Cam review sites? / New cam advice?

[mattcinderey]

Hi Guys,

Are their any cam review sites out there doing side-by-side comparisons of cameras?

I'm always looking for better cameras. I've been extremely happy with the HIKVISION DS-2CD2042WD-I (4MP Bullet) and I'm currently using it on all my installs, however, just wondering if there are better cams out there?

It has a 1/3" Progressive Scan CMOS sensor. If I'm looking for a better cam, do I specifically want to look for a larger sensor? More MP?

The maximum resolution I'm using for recording is 1080p.

Thanks,
Matt.

 

[looney2ns]

Uummmm.....wellll, I hear this place is a great resource.
www.ipcamtalk.com

 

[mattcinderey]

^^ he he - thanks, I guess it's time to use the search button.

 

[fenderman]

^^ he he - thanks, I guess it's time to use the search button.

There are much better cams out there....first, look at a turret design not bullet....second look for low light cameras that have larger sensors...there are threads on the dahua starlights and the hikvision low light cameras.

 

[mattcinderey]

Thank you. I spent about 8 hours yesterday reading the forum.

I ordered this turret to try: IPC-HDW5231R-Z | Dahua Technology

It will replace the current camera I have here and I'm also excited to add sound to it:


I've also ordered this HIKVISION low light to see if we can see the fishing boats at night on these cams: Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd.



and also for a new project, this HIKVISION 4K Camera: Hikvision Europe

 

[looney2ns]

Here is the ultimate night time cam.
IPC-HFW8232E-Z | Dahua Technology

 

[dryfly]

I assume a 1/2.8" lenses means that the f number = f2.8. If so, why is it just not stated that way like on DLSR camera lens? Why as fraction?

 

[looney2ns]

I assume a 1/2.8" lenses means that the f number = f2.8. If so, why is it just not stated that way like on DLSR camera lens? Why as fraction?

1/2.8 is the size of the imaging sensor, not the lens, bigger the more light it can capture.
The max aperture F rating is listed separately in the specs.

 

[dryfly]

OK but what measurement does the fraction "1/2.8" represent? Is the image sensor 2.8" in diameter? Again, why expressed as a fraction?

 

[dryfly]

Gotta be a simple answer.............anybody???

 

[bp2008]

It is the diagonal measurement (I think it is the diagonal!) in inches. 1/2.8 inches. 1/2.8" is just a little larger than a third of an inch.

@mattcinderey For your cam that overlooks the fishing boats, I think, you will want to increase the exposure time and maybe also the gain so you get a brighter image. A modern low light camera can do wonders with longer exposures and a full moon on a clear night.

 

[bp2008]

I had just posted these in another thread. These are from a Dahua SD49225T-HN (2MP starlight PTZ) set to do longer exposures. The dark one was last night, new moon, partly cloudy. The light picture is a couple weeks ago under a full moon with a clear sky. If your new Hikvision low light even comes close then I'd say yes you could see the boats at night, as long as the moon is out.

 

[tangent]

It will replace the current camera I have here and I'm also excited to add sound to it:

I don't know what your laws are recording audio recording and eavesdropping, but be careful you don't want to end up in trouble. Your patrons may not like having their conversations broadcast to the world. Better to somehow add some royalty free music or a loop of ambient noises without discernible conversation.

 

[tangent]

Here is the ultimate night time cam.
IPC-HFW8232E-Z | Dahua Technology

The 1/1.9" sensor on that makes a big difference.

 

[looney2ns]

The 1/1.8" sensor on that makes a big difference.

It's a 1/1.9" sensor.

nayr's review here:
Dahua Ultra Starlight Varifocal Bullet (IPC-HFW8232E-Z)

From nayr's review: 1/2.8" = 0.357in and 1/1.9" = 0.526in.

As far as why a fraction, I assume because that's the method the maker of the chip (Sony) decided to do it, and it just carry's forward. It doesn't matter, this isn't intended for photography.

 

[dryfly]

It's a 1/1.9" sensor.

nayr's review here:
Dahua Ultra Starlight Varifocal Bullet (IPC-HFW8232E-Z)

From nayr's review: 1/2.8" = 0.357in and 1/1.9" = 0.526in.

Yes.........exactly the info I was looking for. still strange they express it as a fraction with a decimal instead of a simple decimal number....but who cares.

 

[tangent]

Yes.........exactly the info I was looking for. still strange they express it as a fraction with a decimal instead of a simple decimal number....but who cares.

It makes the tiny ass sensors seem bigger. blame someone in marketing.