The 5231ZE successors?

[MacFun]

Back in 2018, the 5231ZE was all the rage, especially night performance. Now in 22, what are the 5231-killers to consider?

Thanks!

R

 

[IAmATeaf]

I went for 5442-ASE AND 5442-ZE cams to supplement my 5231-ze cams which are all still running fine.

 

[tigerwillow1]

Comments based on my own side-by-side testing. The 4k-x with the 8 megapixel 1/1.2 sensor is the hands-down best low light performer. It's not suitable for all situations however because: (1) It's physically big, (2) Doesn't pick up IR illumination, and (3) No varifocal available. With the more traditional cameras, the 5442 series with the 4 megapixel 1/1.8 sensor is the best all-around performer, and the best in night performance (significantly better than the 5231). Surprisingly to me, the 5842 series with the 8 megapixel 1/1.8 sensor is a pretty good night performer. Not quite as good as the 5442, but still a good step up from the 5231. I money were no object, I'd replace all of my 2 megapixel starlights with 5442s.

 

[MacFun]

Comments based on my own side-by-side testing. The 4k-x with the 8 megapixel 1/1.2 sensor is the hands-down best low light performer. It's not suitable for all situations however because: (1) It's physically big, (2) Doesn't pick up IR illumination, and (3) No varifocal available. With the more traditional cameras, the 5442 series with the 4 megapixel 1/1.8 sensor is the best all-around performer, and the best in night performance (significantly better than the 5231). Surprisingly to me, the 5842 series with the 8 megapixel 1/1.8 sensor is a pretty good night performer. Not quite as good as the 5442, but still a good step up from the 5231. I money were no object, I'd replace all of my 2 megapixel starlights with 5442s.

What model 5842 are you looking at? I see some are large bullet and some are the turret style that looks like the 5231.

Also, can you tell me what particular model 5442 you like...?

Okay, on further review, I just noticed a bunch of cam models in your signature....

 

[tigerwillow1]

For a side by side comparison of the 5442 and 5842, they were both the varifocal turrets (IPC-T5442T-ZE and IPC-T5842T-ZE). A nice thing about the 5442 varifocal, if it matters to you, is that it's available in black. My favorite 5442 is the fixed focal IPC-5442TM-AS, but for a reason most camera users don't care about, which is the IVS on the turrets senses only people and vehicles, and one of my major camera uses is to track animals on the property, so sadly, both of the varifocals are sitting unused. I do have a big sales pitch for the fixed focal 5442. Side by side with a 5231 varifocal at its maximum zoom, a digital zoomed 6mm 5442 covering the same field of view is pretty much equal quality during the day, and "beats the pants" off of the 5231 at night. If the 5231 isn't fully zoomed, my finding is that the 6mm 5442 give a sharper image in any lighting situation. And if you need a wider FOV, there are 2 other choices for the fixed focal 5442. The fixed focal 5442 is somewhat smaller than the varifocal.

 

[MacFun]

For a side by side comparison of the 5442 and 5842, they were both the varifocal turrets (IPC-T5442T-ZE and IPC-T5842T-ZE). A nice thing about the 5442 varifocal, if it matters to you, is that it's available in black. My favorite 5442 is the fixed focal IPC-5442TM-AS, but for a reason most camera users don't care about, which is the IVS on the turrets senses only people and vehicles, and one of my major camera uses is to track animals on the property, so sadly, both of the varifocals are sitting unused. I do have a big sales pitch for the fixed focal 5442. Side by side with a 5231 varifocal at its maximum zoom, a digital zoomed 6mm 5442 covering the same field of view is pretty much equal quality during the day, and "beats the pants" off of the 5231 at night. If the 5231 isn't fully zoomed, my finding is that the 6mm 5442 give a sharper image in any lighting situation. And if you need a wider FOV, there are 2 other choices for the fixed focal 5442. The fixed focal 5442 is somewhat smaller than the varifocal.

Thanks for that detailed response. Is the base plate mount on all 5442 and 5842 models the same as the 5231? If yes, then I would be able to swap cams around without having to unscrew that base plate on the soffit.

Looks like the IPC-T5442T-ZE has the door which makes it easy to get to the memory card, etc and that's a plus. Is there a picture quality benefit of the fixed focal length model like the IPC-5442TM-AS?

 

[bigredfish]

Generally speaking yes. Most fixed focus cameras have a better F-Stop than their VF brothers. The more you zoom with a VF generally the larger the F-Stop value and less light pickup. I showed this clearly on the 5442 fixed bullet vs the 5442 VF…. Now if I can just find that post….

That said, the 5442 VF will flat out amaze you compared to the 5231 series

 

[bigredfish]

Found the comparison, this is from 3 years ago. The 5442's were just out.
Review: Dahua HFW5442T-ASE 4MP Starlight+

Almost a year later, the first "Full Color" cams came out. This shows the 5442 "NI" full color version vs the fixed lens 5442 ASE from above.
Review: OEM IPC-B5442T-ASE-NI 4MP Pro AI Starlight Full-color Fixed Bullet

So regardless of the latest Dahua naming, in general for the 5442 series in order of low light performance

Std 5442-ASE VF
5442-ASE fixed
5442 Full Color NI (now the 5449 series)
And the more recent King the 5849 series

 

[MacFun]

Generally speaking yes. Most fixed focus cameras have a better F-Stop than their VF brothers. The more you zoom with a VF generally the larger the F-Stop value and less light pickup. I showed this clearly on the 5442 fixed bullet vs the 5442 VF…. Now if I can just find that post….

That said, the 5442 VF will flat out amaze you compared to the 5231 series

Yes, I knew if you were zoomed in on a Varifocal the low light performance would be diminished by having less light hit the sensor.

 

[IAmATeaf]

I’ve got all my cams mounted using Dahua pfa130 junction boxes. The 5231-ze and 5442-ze cams are exactly the same diameter as the junction box, the 5442-ase fixed lens is smaller but still can be mounted.