48MP 180 Camera (Digital Watchdog) Test

Published May 10, 2017 04:29 AM

Camera resolution continues to advance, with Digital Watchdog offering the MegaPIX PANO 48MP 180° camera, the highest resolution mainstream camera available, outside of $10,000+ specialty cameras (such as Dallmeier's Panomera).

But, with this high resolution historically come tradeoffs in bandwidth and low light performance, and coming from less well-known manufacturer Digital Watchdog, the question is how it compares to more mainstream multi imager options.

We bought and tested the 48MP to see how it performed against the Axis Q3709-PVE, Pelco Optera, and Vivotek MS8391 in full light and low light, how bandwidth compares, installation issues, and more.

 

Summary

In our tests, the Digital Watchdog 48MP 180° camera offered slight increases in details over Axis' 33MP Q3709-PVE in full light scenes. However, performance in low light (>1lx) was similar in all non-IR cameras tested, producing details only at short range (~20', PPF ~120-240 depending on model), with even detection impossible in very dark scenes (~0.02lx in our tests).

Further, the DW 48MP is officially compatible only with DW Spectrum/Network Optix VMS, with no ONVIF conformance, though the camera also functioned properly in Security Center in our tests using a separate "Genetec" mode (though is not officially supported by Genetec).

Finally, the camera had focus and alignment issues not seen in other multi imager models tested.

Pricing

The DWC-PZV2M72T sells for ~$2,300 online, similar to the Axis Q3709-PVE. This pricing is significantly higher than 12MP models such as the Pelco or Vivotek tested here, both ~$1,600.

Physical Overview

The PZV2M72T has an atypical flattened dome form factor, not really like most other cameras, with the four imagers each aiming through an individual window (similar to the Vivotek MS8391). We review the camera's features in this video:

Limited Tilt

Downtilt of the 48MP camera is limited, only 5-10° compared to 45°+ in most other multi-imager models. Tilt is adjusted using a captive screw/spring, shown below, but cannot be adjusted more than a few degrees as the dome design (with four individual "windows") would block the cameras' FOV.

Note that some of the camera's outdoor mounts allow for additional downtilt, such as the 1.25" adapter shown here:

Sensor Rotation/Panorama Alignment

In our tests we found that the DW 48MP's imagers required manual alignment to properly "stitch" the Panorama. Even when adjusted as best as possible, overlap between sensors was still present, shown below.

We review images with sensor alignment in this video:

Autofocus Issues

During testing we also experienced frequent autofocus issues. When attempting to run autofocus, the camera often completely defocused, requiring autofocus to be rerun or manually focused. We show these issues in this video:

Camera Configuration

We review the web interface of the DW 48MP in the video below. Notably, the camera defaults to 1/15s slow shutter and should be adjusted to 1/30s in setup to avoid blurring.

DW Spectrum Only Official VMS Support

The 48MP camera is only officially supported by DW Spectrum/Network Optix. The camera is displayed as a single tile in DW Spectrum, unlike some other multi imagers (such as Axis, shown below), which uses a separate tile for each imager.

Genetec Mode

Though not officially supported/tested, the DW 48MP camera also has a Genetec "mode", switchable in the web interface. This mode allows the camera to be added to Genetec via its "Genetec Protocol", added as a single device with four cameras (one for each imager), shown below.

Not ONVIF Conformant 

Despite being listed as Profile S Conformant in its product features, the PZV2M72T is not listed by ONVIF as conformant (Digital Watchdog is not listed as an ONVIF member). The ONVIF "mode" shown in the web interface beneath DW Spectrum and Genetec is greyed out and may not be selected. Digital Watchdog says ONVIF conformance is planned for a future update.

DW 48MP vs. Axis 33MP

In the video below, we review tradeoffs/performance differences between the two highest resolution models in this test, the DW 48MP and Axis 33MP, both using 12MP sensors. Notably:

  • Axis greater vertical FOV: Axis' vertical field of view is greater, but some of this advantage is wasted above the horizon.
  • DW less tilted: Imagers of the DW 48MP camera are more level than the Axis' camera's outer imagers, which are significantly tilted.
  • DW overlap: The DW camera's imagers overlap one another (discussed in more detail above). Axis' do not. 

For more details on these issues in the Axis camera, see our test of the Axis 33MP.

Full Light Image Quality 

At close range, the DW 48MP camera produced more fine details than all other cameras tested, including Axis' 33MP, with legible text to line 10 of the test chart. Exposure and facial details were most even in DW as well. Note that details at this range are strong in all cameras as PPF is very high (~120-240).

However, at further distances, performance of the DW camera and Axis is similar, despite significantly higher PPF in the DW panoramic (80 vs. 58 in Axis). Both 12MP models (Pelco and Vivotek) display rough details and limited legible text at this range.

Finally, at 100' distance, subject details are similar in the DW and Axis cameras, but the Q3709 displays some legible characters on line 3 of the test chart. No characters are legible in either Pelco or Vivotek, with detection of the subject only. 

Low Light Performance

We next tested with exterior lights on, ~4lx at close range, dropping to ~0.2 lux further back in the scene.

At this light level, the DW 48MP produces the best images of the subject, but the test chart is slightly washed out compared to the Axis Q3709. Note that the Vivotek MS8391 includes integrated IR.

Moving to ~60' from the cameras, details are similar in all cameras, with detection only, no identifying details. Despite delivering 2x the PPF of Pelco and Vivotek, digital noise and artifacting obscure subject details in this scene. 

The same is true at ~100' distance, with the subject very difficult to discern against noise/artifacts in all cameras. The Vivotek MS8391 shows the best detection of the subject in this scene, but PPF is very low, making detection still difficult.

Finally, testing without supplemental outdoor lighting, lux levels throughout the scene are ~0.02. At this light level, even at close range, none of the non-IR cameras were able to produce a usable image of subject or test chart, only the integrated IR Vivotek camera. 

Bandwidth Comparison 

The DW 48MP camera's bitrates were very high day and night in our tests, about 30% higher than Axis, a logical increase as it uses 4 imagers instead of 3. Bandwidth was more than 100-200% higher in the DW than Pelco and Vivotek, as well, both notably lower resolution.

 

However, when viewed as megabits per megapixel, the Digital Watchdog 48MP's bitrates are actually lower than other cameras both day and night, slightly lower than Axis, and significantly lower than the lower resolution Pelco and Vivotek. 

Note that only the Vivotek MS8391 used smart codecs in this test. The Pelco Optera includes smart codecs in new firmwares, but we have not yet tested these features.

Test Parameters 

Cameras were standardized to 1/30s shutter, 7 FPS, ~28-30 quantization.

Firmware versions used in this test:

  • Digital Watchdog DWC-PZV2M72T: 5.1.0710
  • Axis Q3709-PVE: 5.75.1.4
  • Pelco IMM12018: 2.8.0.9.8360-A0.0
  • Vivotek MS8391-EV: 0101

Software versions used:

  • DW Spectrum: 2.6.0.14300 
  • Genetec Security Center: 5.5.670.1080
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