Hikvision 4K Camera Tested
Hikvision is the most common choice for low price entry level products but they are also competing with low light models, smart CODECs, WDR cameras, and more.
In this report, we focus on the growing 4K segment, testing the Hikvision DS-2CD4585F-IZH against 4K models from Axis, Avigilon, and Panasonic, to see how well they compete in full light:
And low light performance:
Plus we analyze bandwidth consumption, physical features, and more. See our full results inside.
Summary
The Hikvision 4585 produced some of the best full light details of 4K cameras in our tests, beyond Axis and Avigilon, and similar to the Panasonic 781L. Additionally, the inclusion of the H.264+ smart CODEC (one of few 4K cameras to do so) offers significant bandwidth reductions, 70-75% or more, versus those models using standard H.264.
While the 4585 had the brightest overall low light images of 4K models in this test, with solid detection of subjects at ranges beyond others (~175'+), it also significantly washed out subjects at nearer ranges (<50') in some scenes.
Pricing
The Hikvision DS-2CD4585F-IZH sells online for about $900. This is slightly more than Dahua's 4K outdoor model (~$800 online), though notably lower than than 4K IR models from Panasonic and Sony, both of which sell for $2,000+.
See all features of the 4K cameras in the IPVM comparison tool:
Physical Overview
The Hikvision 4585 is physically typical of outdoor vandal domes with integrated IR, similar in size to others. We review its features in this video:
IR Range
The DS-2CD4585F-IZH exceeded its 40m (~31') IR specs in our tests, reaching over 50m (~160').
The clip below shows our subject walking from ~175' to the camera location, clearly illuminated.
IR Overexposure
IR overexposure was an issue at shorter ranges, about 50' and nearer, as seen in this clip below. The subject is almost totally washed out as he approaches and crosses in front of the camera.
Low Light Performance
We tested low light performance in fields of view varying from ~48' to ~168', seen below. Light levels were low, with some ambient outdoor lighting and a full moon, ~0.1 to ~0.8 lux.
At long ~100' distance/~23 PPF, none of the cameras produce usable images of the subject or test chart, though the Hikvision 4K camera is notably brighter, with the subject easily detectable. Note that this distance is beyond the IR range of all cameras tested (15-30m) except Hikvision, which claims (and attains) 40m IR range.
At closer range, Hikvision is again brighter than others, and slightly less noisy than the Panasonic WV-SFV781L, though with little practical increase in details.
Finally, close to the camera, ~30' distance/~80 PPF, the Panasonic WV-SFV781L provides better legibility of the test chart as the 4585 looks slightly blurred/smeared. Note that these issues were not caused by focus, which was checked prior to testing. The Avigilon 4K camera provides detection of the subject and 1-2 lines of text, while the Axis P1428 is essentially dark.
Full Light Performance
At ~100' range/~23 PPF, the 4585 delivers better details than the Avigilon and Axis 4K models, more similar to the Panasonic SFV781L, with the chart legible to line 2/3 and more even exposure.
Near the cameras, where PPF is high (~80), the Hikvision 4585 provides details nearing those of the Panasonic WV-SFV781L, better showing the subject's features as well as the test chart compared to the Avigilon and Axis cameras.
Bandwidth Comparison
We tested bandwidth in the scenes above to see how the Hikvision 4K cameras compare to others.
During the day, with H.264+ off, the Hikvision 4585's bitrates averaged higher than Axis' P1428, similar to the Panasonic 4K 781L. At night, bitrates were higher than all cameras but Avigilon.
H.264+ Support
Hikvision's 4585 is one of the first 4K cameras we have tested which supports smart CODECs (note that the Panasonic 781L now does as well, via firmware update after this test).
Like lower resolution cameras, bitrate reductions were significant, ~75% in full light and ~73% at night with IR on.
However, unlike lower resolution H.264+ models, we experienced viewing issues in VMSes when H.264+ was turned on in the 4585. For example, we saw the issues below in Exacq, with the stream freezing on an I-frame while P-frames "ghosted" or smeared over top of it instead of properly sending the changes in the frame.
Test Parameters
Cameras were tested using default settings, with the following adjustments:
- Exposure was set to 1/30s max
- Quantization was set to an average of ~28
The following firmware versions were used:
- Avigilon 8.0-H4A-DO1: 3.10.0.96
- Axis P1428-E: 5.80.1.1
- Hikvision DS-2CD4132FWD-IZH: 5.3.4
- Panasonic WV-SFV781L: 2.40