Unlike Lorex, Hikvision security camera products are available globally. However, for certain political reasons, your country probably bans hikvision and dahua products. What about lorex products when compared to hikvision as a replacement if Hikvision product is not available in the market.
In this article:
- Hikvision vs Lorex in General
- OEM Products
- Hikvision vs Lorex Dome Camera
- Hikvision vs Lorex Bullet Camera
- Hikvision vs Lorex PTZ Camera
- Hikvision vs Lorex 16 Channel Kits
Hikvision vs Lorex
In terms of the long experiences each of the vendor in the world of security cameras, Lorex is founded older than Hikvision. Lorex was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Ontario Canada, and offers more of their products to North America.
Compare this with Hikvision, which was founded in 2001 in Hangzhou China and now its products have spread to security camera markets almost all over the world. You can easily access the Hikvision global or local country website and can choose products from the low end value series to smart series and professional series products.
OEM products
Compared to Hikvision, Lorex products are widely available in the local market of the United States and Canada. Although genuine Hikvision products are rarely available in the market, Hikvision OEM products are widely available in the market and off course with cheaper price than the retail products.
How do the prices compare between these two brands, from two products that have almost the same specs and features? We will take several comparable camera models from these two vendors and discuss the spec and feature differences.
1. Hikvision vs Lorex Dome Camera
Let’s start from the dome model camera. We take one of the new released products from hikvision with the dome model, one of featured products Hikvision ds-2cd2785g0-izs and we compare it to one of the featured products from lorex namely Lorex lne8974bw. Please refer to table 1.
Frame rate
Both products provide the same resolution up to 4k, but the frame rate is different. Lorex frame rate @ 30 fps can only provide a resolution of up to 2k, while Hikvision can be up to 5mp @ 30 fps so it is better.
Night vision
One of the advantages of the nocturnal series lorex is color night vision (CNV), as long as there is ambient light this camera can reach up to 250ft distance. Hikvision can only be up to 100ft and not color night vision.
Pay attention to other differences that might be your consideration in choosing the one that suits your needs.
Table 1 Hikvision vs Lorex Dome camera
| Model | Hikvision ds-2cd2785g0-izs | Lorex lne8974bw |
| Resolution | Up to 3840 x 2160 @ 20 fps; 5mp @30 fps | 4K @ 15fps / 2K @ 30fps |
| Lens | Motorized varifocal 2.8mm ~ 12mm lens f1.4 | Motorized varifocal 2.8mm ~ 12mm lens f1.8 ~ f2.88 |
| Zoom | 4x optical zoom | 4x optical zoom, 16x digital zoom |
| Field of view angle | 112° (wide) to 46° (Tele) | 102° (wide) to 39° (Tele) |
| Night vision | Exir 2.0 range up to 100ft (30m) | 2pcs IR LEDs range up to 150ft (50m), up to 250ft (76m) ambient light in color (CNV) |
| Audio | Mono sound In/Out interface available 3.5mm | Built-in microphone for listen-in audio |
| Local Memory Storage | Built-in microSD/SDHC/SDXC slot, up to 128 GB | N/A |
| Housing | IP67, IK10 with material front cover: metal, bottom base: metal, bubble: plastic | IP67 with aluminum alloy housing |
| Price | $348.99 | $199.95 |
Note the price difference between hikvision and lorex dome 4k camera is very much, hikvision is tagged with more expensive price than Lorex with the advantages and disadvantages you can read from the above spec comparison table.
2. Hikvision vs Lorex Bullet Camera
The second model to compare is bullet model camera. Now we choose one of the featured products from lorex with a bullet model, we take Lorex lnb9272s and from hikvision we choose Hikvision ds-2cd2683g1-izs which is also a new product. From the price point of view it’s not too much difference, hikvision is still more expensive.
Look at table 2 below to see where the strengths and weaknesses of each product.
Resolution
In terms of frame rate, lorex is better @ 30 fps at 4k resolution, while hikvision can only be up to 15fps at the same resolution (4k). At speed @ 30 fps hikvision can only provide resolutions up to 3MP.
Long range night vision
The advantage of Lorex here is in the range of color night vision up to 400ft in ambient light, compare hikvision which can only be up to 165 ft. Lorex lnb9272 is indeed one of lorex nocturnal cameras series specifically designed for good nighttime performance or low light capabilities.
On the other hand hikvision has the advantage of a two-way audio interface, lorex does not have audio function.
Table 2. Hikvision vs Lorex Bullet model
| Model | Hikvision ds-2cd2683g1-izs | Lorex lnb9272s nocturnal series |
| Resolution | 4k(3840×2160) @15 fps | 4k (8mp) @30 fps |
| Lens | Motorized varifocal lens 2.8~12mm f1.6 ½.5” Progressive scan CMOS | Motorized varifocal lens 2.8~12mm f1.8~f2.5 Sony Exmor R CMOS sensor |
| Zoom | 4x optical zoom | 4.4x optical zoom |
| Field of view angle | 105° (wide) to 34° (Tele) | 102° (wide) to 39° (Tele) |
| Night vision | Exir 2.0 IR LED 850nm ~165ft (50m) | ~400ft (122m) in ambient light with color night vision |
| Audio | In/Out interface mono sound and alarm In/Out | N/A |
| Local Memory Storage | Built-in microSD/SDHC/SDXC slot, up to 128 GB | N/A |
| Housing | IP67 with metal housing | IP67 with aluminum alloy |
| Price | $330.71 | $299.95 |
See here that the price difference is not too much, Hikvision is around $30 more expensive than lorex. The current price may be different, higher or dropped depends on the market response.
3. Hikvision vs Lorex PTZ Camera
Business-class PTZ cameras are among the most expensive cameras, considering the complicated mechanical system in capabilities of panning, tilting, optical zooming, patrol system, and many software features besides the complexity of the mechanical system.
This time we take one of the featured products from lorex, lnz44p12b, and from hikvision we take one of the newly release products as well, Hikvision ds-2de4a425iw-de. Take a look at the comparison of hikvision vs lorex products in table 3 below.
Camera lens
In terms of the varifocal lens used clearly hikvision is far superior with 25x optical zoom, compared with lorex which can only be up to 12x optical zoom, half of hikvision. However, lorex frame rate is 4k @ 30 fps real time, while hikvision is 4k @ 25 fps. Not really feel the actual performance different in viewing the video.
Long distance night vision
Lorex performance is very good in night vision with color and long distance night vision, good for industrial plants, parking environments, airports, marine and mining projects etc.
Protection
Another advantage of hikvision is in terms of protection for outdoor needs and lightning protection things like TVS 4,000 V lightning protection, surge protection, and voltage transient protection. While lorex is only limited to weatherproof protection.
Another advantage of this hikvision is panning speed that can be up to 300 degree / s, compared with lorex which is only up to 200 degree /second.
Table 3. Hikvision vs lorex ptz camera
| Model | Hikvision ds-2de4a425iw-de | Lorex lnz44p12b |
| Resolution | 2k (2,560×1,440) @25 fps | 4mp / 2k(2592×1520) @30 fps |
| Lens | ½.5” progressive scan CMOS 4.8mm~120mm f1.6~f3.5 | 1/3” motorized varifocal lens CMOS 5.3mm~64mm f1.6~f4.4 |
| Zoom | 25x optical zoom; 16x digital zoom | 12x optical zoom, 16x digital zoom |
| Field of view angle | 57.6° (wide) to 2.5° (Tele) | 54.7°(wide) ~4.54° (Tele) |
| Night vision | Smart IR ~165ft (50m) | ~330ft (100m) total darkness, color night vision in ambient light |
| Audio | Audio Interface: 1-ch audio In and 1-ch audio Out Alarm Interface: 2-ch alarm In and 2-ch alarm Out | N/A |
| Local Memory Storage | Built-in memory card slot, supports microSD/SDHC/SDXC, up to 256 GB | N/A |
| PTZ | 360 degree endless, panning speed ~300degree /s; tilting -5~90 degree; speed ~160 degree/s | 360 degree endless; -15~90 degree tilting, panning / tilting speed 200 degree/s |
| Housing | IP66 standard, TVS 4,000 V lightning protection, surge protection, and voltage transient protection | IP66 rated |
| Price | $605.70 | $474.95 |
In terms of protection and optical zoom, hikvision is far superior to lorex, so the price difference is comparable to superior features.
4. Hikvision 16CH Kits vs Lorex
Hikvision doesn’t offer many products in a bundle kit, unlike Lorex and some other vendors such as GW security and Reolink, so you need to make such an assessment of what your business needs to be able to choose the appropriate recorder unit and appropriate add-on cameras.
This time we take one of the security kits offered directly from the Hikvision in value series and take one of comparable kits from Lorex.
Hikvision Kit
In this security kit Hikvision offers bundle that consists of ERI-K216-P16 16 channel 4k NVR system plus 12pcs of Hikvision ECI-T24F2 4MP turret model outdoor POE cameras. There are still four more Onvif compliant security cameras you may connect to the NVR unit when you require more up to 4k security cameras in the future. However, the NVR unit doesn’t come with preinstalled hard disk storage, you need to purchase separate hard disks up to 12TB capacity.
Lorex Kit
On the other hand, we take one of Lorex 4k active deterrent kit that consists of 16 channel NVR system with preinstalled 3TB hard disk plus 8pcs smart deterrent cameras. You still have 8pcs more POE cameras up to 4k resolution to add to the recorder unit, either Lorex cameras or any third party Onvif security cameras.
NVR system
Take a look at table 4 below which gives you specs comparison between Lorex NVR system and Hikvision. Both NVR unit models are technically the same spec, differing only slightly between the maximum hard disk capacity, and the compression format on Hikvision that can support up to H.265+ format compared to Lorex which is only up to H.265 format, of course more efficient storage with H .265+. See also lorex fusion nvr system kits, new version of lorex fusion collection.
Table 4 Lorex 16 channel NVR vs Hikvision
| Recording model | Hikvision Eki-K164d412 | Lorex N862 Fusion Series |
| # Channel | 16 channel with built-in 16-port POE switch | 16 channel with built-in 16-port POE interfaces |
| Compression format | H.265+/ H.265/ H.264+/ H.264/ MPEG | H.265 / H.264 |
| Resolution | Up to 8MP | 4K (8MP)/5MP /3MP / 1080p /720p 4K@15fps; 5MP@30fps; 1080p@30fps; 720p@30fps |
| Storage | Up to 2 SATA Interfaces 6TB each disk (maximum total storage 12TB) | 2 bays 2 SATA 8TB each drive (total maximum 16TB) Pre-installed 3TB Hard disk |
| Video output | 1x HDMI Output up to 1080p (1920 x 1080p) 1x VGA Output up to 1080p | 1x HDMI 1x VGA |
| Incoming bandwidth | Up to 160Mbps | 200Mbps |
| Playback | Synchronous Playback 16-ch; Capability 1-ch @ 8 MP / 4-ch @ 1080p | Up to 4ch @4K 15fps |
Security cameras
The main difference between these two camera models is the maximum resolution where Hikvision ECI-T24F2 security camera is only up to 4MP while Lorex E892DD has maximum resolution up to 4k (8MP) which is twice as high resolution as Hikvision.
In addition, Lorex E892DD cameras are equipped with spotlights and sirens that work as active deterrent features that can prevent intruders from committing further criminal acts, at least discouraging further get into your property. This active deterrent feature is not owned by the Hikvision camera in this kit.
Moreover, Lorex E892DD features two way communications, it’s a great feature when you need to communicate in two directions with someone who enters your property, and this camera also has smart human and vehicle detection features that can reduce false alerts.
Table 5. Hikvision vs Lorex security cameras
| Camera model | Hikvision ECI-T24F2 | Lorex E892DD |
| Image sensor | 1/3” (4 MP) progressive scan CMOS | 8MP/4K 1/2.8″ CMOS |
| Minimum illumination | Color: 0.15 lux @ (ƒ/2.0, AGC on); 0.03 lux @ (ƒ/2.0, AGC on), 0 lux with IR | Unspecified |
| Camera Lens | 2.8 mm Fixed lens, Maximum aperture ƒ/2.0 | 2.8mm F2.0/ Fixed lens |
| Field of view angle | Horizontal 100°, vertical 55°, diagonal 117° | Horizontal 108° |
| WDR | Digital WDR | Unknown |
| Resolution | 4MP (2560 × 1440) @20 fps | 4K(8MP)@15fps, 5MP@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@30fps |
| Night vision | IR Range Up to 100 ft (30 m)/ 850nm | Night vision with IR range 150ft (45m)/ 98ft (30m) / color night vision with spotlights |
| Compatibility | Onvif (Profile S, Profile G), Isapi | Onvif |
| Power | 12 VDC ±25%, 5.5 mm; PoE (802.3af, class 3) | PoE (Power over Ethernet Class -802.3af)/12V DC |
| Smart features | Motion detection | Human and vehicle detection, face detection, object missing or left behind |
| Housing protection | IP67 weatherproof with metal and plastic body construction | IP67 weatherproof with aluminum housing |
| Audio | N/A | Two way audio with built-in speaker and microphone |
| Spotlights | N/A | Yes, Dual motion-activated LED with sirens |
| Number of cameras in the kit | 12pcs cameras | 8cps cameras |
| Price in Amazon | $1,799.99 (NVR + 12pcs 4mp outdoor cameras, No Hard disk) | $1,299.99 (NVR + 3TB HDD + 8pcs 4k outdoor poe cameras) |
With Hikvision kit you need to buy a hard disk, for example 3TB (around $ 82) to match the one at Lorex so the price of Hikvision 16-channel security camera kit here is around $ 1,882.0.
While with Lorex if you need to add 4pcs more security cameras, then you need to spend around $ 756.0 ($ 189 / unit), so the total price for Lorex 16-channel security camera kit will be around $ 2,055.0. So the price difference between the two kits is around $ 173.
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Related products
Reolink products are tagged with lower price than Lorex, like Lorex which is also tagged with lower price than Hikvision. See also comparison products between Dahua vs reolink vs hikvision varifocal cameras. You may also like to see new kits offered by Reolink, the Reolink 36 channel Kits.