Options spec'd similar to Dahua, that are NDAA compliant?

ndrums392

n3wb
Oct 30, 2025
1
0
Michigan
I seem to be having a hard time finding cameras that are spec'd as good as Dahua or Hikvision but are NDAA compliant (not US blacklisted).

**** Yes, I know, they are not blacklisted for consumer / private use.

I have used the Dahua starlight series (particularly the 5442 and the IPC-T54 - 1/1.8" sensor). And they are truly hard to beat. I need to explore more compliant options, but am coming up way short. Obviously, I expect the price to be higher (within reason)...... but am surprised to find that almost nobody else makes them like that (with the larger sensor sizes etc).

  • I have found some decent spec'd Hanwha options, but even those are 1/2.8" sensors.
  • Axis communications seems to be highly respected, and they don't have much to compare either
  • Bosch is out of price range, as it seems comparable options are upwards of $2k/each
  • Possibly Speco O8FT1W (but I have no experience with speco and their quality?)

Does anyone have any recommendations? Maybe I have become to hyper-focused on the low-light capabilities. But, I find the low light (and ability to get color at night under the right lighting scenarios etc) to be superior to pushing megapixels etc. As a photographer, I understand that sensor and lens are more important.
 
I seem to be having a hard time finding cameras that are spec'd as good as Dahua or Hikvision but are NDAA compliant (not US blacklisted).

**** Yes, I know, they are not blacklisted for consumer / private use.

I have used the Dahua starlight series (particularly the 5442 and the IPC-T54 - 1/1.8" sensor). And they are truly hard to beat. I need to explore more compliant options, but am coming up way short. Obviously, I expect the price to be higher (within reason)...... but am surprised to find that almost nobody else makes them like that (with the larger sensor sizes etc).

  • I have found some decent spec'd Hanwha options, but even those are 1/2.8" sensors.
  • Axis communications seems to be highly respected, and they don't have much to compare either
  • Bosch is out of price range, as it seems comparable options are upwards of $2k/each
  • Possibly Speco O8FT1W (but I have no experience with speco and their quality?)

Does anyone have any recommendations? Maybe I have become to hyper-focused on the low-light capabilities. But, I find the low light (and ability to get color at night under the right lighting scenarios etc) to be superior to pushing megapixels etc. As a photographer, I understand that sensor and lens are more important.

HI @ndrums392

iirc Speco was selling Dahua OEM cameras .. so you will want to double check that
 
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I wonder how long Uniview will stay NDAA compliant.
We had their addition to a different list in late 2024. Federal Register :: Request Access

Entity List Decisions

Additions to the Entity List

The ERC determined to add Beijing Zhongdun Security Technology Group Co., Ltd. and Zhejiang Uniview Technologies Co., Ltd., under the destination of China, to the Entity List. Beijing Zhongdun Security Technology Group Co., Ltd. is being added because it develops and sells products and services that enable China's public security establishment to carry out human rights violations. Zhejiang Uniview Technologies Co., Ltd. is being added because it enables human rights violations, including high-technology surveillance targeted at the general population, Uyghurs, and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups. These activities are contrary to the foreign policy interests of the United States under § 744.11 of the EAR. Licenses to export, reexport or transfer (in-country) items subject to the EAR to both of these entities will be required for all items subject to the EAR, and license applications will be reviewed with a license review policy of presumption of denial.

Additions to the Entity List. (2024, December 11). Federal Register. Federal Register :: Request Access
 
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