Mini IP Camera setup

[howiegood]

I bought this Mini Ip Camera and finally had a chance to set it up

http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cg75YraY

I still have some quirks to work on fixing, but here are some pictures.
There are a few things I'm trying to figure out:
How do I know if this has a Sony IMX322 sensor? The seller does not know.
I downloaded the latest Firmware according to the seller. but it seems older than what's in the camera
The camera shows this in Onvif tool
Model: 53H20L_S39
Firmware: V4.02.R11.00002532.10010.240100.ONVIF 2.4

Updated firmware according to the seller:
IPC53H20L_S38V4.0.R11.00002532.1
General_HZXM_IPC_HI3516C_53H20L_S38_V4.02.R11.Nat.OnvifS.20160223_ALL.bin
6.69 MB 2016-03-21 15:54

Which one looks like the latest?

 

[braddie]

I bought this Mini Ip Camera and finally had a chance to set it up

http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/bAhu8RL6

I still have some quirks to work on fixing, but here are some pictures.
There are a few things I'm trying to figure out:
How do I know if this has a Sony IMX322 sensor? The seller does not know.
I downloaded the latest Firmware according to the seller. but it seems older than what's in the camera
The camera shows this in Onvif tool
Model: 53H20L_S39
Firmware: V4.02.R11.00002532.10010.240100.ONVIF 2.4

Updated firmware according to the seller:
IPC53H20L_S38V4.0.R11.00002532.1
General_HZXM_IPC_HI3516C_53H20L_S38_V4.02.R11.Nat.OnvifS.20160223_ALL.bin
6.69 MB 2016-03-21 15:54

Which one looks like the latest?

I have that exact camera (from the same seller). I checked the serial output using a USB adapter, unfortunately it seems that the console is disabled in the firmware so I could only read the boot information. It outputs some lines that have "IMX222" in them and even the silkscreen on the camera board has 222 not 322 (even though I bought the IMX322 version). I contacted the seller to doube-check and ask how I could confirm what chip it had they said it's IMX322 and that was all (pretty sure they had no clue what I was asking). I left it at that because the difference between IMX322 and IMX222 is supposedly not that big, and I was happy with the day and night image quality which was the whole point of buying a camera with the Sony IMX sensor.

 

[Del Boy]

Difference between IMX322 and IMX222 isn't as big as difference between IMX222 and IMX122. I personally wouldn't buy IMX222 anymore because IMX322 has been freely available for a year now.

 

[ENiGMA]

what's nightime use on these like? @OP, the camera is inside pointing out, behidn the window right?

 

[braddie]

what's nightime use on these like? @OP, the camera is inside pointing out, behidn the window right?

Much better than other (non-Sony) sensors given the same lighting conditions owing to its wide dynamic range. Obviously this camera doesn't have IR so another camera with a cheaper sensor and IR might outperform it. But overall as long as there is decent lighting it works well.

 

[ENiGMA]

do you posting a nightime clip/photo? do you know how it compares to low end dahua/hiks model at night? daytime is not important for me

 

[braddie]

do you posting a nightime clip/photo? do you know how it compares to low end dahua/hiks model at night? daytime is not important for me

I am using it right next to a bright street light (4m away) so it stays in day mode and performs well. Before installing it I compared the night time image to a 4MP Hik camera and I can say that under low light the Hiks are better because of the IR, but if both have enough light at night the IMX does better. If you want the best of both worlds and size is not an issue I highly recommend the IMX322 cameras with IR from the same seller.

 

[ENiGMA]

But I would only place indoors (rain/moisture problem etc) and doesn't IR gets reflected by the glass window?

 

[braddie]

But I would only place indoors (rain/moisture problem etc) and doesn't IR gets reflected by the glass window?

They have indoor domes as well which are cheaper (I have this one: http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Gadinan-ONVIF-1-2-8-SONY-IMX222-Full-HD-1080P-2-0MP-Ultra-lowillumination-Mini-Dome/316399_32484550117.html). The main advantage to the non-mini versions is that they have IRCUT and automatic day/night mode switching (which the mini doesn't as far as I can tell) and those features definitely improve image quality. IR reflections from a glass window can be avoided/reduced by carefully choosing camera placement (e.g. very close to the glass). Hiks have the advantage that IR can be disabled while retaining automatic day/night mode switching, I couldn't figure out how to do that with the IMX cameras.

 

[howiegood]

Yes Enigma, the camera is inside pointing out the window.

Here is a night image with only the street lights, not bad, no ir. I still have to do some more adjustment. You can see one of the street lights shining on the camera. Plus I need to clean the window and install a light on the outside wall above the camera
Howie

 

[braddie]

do you posting a nightime clip/photo? do you know how it compares to low end dahua/hiks model at night? daytime is not important for me

Night time sample attached