Recommendation Needed: 30x Optical Zoom

[mkjr75]

I have a small BI setup with only 3 cameras.
One of my cameras is shooting the end of my driveway which is approximately 400ft away from the camera.

I'm currently using this device: Amazon.com
I'd say that I'm mildly pleased with it. It was cheap and a good way to see if the size camera would work for my application. I consistently get 15fps at 2MP on the main stream.
The built in IR light works reasonably well for my needs but it doesn't quite shoot where the camera is aimed at about 90% zoom.

Now that it's been about 2 years with it, I feel it is time for an upgrade. I've recently started having trouble with the main and sub streams getting out of sync which creates interesting problems in BI.
I think by tweaking the bitrates I've got that somewhat under control but I'd like something with better clarity if it comes at a reasonable price.

I'm not familiar with any of the major manufacturers offerings at this level of device. I'm hoping someone has some experience with a device with this kind of range and can provide their experiences, good or bad.

I'd like to keep the PTZ (although not a dealbreaker) and IR if possible. I'm not sure I could get permission for a big IR light.
Thanks in advance,
Mike

 

[looney2ns]

EmpireTech PTZ5A4M-25X 1/1.8" CMOS 4MP 25x Starlight IR 5.4mm–135mm Va

1/1.8" 4Megapixel CMOS | Powerful 25x optical zoom | Starlight+ Technology | Max. 25/30fps@4MP | IR distance up to 150 m | Deep-learning-based perimeter protection | Auto-tracking and IVS | PoE+ | IP67, IK10

empiretech01.com

 

[mkjr75]

Thanks, I'm not familiar with EmpireTech. I'll do some research on this.
Do you recommend it over similar offerings from Amcrest like this: Amcrest 4MP Outdoor PTZ POE + IP Camera Pan Tilt Zoom (Optical 32x Motorized) UltraHD POE+ Camera Security Speed Dome, CMOS Image Sensor, 492ft Night Vision, POE+ (802.3at) IP67, 4MP, IP4M-1083EW-AI

 

[wittaj]

Empiretech is made by Dahua...and is Dahua OEM (dahua without the logo)

Amcrest is made by Dahua....but is a consumer line with less than ideal MP/sensor and cheaper materials.

That Amcrest is on a sensor designed for 2MP so it will perform poorly at night. You are paying a premium for the Amcrest name dropped to it. A comparable Empiretech would be almost half that price.

The Empiretech linked above, while a little more expensive, will run circles around the amcrest as it is on the ideal MP/sensor ratio.

 

[mkjr75]

Great! Thank you for the explanation, that helps a ton.

 

[Broachoski]

Do not be deceived by the optical zoom numbers. Dahua and Empire Tec provide the focal length which is used to determine the optical zoom. A good example is on the PTZ5A-25X that looney2ns mentioned above. It provides 5.4mm-135mm vari-focal which equates to 25X optical. Most of the cheaper cameras only provide an enticing number which is deceiving. Then they add a "digital zoom" which is worthless. You can get that within BI.
I took a couple quick pics as an example. I used an older Empire Tec 25x camera at 250 yards and an unknown name 30x Chinese camera focused on the same area from 240 yards. It was raining so quality is not good but will show how the 25x out zooms the 30x. The top photo is from the 30x and both are fully zoomed.