Difference between _S2 and _S3 ?

[Sir V Lance]

Hi all.

I am taking my time researching Dahua cameras and reading this forum to ensure I make good choices when I finally purchase some hardware.

Like the thread title says, I am curious what the difference is between Dahua camera model numbers ending in _S2 and _S3.

For example, I am considering the IPC-B52IR-Z12E-S2 bullet camera from EmpireTech. I believe this is the same as the IPC-HFW5241E-Z12E-S3 camera from Dahua. Based on my comparison of the Dahua spec sheet (_S3) with the specs listed on the EmpireTech web site (_S2), no differences jump out at me.

Does the change from _S2 to _S3 generally add more performance? Does it add new features? Is it possible to upgrade to _S3 with new firmware? Or is this too specific to each camera model to generalize on the differences?

Thanks for any insight you all can provide on this.

 

[Rob2020]

Tagging this thread for answers.

I seem to recall the S3 uses an updated GUI???

 

[wittaj]

Regarding the Z12E, they are the same, so the EmpireTech versus Dahua are the same (some weird mix-up in numbering as Dahua sometimes skips S2 when they change chipsets but the firmware remains the same and EmpireTech already was selling their version prior to Dahua)

All the S# designation means is that it is the same model, just with a different chipset than the previous version.

In most instances the higher number should mean better performance as it is newer, but sometimes it is worse if that was the only chipset available.

Generally, firmware is S# specific, so you can't apply an S3 to an original version...except for when you can LOL.

Here is an example - the HFW3549T1-AS-PV is available in 2 versions of firmware across 3 different chipsets for the same model camera (notice no S2 model):

• HFW3549T1-AS-PV-S4 uses the HX3XXX-Taurus firmware.
• HFW3549T1-AS-PV and IPC-HFW3549T1-AS-PV-S3 use the HX5XXX-Volt firmware

 

[danbutter]

My understanding from the little time I get to spend in this "hobby" is that it is a newer chipset like said above. For most of the cams here that get the newer hardware it seems to be a pretty good jump in performance.
Funny because I just came to ask if anyone knows about an S3 update or similar for an older cam. I'll start a new thread for that one.

 

[mat200]

iirc some S# also has sensor changes .. so please double check the sensor size when ever you are ordering ..

 

[ludshed]

I’ve asked a couple of times to no avail; all the model numbers ever mentioned on this site for anything dahua don’t jive (non existent) with my US wholesalers. Anyone know of a translator between dahuasecurity.com and us.dahua?

 

[wittaj]

I’ve asked a couple of times to no avail; all the model numbers ever mentioned on this site for anything dahua don’t jive (non existent) with my US wholesalers. Anyone know of a translator between dahuasecurity.com and us.dahua?

The main reason is they offer cameras only for the USA market, whereas Dahua and Andy offer international models.

I am sure there is some translator somewhere LOL, but I simply look at the camera and the specs and can figure out the international equivalent.

 

[97JeepXJ]

The only US distributor I’ve looked at is B&H and what they offer is crap and overpriced compared to what’s available on the international market. 4Ks on a 1/2.8 is their go to. So either the US market sucks or we’re being lied to, which I don’t believe is case just by the shutter speed I’m able to run compared to some Lorex I still have around

 

[Sir V Lance]

The main reason is they offer cameras only for the USA market, whereas Dahua and Andy offer international models.

I am sure there is some translator somewhere LOL, but I simply look at the camera and the specs and can figure out the international equivalent.

Just to confirm, is empiretech01.com Andy's store?

It appears to be correct, but the "01" seems odd. Or should I use the Amazon or AliExpress storefronts?

 

[97JeepXJ]

Yes. Amazon if you’re more comfortable with that and willing to pay the markup to them. I see no reason for AliExpress if you’re in the US

 

[wittaj]

He does not sell on Aliexpress anymore.

 

[JDreaming]

Just to confirm, is empiretech01.com Andy's store?

It appears to be correct, but the "01" seems odd. Or should I use the Amazon or AliExpress storefronts?

Yes, that is Andy's store. I totally understand what you mean because I thought that was kind of odd the first time I use that site too. That extra 01 or anything extra is usually fake sites from our past experience. Maybe Andy should remove the 01 because it gives people the apprehension and question the authenticity of the site. But I usually buy from Andy's Amazon store unless it was a special order then you e-mail him direct.

 

[Sir V Lance]

Yes, that is Andy's store. I totally understand what you mean because I thought that was kind of odd the first time I use that site too. That extra 01 or anything extra is usually fake sites from our past experience. Maybe Andy should remove the 01 because it gives people the apprehension and question the authenticity of the site. But I usually buy from Andy's Amazon store unless it was a special order then you e-mail him direct.

There is an empiretechpro.com domain available from GoDaddy, but it does not look like empiretech.com is owned. It would be interesting to know why the "01" was used for his site.

 

[steve1225]

Like the thread title says, I am curious what the difference is between Dahua camera model numbers ending in _S2 and _S3.

In case of 5xxx line, S3 is a new much more upgraded series with better low light handling (StarLight+ => DeepLight category) and lots lots of AI and processing upgrades...

5xxx-S3 belongs to a new WizMind-S category (S2 was simply WizMind).
Here you have all Dahua information about changes:

WizMind S Series - Dahua International

WizMind S Series

www.dahuasecurity.com

For example, I am considering the IPC-B52IR-Z12E-S2 bullet camera from EmpireTech. I believe this is the same as the IPC-HFW5241E-Z12E-S3 camera from Dahua. Based on my comparison of the Dahua spec sheet (_S3) with the specs listed on the EmpireTech web site (_S2), no differences jump out at me.

in case B52IR-Z12E in past there was only S1 model... So after upgrade to WizMind-S there was confusion in Dahua - whether to call it S2 or S3... So we see both S2 and S3 - and they are identical. Dahua made a mess with series numbering here..

 

[Sir V Lance]

In case of 5xxx line, S3 is a new much more upgraded series with better low light handling (StarLight+ => DeepLight category) and lots lots of AI and processing upgrades...

5xxx-S3 belongs to a new WizMind-S category (S2 was simply WizMind).
Here you have all Dahua information about changes:

WizMind S Series - Dahua International

WizMind S Series

www.dahuasecurity.com

in case B52IR-Z12E in past there was only S1 model... So after upgrade to WizMind-S there was confusion in Dahua - whether to call it S2 or S3... So we see both S2 and S3 - and they are identical. Dahua made a mess with series numbering here..

Great info steve1225. Thanks.

 

[TDatta]

To follow up on this, how can you tell which version of the hardware you have? I bought two 5442 models ZE and Z4E from Andy in 2021 and then another different smaller 5442 without zoom in 2023. They all have the “older” GUI.

Here is a screenshot of the version info from one of the zoom ones I bought earlier.

 

[steve1225]

if the UI is old then this is old S2 version...
Dahua started production of S3 around Q1/Q2 2023 - but Andy had both versions of 5442 in shop for almost one year.

 

[TDatta]

Thanks for the info