As many of us are aware, Dahua decided to keep the same model numbers of some of their most popular models like the 5442-Z12E and the 5442 series cameras, but they have been updated with a newer GUI and specs that on paper show better than the previous version as was discussed in this thread even though they have the same size sensor as the previous generation.
I previously did a mini-review of the new 5241-Z12E here, as well as the 5442-Z4E comparison between the old Z4E and the new Z4E.
Many of the specs remained the same. Similar to the 5442 series with the new chipset, the minimum illumination was the biggest change:
Minimum Illumination old Z4E:
0.002Lux/F1.5 ( Color,1/3s,30IRE)
0.020Lux/F1.5 ( Color,1/30s,30IRE)
0Lux/F1.5 (IR on) IR Distance Distance up to 200m (656ft)
Minimum Illumination new Z4E-S3:
0.0007 lux @ F1.5 (Color, 30 IRE)
0.0004 lux @ F1.5 (B/W, 30 IRE)
0 lux (Illuminator on)
This new version can be purchased from @EMPIRETECANDY at his EmpireTech website or Amazon.
I have stated this before, but the more I play with the new GUI on my other cameras that have the new GUI (4K-T, mini-PTZ, T180) the more I start to like it. It has way more options and flexibility. It still has some quirks as well LOL.
This model has AcuPick like the Z4E model, but as mentioned, you need an NVR capable of using this feature for it to work.
The mic is one of the best I have heard from these cameras. Picks up everything.
Another cool feature they added is the ability to add a counter on the image.
I was cautiously optimistic that maybe this one could trigger for animals and would be of a benefit to those that like to capture wildlife:
Unfortunately in my testing, it didn't trigger for an animal even with target checked off. I will keep playing with it though.
It does have great range of IVS capability picking up a person on the other side of the street:
For testing, I placed this right next to an existing 5442-ZE.
From the Z4E review, you might remember that the old Z4E had a slight edge over the new Z4E in daytime. At that location, I thought it was simply a saturation issue, but now I think I know what it is.
At this location, it suffers from that horrible daytime half shadow/half direct sunlight and it is a balance trying to capture both areas.
The first thing I noticed with this camera is the shadow area is lighter than the existing camera.
For many people, this is a good option to try WDR, but my personal preference is to avoid WDR for the problems it can cause if ran too high and/or not needing it for a large chunk of the day.
I think the default firmware is using some WDR or SSA or some other backlit condition, or maybe some self-adaptive even when customized is set.
So my neighbor came out while I was installing this camera and was like "another camera?" in a joking yet disturbed tone LOL, so he decided to play a prank on me later that day, but the joke is on him as I told him he is now my model LOL. You will see in a moment LOL.
Compared to the new ZE:
As you can see, while the overall image is better than the existing ZE, it is clear that there is some backlit at play in the new camera.
With the old camera, I can replicate this with a WDR of 10 or SSA turned on.
In this particular instance, it probably does make the image better in the daytime, but as seen with the Z4E, it does tend to "wash out" the image in conditions where backlit is not needed. Something for @EMPIRETECANDY to check with Dahua about the baseline firmware condition when backlit is off.
Now that we all had our laugh with the two-headed monster, I told him he was stuck doing this again at night LOL.
At night, with a 1,000 lumen white LED flood light (cheap Amazon purchase that I really question if it is 1,000 lumen), the most I could do shutter-wise with the old ZE was around 1/60s before a lot of artifacts started impacting the image. While very dark, it could still be usable in the right conditions.
Under the same lighting conditions, I could get the new ZE to run double the shutter without a problem and see a whole lot more.
While not as impressive of an improvement as the Z4E (that could run triple the shutter), it is still a very good improvement at night.
Turning off the white LED and going with just infrared wasn't as great of an improvement over the Z4E as I was expecting.
The existing ZE:
The new ZE
Now I suspect some/most of that is field of view problematic with the bushes in the way and causing some issues with exposure (note to self that bushes grow quickly!). I need to do some trimming for sure!
So there is a firmware update to this model. Looking at the release notes, all it adds is "illumination overexposure remover" which is a long way of saying Smart IR. So unless your faces are getting blown out by IR, it is a useless update. Personally I thought the night vision without this addition was better.
Personally I wouldn't update this firmware.
Now for the quirks I found in this firmware update:
Instead of one firmware update, you have three you need to do - one for the web, one for the algorithm, and one for the actual firmware. If you don't do all three, it gives you a red exclamation point by the gear icon.
For some reason this model (even with baseline firmware) doesn't come with the zoom and focus "tab" that allows you to set focus to manual, auto, or semi auto like the Z4E does.
After the update, the up and down arrows to change the shutter won't hold after an update. Once you save, it reverts back to 33.33. You need to manually type the number in.
All-in-all, it is an improvement over the existing ZE model. While I don't think the improvement is as great as I saw with the Z12E and the Z4E, it is still a great camera and certainly would still recommend this varifocal.
I previously did a mini-review of the new 5241-Z12E here, as well as the 5442-Z4E comparison between the old Z4E and the new Z4E.
Many of the specs remained the same. Similar to the 5442 series with the new chipset, the minimum illumination was the biggest change:
Minimum Illumination old Z4E:
0.002Lux/F1.5 ( Color,1/3s,30IRE)
0.020Lux/F1.5 ( Color,1/30s,30IRE)
0Lux/F1.5 (IR on) IR Distance Distance up to 200m (656ft)
Minimum Illumination new Z4E-S3:
0.0007 lux @ F1.5 (Color, 30 IRE)
0.0004 lux @ F1.5 (B/W, 30 IRE)
0 lux (Illuminator on)
This new version can be purchased from @EMPIRETECANDY at his EmpireTech website or Amazon.
I have stated this before, but the more I play with the new GUI on my other cameras that have the new GUI (4K-T, mini-PTZ, T180) the more I start to like it. It has way more options and flexibility. It still has some quirks as well LOL.
This model has AcuPick like the Z4E model, but as mentioned, you need an NVR capable of using this feature for it to work.
The mic is one of the best I have heard from these cameras. Picks up everything.
Another cool feature they added is the ability to add a counter on the image.
I was cautiously optimistic that maybe this one could trigger for animals and would be of a benefit to those that like to capture wildlife:
Unfortunately in my testing, it didn't trigger for an animal even with target checked off. I will keep playing with it though.
It does have great range of IVS capability picking up a person on the other side of the street:
For testing, I placed this right next to an existing 5442-ZE.
From the Z4E review, you might remember that the old Z4E had a slight edge over the new Z4E in daytime. At that location, I thought it was simply a saturation issue, but now I think I know what it is.
At this location, it suffers from that horrible daytime half shadow/half direct sunlight and it is a balance trying to capture both areas.
The first thing I noticed with this camera is the shadow area is lighter than the existing camera.
For many people, this is a good option to try WDR, but my personal preference is to avoid WDR for the problems it can cause if ran too high and/or not needing it for a large chunk of the day.
I think the default firmware is using some WDR or SSA or some other backlit condition, or maybe some self-adaptive even when customized is set.
So my neighbor came out while I was installing this camera and was like "another camera?" in a joking yet disturbed tone LOL, so he decided to play a prank on me later that day, but the joke is on him as I told him he is now my model LOL. You will see in a moment LOL.
Compared to the new ZE:
As you can see, while the overall image is better than the existing ZE, it is clear that there is some backlit at play in the new camera.
With the old camera, I can replicate this with a WDR of 10 or SSA turned on.
In this particular instance, it probably does make the image better in the daytime, but as seen with the Z4E, it does tend to "wash out" the image in conditions where backlit is not needed. Something for @EMPIRETECANDY to check with Dahua about the baseline firmware condition when backlit is off.
Now that we all had our laugh with the two-headed monster, I told him he was stuck doing this again at night LOL.
At night, with a 1,000 lumen white LED flood light (cheap Amazon purchase that I really question if it is 1,000 lumen), the most I could do shutter-wise with the old ZE was around 1/60s before a lot of artifacts started impacting the image. While very dark, it could still be usable in the right conditions.
Under the same lighting conditions, I could get the new ZE to run double the shutter without a problem and see a whole lot more.
While not as impressive of an improvement as the Z4E (that could run triple the shutter), it is still a very good improvement at night.
Turning off the white LED and going with just infrared wasn't as great of an improvement over the Z4E as I was expecting.
The existing ZE:
The new ZE
Now I suspect some/most of that is field of view problematic with the bushes in the way and causing some issues with exposure (note to self that bushes grow quickly!). I need to do some trimming for sure!
So there is a firmware update to this model. Looking at the release notes, all it adds is "illumination overexposure remover" which is a long way of saying Smart IR. So unless your faces are getting blown out by IR, it is a useless update. Personally I thought the night vision without this addition was better.
Personally I wouldn't update this firmware.
Now for the quirks I found in this firmware update:
Instead of one firmware update, you have three you need to do - one for the web, one for the algorithm, and one for the actual firmware. If you don't do all three, it gives you a red exclamation point by the gear icon.
For some reason this model (even with baseline firmware) doesn't come with the zoom and focus "tab" that allows you to set focus to manual, auto, or semi auto like the Z4E does.
After the update, the up and down arrows to change the shutter won't hold after an update. Once you save, it reverts back to 33.33. You need to manually type the number in.
All-in-all, it is an improvement over the existing ZE model. While I don't think the improvement is as great as I saw with the Z12E and the Z4E, it is still a great camera and certainly would still recommend this varifocal.
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It will not raise any suspicions with my wife. 
. To Parley, wish I had thought of that 
.
