IPC-HFW4239T-ASE (Full Color Starlight) as a weather cam

[bp2008]

The Old Champion

For several years I have run an old Olympus SP-500UZ camera as a "weather cam" pointed out a bedroom window. This is an inexpensive handheld camera from 2006, with a 6 megapixel CCD and the ability to capture 60-second long exposures via a USB interface with a Windows computer. For a long time, these features made it one of the most cost-effective weather cams money could buy. I was particularly impressed by its long-exposure capabilities. Check out these photos it has captured by moonlight with a 60 second exposure.



Sadly, the camera doesn't do nearly as well when the moon isn't out. The following photo is tonight, with the moon below the horizon. Even with a 60 second exposure, all it could produce is this. To be fair, I can barely see better with my own eyes even given time to adjust to the dark.




Enter Dahua IPC-HFW4239T-ASE

I ordered this camera from @EMPIRETECANDY at the start of the week, and it arrived today (DHL deliveries are delayed a few days in my area). The purpose was to replace the Olympus camera as a weather cam, and I am truly stunned by the results.


(ignore the timestamp, I had the wrong time zone selected)

This is a 1/3 second exposure captured at the same time as the previous one. Dahua doesn't just "knock it out of the park" with this camera, more like into the next state. My old camera simply can't touch this, even with exposures that are 180 times as long.

Seriously, wow.

 

[bp2008]

For what its worth, here is a comparison between some of my Dahua cameras, each configured the same for the best low-light snapshots at the cost of blurring moving objects (manual shutter customized range 0-333.33 ms, 0-100 gain, 50 3D Noise reduction). The 4239 clearly produces the best image in extremely low light. Given more lighting, the difference between them will shrink, and given enough, the 8 MP models would no doubt pull ahead.

IPC-HFW4239T-ASE (3.6mm fixed bullet)


IPC-HDW5231R-Z (2MP starlight - varifocal turret)


IPC-HFW1831E (8MP - 6mm fixed bullet)


IPC-HFW1831E (8MP - 6mm fixed bullet)

 

[gwminor48]

Damn! That's a huge difference.

 

[TonyR]

@bp2008 ...

Very nice...thanks for posting!
BTW, shouldn't that time stamp on the new Dahua be "AM" instead of "PM"?

 

[EMPIRETECANDY]

Very nice ! This camera hope one day can have some motorized lens with turret housing

 

[reverend]

Very nice ! This camera hope one day can have some motorized lens with turret housing

When they do I'll be ready to order

Sony really are doing some great work with sensors - it's incredible how stuff is moving along.

 

[bp2008]

@bp2008 ...

Very nice...thanks for posting!
BTW, shouldn't that time stamp on the new Dahua be "AM" instead of "PM"?

Yes, I had selected the wrong timezone. + offset instead of - offset.

 

[EMPIRETECANDY]

When they do I'll be ready to order

Sony really are doing some great work with sensors - it's incredible how stuff is moving along.

Will let you know when they have, lol.

 

[TechBill]

Will let you know when they have, lol.

Let me know too if this len come in turret, maybe mention to Dahua that you have several customers interested in this len but turret form.

 

[EMPIRETECANDY]

OK!

 

[EMPIRETECANDY]

For what its worth, here is a comparison between some of my Dahua cameras, each configured the same for the best low-light snapshots at the cost of blurring moving objects (manual shutter customized range 0-333.33 ms, 0-100 gain, 50 3D Noise reduction). The 4239 clearly produces the best image in extremely low light. Given more lighting, the difference between them will shrink, and given enough, the 8 MP models would no doubt pull ahead.

IPC-HFW4239T-ASE (3.6mm fixed bullet)


IPC-HDW5231R-Z (2MP starlight - varifocal turret)


IPC-HFW1831E (8MP - 6mm fixed bullet)


IPC-HFW1831E (8MP - 6mm fixed bullet)

Very sharp pic for the IPC-HDW4239T-ASE, The pics for IPC-HDW5231R-ZE and IPC-HFW1831E when IR closed?

 

[bp2008]

Yes, all the cameras were in Color mode for those pictures. IR was filtered out.

 

[J Sigmo]

Very nice ! This camera hope one day can have some motorized lens with turret housing

I add my vote for this, too. When they come out with that, I'll want at least a couple of them. As a weather and overall scene camera, even though we're seeing a fairly long exposure, that's very nice. Note the stars in the shot.

You would likely capture the occasional meteor trail with that setup on the dark, moonless nights when the exposure was "wide open" like that example shot.

A bit of noise, but for the amount of light present? That's fantastic.

 

[bp2008]

Here are midnight shots for the last 10 days versus the old camera.

1/3 second exposure on the Dahua vs 60 second exposure on the old Olympus cam!

 

[j4co]

Very nice ! This camera hope one day can have some motorized lens with turret housing

But this camera advertises as having a F1.0 lens. Most motorized or multifocal lenses are much worse, with the 5213 starting with F1.4
I think when you go from F1.0 to F2.0 you need 4 time the light, or 4 times longer exposion.

So is this not the standard exmor chip with just a much better lens ?

 

[EMPIRETECANDY]

But this camera advertises as having a F1.0 lens. Most motorized or multifocal lenses are much worse, with the 5213 starting with F1.4
I think when you go from F1.0 to F2.0 you need 4 time the light, or 4 times longer exposion.

So is this not the standard exmor chip with just a much better lens ?

YES, different lens with full color pic in the night.

 

[micoinde]

Any sample videos to gauge image clarity for surveillance video purposes?

Thanks.

 

[bp2008]

Heh. Sure. Here's a night video at 1/3 shutter speed. For faster shutter speeds, you'll need to find other reviews.

 

[j4co]

I did order 2IPC-HDBW4239R-ASE from Andy to swap out 22204 units.
Will see how much the image improves.

 

[Dark_Chocolate]

YES, different lens with full color pic in the night.

I am a ptz freak. When are we going to see this night color technology in ptz camera?