Hikvision H.265+ Bullet Tested (2035)
Continuing our tests of Hikvision's new low cost Value Plus line, we bought and tested the 3MP DS-2CD2035FWD-I [link no longer available], now including H.265+.
We shot the camera versus competitive models from Axis (M2025) and Hanwha (Wisenet Q) as well as Hikvision's past generation Value Plus 1080p model, the DS-2CD2022WD-I.
Readers should see our previous coverage of this new line, including the low cost 4K DS-2CD2385 and our detailed tests of the new H.265+ smart codec.
Summary
Based on our tests, Hikvision's 2035 is a slight to moderate upgrade of their previous generation Value Plus models in image quality, performing similarly in well lit and WDR scenes, but with better IR illumination than the previous generation 2022 bullet.
Compared to competitive cameras tested:
- Axis better WDR: The Axis M2025-E outperformed the 2035 and other cameras tested in both WDR scenes, handling strong backlight best in our tests.
- Hanwha better low light/IR: Hanwha's Wisenet Q produced better low light details, with clear subject details at shorter ranges (about 20-30') with no overexposure of the subject seen in Hikvision models.
Finally, for those using compatible VMSes/NVRs, the 2035's smart H.265 bitrates were the lowest of cameras tested. However, these streams were officially supported by no VMSes we tested either via direct driver or ONVIF. RTSP H.265 streaming worked without issue in Exacq, but camera VMD, stream configuration, and other features are lost when doing so.
Price
The DS-2CD2035 sells for ~$150 USD online, about the same price as the previous generation 1080p DS-2CD2022WD-I. Note that the 1080p 2025 model is now available and priced slightly below previous models (~$145), but was not available at the time of testing.
The 2035 sells for ~$40-50 less than the Hanwha Wisenet Q bullet (~$200 online), and is about half the price of the Axis M2025 (~$300).
Physical Overview
The video below provides a physical overview of the 2035. The camera has a very similar appearance to the Hikvision 20x2 series of cameras, as shown below.
Constant WDR Performance
Next, cameras were tested starting in a relatively static WDR scene, an open overhead warehouse door. Outside lux levels were ~1,700lx, vs. ~115lx inside.
Subject and chart details were similar across all cameras in both light and dark areas of the scene. However, details beyond the subject are most visible in the Axis M2025, with vehicles and foliage properly exposed, in contrast to other cameras which wash them out to varying levels.
Changing Light WDR Performance
Cameras were tested in two WDR scenes, starting in a difficult man door example, with light levels changing as the door opens and closes. Light varied from ~7,600lx outside to ~45 inside.
The 2035 was outperformed by the Axis M2025 in this scene, which required hardly any adjustment to the changing light conditions, while other cameras overexpose the subject before adjusting.
Daytime Quality
This image shows the test FoV, taken on a bright overcast day, ~17,000lx, with the subject and chart ~20' from the camera.
Cameras provide similar detail in this scene at ~40 PPF / ~20' distance, with the 2035 slightly better exposed than Hikvision's past model, the 2022.
Moving to ~60' distance, where PPF is low (~13), details are again similar. The 2035's improved contrast provides very slight increases in details, but the subject and chart are roughly similar in all cameras.
IR Illumination Pattern
The illuminator of the 2035 was noticeably dark toward the edges of the FOV and brighter in the center, causing moderate overexposure, shown below.
However, this IR pattern is notably improved compared to the previous value series, which displayed reflectance issues in our tests, shown as multiple "rings" in the image below.
IR Range
In our tests, the DS-2CD2035 reached or moderately exceeded its specified 30m (~100') IR range, shown below. However, at this distance, PPF is reduced to ~8 due to the camera's 98° AOV, making subjects difficult to spot, with no details available. Note that details could potentially be improved using long focal length lens options (4mm, 6mm, etc.) available on this camera, though FOV width would be lost when doing so.
Nighttime Quality
Starting at 10', with PPF high at ~85, the 2035 provides solid detail of the subject and test chart, better than the older 2022 model and Axis' M2025. The Hanwha QND-6010R provided the clearest details of the subject here.
At 20', the subject and chart become washed out in all cameras, but worst in the 2035, with practically no facial details visible. The Hanwha 6010R shows some details of the subject in this scene, and better text chart legibility.
At 60', PPF drops to ~13, and cameras provide only detection, no details.
At 30 meters (~100'), the camera's maximum specified IR range, the 2035 again provides slightly better detection of the subject as he is more clearly illuminated against the background.
Bandwidth
The 2035 includes H.265+, combining H.265 with Hikvision's smart codec. Readers should see our full test of Hikvision's H.265+ for full details of the smart codec. Both the Axis and Hanwha cameras tested here include smart codecs, Axis Zipstream H.264 and Hanwha Wisestream H.265.
Compared to these models, the 2035's bitrates were lower in all scenes, especially vs. Hanwha.
Compared to H.264+, H.265 bitrates were lower in all scenes, most notably in the open field night scene.
H.265 VMS Support
Hikvision's H.265 cameras currently have very limited VMS support. Out of VMSes which support H.265 (Axxon, Exacq, Genetec, Milestone, Video Insight), none list support for the cameras' H.265 streams, with only Milestone XProtect listing the cameras as supported at all. RTSP H.265 streaming worked without issues in Exacq, but VMD, stream configuration, and other features are lost when doing so.
Hikvision says they are working on integrating this series with third party VMSes, both via direct drivers and ONVIF. They also plan to add support for ONVIF's media2, which enables H.265 streaming, in their next firmware release.
Test Parameters
The following firmware versions were used in this test:
- Hikvision DS-2CD2035FWD-I: V5.4.4 build 170112
- Axis M2025-LE: 6.15.2.1
- Hanwha QND-6010R: 1.02_170221
- Hikvision DS-2CD2022WD-I: V5.4.5 build 170124