Hik vs Dahua vs Reolink

[CxHxExVxY]

Looking to replace an old Swann system and add additional cameras.
Not looking to spend a fortune but don’t want to cheap out either. Right now I have been looking at Hikvision Dahua and Reolink. Everyone says the Reolink is terrible at night but they seem to be the easiest to buy. What’s the recommendation? And if hik or Dahua where’s the best place to buy?
Thanks

 

[wittaj]

If you care about quality night images with motion that are not blur, stay away from reolink.

Best place to buy is from member @EMPIRETECANDY

EmpireTech 2023 Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday Sales Nov.20-24th

Hey Guys This year's Thanksgiving Day Sales is coming soon, thanks for all guys support here and we can keep moving on, this year too fast, like nothing happen and have lots of crazy things happen everyday. The Traditional IR models are selling good, the whole 5442 series., long range...

ipcamtalk.com

Here was a thread someone put together comparing:

Side-by-side comparison of Dahua Z4, Z12, mini PTZ and a Reolink.

Here is a side-by-side comparison between the popular Dahua Z12 and Z4 varifocal cameras, Dahua's new SD4A425DB mini PTZ, and a 4k Reolink. I will use the Z12 and the auto-tracking PTZ to watch the public walking trail next to my yard, and move the Z4 and Reolink elsewhere, but while all four...

ipcamtalk.com

And of course, this is an example from Reolink's marketing videos - do you see a person in this picture...yes, there is a person in this picture.... Could this provide anything useful for the police other than the date and time something happened? Would this protect your store? The still picture looks great though except for the person and the blur of the vehicle... Will give you a hint - the person is in between the two visible columns:



Bad Boys
Bad Boys
Watcha gonna do
Watcha gonna do
When the cameras can't see you


Here is the unofficial Reolink page where people have provided their best nighttime image captures. As you will see, they are basically useless.

Reolink: Deconstruction of a dangerous misleading youtube review "Finding the BEST 4K Security Camera NVR Package (Reolink vs Amcrest vs Swann)"

Executive Summary: DO NOT be a sheep. Ask what a reviewer can be missing, ask if a reviewer is using hype words to sell the cheapest product. Test your cameras and kits right away. Just do a bench test. Test real world conditions. Test moving suspects. Test at night, test at day. Use a test rig...

ipcamtalk.com

 

[looney2ns]

Except for their new doorbell cam, avoid anything with the brand Reolink on it.
EmpireTech | Security Protection | Security Cameras & NVRs

 

[looktall]

Except for their new doorbell cam, avoid anything with the brand Reolink on it.
EmpireTech | Security Protection | Security Cameras & NVRs

I have one of their sensor floodlights.
The non camera one. Light only, runs from poe which for me is easier and cheaper to run than mains power.

But apart from that, nothing else from reolink seems worth it.

 

[Rob2020]

Dahua rebrands from Empiretech, 3 years running 24/7 with no issues.

Stay away from Reolink if you want prosumer level cameras.

 

[TonyR]

Everyone says the Reolink is terrible at night but they seem to be the easiest to buy.

+1 to what @looney2ns said above about Reolink's doorbell camera, it's a keeper. I've got 2 installed since June, couldn't be more pleased, as have others here.

Otherwise, not much love on IPCT for Reolink.

 

[TonyR]

But apart from that, nothing else from reolink seems worth it.

The Reolink doorbell is pretty darned good though. I've got 2 installed since June, couldn't be more pleased, as have others here.

 

[looktall]

The Reolink doorbell is pretty darned good though.

I was really hopeful when i spotted this camera on their website that it might finally be a decent camera from them...

Reolink CX410 - 2K F1.0 ColorX Full Color Night Vision PoE Security Camera | Reolink Official

CX410 is a 2K ColorX PoE camera with full color night vision. It has an F1.0 super aperture and 1/1.8'' advanced sensor that enable clear true color night vision even in dim light without any illumination. What's more, it supports smart detection, adjustable warm light, two-way audio, siren, etc.

reolink.com

But it has no options to control shutter etc. It's basically auto everything, which i'm sure works great during the day, not so much at night.
Maybe it would work just fine in my specific conditions, maybe it wouldn't.
I don't fancy spending $150 to find out.

 

[wittaj]

I was really hopeful when i spotted this camera on their website that it might finally be a decent camera from them...

Reolink CX410 - 2K F1.0 ColorX Full Color Night Vision PoE Security Camera | Reolink Official

CX410 is a 2K ColorX PoE camera with full color night vision. It has an F1.0 super aperture and 1/1.8'' advanced sensor that enable clear true color night vision even in dim light without any illumination. What's more, it supports smart detection, adjustable warm light, two-way audio, siren, etc.

reolink.com

But it has no options to control shutter etc. It's basically auto everything, which i'm sure works great during the day, not so much at night.
Maybe it would work just fine in my specific conditions, maybe it wouldn't.
I don't fancy spending $150 to find out.

Yep, it suffers like other Reolinks

Is it possible Reolink has made some terrific and overdue changes? Or is it all talk and no action? ( Reolink ColorX , Reolink CX410 )

Is it possible Reolink has made some terrific and overdue changes? Or are they just throwing around new, catchy hi-tech buzz words? Excerpt: "During the night, ColorX technology allows infrared and visible light to reach the image sensor of the security cameras. This feature improves the...

ipcamtalk.com

 

[mat200]

Looking to replace an old Swann system and add additional cameras.
Not looking to spend a fortune but don’t want to cheap out either. Right now I have been looking at Hikvision Dahua and Reolink. Everyone says the Reolink is terrible at night but they seem to be the easiest to buy. What’s the recommendation? And if hik or Dahua where’s the best place to buy?
Thanks

Welcome @CxHxExVxY

Reolink .. do see the various threads on that topic.

In general, there's a number of compromises they do to provide cheap IP PoE cameras .. some of that has been compatibility issues as well as cheaper sensors and DSPing ( digital signal processing ).

If you want better results, and better selection of cameras ... Hikvision OEM or Dahua OEM cameras are better choices ..