Axis Launches ~$100 HD Camera

Author: John Honovich, Published on Apr 11, 2018

Chinese manufacturers, led by Hikvision, have come to dominate the low end of the Western market, driven by ~$100 cameras.

While Axis has continued to be strong at the mid to high end of the market, surpassing $1 billion in revenue in 2017, they have lagged their Chinese rivals in the low-end. And their 2016 first attempt did not go to well.

Now, Axis is back with a ~$100 HD camera, the Companion Eye Mini, by far their lowest ever camera price, claiming major feature upgrades as well. Can Axis now compete in the low end? In this note, we examine the new offering, its key features and strength/weaknesses vs Hikvision.

******* *************, *** ** *********, **** **** ** ******** *** low *** ** *** ******* ******,****** ** ~$*** *******.

***** **** *** ********* ** ** ****** ** *** *** to **** *** ** *** ******,********** $* ******* ** ******* ** ****, **** **** ****** ***** ******* ****** ** *** ***-***. And***** **** ***** ********** *** ** ** ****.

***, **** ** **** **** * ~$*** ** ******, *** Companion *** ****, ** *** ***** ****** **** ****** *****, claiming ***** ******* ******** ** ****. *** **** *** ******* in *** *** ***? ** **** ****, ** ******* *** new ********, *** *** ******** *** ********/********** ** *********.

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

Key ******** - ********** **, ********* **** *** *.***

******** ** **** ******** *******, **** *** ******** ** * key *****:

  • ******** ********** ** ** ** ******: **********, **** ******** ****** a $***+ ****** *** ********** **, ******* ** ** * steep ***** ************ *** **** *************** ****** * ******* **** *************' *****.
  • *** ****** ** ********* ****, **** ******* **** *** *********** and *** ** *** ******** ***** ** *** ****** (**** no ****** ** ******** ********* ******). **** ****** ******* *** aesthetic ****** *** ***** *** **** **** *****, ********* ************.
  • ****** **** **** *******, ***** ******* ******* *.***. *.*** ** becoming ************ *********** *** **** ****** *******.

Other ******* ********

***** ******* ******** ** *** **** ~$*** ** ******:

  • ** **-***** *******, ** *** *********: ***** **** ** *** typically **** *** ***-*** ************, **** *** ******* ************ **** for ***-**** **** *******.
  • */*" ******, ** **** ** ***** * '******' **** ******.
  • **** *** *******.

Key *********** - ***** ** ****, ******, ** *****

*******, ******** ** ******* ********, **** ***** *** * *** limitations ****:

  • ** *** **********. ** *****, **** **** ** **** *** pixel ***** ** ****** ******* ********* **** *** $*** ** less.
  • *** ~$*** **** ******* ** ****** ****, **** ******* ~$** for *** ******* *******. ** ********, ***-**** ******* ****** *** typically ******* ****.
  • **** **** **** *** ******* ***** / ***** / ***** parties. ** ********, ***-**** ******* ****** ****** ****** **** ***** support (******** ** ***), ****** **** ****** ****** *** ** *** **** *** camera ********.

Axis ********* *** ********

*** ********* *** **** **** ** **** ********' ********* ***, ****** ***** ********* ****** ******* (*** *** ****) ***** ******* **** ******* (** *** ***). **** *** starts ** ~$*** *** * **** *******, *** *** ******** to ~$**-** *** ****** *** * **** ** ****, ** ~$120 *****.

*********** **** ******* *** **** **** ********. *******, **** *** cost/small ****** ***** ******* ** *** *** **** *******.

Bear **** ******* ****

*** **** **** ******* **** ** ******: **** **** ***** match *********'* ******* *** ** ** * ****'* **** ** try. ** **** ***** $*** *******, ********* **** **** **** for $**. ** **** ***** $** *******, ********* **** **** them ****. ** **** ***** $** ** *******, ********* **** pay ****** ** **** ***** *******, ***., ***.

**** **** **** *** **** ******, **** **** ***** ** priced ******** ** ******* **** *** ***** ******* **. *********, et **.

Bull **** *** ****

*** **** **** *** **** ** **** *******: **** ** lowering *** ******** ****** ***** *** *** *** ***** **** gap ** (*.*., ****** ** *** $***+ *** ******, *** it's **** **** $**), *** ****** ** ** ** ******* on ***** ********** **** ** (*) ****** ******** *******, (*) remote ******, (*) *****, (*) *** ***** ******* **** / not ********** ** ******* **********.

Vote / ****

Comments (18)

Undisclosed Manufacturer #1

04/11/18 11:32am

"...*** ***** ******* ****"

***** *** **** ****?

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #1 | 04/11/18 12:42pm

**** ********:

*** *****. ** ******* **** ** *** **** ******* ****(*) as *** ***** **** ********.

******* **** **** **** **** -****: ******* **** ** ***** ********, ****** ** **** (****** For ***** ******** *****)

John Honovich

IPVM | 04/11/18 12:53pm

**** *** ***** * ** ****** ********* ***** *** **** line, *** * *** ***** *** ****** *** *********:

*** *********** **** ** **** ** *** **** **** **** comparison, **** ********'* **** ***** ***. *******, **** **** ****, unlike *** ******** ***, **** ** *** ******* * ****** that ******** ***.

Thumbnail image

Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC | 04/11/18 03:16pm

** ** *** ***** *********, * **** **** * ***** have * *** ** ******** ** **** *****. ***, **'* hard ** **** ** ** ** *****'* **** **** ******** VMS *******.

Daniel Tyrrell

In reply to Jon Dillabaugh | 04/11/18 06:35pm

****, **** ***** ******* **** * *** *** *****, *** then *** **** **** * *** * **** ** *** their ***/***.

Scott Sheldrake

04/11/18 03:17pm

**** ** ********* ******* ***** **, **** *** *** ********** their ******. **** ****** ***** * *** ****** **** ** switch ** ****? *** ***** ** ****** ** $***, *****-** IR, *** ** **** ****** ** ******* *** ** ********** with ***** ***. **** $*** ****** ****** **** *** **** VMS ****, ** ** **** *** **-****. **** ****** ** minimum **** ***'* ******* *** ** **** **** ** *******.

Undisclosed #3

In reply to Scott Sheldrake | 04/11/18 07:56pm

*'* *** **** **'* ****' **** ** *** ******* ** switch **** *** ** ****. **** ***'* (***'*) ******* ******* for ******* **** *** ** *****, *** ***** *** ******** plenty ** ********* *** ***** ****** ** *** **** ** but ***'* *** *** ******** ** ***** *** ***** *****.

**** *** *** ****** ** **** ********** ** ** **** higher ******* ******** ***, ********* ** *** *** ***, * more ********* *****.

*'* **** ** *** ***** ******* ***** *** *********** ** use *** **** ***, *** ********* * ***** **** ** a **** (*** *****, **** ****) **** *** ****.

Scott Sheldrake

In reply to Undisclosed #3 | 04/11/18 08:28pm

*'* **** * ***** ***** **** ****** **** ** ****** quality ******** **** ***** *** **** ******** ******** *************. ********* to **** ******** ***** ****** ******* *** **% ** ****** (all ***-**** ** *******), ****** *** *******, ****** *** *******, losing *** *******.

Thumbnail profile pic

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Scott Sheldrake | 04/11/18 08:36pm

* ***** **** *** ** **** ******, *** ***** *** Axis ********* ****** **** ****************. ***** ** ** *** ******, *** * *** ******, though.

* ***** **** ** ***** **** #* **** **** **** is **** ********* ** **** ********* *** ***** ****** **** Axis **** ** *** *** *** **** ** ***** ******* other ******, ******.

*'* **** ******* ** ****'** ****** ** **** ** **** version ** *** **** *******. **** **** ******** *** ***************** ****, *** **** **** *** ****** *** **** **** ** a ~$** ******* ** **. * ***** *** *********** ** price **** *** ** ***, *** **'** *** ***** ** goes.

Undisclosed #3

In reply to Scott Sheldrake | 04/11/18 09:12pm

*'* **** * ***** ***** **** ****** **** ** ****** quality ******** **** ***** *** **** ******** ******** *************.

** ************ ****. * ****** ******* **** * ***** *** firmware ** *** *******. **'* ********** ** **** ********, *** I ****** *** *** ********* ** **** ******* **** *** and ** ******* **'* ******** **** ****** ******* **** **** of ****** ** ** *** *** ** ********* ******** ********.

* *****'* **** ***** ***/*** *** *'* ***** ***** ** little ** *** *********** ********* **** ***** ******* **** ********.

Undisclosed Distributor #2

04/11/18 03:22pm

* *** ****** *** * ******, *** **** * *** that ** **** ***** **** ***** ********* ***, ** **'* not * ****** ** ** *** *** *** ****** ******* Q ****** ******* ***.

Thumbnail hacker

Robert T

04/11/18 04:29pm

****, ** ***'** ******* ****, ****** **** ** *** *** make ******* ******* */ ***** *** *'** ******* ******* / sell *** ***. ***** ***!

Thumbnail profile

Michael Gonzalez

04/11/18 10:19pm

***** ** ** **** ****** *** ****** ** *** *** cost **** ****** ***** ***** ** ***** **, ** ***** in ****, ******* **** **** **** ***** ** **** **** Hik. **** ***** ** ** ******* ** ******* *** **** Hik *** **** ******* **** * *** **** ******. * doubt **** ***** **** *** ** *** ****** ** **** didn't **** ********.

Shannon Davis

TED Systems | 04/16/18 05:58pm

** ***** *** ** ** ******* **** **** **** **** come ****** ** *** *** **** ********* ******. ***** **** well *** **** ** **. *** *********** **** ** *** have ** *** **** **** ** ****** ** **** ******** down *** **** *** **** ** **** ** ******** * firmware ******* *** ** **** ** ***** ** *****. **** my ******* ******.

Thumbnail newheadshot

Sean Nelson

Nelly Security | 04/16/18 08:00pm

***, **** ** ******* ****** ******* *******.

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

**** **** ******* ****** ** *** ****** ** **** ******.

***** ** **** ****** **** **** **** **** ** **** the **** ***** *****.

Undisclosed #4

In reply to Sean Nelson | 05/25/18 03:56pm

***** ** **** ****** **** **** **** **** ** **** the **** ***** *****.

******** **** ** **** ******* *** ******** ;)

John Honovich

IPVM | 05/25/18 03:38pm

************ *************:

****** ****** ** *** *** ******** *** ** **** ** test **** *********.

Thumbnail image

Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC | In reply to John Honovich | 05/25/18 03:54pm

****** ****** ********* **** **** **** ** **** ****** ******. Why *** **** * ******* ********* ***** *** **** **** to ** ***** **** ** ********* ** ****?

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

4MP Camera Shootout - Axis, Dahua, DW, Hanwha, Hikvision, Uniview, Vivotek on Sep 24, 2018
4MP usage continues to climb, especially for low cost fixed lens models. To see who was best, we bought and tested seven 4MP models from Axis,...
Axis Vs. Hikvision IR PTZ Shootout on Sep 20, 2018
Hikvision has their high-end dual-sensor DarkfighterX. Axis has their high-end concealed IR Q6125-LE. Which is better? We bought both and tested...
Amazon Ring Spotlight Cam Tested on Sep 17, 2018
Amazon's Ring has released their latest camera entry, the Spotlight Cam, which we bought and tested in our Consumer IP Camera Analytics...
Vivotek 4MP Camera Tested (FD8379-HV) on Sep 13, 2018
Next in our series of updated 4MP testing, we bought and tested Vivotek's FD8379-HV, and entry level 4MP model claiming "top-notch quality video in...
October 2018 Camera Course on Sep 13, 2018
Today is the last day to save $50 on the October 2018 Camera Course, register now. This is the only independent surveillance camera course,...
VMS Export Shootout - Avigilon, Dahua, Exacq, Genetec, Hikvision, Milestone on Sep 13, 2018
When crimes, accidents or problems occur, exporting video from one's video surveillance system is critical to proving incidents. But who does it...
Dahua Low-Cost 4MP Camera Tested (N44CL52) on Sep 10, 2018
4MP use continues to increase, especially in low-cost models, according to integrators in our 2018 Resolution Usage Statistics. We bought Dahua's...
Hikvision Value Express IP Cameras Tested Poorly on Sep 05, 2018
Even lower cost Hikvision products? Their new Value Express line is marketed for applications where "budgets are limited and performance is...
Dell Launches IoT for Surveillance on Sep 05, 2018
Historically, Dell has been a PC and server provider (e.g., "Dude, you're getting a Dell") and widely used for surveillance storage. However, in...
Directory Of 110+ Video Management Software (VMS) Suppliers on Aug 30, 2018
This directory provides a list of Video Management Software providers to help you see and research what options are available. Listing...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Ladders For Installers Guide on Sep 25, 2018
Ladders are one of the most important pieces of worksite equipment for the surveillance technician. Too often, however, even highly experienced...
Favorite Access Control Reader Manufacturer 2018 on Sep 25, 2018
Favorite reader votes are in, and it is not close. A global access giant ran away with the votes in a one-sided contest. But for many, the...
Genetec Takes Aim At 'Untrustworthy' 'Foreign Government-Owned Vendors' on Sep 24, 2018
Genetec is taking aim at 'untrustworthy' 'foreign government-owned vendors'. This is not a new theme for Genetec as nearly 2 years ago, Genetec...
4MP Camera Shootout - Axis, Dahua, DW, Hanwha, Hikvision, Uniview, Vivotek on Sep 24, 2018
4MP usage continues to climb, especially for low cost fixed lens models. To see who was best, we bought and tested seven 4MP models from Axis,...
Alexa Guard Expands Amazon's Security Offerings, Boosts ADT's Stock on Sep 21, 2018
Amazon is expanding their security offerings yet again, this time with Alexa Guard that delivers security audio analytics and a virtual "Fake...
UTC, Owner of Lenel, Acquires S2 on Sep 20, 2018
UTC now owns two of the biggest access control providers, one of integrator's most hated access control platforms, Lenel, and one of their...
BluePoint Aims To Bring Life-Safety Mind-Set To Police Pull Stations on Sep 20, 2018
Fire alarm pull stations are commonplace but police ones are not. A self-funded startup, BluePoint Alert Solutions is aiming to make police pull...
SIA Plays Dumb On OEMs And Hikua Ban on Sep 20, 2018
OEMs widely pretend to be 'manufacturers', deceiving their customers and putting them at risk for cybersecurity attacks and, soon, violation of US...
Axis Vs. Hikvision IR PTZ Shootout on Sep 20, 2018
Hikvision has their high-end dual-sensor DarkfighterX. Axis has their high-end concealed IR Q6125-LE. Which is better? We bought both and tested...
Avigilon Announces AI-Powered H5 Camera Development on Sep 19, 2018
Avigilon will be showcasing "next-generation AI" at next week's ASIS GSX. In an atypical move, the company is not actually releasing these...

The world's leading video surveillance information source, IPVM provides the best reporting, testing and training for 10,000+ members globally. Dedicated to independent and objective information, we uniquely refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship and consulting from manufacturers.

About | FAQ | Contact