Dahua 8MP Lite model cameras with 8MP 1/2.7" and 4MP 1/3" sensors labeled as "starlight" models. September 2020

mat200

mat200

IPCT Contributor
Jan 17, 2017
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Noticed a number of Dahua Lite models ( OEM Global ) cameras labelled as "starlight" models with 8MP 1/2.7" sensors

Has me wondering about what is going on, as I would not think these 8MP cameras with 1/2.7" sensors would perform well as we like in low light conditions ( now that we've reviewed 1/1.8" sensor models )

In a quick search of Dahua International's website I was unable to find IP PoE cameras with 1/1.8" sensors, either 8MP or 4MP versions from the Lite, Pro, and Wiz model lines.
( update: see Andy's post regarding 1/1.8" models Dahua 8MP Lite model cameras with 8MP 1/2.7" and 4MP 1/3" sensors labeled as "starlight" models. September 2020 )

Examples:

Bullet versions of 8MP Dahua Lite cameras:

IPC-HFW2831T-AS-S2

IPC-HFW2831T-AS-S2

IPC-HFW2831T-AS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com
IPC-HFW2831T-ZS-S2

IPC-HFW2831T-ZS-S2

IPC-HFW2831T-ZS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com
IPC-HFW2831T-ZAS-S2

IPC-HFW2831T-ZAS-S2

IPC-HFW2831T-ZAS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com


Turret Versions of 8MP Dahua Lite cameras:

IPC-HDW2831T-ZS-S2

IPC-HDW2831T-ZS-S2

IPC-HDW2831T-ZS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com
IPC-HDW2831TM-AS-S2

IPC-HDW2831TM-AS-S2

IPC-HDW2831TM-AS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com
IPC-HDW2831T-AS-S2

IPC-HDW2831T-AS-S2

IPC-HDW2831T-AS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com


Dome Versions of 8MP Dahua Lite cameras:

IPC-HDBW2831R-ZS-S2

IPC-HDBW2831R-ZS-S2

IPC-HDBW2831R-ZS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com
IPC-HDBW2831R-ZAS-S2

IPC-HDBW2831R-ZAS-S2

IPC-HDBW2831R-ZAS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com
IPC-HDBW2831E-S-S2

IPC-HDBW2831E-S-S2

IPC-HDBW2831E-S-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com


Example of specs listed:

IPC-HDW2831T-ZS-S2
8MP Lite IR Vari-focal Eyeball Nework Camera

8MP, 1/2.7" CMOS image sensor, low illuminance, high image definition
Outputs max. 8MP (3840 × 2160) @15 fps, and supports 2688×1520 @25/30 fps
H.265 codec, high compression rate, ultra-low bit rate
Built-in IR LED, max IR distance: 40 m
ROI, SMART H.264/H.265, flexible coding, applicable to various bandwidth and storage environments
Rotation mode, WDR, 3D DNR, HLC, BLC, digital watermarking, applicable to various monitoring scenes
Intelligent detection: Intrusion, tripwire
Abnormality detection: Motion detection, video tampering, no SD card, SD card full, SD card error, network disconnection, IP conflict, illegal ac cess, voltage detection
Supports max. 256 GB Micro SD card
12V DC/POE power support
IP67 protection
Click to expand...

Camera
Image Sensor1/2.7” 8Megapixel progressive CMOS
Effective Pixels3840 (H) × 2160 (V)
ROM128 MB
RAM256 MB
Scanning SystemProgressive
Electronic Shutter SpeedAuto/Manual 1/3 s–1/100,000 s
Min. Illumination0.008 Lux@F1.5
IR Distance40 m (131.23 ft)
IR On/Off ControlAuto/Manual
IR LEDs Number2
Pan/Tilt/Rotation RangePan: 0°–360°
Tilt: 0°–78°
Rotation: 0°–360°
Lens
Lens TypeMotorized vari-focal
Mount Typeφ14
Focal Length2.7 mm–13.5 mm
Max. ApertureF1.5
Field of ViewPan: 113°–31°
Tilt: 58°–17°
Diagonal: 138°–36°
Iris TypeFixed
Close Focus Distance0.8 m–0.8 m (2.62 ft–2.62 ft)
DORI DistanceLensDetectObserveRecognizeIdentify
W85.3 m
(279.9 ft)		34.1 m
(111.9 ft)		17 m
(55.8 ft)		8.5 m
(27.9 ft)
T280 m
(918.6 ft)		112 m
(367.5 ft)		56 m
(183.7 ft)		28 m
(91.9 ft)
Smart Event
General IVS AnalyticsTripwire; intrusion
1600152303711.png


1600152697835.png
1600152722735.png
 
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Additionally Dahua is marketing their 4MP 1/3" lite models as Starlight also.

IPC-HDBW2431F-AS-S2
4MP Lite IR Fixed-focal Dome Network Camera

IPC-HDBW2431F-AS-S2

IPC-HDBW2431F-AS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com

IPC-HFW2431T-AS-S2
4MP Lite IR Fixed-focal Bullet Network Camera

IPC-HFW2431T-AS-S2

IPC-HFW2431T-AS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com

IPC-HDW2431TM-AS-S2
4MP WDR IR Eyeball Network Camera

IPC-HDW2431TM-AS-S2

IPC-HDW2431TM-AS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com

IPC-HFW2431T-ZS-S2
4MP WDR IR Bullet Network Camera

IPC-HFW2431T-ZS-S2

IPC-HFW2431T-ZS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com

IPC-HFW2431T-ZAS-S2
4MP WDR IR Bullet Network Camera

IPC-HFW2431T-ZAS-S2

IPC-HFW2431T-ZAS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com

IPC-HFW2431S-S-S2
4MP WDR IR Bullet Network Camera

IPC-HFW2431S-S-S2

IPC-HFW2431S-S-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com

IPC-HDW2431T-ZS-S2
4MP WDR IR Eyeball Network Camera

IPC-HDW2431T-ZS-S2

IPC-HDW2431T-ZS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com

IPC-HDW2431T-AS-S2
4MP WDR IR Eyeball Network Camera

IPC-HDW2431T-AS-S2

IPC-HDW2431T-AS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com

IPC-HDBW2431E-S-S2
4MP WDR IR Mini Dome Network Camera

IPC-HDBW2431E-S-S2

IPC-HDBW2431E-S-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com

IPC-HDBW2431R-ZS-S2
4MP WDR IR Dome Network Camera

IPC-HDBW2431R-ZS-S2

IPC-HDBW2431R-ZS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com

IPC-HDBW2431R-ZAS-S2
4MP WDR IR Dome Network Camera

IPC-HDBW2431R-ZAS-S2

IPC-HDBW2431R-ZAS-S2
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com

1600153384122.png
1600153408579.png
1600153438913.png1600153465514.png

1600153493699.png
1600153526721.png
 
A quick online search of Dahua International I was unable to find 8MP 1/1.8" sensor models and 4MP 1/1.8" sensor models cameras in the Lite, Pro, and Wiz series ( Wiz Sense ).
 
Last edited:
4K one just use the S1 version

IPC-HFW1831E
IPC-HFW2831T-ZS , they are using 1/1.8'', S2 not very good for low light place.
 
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mat200 said:
A quick online search of Dahua International I was unable to find 8MP 1/1.8" sensor models and 4MP 1/1.8" sensor models cameras in the Lite, Pro, and Wiz series.
Click to expand...

I just saw this the other day at Costco. I haven't tried to find the Dahua model numbers. Lorex 4K UHD 8-channel Fusion NVR Security System with 8 Smart Deterrence 4K Cameras
4K with 1/1.8 sensor. I know bigger sensor is better but not sure if the higher resolution counteracts that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Couple of things

Remember the “Starlight” designation is nothing more than a Dahua marketing term. There is no industry standard spec.

This has been generally kicked around for years. Recall the previous king of the hill for low light performance- the 5231 series, didn’t have a 1/1.8 sensor either yet was designated Starlight.

Starlight designation for Dahua as far as I can tell has nothing to do with either the sensor size nor the MP of the camera. The spec they seem to use for calling out a camera as “Starlight” is the min. Illumination if anything at or better than .009 lux@ anything better than F2.0
 
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th182 said:
I just saw this the other day at Costco. I haven't tried to find the Dahua model numbers. Lorex 4K UHD 8-channel Fusion NVR Security System with 8 Smart Deterrence 4K Cameras
4K with 1/1.8 sensor. I know bigger sensor is better but not sure if the higher resolution counteracts that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

The info on Costco's page is very, very wrong. They are not 1/1.8" sensors. They are 1/2.8". If you get the camera's spec page from Lorex's site, it clearly states this, but don't use the .pdf on the product page either, that is for yet another different camera.

I have this set, and I've been putting it through it's paces. I've got two cams that need warranty replacement after less than a week. The image quality drops off very fast at distance, though it has excellent low-light capabilities as the NVR fan is much quieter than previous costco sets. This set is definitely not ready for prime time, I can't recommend it unless you absolutely need a relatively inexpensive 8 cam set right now.
 
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B_D_ said:
The info on Costco's page is very, very wrong. They are not 1/1.8" sensors. They are 1/2.8". If you get the camera's spec page from Lorex's site, it clearly states this, but don't use the .pdf on the product page either, that is for yet another different camera.

I have this set, and I've been putting it through it's paces. I've got two cams that need warranty replacement after less than a week. The image quality drops off very fast at distance, though it has excellent low-light capabilities as the NVR fan is much quieter than previous costco sets. This set is definitely not ready for prime time, I can't recommend it unless you absolutely need a relatively inexpensive 8 cam set right now.
Click to expand...

That is the information I was looking for! I figured it was too good to be true but hadn't had the time to dig into it myself yet. I'll push forward with the cameras from Andy :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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So no more cameras with 1/1.8"? The sensor size was one of the key points of my decision making process on which cameras to purchase. The current camera selection has smaller sensors but somehow some claim better performance numbers??
 
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msquared said:
So no more cameras with 1/1.8"?
Click to expand...

Good question @msquared

Checking the models Andy has available and noticed EoL tagged on them, I am guessing there could be supply chain issues that Dahua has experienced on sensors. Wondering how long this would affect the supply.


4K one just use the S1 version

IPC-HFW1831E
IPC-HFW2831T-ZS , they are using 1/1.8''


1600190641653.png

1600190667145.png
 
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th182 said:
I just saw this the other day at Costco. I haven't tried to find the Dahua model numbers. Lorex 4K UHD 8-channel Fusion NVR Security System with 8 Smart Deterrence 4K Cameras
4K with 1/1.8 sensor. I know bigger sensor is better but not sure if the higher resolution counteracts that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Hi @th182

The newest kit as noted, specs show it has a 1/2.8" sensor... the older kit has 1/1.8" sensor ( 6 cameras, 8 port nvr )

This is the first time I have seen the base lorex costco kit go down in sensor size.

First one had a 1/2.5" (8MP) sensor, then a better 1/2.5" iirc... then previous model jumped to 1/1.8" .. and now a drop to 1/2.8"

bigredfish said:
Couple of things

Remember the “Starlight” designation is nothing more than a Dahua marketing term. There is no industry standard spec.

This has been generally kicked around for years. Recall the previous king of the hill for low light performance- the 5231 series, didn’t have a 1/1.8 sensor either yet was designated Starlight.

Starlight designation for Dahua as far as I can tell has nothing to do with either the sensor size nor the MP of the camera. The spec they seem to use for calling out a camera as “Starlight” is the min. Illumination if anything at or better than .009 lux@ anything better than F2.0
Click to expand...

Yes, indeed "Remember the “Starlight” designation is nothing more than a Dahua marketing term" - still surprised they are calling 1/3" 4MP sensor cameras "starlights" - feels to me a shift in their standards.
 
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Maybe I misread your post a bit but there are still Wiz cameras with the 1/1.8 sensor but it looks like Dahua is modifying other series.

IPC-HFW5442E-SE

IPC-HFW5442E-SE
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com

IPC-HFW5442T-ASE-NI

IPC-HFW5442T-ASE-NI
www.dahuasecurity.com www.dahuasecurity.com
 
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The 5442 series is still shows the 1/1.8" sensor and is a current product. It just didn't make much sense for the 8MP cameras to move to a smaller sensor.
 
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msquared said:
The 5442 series is still shows the 1/1.8" sensor and is a current product. It just didn't make much sense for the 8MP cameras to move to a smaller sensor.
Click to expand...

Good find @TheGooginator

Looks like some 1/1.8" still seen in the WizMind Series

Quick check in the WizSense series showed smaller sensors...
 
And moving up correspondingly in price bracket. Following the rule of trying to do too much with too few cameras, I would be in the group that could not justify a $400 price bracket per camera for as many cameras I have.
 
Yes plenty of models with 1/1.8
 
mat200 said:
Good find @TheGooginator

Looks like some 1/1.8" still seen in the WizMind Series

Quick check in the WizSense series showed smaller sensors...
Click to expand...

Anything less than min illumination .009 @F2.0 I believe it’s always been that way with the Starlight designation
 
@bigredfish Would you recommend to shift focus from strictly sensor size to prioritize min illumination and apature size?

When I started making the shift from my newbie level of consumer camera to what I have now, besides the info on this site, one method I used is to go to the Dahua international site, and I would literally click thru every camera and narrow down based on my parameters. The sensor size was a primary parameter. But now I see cameras with smaller sensors and better specs. I realize that technology advances but in general larger sensors are better. Is this still true?

Another thing I've noticed on a lot of the camera specs is a shift into reporting the minimum illumination and apature size, but leaves out the at 1/3s or at 1/30s. It would seem any camera illumination spec would look good if only reporting the 1/3s.

For example, this is the IPCHFW3841E-SA, an 8MP on the Dahua site. Based on the sensor size alone, I would not anticipate this camera giving a good picture, especially at night.

1600197818076.png

I based my purchases on the 1/30s illumination spec, my conditions, and ambient lighting conditions, so the 0.08 @ 1/30s of the 1/1.8" was good for me, and I use that as a baseline when looking at other cameras.
 
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msquared said:
@bigredfish Would you recommend to shift focus from strictly sensor size to prioritize min illumination and apature size?

When I started making the shift from my newbie level of consumer camera to what I have now, besides the info on this site, one method I used is to go to the Dahua international site, and I would literally click thru every camera and narrow down based on my parameters. The sensor size was a primary parameter. But now I see cameras with smaller sensors and better specs. I realize that technology advances but in general larger sensors are better. Is this still true?

Another thing I've noticed on a lot of the camera specs is a shift into reporting the minimum illumination and apature size, but leaves out the at 1/3s or at 1/30s. It would seem any camera illumination spec would look good if only reporting the 1/3s.

For example, this is the IPCHFW3841E-SA, an 8MP on the Dahua site. Based on the sensor size alone, I would not anticipate this camera giving a good picture, especially at night.

View attachment 70628

I based my purchases on the 1/30s illumination spec, my conditions, and ambient lighting conditions, so the 0.08 @ 1/30s of the 1/1.8" was good for me, and I use that as a baseline when looking at other cameras.
Click to expand...

FYI - min illumination / lux ratings in the past have not been a good relative way to compare various camera models are there are different ways to measure it, so in general when I was learning about cameras the advice was not to use it as a trustworthy measure.

imho I think we really need to see some good comparisons between at least a sampling of the new 1/2.8" 8MP cameras and the recent 1/1.18" 8MP cameras
 
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