Need help choosing cameras - what's the current go to camera?

P

PaulH

n3wb
Feb 3, 2018
23
10
About 8 or so years ago I installed an ip based home camera system with the 2mp starlight 5231R-ZE cameras which were considered best at that time based on information from this forum. Have been pretty happy with the system, however, I'm sure technology has progressed since then, so I have started researching this forum again to determine the current 'go to' camera for a reasonably priced system for my son's property. But I can't decide if I would be better getting color night time cameras using white LED's, or sticking with B&W with IR LED's as I currently have. To further complicate matters, my sons property is very different to mine, much smaller - the maximum distance required to view and get good detail of human subjects is 6 meters, and that's only for one camera, the others are only 2-4 meters. I am thinking possibly the color night time cameras with white LED's may be better, but short of purchasing and trying them out, I really can't be sure. He also has some sensor lights which would help in some of the areas with additional lighting, but not all areas. There are street lights for illumination however someone entering the property will be backlit so can't rely on the ambient street lights for decent id.

So I would appreciate any advice on the current crop of night time B&W vs colour cameras at relatively short distances (<= 6M), with poor illumination (for the areas that aren't currently well lit with sensor lights) - which give the best image quality for moving subjects at night time?. And is there a current 'go to' in each? Or should I go for the camera model's that have both IR and white LED's and decide which way works best, or is that a compromise solution? In any case, no need for very fancy software other than zone intrusion detection that my current cameras perform well enough. I think 4MP with 1/1.8" sensor, and preferably vari focal is roughly where I will be looking at starting.

Thanks in advance.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arjun and mat200
The 3449H-AS-PV-PRO (Color4M-T) has both IR and white lights, can be activated by motion, or leave in IR mode. Your choice. It also has red/blue flashing lights and siren/audio warning OPTIONAL and has a very good mic and speaker for two way talk.

I use one (a 3.6mm fixed) at the front door.

View attachment AFSA-ON-FloodOFF-192.168.1.110_ch3_20250321205508_20250321205535.mp4


It also has a NEW model in variable focus which should actually be even better


There are also brand new higher end models (T54PRO) just now shipping that should be even better than the one above, but I'm waiting to see some more real world testing
The 5459H-ZE-PV-PRO

Contact Andy at Empiretech and he can help you with either one

ProColor Series Camera

Building security systems for home and business offices. Protecting customers' personal safety and property security. All the security cameras and NVRs we sell are of great quality and at affordable prices.
empiretech01.com empiretech01.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: PaulH and mat200
I added these cameras recently. The quality is great in the day, and AMAZING at night. Night footage with minimal ambient light looks like daytime - it's impressive.
Get the 2.8mm focal length for the short distances you mention.

empiretech01.com

EmpireTech IPC-Color4M-XL 1/1.8" CMOS 4MP WizColor Fixed-focal Bullet

4MP 1/1.8" CMOS Built-in warm light, the max. illumination distance is 50 m Intelligent monitoring Abnormality detection Supports max. 256 G Micro SD card Built in Mic 12 VDC/PoE power supply IP67 protection SMD Plus
empiretech01.com empiretech01.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: PaulH and bigredfish
Only reason I would recommend the varifocal vs the fixed lens in these new cameras is the close focus distance
 
  • Like
Reactions: PaulH
Thanks fellas. I'm thinking I'd prefer the vari focal, makes setting up a bit easier, but if it came down to one giving better night time image over the other I might go fixed. Is the tioc pro a step up from the one adamg referenced, given they're both listed as wiz color (if that means anything)? Tried to work it out looking at the specs with min illumination, but they're using different lenses which makes it more difficult for my pea brain to work out. And the bullet one has 4 led's vs 2 on the turret, assuming the other 2 are IR leds.
And regarding the fixed vs vari focal length at close quarters, bigredfish is your reasoning that fixed lenses are focused at infinity and would therefore be out of focus at short distances whereas vari focus lenses can auto focus themselves?
 
With the new (3 of them) series that arent really out in many hands yet, its gets more complicated.

Check out this thread with lots of info, but caution there aren't many out there yet and I'm holding off until I can see closeup (entryway type) scenes and performance.
steve1225

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

Dahua released new 5x59-PRO camera lineup with F1.0/F1.2 apertures and WizColor technology:


But also released new 5x59-IL Smart Dual Light cams with F1.6/F1.8 apertures and without WizColor technology:


Both lines looks almost identical (Smart Dual Light have extra Z4E models with telephoto both have extra Z4E models), both are using the same new firmware line...
  • Like



Most of these have both a bullet and turret version

See the Dahua specs below and then you can match them up to the Empiretech models (Same camera, different sticker)

New PRO series
New IL series

3 series (PRO) TIOC (Up until the last 30 days was the clear choice). These along with the two new series above added VF models recently. The two above in theory are slightly better, but we're starting to split hairs)

I generally prefer bullets for the reasons you mention. But the new series of cameras have either 4 LED's or two multifunctional lights

I'm just looking at the close focus spec. In theory anything under this spec will not be in perfect focus. I've always preferred the fixed lens because it generally (within the same series) has better light sensitivity. But these newer fixed lens cams have much further close focus distances than the standby go-to 5442 series (which is still an awesome camera with IMHO a better image, but doesnt have the light pickup or the bells and whistles of the new models)
 
  • Like
Reactions: PaulH
Thanks bigredfish, think I'll stick with 3449 series for the time being and have a look for some more footage where there's only the camera's lighting available. It might be that for one or two locations I may need the bullet camera with the extra led's where there's no sensor lights and little ambient light, or rely on the IR in these areas.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigredfish
adamg said:
I added these cameras recently. The quality is great in the day, and AMAZING at night. Night footage with minimal ambient light looks like daytime - it's impressive.
Get the 2.8mm focal length for the short distances you mention.

empiretech01.com

EmpireTech IPC-Color4M-XL 1/1.8" CMOS 4MP WizColor Fixed-focal Bullet

4MP 1/1.8" CMOS Built-in warm light, the max. illumination distance is 50 m Intelligent monitoring Abnormality detection Supports max. 256 G Micro SD card Built in Mic 12 VDC/PoE power supply IP67 protection SMD Plus
empiretech01.com empiretech01.com
Click to expand...
@adamg - Adam, thanks for your link, I've been looking at the specs on the cameras you linked, and for some of the areas around the back of the property these may work better than the 3449's due to less ambient light, as these have the extra LED's. I've been trying to find footage of what they're like, but the Dahua model numbers are different between what empiretech show and dahua global. I think yours is probably IPC-HFW2449TL-S-PRO, seems to look the same with same specs. Do you know if that's definitely the correct model you have? If so, I'll start searching for some footage to see if anyone has uploaded any. If you have any readily available I'd be very appreciative, but no problem if not.

​

 
  • Like
Reactions: bigredfish
PaulH said:
@adamg - Adam, thanks for your link, I've been looking at the specs on the cameras you linked, and for some of the areas around the back of the property these may work better than the 3449's due to less ambient light, as these have the extra LED's. I've been trying to find footage of what they're like, but the Dahua model numbers are different between what empiretech show and dahua global. I think yours is probably IPC-HFW2449TL-S-PRO, seems to look the same with same specs. Do you know if that's definitely the correct model you have? If so, I'll start searching for some footage to see if anyone has uploaded any. If you have any readily available I'd be very appreciative, but no problem if not.

​

Click to expand...
I don't know the Dahua part number of these cameras. That would make life as a consumer just too easy.
I don't have a system to publish my recorded footage other than perhaps a google drive share. I'll investigate if I remember when I have a chance.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PaulH
Yes, I may, not sure yet. It's a bit of a learning process figuring out model numbers, specs etc. I think Adam's camera is using same sensor as the 3449's but has more LED's and fixed focal lens is faster so probably contributes to the excellent night footage he gets. But then, maybe the 3449 night footage would be the same, who knows. System is for my son who is on a bit of a budget too which doesn't help.
 
You realize that’s because it’s a bullet?

You realize all three series have both a bullet AND a turret model?

look at the specs. F-stop and close focus distance (smaller number are better in both cases)
 
Not sure what you mean, the bullet has extra led’s so is better at illuminating further? Is there something else about a bullet I’m missing?
I’m aware you can get both bullet and turret models, just sometimes I thought I’d found a particular model wasn’t listed as available in either turret or bullet on empiretech. That site makes it hard though due to not listing the manufacturer model numbers so is a bit confusing for newbies like myself.
 
I was just responding to your post one up. All of the series have bullet models and fixed lens models

“3449's but has more LED's and fixed focal lens”
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom