutter, flickerless, image orientation, text overlay Digital noise reduction 2D/3D Privacy maskCorridor mode
Audio	G.711 μ-law Bi-directional, full duplex
Power consumption (max)	IR models: PoE 12.95 W, PoE+ 18.72 W, 24 VAC 21 W
Iris type	P-Iris with Renesas control
ONVIF Profile	SGTM

 

[bigredfish]

It may be a good camera , but I highly doubt it will do anything different than the Dahua or any other VF camera. More range, but my Z4 sees quite well at 60-80 ft.
It’s still primarily meant as a set and forget camera.

It sounds like you want/need a PTZ.