Will Lowering a 4K Camera to 2MP Help Night Time Videos?

[archedraft]

I have a 4K camera that I use for an overview of my yard. As the Cliff Notes clearly spell out multiple times, the night time video is very poor when compared to my Dahua 2 MP Starlight cameras. The specifications say this 4K camera has a 1/2.3″ sensor. That left me wondering if lowering the resolution to 2MP would produce a better night time video? I believe I read that the more pixels the larger sensor you need get light in.

 

[wittaj]

No it will not as the "pixel" screen on the sensor is fixed with enough holes to produce a 4k image, whereas a 2 MP camera has a "pixel" screen on the sensor with enough holes to produce a 2MP image. So even if you force a 4k camera to 2MP resolution, the physical sensor doesn't change so it still needs the additional light.

 

[Frankenscript]

No, the sensor is actually the limiting factor here. Higher res sensors collect less light per sensor element; sitting the camera to emulate a lower res camera doesn't change it.

Add light or swap camera for a more sensitive lower res one.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

 

[archedraft]

Thanks, I figured it wasn't going to be that easy.

 

[wittaj]

Would be nice if it were!

 

[archedraft]

No, the sensor is actually the limiting factor here. Higher res sensors collect less light per sensor element; sitting the camera to emulate a lower res camera doesn't change it.

Add light or swap camera for a more sensitive lower res one.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

I am planning on moving it to another location with a much better light source hopefully this week. It currently is in a good spot for my new LPR camera I pick up from Andy during his Black Friday Sale