Popular PTZ HD POE Camera

What we can do with a PTZ camera?

With Pan-tilt-pan (PTZ) camera you can control remotely the way you direct the camera, panning horizontally, tilting vertically and zooming. This is a good thing used in a professional TV studio thing like a camera robotic in recording the events.

High resolution

Now, PTZ camera would be ideal if it can produce high quality image and video when you perform zoom in the maximum zoom the camera can perform, so that’s why you need a PTZ camera with high definition (HD) resolution, high resolution like those 5MP IP security cameras can produce.

With PTZ HD camera the result detail is clear with maximum zoom, especially when your camera featuring optical zoom. Generally with digital zoom the quality of the image detail is noisy, but with optical zoom the result detail is still clear and noisy can be reduced significantly. Assure that your PTZ camera featuring optical zoom.

See also comparison between Reolink vs Lorex POE cameras and also Hikvision vs lorex outdoor cameras.

POE camera

PTZ camera is typically positioned in the height such as in ceiling or in the top of a tower, so you can monitor and record the coverage area by controlling the PTZ from the palm of your hand with your mobile devices. New generations of PTZ camera can be controlled remotely through the cloud via your mobile devices.

Setting up the camera on the height is typically more difficult particularly with the hassle of cabling installation. So that’s why the camera with POE (Power over Ethernet) feature is preferable, running with only one single CAT5e network cable for both video data and power. With PTZ POE camera setting up is plug and play, easy to setup and can connect to your existing NVR system such as GW and LaView 16 channel camera NVR system.

Most popular models

The following lists some of popular high performance PTZ HD camera from different vendors which mostly featuring optical zoom in addition of digital zoom.

1. Reolink RLC-423

Reolink RLC-423 is dome model PTZ HD camera that capable of recording the video up to 4MP (2560 x 1440 pixels), and this camera is also featuring POE to help you reduce the hassle of cabling setup. It supports ONVIF so you can connect to any ONVIF compliant NVR systems such as 32 channel NVR by GW and Q-see. You can control the camera remotely to panning 360 degree horizontally endless, and tilting vertically up to 90 degree. In addition, the camera features motorized zoom lens with optical zoom up to 4x.

Main features

• Record up to 5MP (3072×1728 pixels) @20 fps super HD resolution for high quality image details
• Motorized zoom lens 2.8 ~ 12 mm auto-focus with 4x optical zoom
• Panning endless 360 degree horizontally, tilting up to 90 degree vertically
• Supports POE for easy installation, just plug and play
• ONVIF support for various models of software and apps including Blue Iris, Milestone and still more
• Night vision with 6 LEDs to range distance up to 190 ft (60 meters)
• IP66 weatherproof

This is one of affordable PTZ POE camera available in the market with the price around $270. Compare with the other two following cameras and see more details technical specs in the link below.

Click for Reolink RLC-423 PTZ camera spec details and current price

2. Amcrest IP2M-853ew

Unlike Reolink RLC-423 which is designed with high resolution up to 5mp @20 fps, Amcrest ip2m-853ew is not that high. This product is engineered up to only 1080p resolution @30 fps, however you can reach longer distance object to capture sharper and more detail with its feature of 12x optical zoom. In addition, Amcrest offers another 16x digital zoom for total of up to 28x zoom in to reach longer distance object more detail.

Highlights

• Full HD 1080p resolution @30 fps
• Clear detail Sony STARVIS CMOS IMX290 2MP image sensor and Ambarella Chipset S3L55M
• Varifocal lens 5.4mm ~ 64.0mm
• 12x optical motorized zoom plus 16x digital zoom
• Night vision with 6pcs IR LEDs range up to 328 ft(100m)
• Micro SD Card up to 128GB, NAS, NVR and cloud services

If you compare with Reolink regarding the price, Amcrest is tagged around $50 more expensive. How good is the features compared with Reolink you may read more details the spec differences from the following table 1 comparison table.

Click here to learn more details Amcrest ip2m-853ew

See that the main difference is the more optical zoom offered by Amcrest which is 12x plus 16x digital zoom and longer distance night vision feature.

Table 1 Reolink vs Amcrest

Model	Reolink RLC-423	Amcrest IP2m-853ew
Resolution	4MP(2560*1440) / 3MP(2048*1536) / 1080P(1920*1080) @20 fps	2mp (1920*1080) @30 fps
Lens	1/3″ 4 Megapixel CMOS   focal length = 2.8 ~ 12.0 mm motorized	Sony STARVIS CMOS IMX290 2MP image sensor and Ambarella Chipset S3L55M; 5.4mm ~ 64.0mm
Field of view	98 degree ~33 degree	Unspecified
Zoom	4x optical zoom   Unspecified digital zoom	12x optical motorized zoom and 16x digital zoom
Panning & Tilting	Panning horizontally endless 360 degree   Tilting vertically 10 ~ 90 degree	Complete 360° Pan, 90° tilt with auto-flip at 180°
Night vision	6 pcs IR LEDs up to 190ft (60 meters) distance with day-night sensor	Up to 328ft (6 IR LEDs)
Audio	1x Audio in Port/RCA
Outdoor	Yes, IP66	IP66 weatherproof
Software & app	Reolink Mobile App and Client Software – easy to install QR code scan support	Amcrest View Pro app allows you to receive text and email notifications whenever motion is detected
Storage	NAS and other network storage   No internal SD card	MicroSD Card up to 128GB; Local PC; NAS System; Amcrest Cloud (optional)
POE	Yes	Yes,
Onvif	Yes, ONVIF v2.1	Yes
Price (Jul 2018)	$249.99	$299.99

3. Dahua SD59430

You might thing that 12x optical zoom is not enough for your business requirement, you may require more image detail with larger image detail to view. Dahua SD59430 is introduced to meet your business requirement with 30x optical motorized zoom.  See also Imporx auto tracking with 30x optical zoom.

This product comes with higher resolution up to 4MP @30 fps, faster frame rate than Reolink offers which is only @20 fps.

Highlights

• Up to 4mp @ 30 fps or higher rate up to 60 fps
• 265 compression technology
• Varifocal lens 4.5~135mm
• 30x optical motorized zoom plus 16x digital zoom
• High speed ~300 degree/s panning
• 4pcs IR LEDs night vision range up to 329 ft(100m)
• IP66 rated weatherproof with defog function
• Local memory storage micro SD Card up to 128GB

If you compare Dahua SD59430 with Amcrest ip2m-853 you can find that Dahua is an Auto Tracking PTZ camera.

Click here to learn more detail Dahua SD59430 Auto Tracking

This product is tagged with more than twice the price tagged by Amcrest ip2m-853, the Dahua SD59430 Auto Tracking is tagged with the price around $689.0

Take a look at the following spec comparison table for Amcrest vs Dahua head to head spec comparison table.

See that Dahua is superior in higher resolution with higher frame rate capability, longer distance object detail with 30x optical zoom and more.

Table 2 Amcrest vs Dahua

Model	Amcrest IP2m-853ew	Dahua SD59430 Auto Tracking
Resolution	2mp (1920*1080) @30 fps	H.265 Encoding, Max. 25/30fps @4M/3M, 25/30/50/60fps @1080P with H.265 support
Lens	Sony STARVIS CMOS IMX290 2MP image sensor and Ambarella Chipset S3L55M; 5.4mm ~ 64.0mm	1/3” 4mp CMOS with focal length: 4.5mm~135mm
Field of view	Unspecified	2.2 ~ 60 degree
Zoom	12x optical motorized zoom and 16x digital zoom	30x optical motorized zoom and 16x digital zoom
Panning & Tilting	Complete 360° Pan, 90° tilt with auto-flip at 180°	Pan/Tilt Range: Pan: 0° ~ 360° endless; Tilt: -15° ~ 90°,auto flip 180°   Manual Control Speed: Pan: 0.1° ~300° /s; Tilt: 0.1° ~200° /s
Night vision	Up to 328ft (6 IR LEDs)	Yes, 4x IR LEDs range up to 329 feet (100m) at night even in ultra-low light
Audio	N/A	In/Out audio interface
Outdoor	IP66 weatherproof	Yes, IP66 with defog supports
Software & app	Amcrest View Pro app allows you to receive text and email notifications whenever motion is detected	Smart PSS, DSS   Smart Phone IOS, Android
Storage	MicroSD Card up to 128GB; Local PC; NAS System; Amcrest Cloud (optional)	NAS (Network Attached Storage),Local PC for   instant recording, Micro SD card 128GB
POE	Yes,	Yes, PoE+(802.3at)
Onvif	Yes	Yes
Price (Jul 2018)	$299.99	$688.99

Now, another best value auto tracking PTZ camera product with best price below:

4. WGCC 2MP Auto Tracking

All the above POE PTZ HD Cameras are those you might be familiar with the brand. What about this WGCC mini dome camera? Probably you are not familiar. WGCC ptz camera is tagged with cheaper price but it has rich features, it is an auto tracking camera.

WGCC camera is a made in China product with rich features including auto tracking, 18x optical zoom, long distance license plate view up to 1,640ft (500m) away, IR range up to 328ft (100m), high speed panning ~280 degree /s and up to 255 presets.

You may compare it with other auto tracking PTZ cameras in the market such as Hikvision DS-2DF5286-AEL or another China product Imporx 30x Auto Tracking Camera.

Highlights

• High speed auto tracking PTZ camera
• 2MP full HD resolution @30 fps
• Varifocal lens 4.7~94mm with 18x optical motorized zoom
• IR LEDs night vision distance up to 100 meters (328ft)
• Local SD Card storage up to 32/64GB
• Supported Audio, support Privacy Masking, support WDR
• Automatic Flip: Can Open and Close with 4.5” double housing

This product is tagged with lower price compared with others, $290.00 in Amazon. Generally the price is dropped by time. Click below to see current price in Amazon.

Click here for WGCC auto tracking PTZ camera

Summary

For small business, Reolink RLC-423 PTZ camera is appropriate. For better performance Amcrest ip2m-853 should be suitable to meet your business with 12x optical zoom. For larger business and large area to cover, Dahua would be the best solution with 30x optical zoom and high resolution 4MP @30 fps. And the lower price is offered by WGCC auto tracking PTZ Camera.