Meet the contenders at this year’s SecTech Camera Shootout where we’ll test the best CCTV cameras in the business across 3 categories, Best Lowlight/All-Rounder, Best Compact Entry Dome and Best 4K/5MP Plus in low light, backlight and IR light, paying special attention to motion blur.
SECTECH Roadshow’s Camera Shootout (pre-register now and get free parking!) is a chance for manufacturers and distributors to show installers, integrators, end users and consultants just how good their cameras are in objective applications. We’re going to be looking at performance in typical light, with back light, in low light and with external IR in all 3 categories.
At all times we’ll be paying attention to key parameters like motion blur, colour rendition, contrast, sharpness, flare and ghosting, latency, ISO noise and noise suppression and rebuild artefacts. We’re especially interested in motion blur in unassisted low light given blur plays such an important role in denying face recognition, LPR and identification of moving vehicles. Now we know what we’ll be testing for at SecTech’s Camera Shootout, let’s meet the contenders!
Best Lowlight/All Rounder
Bosch NBN-71013-B
The 60ips Bosch NBN-71013-B DINION IP starlight 7000 HD Day/Night full body network camera features 720p resolution from its 1.4MP 1/3?inch 1312 x 1069 CMOS sensor. Dynamic range is 84dB, WDR is 100dB and with a fast F1.2 aperture, the camera is claimed to offer colour performance at 0.017 lux and monochrome performance at 0.0057 lux.
Panasonic SPN631
Panasonic SPN631 offers 1080p Full HD/720p HD images at to 60 fps from its MOS sensor. There’s high sensitivity with Day/Night (IR) function and 0.04 lx (Color), 0.01 lx (B/W) at F1.4. Enhanced Super Dynamic and ABS (Adaptive Black Stretch) technologies deliver 133 dB wider dynamic range compared to conventional cameras. The cameras offers multiple H.264 (high profile) streams (max 4 streams) and JPEG streams.
Axis Q1615
AXIS Q1615 is a 1080p HD camera which delivers streams at up to 50fps. The camera uses a 1/2.8-inch CMOS sensor, and video is compressed using H.264 (baseline, main or high profile) or Motion-JPEG. Low light sensitivity is claimed to be 0.36 lux (F1.3) at 50fps, or 0.18 lux (F1.3) at 25fps. The camera includes Lightfinder technology as well as all Axis noise reduction goodies.
Hikvision DS-2CD4026FWD-A Darkfighter
Hikvision DarkFighter is a full body camera featuring a 1/1.9-inch 2MP progressive scan CMOS image sensors, full HD 1080p video at up to 60 fps, triple video streams, 3D DNR and 120dB WDR. Low light performance is claimed to be 0.005Lux at F1.65 in colour.
Vivotek IP9181-H
VIVOTEK’s IP9181-H is a new professional H.265 box network camera offering up to 30 fps @ 5-Megapixel or 60 fps @ 1080p. Combining both H.265 and Smart Stream II, the IP9181-H can reduce both bandwidth and storage consumption by up to 80 per cent. The camera has 1/1.8-inch progressive CMOS sensor, 30 fps @ 2560 x 1920 and 60 fps @ 1920×1080 resolutions, digital image stabilization, Smart Stream II to optimize bandwidth efficiency, WDR Pro and remote back focus.
Dahua IPC-HF8281E Starlight
Dahua Starlight camera is a full body camera with 1/1.9-inch 2MP progressive scan Exmor R CMOS sensor, said to offer low light performance in colour at 0.002 lux in black and white at 0.0002 lux. This camera can deliver 1080p @ 60fps with WDR up to 120dB and also supports smart detection and intelligent functions.
Uniview IPX542E-DUG Starlight
Uniview IPC542E-DUG Starlight 2MP full body day/night camera has a 1/1.9-inch progressive scan CMOS sensor. Low light performance in colour is claimed to be 0.002 lux (starlight on a clear night) and an optimistic 0.0002 lux in monochrome – both at very wide apertures of F1.2, 50IRE and probably the slowest shutter setting of 1/6th of a second. There’s WDR of 120dB and signal-to-noise ratio of around 52dB.
Dallmeier DF5200HD DN
Dallmeier’s DF5200HD DN is a full body 2MP IP camera featuring a 1/1.9-inch CMOS sensor and up to 120ips frame rate. This PoE camera has a motorised 4.5-10mm varifocal lens, and a claimed minimum scene illumination number of 0.002 lux.
Canon VB-M50B
Canon’s VB-M50B IP PTZ has an aspherical and UD-distortion suppression lens with a large aperture ratio ranging from F1.8 (W) to F2.4 (T) that gives 5x optical zoom and a focal length of 88.5mm. There’s a DIGIC DV III image processor. Minimum scene illumination is .04 lux in colour and .009 in monochrome. with a considerable optical zoom capability due to a “Tele” focal length range of 88.5mm, make this camera ideal for long-range low-light applications. There’s enhanced Clear IR mode and Motion Adaptive Noise Reduction.
Sony SNC-VB770
Sony’s newest 4K network camera, model SNC-VB770, offers low light performance under 0.004 lux thanks to an enormous ISO 409,600. The new model combines ultra-high sensitivity with 4K resolution and advanced networking capabilities to give video professionals more flexibility to capture details even in extreme low-light conditions. The new SNC-VB770 camera achieves high resolution and sensitivity, in addition to low noise due to its image processing and full-frame 35mm Exmor sensor.
CANON will show it’s ME20F-SH full frame 2.26MP 1080p multipurpose camera with an ISO of 4,560,000, in Sydney only. The ME20F-SH sensor has 2.26 million 19-micron pixels – 5.5x larger than those on high-end DSLRs. Minimum subject illumination is claimed to be less than 0.0005 lux at 75dB gain setting. The camera delivers 1080/60p/30p/24p (and PAL equivalent) video. Canon Log and Wide DR modes are available for capturing a wide dynamic range.
Best Compact Entry Dome
Bosch Flexidome NUC-51022-F2
Bosch’s FLEXIDOME IP micro 5000 HD NUC-51022-F2 is a vandal-resistant Day/Night outdoor dome camera with an F2.8, 2.5mm fixed lens. The FLEXIDOME IP micro 5000 HD offers IP66 rating, IDNR, ROI, tamper/motion detection, 3-axis adjustment, cloud services, free viewing apps and 1080p resolution.
Panasonic Mini dome: SFN130
The Panasonic SFN130 mini dome delivers full HD 1080p image streams at 30ips and its Super Dynamic and ABS (Adaptive Black Stretch) technologies deliver 122dB wider dynamic range compared to conventional cameras. Day/Night (Electrical) function gives minimum scene illumination of 0.1 lux (Colour) and 0.08 lux (B/W) at F2.3. There’s VIQS, smart coding GOP control, 3D-MNR and FDF.
Axis M Series
AXIS M30 Series offers HD image quality, wide dynamic range (WDR) technology to adapt Zipstream technology to reduce storage and bandwidth requirements. These fixed focal length cameras can be mounted on walls or ceilings and levelled and directed in any direction using a 3-axis camera angle adjustment. M30 Series cameras provide multiple, individually configurable H.264 and Motion JPEG video streams. They offer video motion detection and active tampering alarm, IVA and Corridor Format. These cameras have an Ethernet connector for network connectivity as well as power (PoE) and an integrated MicroSD/microSDHC memory card slot for edge storage applications.
Hikvision DS-2CD2342WD-I
Hikvision’s DS-2CD2342WD-I offers 4MP resolution from its 1/2.8-inch sensor, giving 2688 x 1520 pixels at 20 fps and 1080p or 720p at 30ips. The camera has a fixed 4mm lens, 30m IR and dual-stream H.264/MJPEG.
Dahua IPC-HDBW2220R-ZS
Dahua’s IPC-HDBW2220R-ZS compact entry dome camera has 1/2.8” 2MP progressive scan CMOS sensor with 2.7~12mm
motorised zoom lens. The camera's maximum IR distance is 30m. It provides excellent Day&Night performance. This camera also supports DWDR, 3DNR, AWB, AGC, BLC functions etc.
Canon VB-H630D
Canon’s VB-H630D has a 1/3-inch progressive-scan CMOS image sensor offering 1080p 1920 x 1080 resolution at 30fps, a 2.8-8.4 mm, f/1.2-2.0 varifocal lens, DNR, Smart Shade, exposure compensation, digital and audio inputs/outputs motorized zoom, focus, pan, tilt with presets and guard tours.
Best 4K/5MP – this category includes MP cameras of 5MP or higher
Bosch NBN-80122-CA
The Bosch NBN-80122-CA DINION IP ultra 8000 MP is a 12MP box camera for intelligent 4K UHD surveillance. It’s PoE and there’s IAE; IDNR; ROI (E-PTZ); IVA; H.264 quad-streaming; free viewing apps; cloud services; audio/motion detection, motorized auto-focus, 12MP at 20 fps and 4K UHD at 30 fps. The camera offers a wide-angle overview and multiple focus points on a single screen so now you can focus on details without losing the bigger picture.
Panasonic 4K: SPV781L
Panasonic’s WV-SPV781L 4K fixed bullet camera has a progressive scan 1/1.7-inch MOS image sensor offering 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) at up to 30ips and 4000 x 3000 pixels at 15ips. The camera has a varifocal f1.6 lens with a 4.2mm-25.2mm range, 30 metre IR, Rainwash coating, IP66, NEMA 4X and IK10 ratings, 6x optical and 1x, 2x and 4x digital zoom, Smart Depth of Field and 3D Digital Noise Reduction.
Axis Q6128-E
Axis Q6128-E has a 1/2.3-inch progressive CMOS image sensor, 4K video resolution @ 25/30 fps, 3.9-46.8mm varifocal lens, 70.7 to 6.2-degree horizontal angle of view, 360-degree pan, 20-degree to 90-degree tilt, 12x optical and digital zoom, H.264 and MJPEG video compression, supports for SDXC memory card, IK08, IP66, and NEMA 4X-Rated and ONVIF Profile S compliant.
Hikvision DS-2CD4A85f-IZHS 4K Bullet
The Hikvision DS-2CD4A85f-IZHS 4K Bullet features a 1/1.7-inch progressive scan CMOS sensor delivering 4096 × 2160-pixel image streams at 22fps, slow shutter option, DWDR, 3D digital noise reduction, up to 50m IR range, motorized lens with Smart Focus. There’s a built-in heater, audio/alarm IO, support for 128G on-board storage, DC12V or PoE power and an IP67 rating.
VIVOTEK IB9381-EHT
VIVOTEK's 5MP IB9381-HT and IB9381-EHT is an outdoor bullet delivering 30 fps @ 5MP and 60 fps @ 1080p. Combining both H.265 and Smart Stream II, the IB9381-HT and IB9381-EHT reduce bandwidth and storage up to 80 percent. There’s 30m IR, WDR Pro, weather-proof IP66-rated and vandal-proof IK10-rated metal housing.
Dahua IPC-HF81230E
Dahua IPC-HF81230E Ultra HD 4K camera is a full body camera with 1/1.7-inch 12MP progressive scan Exmor R CMOS sensor that supports H.265 and H.264 encoding, providing high definition image streams with low bit rates. This camera supports Defog, ROI(Region of Interest), EIS functions, etc. It also supports smart detection with digital object tracking and intelligent functions such as people counting and heat map.
Uniview IPC6248SR-X22 PTZ
Uniview IPC6248SR-X22 4K 22x IR PTZ features a 1/1.7-inch progressive scan, 12MP, CMOS sensor, remote focus and zoom (6.5-143 mm for 22x optical zoom), auto/manual, F1.5 ~ F3.4 iris, auto/manual, shutter time 1/6 s-1/8000 s, minimum illumination in colour of 0.02 lux (F1.5, 50IRE) and 0 lux in monochrome with IR, >55dB S/N ratio, Day/Night, H.264 compression and 12 megapixel (4000 x 3000) at 20 fps and 4K (3840 x 2160) at 30 fps.
Dallmeier DF5300 3K (6MP)
Dallmeier DF5300 3K (6MP) delivers 3072 x 1728 @ 25/30 fps, 1080p @ 50/60 fps and 720p @ 120 fps. There’s a motor-driven lens, a wide dynamic range, day/night with ICR, low-light, P-iris control and PoE (Class 0).
Samsung 5MP SNO-8081R bullet – Sydney only
Samsung’s 5MP SNO-8081R bullet incorporates a 1/1.8-inch CMOS sensor, a 3.6-9.4mm, f1.3 motorized varifocal lens with auto-focus, 120dB WDR, integrated IR to assist in low light applications and a resolution of 2592 x 1944 pixels. This camera offers colour images at 0.12Lux and delivers monochrome images under integrated IR at 0 lux. Frame rate is 30ips in H.265/H.264/MJPEG, there’s simple focus, P-Iris, tampering, audio detection, SD/SDHC/SDXC memory slot, NAS, local PC support, hallway view (rotate 90 degrees or 270 degrees), lens distortion correction and IP66/IK10 ratings against environment and vandalism.
VMS, monitor, lighting and test targets
At SecTech Camera Shootout we are using a 65-inch Sony Bravia X85 4K monitor, Genetec VMS server and workstation, a Juniper Gigabit Switch, a Raytec VAR-i2-1 with 120-degree lens for IR, the Norman target for contrast, sharpness, colour rendition and LPR and the Rotakin target for motion blur.
This year’s SecTech Roadshow Camera Shootout is a very big deal. We are looking at 24 cameras across 3 key categories, including best low light/all round, best compact entry and best 4K. We have the latest 4K release from Sony, the latest low light PTZ from Canon, as well as Canon’s amazing 4.6 million ISO ME20F-SH 1080 all-purpose camera putting in a once-only appearance in Sydney. SecTech Roadshow Camera Shootout is not to be missed. Register by clicking here right now for free parking and to see the best new electronic security tech from our roadies, as well watching the best CCTV cameras on the market today going head to head in your home town! ♦
