Does Axis Overall Capabilities Justify Its Higher Price Vs Hikvision?

Yes, Axis firmware is better than HikVision, more stable, more features, works with more VMS’s and better support in the event something doesn’t quite work. In my experience the mid range Axis P series is maybe 15-20% more expensive than Hikvision equilivant products so I don’t see any argument for using Hikvision on the projects my company is involved in, I will admit that we only really do larger enterprise and government type project though so maybe it’s different at the lower end/ smaller projects. 

Axis is a far superior product. Like Phil said the price difference between comparable models is minimal vs what you get.

Which Axis camera should I purchase in lieu of NSC-2A4-PTZ 4MP for equivalent price and capability?

Well it depends on what you are talking about.

User interface, software, and overall userability: Im sure Axis wins this. I havent used an Axis in years but admittedly, Hikivision and just about every other Chinese manufacturer needs improvement in this area. Cameras web interfaces are fine, but much more simplification is needed in their CMS software. If this stuff is of great importance to you, so much so that you want to pay 2-3 times more on a camera, then go with Axis. Admittedly, I can think of some scenarios where this would come into play.

General Hardware Performance: The answer is quite simply, No. No it is not worth the higher price when looking at compartively specked cameras. Actually, as the previous post mentioned, sometimes Hikvision outperforms Axis and is lower prices. If what you care about most is a camera that provides a good image, is durable and reliable, then cost/value equation doesnt make sense with Axis.

A couple of people mentioned that the cost difference is minimal between Axis and Hikvision on comparitive cameras. Really? No Way!
Now if you are comparing a Hikvision weatherproof, outdoor rated 4MP metal dome camera to a Axis 720p indoor rated plastic camera, then maybe you have an argument. But those arent really comparitive cameras are they?

Application is remote monitoring of private outdoor swimming and recreation area.

Teenagers are breaking in at night.

Motion detection would alert pool manager at home.

PTZ would be used to capture faces.

If you're selling HIK then IMHO it's like saying: "I've got this Toyota Camry.  Is it worth the higher price to go with a Mercedes?".

...maybe not the BEST analogy but I think it's close.

Axis wins in software management. In my opinion, they win for their newer multi sensor cameras, such as the P3717-PLE and P3707-PE. However, these are more specialized cameras. When you compare Axis' higher end cameras with Hikvision's higher end cameras, the price isn't that much different. In that case, the easier management software found with Axis is justified depending on the application and scale.

For smaller deployments, when you know the shot you need and use software calculators to get that shot, the fixed lens Hikvision cameras win in my opinion. Yes, Axis offers fixed lens cameras, but I haven't seen many options for lens selection with cameras in the price bracket of Axis. Hikvision simply sells many of their fixed lens cameras with options of 2.8mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, and 12mm. However, the application would determine how much nice management software would be. The installation on a fixed lens cameras is also a little faster. If using varifocal with IP, motorized zoom should be the only option. That's the only downside with the Axis P3707.

Hikvision does list a newer multi sensor camera, the DS-2CD6D24FWD-Z, but I prefer the Axis design alone to this design. Looking at the quick start guide, it seems to have a cable whip and it's a much taller profile than the Axis.

the management alone is worth the price for people that actively manage large systems 

As someone who has never installed an Axis camera, but has installed a number of Hikvision cameras, what would be the best way to purchase Axis cameras for testing and to become familiar with their products?  

Do you really think you can compare Axis to Hikvision?

Hi

Is Axis superiority factual?  My experience would say No. Axis interface is nicer but once someone gets the hang of an interface the differences disappear... or are blunted to the point of irrelevance. Better support? Perhaps. although Hik is making a serious run in the USA on that front:  they reply within a few minutes. 

At this point in time I see little advantage to using Axis in most jobs. The delta may be smaller at the high end but often low end Hik cameras are stellar performers. VMS companies have taken notice: most support Hik cameras as well as they support Axis. They better ... You don't ignore the largest (and by far) without dire consequences.

I want to see facts not opinions. Those with more experience than I should chime in. 

For smaller jobs of 2-16 cameras with Hik's NVR's and hybrid NVR, we use Hikvision 95% of the time over Axis.  Axis Companion line is terrible.  Hikvision 's new Q series NVR;s are very affordable.