Switch from Reolink and kind of lost

misfiresam

n3wb
Mar 6, 2025
6
6
new york
Hello!
As I am in the process of fully switching from Reolink to Dahua, (T54IR-ZE-S3 kit on the way + just hooked up z12e to reolink NVR (temporary) as an LPC), I started looking into some PTZs as I am also about to purchase a house. I am currently looking at these two PTZs, PTZ494M-25X and PTZ1A2M-25X. Although I know that 1A2M's 2mp 1/2.8 is an ideal pixel to sensor ratio, I don't understand if thats a valid enough reason for 494M and 425DB-AT to be cheaper, or am I missing something else? which one would be a better purchase? I was also still curious after searching on the forum whether the PTZ1A2M is a good option at all as a PTZ given its age and resolution. Although I researched as much as I could i'm still pretty new to this so I apologize for any already asked questions.

Extra - here's the current Reolink setup that I'm replacing, and this is the current config on the z12e and I kinda can't figure if I dialed everything in good enough, any criticism is appreciated!

1742790683231.jpegBANDO-5x Street-20250319_232418.jpg
 
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PTZ's for the average guy, are more of an enjoyable camera that's fun when your at the console. Guys that do a Deep dive, can get into auto tracking and spotter cams to make them do the "work" of surveillance.
Stationary or " static" cams are the most reliable for 24/7 operation.
 
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PTZ's for the average guy, are more of an enjoyable camera that's fun when your at the console. Guys that do a Deep dive, can get into auto tracking and spotter cams to make the do "work" of surveillance.
Stationary or " static" cams are the most reliable for 24/7 operation.
Well I'm looking something with the deterrent form factor and ability of autotrack beside having static overview cameras, just wanted to see what are the "respected" and go to options in the current MP and price range out here.
 
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That looks like a decent LPR capture!

And a great replacement set to the Reolinks!

One camera cannot be the be all/see all. The camera to IDENTIFY at 15 feet is a different camera than one to IDENTIFY at 70 feet.

Keep in mind that PTZs with auto tracking are a compliment to an existing fixed camera system and not replacements for fixed cameras.

So with only PTZs and no additional fixed cameras - what happens when 2 or more people come up to your house - the PTZ is only catching and tracking one of them, not all of them.

PTZs are not perfect and can lose tracking. Then you miss the person.

What happens when the PTZ is looking left and a perp comes from the right?

That is why PTZs are not a replacement for fixed cameras - they are a compliment to an existing system.

If you rely on a PTZ only it will miss many instances, especially when it is off tracking something else.

You are much better off using fixed cams as spotter cams to point the PTZ to where the action is and then let the autotracking take over from there.

See this thread on how a PTZ compliments a fixed camera system.


The PTZ1A2M-25X is more expensive because it is a different form factor than most PTZs and can look straight up, whereas the normal PTZs can only look anywhere from about 5 to 15 degrees above the horizontal plane. To most people, that is more than enough vertical, but some want the PTZ1A2M-25X for bird or plane watching (or basically anything above the PTZ). It will perform better at night than the PTZ494M-25X because of the MP/sensor ratio.



Best overall value on the ideal MP/sensor ratio:

https://www.amazon.com/EmpireTech-SD5A425XA-HNR-Starlight-Auto-Tracking-IVSEnglish/dp/B08GKQSK2W




Cheapest ones but will struggle at night due to less than ideal MP/sensor ratio:

https://www.amazon.com/EmpireTech-Full-Color-Illuminator-Auto-Tracking-PTZ4M-25X-PV/dp/B0CN8JG6TF?ref_=ast_sto_dp

https://www.amazon.com/EmpireTech-Starlight-5mm-125mm-Auto-Tracking-Protection/dp/B0BPH7L1Z1?ref_=ast_sto_dp

EmpireTech PTZ494M-25X 1/2.8" CMOS 4MP 25x Starlight IR 4.8mm–120mm Va


Open up the wallet for a great night experience:

1/1.2" 8Megapixel STARVIS CMOS | 45x optical zoom | Ultra light sensitivity | Max. 25/30 fps@4K | Auto-tracking | Perimeter protection | Face detection | Face recognition | Metadata | SMD Plus | IP67 | Dual light fusion | Electronic defog | Wiper
 
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