Which Starlight Model?

[Remington19]

From searching the forums, it appears the Dahua Starlight cameras are highly recommended for all around performance. Is there a specific model # that is recommended as well or is goal specific?

 

[SouthernYankee]

read the reviews on the forum for dahua cameras.

IPC-HDW2231R-ZS
IPC-HDW5231-ZE

 

[aristobrat]

Is there a specific model # that is recommended as well or is goal specific?

IMO the two models @SouthernYankee mentioned are the two most popular because they have a varifocal lens that makes they pretty versatile in many situations. Since you can zoom those lens in, this lets the camera be further away from the action and still able to get a good shot.

For porches/patios, this smaller mini-dome wedge model often gets used:
Front door ID camera IPC-HDBW4231F?

There's a bullet model with more zoom that's been popular with folks who are trying to capture license plates (LPR).

A month or two ago Dahua came out with some new Starlight+ models. They're new and haven't gotten as much traction yet as the 2MP Starlight models, so IMO the jury is still a bit out on them. Unfortunately, none of the new models are varifocal turrets (which IMO is the most popular style), so that's not working in their favor.

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

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

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

 

[SkyLake]

For a small footprint Starlight with PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom), there is also the Dahua SD1A203T-GN.

The HDW5231R-ZE is a really good one in my opinion. If you go Starlight, then i would recommend the 2MP ones, as the higher megapixel Starlights don't perform as good at night as the 2MP ones.

Dahua has a wide scala of Starlight camera's.