Axis New Lowest Cost Dome M3044-V Tested

By: IPVM Team, Published on Jun 10, 2016

It has been 4 long years since Axis launched new low cost domes.

In that time, the industry has changed massively, with massive price drops driven by Chinese manufacturers.

Now, Axis' new dome release claims better low light, true WDR, and Zipstream, addressing key weaknesses of the previous generation.

In this test, we bought the 720p M3044-V comparing to its predecessor, the M3004-V, along with super low light and low cost integrated IR cameras (from Hikvision and Hikvision), to see how much improved this new line really is.

Note: This is the first of our tests of the new M30s. We also plan to release tests of the 1080p M3045 and 4MP M3046 soon.

** *** ***** **** ***** ***** Axis******** *** *** **** domes.

** **** ****, *** industry *** ******* *********, with******* ***** ***** ****** ** ******* *************.

***, ****' *** **** release ****** ****** *** *****, true ***, ************, ********** *** ********** ** the ******** **********.

** **** ****, ** bought *** **** *****-* comparing ** *** ***********, the *****-*, ***** **** super *** ***** *** low **** ********** ** cameras (**** ********* *** Hikvision), ** *** *** much ******** **** *** line ****** **.

****: **** ** *** first ** *** ***** of *** *** ****. We **** **** ** release ***** ** *** 1080p ***** *** *** M3046 ****.

[***************]

*******

*** **** *****-* ******* huge improvements ** *** *****, WDR, *** ********* *********** over *** *****-* ** our *****, ** **** as ************ ************ (**** freely ******* ****** ***** ***** ****), *** ** * lower ***** **** *** previous *****.

*** ***** *** *** performance **** **** **** of more ********* ***** *** *****/*** models **** ** *** Samsung ***-****. *******, *** cost ********** ** ****** (such ** *********'* **** tested ****) ***** ***** superior *** ***** ****** (at ~* *** *** below).

China **********

** *** **** ****, this ** * **** good ****** ******** ** what ** ********* ** 2016 ** *** ***** $200 ***** *****, **** strong *** ***** *** a ***-** ******, ***** WDR, *** **** *** bandwidth.

** *** ******** ****, Chinese ************* *** *** selling*** *******, **** ********** IR, ** *** **** price ***** ** **** new **** ****.

*** ***** *** **** to ***** **** * premium ******* *****, **** new **** **********'* ************* improved *********** **** ********** be ********** *** ****** further **********. *******, *** relative ***** ******* ** still ***** *****, ** most *** **** ******* switched ** ******* ************* will ****** *** ** motivated ** ****** ****.

*******

*** *****-* ***** *** ~$*** *** ******, ******* ** ** slightly ***** **** *** previous **** *****, ********-*(~$*** ******).

*******, **** ** ************* more ********* **** **** low **** ** *******, such ** ************ **-*******-**** ***** ********* [**** no ****** *********] (**** ~$140 ******). ************, ***-** indoor *****, **** ** the ********* **-******** ********* ***-********* *** ****, **** ~$100 ******.

Physical ********

***** *** *** *** ******** changes ** *** *****-* compared ** ***** *** models:

** ***** ****

**** *******, *** ***** whip ***** ** *** M3004/3005 *** **** ******** with ** ******** ****. Our ******* ***** * * ** * ********** for ** *****.

******* **** **********

**** ***** *** ***** models **** ******* ** 54° ****, ********* **** they ** **** ******* in **** *****, ** the ****** ***** ****** not **** "**" *** enough ** ******* **** hallways ** ***** ***** (******* ** *** ******** M30 ********). *** *** *****/**/** do *** **** **** limitation, **** *** ****** able ** **** ** further, **** **********.

******** *****

** **** ** ***** and ***** ******** ******** of *** *** *** vs. *** ** **** video:

Huge *** ***** *********** ********

*** ***** *********** ** the ***** ** ******* improved **** *** **** generation *****, ***** *****. The ***** ******** ** usable ***** ** *** scene, *********** **** *****. The ***** ******** ******* of *** ******* *** his ************.

******** ** ****** ** this *****, *** *****'* performance *** **** **** of **** ********* ***** low ***** *******, **** as *** ******* ***-****. However, *** *** **** integrated ** ********* **** produces ****** ******* ** the ******* *** *****.

Better *** ***********

** ****** *** *********** against ** **** ********* door *** *** **** area ****** **, **** here:

*** ***** *** *** of *** **** ********** ** this *****, *** **** improved ******** ** *** M3004, **** ******* ******* of *** *******, *****, and **********. **** **** *** Hikvision ****-* (*** * true *** ******) *** better ** *** **** areas ****** *** ****, but ****** *** *** subject *** ****** ****** in *** ****** ***** of *** *****.

Full ***** ***** *******

*******, ** ****** **** light ***** ******* ******* others ** **** ******** test *****:

*** ***** ******** ****** detail **** *** *****-* in **** *****, **** more **** ******** *** less ***** ** *** subject's ****.

Bandwidth **********

*** *****-*'* ******** **** the ****** ** *** cameras ****** ** *** scenes ****** *** *****, where *** ********** ** Hikvision **** *** ******. Note **** **** ** the ***** ******* ** this **** **** ***** CODECs, **** *** *****-*. The ********* **** **** not ******* ***** *.***+ smart *****, ****** *****, higher ********** ****** **.

*************

*** ****** ************* ** nearly identical ** **** *******. However, ***** ******* ******* true *** (****** ***** "wide ******* *****" ** the *** *********) ** well ** *********, *** found ** **** ******.

*** ******** ******* ** a ****** ******** *** on/off, **** *****. ***** camera ******** ******* **** remained *********** *********.

*** **** ******* ** Zipstream *************, *** *** **** ********* ****.

Test **********

*** ******* **** ****** using ******* ******** ****** otherwise *********, **** *** following ******* ** *** cameras:

*.***, ** ***, ~** quantization *** ****
*/*** ******* ******* *****

*** ********* ******** ******** were **** *** **** test:

**** *****-*: *.**.*
**** *****-*: *.**.*.*
********* **-*******-*: **.*.* ***** ******
******* ***-****: *.*********

Comments (8)

Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC | 06/10/16 02:03pm

While I appreciate coverage of new products, you guys do a pretty great job, I wish you had focused on a more realistic resolution model. I get that you wanted to show the most cost effective Axis camera, but I don't know many people installing 720p these days.

On another note, I sometimes wonder why it seems that you guys don't seem to test current products that are more likely to be used head to head. For instance, the Axis new 1080p M3045 vs the Hik DS-2CD2722FWD-IZS. This would be more of a realistic, apples to apples test.

Better yet, the M3046 vs the DS-2CD2742FWD-IZS, both being 4MP. That is the resolution that we have been installing the most.

I know these aren't always exactly the same price, and as an integrator, that's OK. If the more expensive units had much better performance, I would choose the better camera. The hard part is, IPVM seems to test apples vs oranges from my perspective. You are testing Axis' cheapest model vs Hik's cheapest. It would be much more valuable if you did more apples to apples. The depth of your testing matched with the better opponents would be amazing.

Thanks for all you guys do!

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Jon Dillabaugh | 06/10/16 02:09pm

Jon, at the beginning of the post above:

Note: This is the first of our tests of the new M30s. We also plan to release tests of the 1080p M3045 and 4MP M3046 soon.

The M3045 post is done and will be released Monday will the M3046 to be released next week as well.

We are breaking reports out model by model because doing 3 models in one post makes it hard to read / follow. The same approach we recently did with the Arecont G5 minis.

Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC | In reply to John Honovich | 06/10/16 02:15pm

Thanks for the additional detail on the other tests. That makes sense why you wouldn't want to lump them all in.

Is there any chance the M3045/6 is tested against a real competitor from Hik? That DS-2CD2012-I isn't really much competition. It's old/discontinued and no where near the abilities of these Axis cams, even when it was new and current.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Jon Dillabaugh | 06/10/16 02:16pm

You are testing Axis' cheapest model vs Hik's cheapest.

If a Hik dealer and an Axis dealer are competing for the same low-balling customer, isn't that a likely match-up?

Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC | In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 06/10/16 02:29pm

If a Hik dealer is leading with the DS-2CD2012-I today, then they aren't real competition today anyways. They are selling discontinued, out of date hardware. The apples to apples there might be some used Axis off eBay vs the 2012.

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Jon Dillabaugh | 06/10/16 03:44pm

The DS-2CD2012-I is listed as active on Hikvision USA's website (and in the 2016 quick guide) and ADI shows it as active with hundreds of them in stock. We're open to testing other Hikvision 720p models here, and we'll reach out to Hikvision for their feedback, as well.

Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC | In reply to Ethan Ace | 06/10/16 03:53pm

I stand corrected. I must have overlooked it. Was using my phone at that moment.

Gert Molkens

IPVMU Certified | 06/12/16 05:36pm

"but I don't know many people installing 720p these days"

Well, now you know at least one :-)

I wouldn't know why not, it all depends on the intended use for the camera. If 720p gives enough detail then why bother to throw more pixels, at it? More pixels mean more bandwith, more storage etc etc.

On top of that, in my experience WDR will be much better with 720p models hen higher resolution ones and it will be better in low light conditions.

I'm not saying 720 is better than others, just that it still has its place. Probably not for all camera's in a project but likely for a couple of them anyway

Login to read this IPVM report.

Why do I need to log in?

IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports

Pelco GFC 4K Dome Camera Tested (IMP831-1ERS) on Mar 12, 2019

Pelco has finally released their first 4K IP camera, after years of competitors' releases. Is this move too late? Or is their new GFC Professional...

Axis 5MP P Vs Q Camera Shootout (P3227-LVE vs Q3517-LVE) on Apr 02, 2019

While Axis' Q3517-LVE tested well, it is one of Axis' most expensive dome cameras, over $1,000 USD. Because of this, members asked us how it...

Axis ARTPEC-7 P1375-E Camera Tested on Jul 12, 2019

Axis claims the new P1375-E box camera with ARTPEC-7 chip delivers "clear, sharp images in any lighting condition." But how well does it do? We...

Hikvision 4K Camera Shootout on Aug 02, 2019

With their latest Smart Series 5 cameras, Hikvision is claiming cameras "fully loaded" with "state-of-the-art technology for high performance and...

Hanwha 4K Wisenet P Camera Tested on Jul 30, 2019

Hanwha claims "premium performance" and to "deliver the best in high resolution performance and efficiency" with their Wisenet P series 4K models,...

Dahua 4K Camera Shootout on Aug 20, 2019

Dahua's new Pro Series 4K N85CL5Z claims to "deliver superior images in all lighting and environmental conditions", but how does this compare to...

Axis 4K Camera Shootout 2019 on Aug 14, 2019

Axis' 4K Q3518-LVE claims the "best video quality possible", with Lightfinder super low light performance, Axis' high end Forensic WDR, and...

Uniview Pro 4K Camera Tested (IPC3238ER3-DVZ) on Aug 29, 2019

In our 8MP / 4K Fixed Lens Camera Shootout, Uniview's low end 8MP was firmly in the middle of the pack. Does their higher end Pro Series 4K camera...

Pelco Sarix Pro3 Camera Tested on Oct 16, 2019

Pelco has released their Sarix Professional Series 3 cameras, claiming "more security detail in challenging scenes with excellent low light and...

Color Low Light Mega Camera Shootout - Avigilon, Axis, Bosch, Dahua, Hanwha, Hikvision, Panasonic, Speco, Sony, Vivotek on Nov 12, 2019

This is the biggest color low light shootout ever, testing 20+ super low light models from 10 manufacturers: Increasingly, each manufacturer...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Milestone Launches Multiple Cloud Solutions on Feb 18, 2020

Milestone is going to the cloud, becoming one of the last prominent VMSes to do so. Milestone is clearly late but how competitive do these new...

Video Surveillance 101 Course - Last Chance Thursday on Feb 18, 2020

IPVM's first Video Surveillance 101 course starts this month, designed to help those new to the industry to quickly understand the most important...

Video Surveillance Architecture 101 on Feb 18, 2020

Video surveillance can be designed and deployed in a number of ways. This 101 examines the most common options and architectures used in...

UK Stands Behind Hikvision But Controversy Continues on Feb 18, 2020

Hikvision is exhibiting at a UK government conference for law enforcement, provoking controversy from the press, politicians, and activists due to...

IronYun AI Analytics Tested on Feb 17, 2020

Taiwan startup IronYun has raised tens of millions for its "mission to be the leading Artificial Intelligence, big data video software as a service...