Looking at IPC-HFW1831E and trying to understand if there is a channel to route the cable sideways, like in the turret cameras. It will be mounted on the ceiling and I must attach the wiring to the ceiling from the outside, can not drill though.
I've got a bunch of cameras outside with no junction boxes. Some are Dahua bullets and all of them have a cutout in the base for the wire to exit. To be 100% sure, only somebody with the 1831E can answer, but you could look at the pictures here Dahua HFW-1831E in-depth review
Looking at IPC-HFW1831E and trying to understand if there is a channel to route the cable sideways, like in the turret cameras. It will be mounted on the ceiling and I must attach the wiring to the ceiling from the outside, can not drill though.
All the cameras I have seen w/a base you can route the cable out of the side of the base.
I like junction boxes and when I can not stuff the cabling back into the wall / ceiling / soffit I would certainly consider a junction box when the cable maybe exposed to rain / humidity.
You don't need junction box for 1831E if you have eaves or overhang. I've installed like 6 already. 2 of them used a junction box because there is no overhang, the others are underneath eaves and it works. Cable routes sideways out of the base cutout.