Feedback on my Camera Selections

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parmesan123

n3wb
May 27, 2025
2
0
United States
I'm about to purchase and install my first set of cameras, and I've done a lot of research. I just found this forum and I would like a second opinion on my camera selection before buying. I was planning on buying 1 or 2 EmpireTech IPC-Color4K-T 4K cameras to get decent color footage at night and a handful of IPC-T54IR-ZEs to capture everything else. I'm planning on hiring a local electrician to run PoE cables for me, and I'm willing to spend a good chunk of change on quality cameras. I want very high quality cameras that will last a long time. These cameras look pretty solid, but I noticed the first one was first sold 5 years ago and the other one 3 years ago. I was wondering if there are any newer improved versions I should go for, or if these cameras are still really solid. Thanks in advance, any advice is much appreciated.
 
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Most (but not all) of the newer cameras seem to be trading image quality for gimmicks.
There are a few new models supposedly coming out this year that look interesting. I generally wait a year
 
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bigredfish said:
Those are the current go-to cameras. Both great in their appropriate scene

The 7 series is a bit better even than the 5 series. Same optics, More $ more AI functionality
Click to expand...

Sounds great, thanks for the reply! If the 7 series only has upgraded AI features, then I"m not too interested. I'm mainly looking for the highest picture quality. This leads me to a few more questions now.

1) You mentioned these are the current go-to cameras, is there a list of the best go-to cameras? As a noob to IP cameras, these took me a while to find.
2) How can I find where to buy a specific Dahua camera? I know there are various sellers of Dahua cameras, but they seem to always use their own naming, so I was wondering if there is an easy way to find what specific Dahua camera is being sold under what name by vendors. For example, I thought EmpireTech uses Dahua cameras, but the two listings I posted do not mention the name Dahua gave the cameras, so it makes it more difficult for me.



From my research, these cameras seem really good, and since you agree I will probably be going ahead with purchasing them soon.
 
It is best to have a mix of cameras, each one selected for the goal of the camera.

I have some varifocals for IDENTIFY at distance and pinch points, and OVERVIEW cameras so I can see what is going on with one field of view.

As far as cameras, without knowing what your goals of the camera is, this thread is used as the go to for the new person here outlining the commonly recommended cameras (along with Amazon links) based on distance to IDENTIFY that represent the overall best value/best bang for the buck in terms of price and performance day and night. It might be a 2MP camera in some instances. Many here feel 4MP is the current sweet spot for these cameras.

The Importance of Focal Length over MP in camera selection

And coupled with that thread is this great thread which will show why all of the same 2.8 or 3.6mm cameras is the wrong choice (these are the common focal lengths consumer brands sell):

i-want-2-8mm-cameras-everywhere-to-see-everything-this-is-why-you-need-specific-fovs-with-purposeful-focal-lengths.70053/

We would encourage you to look at those threads in detail.

It will probably raise more questions than answers LOL.

Many of us purchase from trusted member @EMPIRETECANDY, a vendor here with an Amazon store, his own webpage, and via DM.

He sells Dahua OEM for cheaper than you can buy label Dahua.

Not many Dahua resellers sell the "good" stuff. For example, most Amcrest and Lorex cameras are consumer cams on less than ideal MP/sensor ratios.

B&H sells Dahua cams, but they are older models.
 
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