Dahua A82AG52 or N45DJ62 or ???

[rfj]

So I spent a lot of time going through all the HikVision and Dahua cams. I was looking for cams with 1/1.8" sensors, WDR, 2.8mm and turret or bullet at a price of <$300. All the Hikvision cams that met the technical criteria were $800-$1300 so they were out. At the end I boiled it down to two Dahua cams, i.e.

A82AG52, 4k@15fps, 2.8mm, 1/1.8", starlight, true WDR, 120dB, 12VDC, F1.6 (the spec sheet didn't say if it's PoE which is what I need)
N45DJ62, 4MP, 2.8mm, 1/1.8", starlight+, 140dB, ePoE

The N versions seems to be more expensive (close to $300) compared to the A versions. What does N and A mean and is it worth the cost difference? The A version above is 4k but the dB numbers are 20dB lower which is pretty significant. Also what is the difference between the starlight and starelight+ (and starelight advanced)?

 

[cepler]

4k you're cramming more sensor sites on the same size sensor, so the light sensitivity will be worse, hence the 120db vs. 140db listed. I wouldn't consider anything smaller than a 1/1.8" sensor, even those are pretty tiny. Hoping for larger 1" / 4/3" sensors in our future at better pricing because you need the sensor size to get better sensitivity. But, consumer marketing likes to focus on flashy stats like 4k! MORE MEGAPIXELS! DETAIL! But fail to talk about sensor noise created by cramming so many pixels on an already tiny sensor...

 

[samplenhold]

I was looking for cams with 1/1.8" sensors, WDR, 2.8mm and turret or bullet at a price of <$300

Review-OEM 4mp AI Cam IPC-T5442TM-AS Starlight+

Dahua OEM IPC-T5442TM-AS from EMPIRETECANDY 4MP WDR Turret AI Network Camera Review unit courtesy of Andy (@EMPIRETECANDY) in exchange for a fair and honest review. Andy's ipcamtalk store: link Andy's AliExpress store: link Andy's Amazon store: link Price Approximately US $160 Link to camera...

ipcamtalk.com

 

[rfj]

IPC-T5442TM-AS is EOL. What camera is replacing it?

 

[bigredfish]

The 4MP 1/1.8 sensor is the current champ for value and image quality especially nighttime. You won’t find many cameras with larger sensors available for under $500-$1000

2.8mm wide view is fine for overview but won’t give you any usable ID past 12 maybe 15 ft. Hopefully you’re considering additional cameras with variable focus or higher zoomed fixed lens for choke points for ID.

As to higher dB for WDR, you’re not likely to use a fraction of the capability.

Starlight is simply a marketing term for low light cameras by Dahua. There is no industry standard for that designation. Pay attention to the minimum illumination and sensor size.

 

[bigredfish]

Recommend you spend some time reading the forum like the rest of us.

 

[samplenhold]

IPC-T5442TM-AS is EOL

No it's not. Where did you see that? This cam just came out.

 

[rfj]

@samplenhold I stand corrected. My google search did bring up the IPC-HDW5442TM-AS which is EOL IPC-HDW5442TM-AS It doesn't look like the IPC-T5442TM-AS is that new, though because @looney2ns reviewed it some 1.5 years ago. I also can't find this camera on Dahua's website.

 

[samplenhold]

Put an 'E' on the end of the model number. IPC-T5442TM-ASE. No real difference.

 

[EMPIRETECANDY]

So I spent a lot of time going through all the HikVision and Dahua cams. I was looking for cams with 1/1.8" sensors, WDR, 2.8mm and turret or bullet at a price of <$300. All the Hikvision cams that met the technical criteria were $800-$1300 so they were out. At the end I boiled it down to two Dahua cams, i.e.

A82AG52, 4k@15fps, 2.8mm, 1/1.8", starlight, true WDR, 120dB, 12VDC, F1.6 (the spec sheet didn't say if it's PoE which is what I need)
N45DJ62, 4MP, 2.8mm, 1/1.8", starlight+, 140dB, ePoE

The N versions seems to be more expensive (close to $300) compared to the A versions. What does N and A mean and is it worth the cost difference? The A version above is 4k but the dB numbers are 20dB lower which is pretty significant. Also what is the difference between the starlight and starelight+ (and starelight advanced)?

A82AG52, this one is analog camrea, not IP one.
N45DJ62, This one End of life now.

If you prefer 4K, this one is the best to go. 4K motorized lens, POE and support audio, face detection

Amazon.com: EmpireTech IP Camera IPC-HDW5831R-ZE 8MP WDR IR Eyeball Network Camera English Version

Amazon.com: EmpireTech IP Camera IPC-HDW5831R-ZE 8MP WDR IR Eyeball Network Camera English Version

www.amazon.com

Place with good light, also can try IPC-T2831T-ZS, this one no audio.

Amazon.com: Loryta IPC-T2831T-ZS S2 8MP Starlight Lite IR Vari-Focal Eyeball Nework Camera English Version

Amazon.com: Loryta IPC-T2831T-ZS S2 8MP Starlight Lite IR Vari-Focal Eyeball Nework Camera English Version

www.amazon.com

Fixed lens,
IPC-T5442TM-AS,

https://www.amazon.com/Loryta-IPC-T5442TM-AS-Starlight-Eyeball-Network/dp/B07S21FVC7/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&imprToken=eNnu.Pmf5hsW5hcTVECAQg&linkCode=w61&m=A329YQ83EBQGJF&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&qid=1600093121&redirect=true&s=merchant-items&slotNum=0&sr=1-4&tag=ipctk-20

Or the latest new one IPC-T5442T-ZE

Amazon.com: EmpireTech IPC-T5442T-ZE 4MP IR Vari-Focal Eyeball Starlight Network Camera English Version

Buy EmpireTech IPC-T5442T-ZE 4MP IR Vari-Focal Eyeball Starlight Network Camera English Version: Dome Cameras - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[rfj]

Thank all for your input. After reading more threads and looking at the international Dahua site, etc I finally settled on the Dahua IPC-HDW5442T-ZE. It's a little more expensive than the fixed 2.8mm version but gives more flexibility. On Aliexpress they are selling it for $175. It's certainly much more than my 'old' (3 years or so) Hikvision cameras but from all the comments I hope I will get considerably better recordings, especially during nighttime..

 

[rfj]

Oh, and Alibaba sells them for $155...