New Camera Shopping

[srvfan]

Good afternoon,
So I have been reviewing threads and videos both on here and YouTube trying to find a good camera. I currently have my eyes on an IPC-HFW5422T-ASE that I found on Amazon.
I wanted to add cameras to my network that provided decent night footage and did not have issues with resolution when zooming. I live on at the end of a dead end street, so I do not have to worry too much about cars going over 20 mph. I was wanting a camera to assist in identifying anyone walking across my property or in the road as well as getting a good video/photo of a vehicle and license plate of someone coming up the road.
I guess I’m a little confused as to why I have read on some posts that a 4mp camera would be better than any of the 4K cameras. Please keep in mind that the only cameras I currently own are Lorex E891ABs and Amcrest IP8M-2499, so I really don’t have a good point of reference.
I’m assuming that the listing below is from the same reputable vendor I have seen on this site’s threads? Can someone advise if this is a good deal and if there are any issues with security or firmware on said camera? Thanks!

Amazon.com: EmpireTech IPC-HFW5442T-ASE-NI 3.6mm Fixed Lens 4MP Pro AI Full-Color Fixed-Focal Bullet Network Camera English Version: Home Improvement

Buy EmpireTech IPC-HFW5442T-ASE-NI 3.6mm Fixed Lens 4MP Pro AI Full-Color Fixed-Focal Bullet Network Camera English Version: Bullet Cameras - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[tibimakai]

This camera does not have a zoom function.
You have to look at the sensor sizes as well, not just how many megapixels has a camera. The lower the number, that means that the sensor is bigger(captures more light= better). Now the 1/1.8" is the best for the money. The other ones, the 4k and all those higher megapixels use most likely use 2.8 or 2.7" size sensors, which are smaller in size.
Also 2.8mm gives you a wide view, 3.6 is a middle ground and a 6mm is a narrow view.
We have a wiki page, up top, where you can learn about this things.

 

[bigredfish]

Thats probably the #1 or #2 best low light camera for under $500 currently. I have two of them watching my driveway.
Review: OEM IPC-B5442T-ASE-NI 4MP Pro AI Starlight Full-color Fixed Bullet
As @tibimakai mentions, that is a fixed lens camera, so getting the right lens for the focus point you want is important. Mine happen to be 3.6mm and do what I need watching over our vehicles.

That said, they DO need some light as they have no onboard IR.

If you are in a very dark scene look at the brother to that camera that has built-in IR:
IPC-HFW5442E-ZE

 

[srvfan]

Thats probably the #1 or #2 best low light camera for under $500 currently. I have two of them watching my driveway.
Review: OEM IPC-B5442T-ASE-NI 4MP Pro AI Starlight Full-color Fixed Bullet
As @tibimakai mentions, that is a fixed lens camera, so getting the right lens for the focus pint you want is important. Mine hapen to be 3.6mm and do what I need watching over our vehicles.

That said, they DO need some light as they have no onboard IR.

If you are in a very dark scene look at the brother to that camera that has built-in IR:
IPC-HFW5442E-ZE

Great, thank you much for the recommendations; I will definitely review. I think anything at this point would be an improvement over the E891AB cameras I currently own. According to the spec sheet from Lorex, those are fixed lenses as well. However, I don’t want to just throw money down the drain. I think I first noticed that camera in what appears to be your YouTube page, and the picture quality at night appeared to be great. However, I will view the other cameras you mentioned. Thank you!

 

[SyconsciousAu]

Here's what you need

Ordered Sony SNC-VB770 Image Sensor Size 35MM :)

Moving in right direction got the Metal and everything else fabricated today. Need an electrician to come out to run some lines for me.. up to the location. Very soon it be installed up and running.. Finally almost there.

ipcamtalk.com

In all seriousness though the 5442 series on the 1.1/8" is excellent for value and performance.

 

[srvfan]

Here's what you need

Ordered Sony SNC-VB770 Image Sensor Size 35MM :)

Moving in right direction got the Metal and everything else fabricated today. Need an electrician to come out to run some lines for me.. up to the location. Very soon it be installed up and running.. Finally almost there.

ipcamtalk.com

In all seriousness though the 5442 series on the 1.1/8" is excellent for value and performance.

Good gosh; was that designed for the Hubble telescope??
Thank you, I will definitely be reviewing the 5442 cameras.

 

[sebastiantombs]

A quick copy and paste for you -

Review - Loryata (Dahua OEM) IPC-T5442T-ZE varifocal Turret

Review-OEM Loryta IPC-T5442T-ZE Varifocal 4mp camera (Dahua)

IPC-T5442T-ZE Varifocal from @EMPIRETECANDY 4MP WDR Turret Varifocal Network Camera Review unit courtesy of Andy (@EMPIRETECANDY) in exchange for a fair and honest review. Andy's ipcamtalk store: link Andy's AliExpress store: link Andy's Amazon store: link Price Approximately US $200.00...

ipcamtalk.com

Review - OEM IPC-B5442E-ZE 4MP AI Varifocal Bullet Camera With Starlight+

Review - OEM IPC-B5442E-ZE 4MP AI Varifocal Bullet Camera With Starlight+

All, thanks to Andy (@EMPIRETECANDY ) we have a new 4MP AI camera for testing. This camera has been provided by Andy in exchange for a fair and honest review. This camera is using the OEM model number of IPC-B5442-ZE which is the equivalent of the Dahua IPC-HFW5442-ZE for reference. The IPC-B...

ipcamtalk.com

Review-OEM 4mp AI Cam IPC-T5442TM-AS Starlight+ Turret

Review-OEM 4mp AI Cam IPC-T5442TM-AS Starlight+

Dahua OEM IPC-T5442TM-AS from EMPIRETECANDY 4MP WDR Turret AI Network Camera Review unit courtesy of Andy (@EMPIRETECANDY) in exchange for a fair and honest review. Andy's ipcamtalk store: link Andy's AliExpress store: link Andy's Amazon store: link Price Approximately US $160 Link to camera...

ipcamtalk.com

Review IPC-T5442TM-AS-LED (Turret, Full Color, Starlight+)

Review IPC-T5442TM-AS-LED (Full Color, Starlight+)

Dahua OEM IPC-T5442TM-AS-LED from EMPIRETECANDY 4MP WDR Turret AI Network Camera Review unit courtesy of Andy (@EMPIRETECANDY) in exchange for a fair and honest review. Andy's ipcamtalk vendor forum: link Andy's AliExpress store: link Andy's Amazon store: link Andy's Email: kingsecurity2014...

ipcamtalk.com

Review: IPC-HDBW5442R-ASE-NI - Dahua Technology Pro AI Bullet Network Camera

Review: OEM IPC-B5442T-ASE-NI 4MP Pro AI Starlight Full-color Fixed Bullet

Many thanks once again to Andy @EMPIRETECANDY we have for testing the OEM IPC-B5442T-ASE-NI 4MP Starlight+ Full Color bullet. This camera has been provided by Andy in exchange for a fair and honest review. This is a fixed 3.6mm bullet (Pro AI) series with the 1/1.8” sensor. It has no built in...

ipcamtalk.com

 

[srvfan]

Awesome; thank you much. Will definitely begin checking these out.

 

[samplenhold]

I guess I’m a little confused as to why I have read on some posts that a 4mp camera would be better than any of the 4K cameras.

It is not that a 4MP cam is 'better' than an 8K cam per se. Low light performance is based on how much light gets to each pixel. So if a cam has a 1/1.8" sensor (0.555 inches), each pixel would get much more light to it if there were only 4MP spread across it than 8MP from a 4K cam. Of course other things are at play here, like shutter speed, aperture setting, and the lens used. But most 4K cams in the prosumer lines are on 1/2.8" (0.357 inches) or smaller sensors. So that 4K cam on one of those sensors will get even less light per pixel than the 4MP on 1/1.8" sensor.

 

[srvfan]

It is not that a 4MP cam is 'better' than an 8K cam per se. Low light performance is based on how much light gets to each pixel. So if a cam has a 1/1.8" sensor (0.555 inches), each pixel would get much more light to it if there were only 4MP spread across it than 8MP from a 4K cam. Of course other things are at play here, like shutter speed, aperture setting, and the lens used. But most 4K cams in the prosumer lines are on 1/2.8" (0.357 inches) or smaller sensors. So that 4K cam on one of those sensors will get even less light per pixel than the 4MP on 1/1.8" sensor.

Ahhh, now that makes sense. I’ve got to say that during the day, my little cameras are pretty decent even when zoomed in. The noticeable issue is at night time. Your explanation makes perfect sense and brings things into focus (yep a pathetic attempt at a pun; please forgive me).