Dahua New 5MP Starlight line up?

[john-ipvm]

IPVM recently published a report on one of them, but it is behind the paywall. Dahua 5MP Starlight Camera Tested (N52BM3Z)

Summary of our findings: weak IR at edges, dim IR images, below average WDR, overall poor quality. One example image from the test below:

Note: since we just published it, in fairness to our paying members, I am not going to unlock the whole report but hope this info helps.

 

[bp2008]

Thanks, john! Good to know that it isn't the holy grail of IP cameras, at least

 

[EMPIRETECANDY]

Thanks, john! Good to know that it isn't the holy grail of IP cameras, at least

4k Cams, i think the best working is for indoor using and daytime watching, for outdoor using these cams still be limited.

 

[EMPIRETECANDY]

Summary of our findings: weak IR at edges, dim IR images, below average WDR, overall poor quality. One example image from the test below:

Note: since we just published it, in fairness to our paying members, I am not going to unlock the whole report but hope this info helps.

You guys do great job， Thanks John!

 

[Charles Odom]

I just hooked up a 5mp starlight dome and I am unimpressed to say the least. IR lens shift is Horrible, IR beam is more like a spotlight, and the field of view doesn't appear to meet their claims.

I have 2 other cameras that I used for direct comparison, both Hikvision. 1 - Hik OEM 4mp 2.8-12 varifocal dome and 1 - Ds-2cd2155fwd-I 2.8mm.

I was under the impression that these starlight sensors was the cats meow, but clearly it doesn't apply to these 5mp cameras. Before someone jumps down my throat, I need to say that I have seen the 2pm starlight cams that are really good. This dome is NOT in the same class as those.

For the comparison, I used my existing mounted 2155 Hik dome and tried my best to tweak the settings of the Dahua dome to get it close, but the lens shift is just bad!

I have nothing against Dahua, but I waited months for this camera, and it doesn't deserve the Starlight title....but maybe my 2155 Hik dome does???

 

[bp2008]

I've had cameras without IR correction before and they're a joke. I wonder how Dahua would let this happen?

 

[Revlus]

I've had cameras without IR correction before and they're a joke. I wonder how Dahua would let this happen?

Let's them keep the price down on this one? Cheap compared to the competitors of this camera that john-ipvm mentions in his report.

 

[Parley]

hmmmm

5MP on a 1/2.7" sized chip - does not sound like it would produce the low level light performance we expect from Starlight models.

I have to agree with you.

 

[Arjun]

I have to agree with you.

It’s only a matter of time when and if it will be feasible to squeeze in newer sony sensors with lower lux ratings in newer yet to be released 4K starlight poe cameras

5mp would still be a modest improvement through whether varifocal or not, would help in determining appropriate price points based on current market demand—-5mp being an entry/eco lineup and 4K perhaps for the prosumer

 

[Charles Odom]

I did some more playing around with the settings, day and night, and the light sensitivity is there during the day, but low light isn't impressive.
For example, I run my Hik cams at 1/120 - 1/150 during the day, but the Dahua in manual wants 1/1000 - 1/10000. At night though, I run all at 1/12 and they produce about the same image, with the exception of the lens shift on the Dahua. Oddly enough, the lens shift is mostly in the center. The edges appear to be fine. The solution for this would be to run in color, but noise gets terrible and I really don' want to add visible light to my yard if possible.



The one thing I absolutely hate...the spot beam IR...no use whatsoever! Also, the wire comes out of the back of the camera right next to a mount hole for the base, and on the edge of the camera...very poor design IMO. So, when you drill the hole to pass the wire through, you have to be very conscious of placement because you might not have enough material left to mount the camera.

On to what I do like...
The double gasket around the lens...GENIUS!
The way they did the lens mount for 3 axis adjustment is better than Hik.
Shutter speed adjustments (way more than hik)
Shutter priority and gain priority
3D DNR is better than Hik IMO

All in all, I will buy more of these cameras, but just know that compared to the 2mp starlight, well....there isn't one! I would much rather sacrifice a little daytime resolution for the benefit of spectacular night vision. For what it is worth, if you could run this camera in color mode at night, if there is sufficient light, then it is a great camera, and better than Hik in that retrospect. Hik still takes the cake on side by side daytime shots, though price is up about 10-15% on the Hik 5mp dome.

 

[Parley]

"I would much rather sacrifice a little daytime resolution for the benefit of spectacular night vision"

Me too. In my neighborhood most of the "action" occurs after the sun goes down. Things like the car door checkers and so on.

 

[Charles Odom]

I want to find a way to put the rubber gasket from the Dahua on my Hik 2155s!!! That alone would be a huge improvement. Or...Put the Exir IR from the Hik on the Dahua, another huge improvement. Maybe I can cannibalize both to create one hybrid...a Dahuavision, or a Hikua!

 

[MrFixit]

Loos like the Vari-focal are $281 and the fixed are $156.

N52BF3Z $281
N52BM3Z $281
N51BD23 $156
N51BI23 $156

May I ask where did you see the N51BI23 for 156? That camera looks great and I would like to try one. I have been a Hikvision/LTS customer for years but this camera looks great.

 

[crc2004]

May I ask where did you see the N51BI23 for 156? That camera looks great and I would like to try one. I have been a Hikvision/LTS customer for years but this camera looks great.

I found it here N51BD23 5MP Bullet Camera I had to create an account to see the price. I've never bought from this company so I have no recommendation.

 

[Burton_Flooring]

I found the N51BI23 3.6mm fixed Turret on Newegg for $164. Dahua Technology N51BI23 Pro Series N51BI23 5MP Outdoor Network Turret Camera with Night Vision and 3.6mm Lens - Newegg.com On it's way, will post pics to compare it to 8mp Daha 4830EM-AS when it arrives.

Also have a Dahau 5231E-ZE on the way so we can compare it to a true starlight. I tried a Hikvision 2385 8mp and wasn't impressed (the cheap chinese 4431-RZ actually did better w/ low light detail @ same exposure/resolution). I'm testing @ default Gain levels & 1/30 shutter speed.

Ultimately sent the Hikvision back because of the lack of Gain controls....really???

I'm also still on the hunt for a camera with enough detail, yet enough low light performance to read MOVING license plates at our place of business. Any suggestions besides the 5231R-Z?

(Pics in this order: 4431R-Z, Hikvision 2385, Swann NHD-817 maxed out shutter for LPR 1/100)

 

[aristobrat]

I'm also still on the hunt for a camera with enough detail, yet enough low light performance to read MOVING license plates at our place of business. Any suggestions besides the 5231R-Z?

Should be some threads on here from folks using the IPC-HFW5231E-Z12 (and Z5) as LPR. It's a whole 'other ballgame for that at night, though... i.e. the settings to grab plates at night will result in images where you pretty much ONLY see the license plate.

 

[Burton_Flooring]

yes, I understand that. I have the third picture up there to show you the kind of distance I'm at at 12mm focal length with a parked vehicle. My problem is the crappy Swann PTZ won't allow fast enough shutter speeds to catch them MOVING. It just doesn't have enough low-light headroom.

 

[Burton_Flooring]

Ok, so I thought I might have better success with the non-dome 5mp Starlight (N51BI23)...nope. See attached images compared to the $80 cheap 4431-RZ. To be honest this is even worse than the Hikvision 2042. And nowhere close to the Hikvision 2385 (all same resolution, shutter speed, bit-rate, etc.)

P.S. - Whoever does the lux ratings at Dahua needs fired on this one, lol.

 

[Parley]

The Hikvision 2042 looks the best of the bunch. I have some DS-2CD2025FHWD-I in the back yard and I am quite impressed with their night vision.

 

[aristobrat]

P.S. - Whoever does the lux ratings at Dahua needs fired on this one, lol.

Dahua US has definitely made "Starlight" a confusing term nowadays...