Axis ~$100 Camera Tested

By: Ethan Ace, Published on Jul 17, 2018

Axis has released their lowest cost camera ever, the Companion Eye Mini L, setting their sights on a market dominated by Hikvision and Dahua. Can this new model compete with these low-cost incumbents? 

We bought and tested the Companion Eye Mini L to find out, examining:

  • Low light/IR image quality
  • Wide dynamic range performance
  • Full light image quality
  • Physical features
  • NVR/VMS compatibility
  • Bandwidth consumption
  • Motion detection performance
  • Configuration options

We tested it against Axis Companion Dome V (previous generation), Axis M3045-V, 2MP Hikvision DS-2CD2522FWD-IS and 4MP Hikvision DS-2CD2542FWD-IS.

**** *** ******** ***** lowest **** ****** ****,*** ********* *** **** L, ******* ***** ****** on * ****** ********* by ********* *** *****. Can **** *** ***** compete **** ***** ***-**** incumbents? 

** ****** *** ****** the********* *** **** *** **** ***, *********:

  • *** *****/** ***** *******
  • **** ******* ***** ***********
  • **** ***** ***** *******
  • ******** ********
  • ***/*** *************
  • ********* ***********
  • ****** ********* ***********
  • ************* *******

** ****** ** *********** ********* **** *(******** **********), **** *****-*, 2MP ********* **-**********-** *** 4MP ********* **-**********-**.

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

Pros - ****** ***** ******* *** ***** ****

*** **** ********* *** Mini ******** ****** *** light *** *** ****** than Axis' *** ******** ********* Dome * *** *****-*, as **** ** *********'* low-cost ***** **** ****, at * ***** ***** competitive **** ***-**** *********/***** models.

********, *** ******* ******* size **** ** * differentiator *** ***** ******* for ******** ***********.

Cons - ***********

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

  • **** ********* *** ********:****** ***** **** ****** (both ******** *** *********), the *** **** * does *** ******* ******* SD ******* ** ******** NAS *********, ******* ********* the **** ********* ***.
  • ** ******** *****-***** *** compatibility:*** ********* *** **** L ** *** ********** compatible **** *** ***** party *****. ** **** stream ** *********, ****** unsupported, *** **** ********** method **** *** ******* stream ************* ** ****** side ***, *** ******** expected ** **** *****.
  • ****** ****: **** ***-**** ********** options *** ******* / IP66 *****.
  • ****** **** ******* ********:*** *** **** *'* bitrates **** ****** **** other ** ******* ****** both *** *** *****, despite *** ********* ** H.265 *** **** ***** codec ********. ********* ******** were ***** **** ****' non-IR ********* **** * and *****.

Strongest **** ***-**** **********

**** ** ********* ****' strongest ***-**** **********, ***** both ******** *********** *** lower ****. ****, *** increased ******** ** ******* manufacturers ************ ********** ******* **** ****.

*******, *** **** ******* are ********* ** ****** to **** ** *** low-end *** *** ******** Axis **** ******* **** against ******* ****** ********** in *** *****-***** *** real *********.

Hikvision ***** ******* **** ******

****: **** **** *** performed ***** ** *********'* new lower **** ***** ******* line ***** ********* ** ADI ***. ** **** ordered ***** *** **** to **** ******* *** Mini *** * **** they ****** **** * new ******** ******.

*******

*** **** ********* *** Mini * ***** *** ~$119 *** ******, ***** $40 **** **** ****' original ***-** ********* **** V (~$*** ******). **** pricing ** *********** **** Hikvision *** ***** ***** IR ******, ~$***-*** ******.

Physical ********

*** ********* *** **** L ** *** ******** all ** *** ****** in ****' ****, ~**% smaller **** *** ********* Dome */*** *****. *** only ********** ** *** camera ****** ** *** PoE, **** ** *****, I/O, ** *******, ********* video ***, ***.

** **** ** *** Eye **** ** **** video:

******** ** ***** ******* in **** ****, *** Companion *** **** ** notably *******, ***** **** versus *** ********* **** V *** ********* **** domes:

Manufactured ** ********

**** **** ** ****' other ***** *** ****** such ** *** ***/***, the ********* *** **** L ** ************ ** Thailand.

Night/IR ***** *******

** * **** ***** with ** ** (~*.****), the **** * ******** *** clearest ****** ******* ** subjects ***** ******* ******, drastically ****** **** *********'* compact ****, *** ******** better **** *** *** 2342.

*** *** **** *'* IR ******** *** ******** *** at *** ***** ** the scene, but *** *** ****** from ************ ** *** center ** *** ***** of ****.

 

Wide ******* ***** ***********

*** ********* *** ****'* more ****** ******* ****** and ******* ***** *** the **** ******* **** all ***** ****** ******, with WDR *********** ******** ** both ********* ****** ******. However, ****** **** ********* compared ** ***** **** models, ***** ********* ******** better ****** ** *** subject's ****** ********.

************, ***** *** ** noticeable **** ** *** subject ** ** ***** from ******** ** *******, shown *****.

******* *** ************ * .*** **** containing ***** ** **** scene **** *** ******* (~29MB).

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

** **** ***** ******, Eye **** ***** ******* were ******* ** ** better **** ***** ****** tested, ****** **** **** slight ************* ** *** subject's ****. *** **** suffered **** **** ************ of *** **** ***** than ***** ******, ****** **** **** legible.

Companion *** ********

*** *** **** * requires ** **** ********* NVR *** *********. ** does *** ******* ******* SD ******* ** ******** NAS, ********* ** ***** Companion/Axis *******. *** ********* NVR ****** **** ~$*** for * * ******* model ** ~$*** *** an * ******* *** NVR.

Third ***** ******** *******

**** ***** ********* ******* we **** ******, *** Eye **** ** *** officially ********* ** *** third ***** *** ** NVR, **** ****' *** Companion ********. *******, **** the ********* **** *, the *** **** * has * ******* **** stream:

****://*******/****-*****/*****.***?****-****-**=****

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

*******, **** ****** *** multiple ***********:

  • ****** ****** ****: ****** *******, *** ****** worked **** **** ********* to * ****** ******** or ***** ****** (*.*. VLC). Sending *** ****** ** a ****** ******** ****** it ** **** ** both. **** **** ******* the ****** ** ******** clients *** * ****** VMS ****** ******* *****.
  • *** *********: **** **** *** ******* RTSP ********* **** ********* cameras, ******* ***** ******* tech ******* ****** ****** arise.
  • ******* *************:**** ********* ******* *** ability ** ********* ***** settings (***, **********, ***.) from *** ***, *** does *** ******* *** camera's ***. 

******* ** ***** ***********, RTSP *** ** ****** limited ** ***** ************ or *********** *****.

No *** *********

*** ********* *** **** L **** *** **** a **** *** *********, unlike ***** ********* ******, which *** *** **** interface ** ******* **** cameras. ******** *** ******'* IP ******* ****** ******** a ****** ****** **** a **** ** ********* and ********* ******** ********.

Limited *************

*** ********* *** **** L *** ******* ************* options, ******* ** *********** two ****** ** ********:

  • ********** *** ********* *** configurable *** *** "***** Quality" *******, *** *** limited ** **** ***** two **********, **** ** fine ******* ******* ** compression, ***, ** ***** options ********* ********* ** Axis *******:

  • ***** ***** ******* ******** such ** **********, ********, rotation, ***., *** *********, but ***** *** ** options ** ******* *** or ********** **, **** both *******.

** ****** ***** ******* in **** *****:

 

Higher ********* **** ******* **** *****

** *** *****, *** Eye **** *'* ******** were ****** **** **** Hikvision ****** ****** *** day *** *****, *** higher **** *** ***-** Axis ****** ****** *** day:

**** ****** **** *** Companion **** ******* ** not *** ***** **** blown ********* ***** *****, but ******* ****** ** H.265 **** **** ***** codec *********:

...* *********** ** *.*** and **** ***** ***** functionality ** ***** ** optimize ** *** *******...

*******, ****** *********, ***** are ** ******** ** compression ******, ******* *-***** interval, ** ******* ***. 

Motion ********* ***********

***** *** ******** ** Axis ****** *** **** with *********/* *********, *** *** **** L ******** * ********* variant, ****** ***** "****** Detection", ***** ****** **** rectangular *****, ******* ** polygons, *** **** *** include *** ******* ***** in ****/* (*****, *******, short ***** *******).

** *** *****, **** motion ********* ******* *** one ********** ********, ******** on ******* ***** *******, such ** ****** ******* or ****** ***** ****** on/off ** *** **** (below), ****** ***** **** did *** ****** ****. *******, it *** *** ***** on ***** *******, **** as ******* *******, ******** flashing, ** ****** ****** on/off ** ******** *****.

Versions ****

*** ********* ******** **** used ** **** ****:

  • **** ********* *** **** L: *.**.*
  • **** ********* **** *: 8.30.1
  • **** *****-*: *.**.*
  • ********* **-**********-**: *.*.* ***** ******
  • ********* **-**********-**: *.*.* ***** 170725

Comments (37)

Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security | 07/17/18 02:31pm

** *** *** **** is ******* **** **************. Then *** **** **** are ***** *** **** to *** ******. **** is ** ***** ** here?? **** ***** *** know **** *** **.******% owned ** *** ******* government.

Dennis Ruban

In reply to Sean Nelson | 07/17/18 06:18pm

********* ******* **********. *** communists, *** *****

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Dennis Ruban | 07/17/18 06:19pm

****, ***** ***, **** might *** ** **** your ******* ** **** you **** **********.

Undisclosed Integrator #3

In reply to Sean Nelson | 07/18/18 01:34am

***** ** *** ******* Government?  * ******* ***** acquired **** ***** ***.

Avatar

Jordan Dobbs

In reply to Sean Nelson | 02/26/19 10:01pm

**** ** *** ***** at *** *** ***'* discuss * *** *********!

Undisclosed #1

07/17/18 03:10pm

** *** **** *** dumping ********* *** *.*** with ***** *****? 

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 07/17/18 03:28pm

*** *******, ***********. *** camera *** ** *** interface *** **** ***** us **** ****** ****** simplified ************* *** *** mini ****. ** ***** it ******** ******** ** Zipstream, ***** ** ****** be ******** **********, **** don’t **** ** *********. 

Avatar

Paul Curran

07/17/18 05:35pm

***** **** ***'* **** sell ** **** ***** etc (*** **********). **** we *** *** *** stream ** *** **** but *** ***** ** stuck ** * ******** update ****** **.

Undisclosed #9

In reply to Paul Curran | 02/26/19 10:12pm

*****'* * ****** *** that.

Scott Sheldrake

07/17/18 06:21pm

*****, ** *** **'** back ** ****** ********* commit ** *,* ** 16 ******* **** ****** **** all *** ******** *** industry **** **** **-***** licence ********** *******.  

*** ******* ** ** I'm *****, *** *****'* pretty **** *** **** equipment **** ** *******/** only *** ******** ********?  ie ** *** *******, no ****** *******, ** Chrome *******, ** ******* support, ** ****** ***, no ******* ***, ** Microsoft **** ******* *******.

******, *** ** *** explain ** * ******** why ** ****** **** camera ** $*** ** an ******* **** ****** is $***?

**** ** **** ****** *** industry *********.  ** ***** ago ** **** ********** 4,8,16 ******* **** **** ran ** ** **** with ******* ********.  *** we're ***** **** ***** we ******* **** ****.  

Avatar

Daniel Tyrrell

In reply to Scott Sheldrake | 07/17/18 06:41pm

* **** **** ** on-par **** *** ***-**** market.  */*/** ******* ***'*, only ** *******. ** you ***. **** *** not ** **** *** businesses *** ******, *** a *** ** ******* businesses *** ***** **** to ** ****** ** up.

Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security | In reply to Daniel Tyrrell | 07/17/18 07:11pm

***, **** *** ********* in * **** ** the ******* **** ******** and ****** ******* ****. You **** **** *** with * ******* **** is ******** ** ******* with **** ******** **** removed ******** ***** *** of *** ****.

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

** **** **** **** sell ** ** *******, Airports, ***. *** **** could **** **** ** those ***** ** ******* with ***** ****** **** cameras ******* *******. ** IMO, **** **** ********** in *** ****.

***** *** *** ***** wont ** ****** **** up. **** **** ******** to ***** ** *****, Hikvision, *****, *****, ***.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Sean Nelson | 07/17/18 07:25pm

** **** **** **** sell ** ** *******, Airports, ***.

****??? * **** ******* and ******** *** *** your ********* *** ***** is ** *** **** is ***** (** **** trying) ** **** **** there. No ******* ** *********** ********* ********(*.*., **'* ********** ** 16 ******* *** ********).

***** **** **** ** those ***** ** ******* with ***** ****** **** cameras ******* *******. ** IMO, **** **** ********** in *** ****.

****'* *** **** ******* ONVIF *** ***** *******. Enterprise ***** ***'* ****** that.

** *** ****** **** and other *******,**** **** **** ***** models ** *** ************* ******* ****** * panoramic plus ********* ******** ***** with **** '*******' ******* as ****.

**********, * ***'* ******** with *** **** ***** biz *** ***** **** continue ** '*****' ** Chinese************. *******, * ** ******* how Axis **** **** **** larger ********* ** **** / *** **** *** feel **** *********** **** Axis **** ******* ******** and ***** ** ********* by *** ******* *** closer ***** ** **** offering.

Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security | In reply to John Honovich | 07/17/18 07:44pm

** *** ** *** Axis ********* ********. *** are *****, ** ***** enterprise **** *** ****. 

** **********, * ***** this **** ** * huge ***. ** *** know ** * **** owner *** ***** ** put ** ****** **** inside ***** *****? ****, guys **** ** **** of **** ******** **** do **** ***** **** like **** ** ****?** and *****? *** ***** their ****.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Sean Nelson | 07/17/18 08:41pm

** **********, * ***** this **** ** * huge ***.

** ***'* ** **** defining ******* ******** *** it's ***** *****:

(*) **** ** * billion ****** **** ******* with *,***+ *********. **** are *** ****** **** they ****** **** ** entry ***** / ***-*** offering.

(*) **** *** * large ***** ************. **** may *** **** **** to ********** ********** *** they *** **** **** be **** ** ***** deals **** * ******* of ***** *** ******* providers.

(*) **** **** ** Axis ***'* ** * lot ** ***** **** but, ** *** ****** they **, ** ***** keep **** ****** ****' 'family' ** ********, ****** than ******* ***** ** Hikvision.

(*) * **** *** think *** ***** *************, government *********, ********* ************* regime ********* ** **** nonsense *** ***** *** others **** *** ********* about **. *****, ** Axis ****, **** ***** be ****** *** ** have ********* ********** ** take ********* ** **** ** Hikvision's **** ******** ********.

(*) *** ****** ****** well *** **** *** gotten **** ****** ** pricing / ******** ***** cost *********, ****** **** more ***********.

*** *** ******* ** the ********* *****, * agree ****'* *** ***** move *** *** *** Axis **** **** ** solid ** *** *** right.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to John Honovich | 07/17/18 08:19pm

**** ********* ******* ******** sites?

Avatar

Rob Kilpatrick

IPVM | IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 07/17/18 09:00pm

***, ********* **** ******* multiple ***** *** *** simultaneously, *** **** ** log ** ** **** site ** **** *******.

Scott Sheldrake

In reply to Daniel Tyrrell | 07/17/18 07:43pm

** *** *** **** you **** ****, $*** USD ******-**** ****** **** can **** ** **** on **** *** */*/** (is ***** **** * 16 ** ******?) **** support *** ** ****, PC ****, ** ****.

 

** *** ***** **** you **** ********* **-******* for *** **** *****, IP66, ********, ** **** slot, ** ********** **** every *** (****** ******* banning ***), *****, ****** detection ** ***** ******, etc. ***** **** ** browser, ****** *******, *** or ** ****** ****, iPhone ** ******* ****.

 

*** **** **** ***** is ***** ** ****** from *** ** ****?  You'd **** ** **** up * *** ** functionality ** **** *** something **** ** **** brand ****.  **** ** cheapening ***** **** *** time, **** **** **** did ****** ********* *** re-branding **.  

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Scott Sheldrake | 07/17/18 08:28pm

**** ******* *** ** only, ** ****, ** apps.

** * ***** ** fact,**** ********* ******** **** *** **** *************. *** ********** **** would ** ****** *** certainly * ***** *******, but **** ** *** the ****.

** *** **** ****, you ******* ******** *** motion ********* ** ***** ** pluses *** ********* *** this **** ****** *** both ** ***** ** well.

**** *** *** ******** 'giving **' ** ************* shorter **** **** ****. The ******* ***, * agree, ** *** ***** compatibility. *******, ***** *** definitely *** * *** of ******* ***** *** use **** ***** ** camera ** ******** (*.*., ********* / *********) ******.

** ** ********* **** this *** *********, * don't ***** **** ** enough ** ***** ********* dealers ** ****** *** the ******* ****** ***** well *** ** ******* better **** ********* ** important ****.

********, *** **** *** and ***** ******* *** likely ** ** **** as ********** *** ***** who **** * *****, simple *** ** ****** the **** ****** ***************.

Undisclosed End User #7

In reply to Scott Sheldrake | 07/18/18 02:30pm

*** ******* ** ** I'm *****, *** *****'* pretty **** *** **** equipment **** ** *******/** only *** ******** ********? ie ** *** *******, no ****** *******, ** Chrome *******, ** ******* support, ** ****** ***, no ******* ***, ** Microsoft **** ******* *******.

*** **** * *** speak *** *** *********.  However, * ********* ******* Chrome *** **** ****** configuration, ***.  ** ***** to ******* ****** ************* for ******** ******* ***. of ******** ********. 

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed End User #7 | 07/18/18 02:37pm

** ****' ***** *** interface, *.*** ***** *** not **** ** ******. However, **** ******** ********* *** ********* **** no-plugin *.*** ********** ***** *** ***** has ******** ** **** current ******.

Undisclosed Integrator #8

In reply to Scott Sheldrake | 07/18/18 02:41pm

*** ********* **** ** focused **** *** ***** installations **** ******* *************.  It *****'* *** **** the ********, **** *********** who ***'* **** *** to ******* ***** ********* on **** ** ***** for ***** ************.  ** course ** ****** ********* asked ***** **** *** I ********* *** ***********, limitations *** **** ***********.  Also, ********* *** ******* cameras (***** $************ *** ***).  

* ***** *** ****** read *** ******** **** articles *** ******* ******** about *** *********** ** "companion" ** "******* ****".  

**** **** ********* **** Integrators?

* ********** ***'* *** or **** *** ********* line, *** **** ** large *********, ** ****'** looking *** ********* *** their ****, **'* * great ********, *********, ***** to *** * *** P **** *** ***** more ** *******.  

Dennis Ruban

07/17/18 06:28pm

*** ****'* *** **** the ***** **-**********-** ****** *** your ****?

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Dennis Ruban | 07/17/18 06:29pm

** *** **** ** testing, * ****'* *** it ******** ******** ** North *******. **'* ***** not ****** ** ***** website, *** *******, ******* being ***** ********* ** the ***** *** ****** now.

**** ** **** *** Value ******* **** **** we **** *** ** in.

Undisclosed End User #4

07/18/18 06:25am

*** *** *** ** large ********** ** ** must *** *** ****** to ** ***** ********** with ***** **** **** Genetec, *********; ** ***** compliant. ** **** ****** is ***, * ** wondering **** ***** ** the ****** ******?

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed End User #4 | 07/18/18 11:36am

**'* ******** ** ***** business, ******* ******* ********:

Avatar

Paul Curran

In reply to John Honovich | 07/18/18 11:55am

*** *** *** ******** the ******* ** **** it ** **** ********** by ******** *** ******* to ***********? 

 

*** *** **** ** can't ** **. ***** axis **** ** **** say *** **** ****** will ****** ** **.

 

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Paul Curran | 07/18/18 12:04pm

*** ******** *** ******* to **** ** ** more ********** ** ******** its ******* ** ***********?

** ***** *********** **** ****** is ** **** *****. This ***, **** ***** who *** ****** *** limitation ** **** ***** Axis ********* *** **** buy *** ***** ***** one.

** ******, **** ***** faces *** **** **** buyers *** **** *** party ******* **** *** an **** ********** ******* of **** '******' *******. However, **** ***** **** risk ****** **** ********** these ********* **** ******* as ****.

Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security | In reply to Paul Curran | 07/18/18 01:45pm

** **** **** ** option ** **** ***** $700 ***** ***** *******.

****, **** ** *** deal **** ****** ** IE ****. ** ** really **** **** ** make ******* **** ** Chrome *** ** ******* a ******? **** ** make ***** ***** ******* explode ** *********?

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Sean Nelson | 07/18/18 02:33pm

***** ** **** ****** that **'* "** ****" coming ****? *** ****** does *** **** * full *** *********, ** we **** ** *** report. *** ********* *** does **** * *** interface, *** **'* **** used *** ***** *************.

** ** ****** **** hard ** **** ******* work ** ****** *** FF ******* * ******? Will ** **** ***** cheap ******* ******* ** something?

**'** **** ********* ****, too.

Undisclosed End User #4

In reply to John Honovich | 07/22/18 07:07am

***, *** **** ****** is ******* ****** **** number ** ******* *** cheaper *******. ** **** of **** ********* ******, I **** *** ******* is *** **** ***** what ******* **** **** to ******.

*** **** *** ***** business ****** ** ******* driven ** ******* ********* who ***** * ****** mostly ** ***** ***** the ***** **** *** think *** **** ***** the **** *** ***** of ******.

Scott Sheldrake

In reply to Undisclosed End User #4 | 07/22/18 08:48am

"*** **** *** ***** business ****** ** ******* driven ** ******* ********* who ***** * ****** mostly ** ***** ***** the ***** **** *** think *** **** ***** the **** *** ***** of ******." 

 

*** *******?

Undisclosed End User #4

In reply to Scott Sheldrake | 07/22/18 09:21am

** ** ***** *** Business ********, *******

 

Avatar

Tim Sutton

In reply to Undisclosed End User #4 | 07/30/18 03:19pm

** ********** **** *** Business, ** ***** ** the ******* ****, ** Hikvision, *********, *********.  ********* seems ** ** *** preferred ******* ** *** here.  

Undisclosed Integrator #5

07/18/18 01:16pm

** ***'* *****, ** doesn't **** **** *** stream, **'* * */*/** DVR, ***...

****, ** *******. ****** *** options ****** *** ** expected **** **** **** anymore **** *** ****** expect *** **** ********* in * $*** ********* Spark ** *** **** in * $*** *****.

**** ** **** ****** to ******* *** *********/***** business ****** **** **** miss *** ** ***** now. * ***** **** are **** ****** ** capture *********** *** ***** ***** markets; *** **** *** never **** ***** ** Axis ******* *** ***** does *** ********* ***** their *********. **** ** what ** **: * loss ****** ** **** interest ** ***** ***** lines. 

 

 

 

Undisclosed Manufacturer #6

07/18/18 01:55pm

***** * ***** **** this ****** ***** ** a *** ** ***** Axis ** ***** ********* that ******* ***** *** which ** ******* *** low *** ****** *** use * *** ******** like **** ** **** leaders ** *** ***** bigger ******* ****** *****.

** ********** ******* ** addressing *** *** *** now ***** ******* ** and * *** ***.  Many ****** *** **** years **** **** ** address *** *** *** but ** **** ** deaf ****.

* ******* ****  

Alberto Alonso

07/19/18 02:39pm

********* **** ** ** entry ***** ***** ****** concept **** ********* ***** installation ** ** ** cameras ***** * **** of ****** ********* *** management ******** *** ******** devices **** ****** ** work **** **** ********. For **** **** ** systems, *** ************ *** been ********** ** * way **** ** ** not ****** ** *** up *** ****** ** recorder ** ********* **** using * *** *******. The *********** ******** **** it *** ***** * wizard ****.

** ******** **** *** equivalent ****** ****** ** most ** *** ********* Line ****** ** ******** higher ******. *** ***** camera ******, *** ******* support *** *** *********** of ****-** *********** *** already ********* **** *** as ****** ** **** statement ***** ** ****

**** - ******* *******

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

Mobotix Move OEM Camera Line Tested on Feb 25, 2019
Mobotix has long been criticized for not offering integrated IR, mechanical cut filters, varifocal lenses, optical zoom and other features that...
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 ~$150 Outdoor Camera Tested on May 21, 2019
Axis has released the latest in their Companion camera line, the outdoor Companion Dome Mini LE, a 1080p integrated IR model aiming to compete with...
Bosch Starlight 8000i Cameras Tested on Jul 23, 2019
Bosch has released their new Flexidome IP Starlight 8000i cameras, claiming "exceptional detail even in extreme low-light situations." To see...
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...
Wyze Image Quality Tested vs Axis, Hikvision And Nest on Aug 27, 2019
With Wyze's new AI feature, it is strong at analytics, but how good is the camera's image quality? Is it just as good as incumbents like Axis,...
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...
Illustra Pro Gen3 4K Camera Tested on Oct 23, 2019
Johnson Controls has released the latest generation in their Illustra Pro line, the Pro Mini-Dome Gen 3, a non-OEM model claiming to "optimize...
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...
Honeywell 30 Series Cameras Tested Vs Dahua and Hikvision on Dec 11, 2019
Honeywell has infamously OEMed Dahua and Hikvision for years, but now they have introduced an NDAA-compliant line, the 30 Series, claiming "lower...

Most Recent Industry Reports

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...
Access Control ADA and Disability Laws Tutorial on Feb 17, 2020
Safe access control is paramount, especially for those with disabilities. Most countries have codes to mandate safe building access for those...
ISC West 2020 Removes China Pavilion, No Plans To Cancel Or Postpone on Feb 17, 2020
ISC West plans to go on next month, amidst concerns over coronavirus. However, the Asia / China Pavilion has been removed, show organizers...
Hanwha Wisenet X Plus PTRZ Tested on Feb 14, 2020
Hanwha has released their PTRZ camera, the Wisenet X Plus XNV-6081Z, claiming the "modular design allows for easy installation". We bought and...
IPVM Conference 2020 on Feb 13, 2020
IPVM is excited to announce our 2020 conference. This is the first and only industry event that will be 100% sponsor-free. Like IPVM online, the...
Bosch Dropping Dahua on Feb 13, 2020
Bosch has confirmed to IPVM that it is in the process of dropping Dahua, over the next year, as both IP camera contract manufacturer and recorder...
BluB0X Alleges Lenel, S2, Software House Are Dinosaurs on Feb 13, 2020
BluB0X is running an ad campaign labeling Lenel, S2, Software House, Honeywell, AMAG and more as dinosaurs: In a follow-up email to IPVM,...
London Live Police Face Recognition Visited on Feb 13, 2020
London police have officially begun using live facial recognition in select areas of the UK capital, sparking significant controversy. IPVM...
Converged vs Dedicated Networks For Surveillance Tutorial on Feb 12, 2020
Use the existing network or deploy a new one? This is a critical choice in designing video surveillance systems. Though 'convergence' was a big...

What IPVM Is

The world's leading authority on video surveillance, with 200,000+ visits monthly.

  • Articles on cameras, video analytics, VMS, and trends
  • Tests showing actual performance and problems
  • Courses in surveillance, access control, etc
  • Camera Calculator for designing systems

Dedicated To Independence

We're dedicated to staying independent and objective. We're the only industry source to refuse any and all advertisements, sponsorship, and consulting from manufacturers. Why?