Lots of PTZ HD camera avaialble in the market, ranging from standard to high busines grade model.
What PTZ camera Does?
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, the best ptz poe camera offered by each of the vendors which mostly featuring optical zoom in addition of digital zoom.
1. Reolink RLC-423
Reolink RLC-423 is best ptz HD camera offered by Reolink, it’s a dome 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
Cons
- not Onvif, connect to Reolink only
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
Cons
- Limited to 1080p, you may try the newer model Amcrest ip4m-1053 with 4mp @30 fps. IP4m-1053 is the best ptz poe camera offered by Amcrest
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 one of best ptz hd camera with bet value 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.
