Hikvision 4MP Camera Tested (DS-2CD2345FWD-I)

By Ethan Ace, Published Sep 27, 2018, 10:13am EDT

Hikvision's latest Performance Series / EasyIP 3.0 4MP model, the DS-2CD2345FWD-I, was the top performer in our 4MP shootout, besting rivals from Axis, Dahua, Hanwha, and more in multiple categories.

In this report, we look at this model in more detail, examining:

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  • Full light performance
  • Low light performance
  • Integrated IR coverage
  • Integrated IR range
  • WDR performance
  • Bandwidth consumption
  • H.265 vs. H.264
  • VMS integration
  • Physical features
  • Pricing compared to others

Readers should also see our tests of other 4MP models, including:

And do not miss the 4MP Camera Shootout.

*******

*** ********* **-**********-* *** several *** *********, ****** it *** ** ****** ********** *** ******* in *** *****:

  • ***** ******* ******* ***** quality:****** *** ***, *** camera ******** ***** *******, with **** **** ******** than ******, *** ******* details ************ ** ****** ranges ** * ****** 10,000+ *** ***.
  • ***** *** ***********:*** ****'* *** *** exceptional, ***** *** **** of *** ******* ** have ******, ********* ****** details ******* **** ****** backlight *** ****** ***** in * >**** ******** scene (** **** *******, 90 *** ******).
  • **** ** ********:** ************ ** *** 2345 *** ***** ****** the ****** ***** ** view, **** ** ****** overexposure.
  • *** ***** ***** ********:*** ****'* *.*** ***** codec ******** **** ***** the ****** ** *** models ******, **** *** and *****, **** ******** motion ** *** *****.
  • ***** *** *******:*********'* *** ******* ** broad ******** ** **** low **** *** ****** tested, **** *.*** *** camera **** ****** ********* in *****, *********, *** Nx *******, **** *.*** and ****** ********* ** Avigilon.

*** ******'* **** ******** was ***** **** *******. In * test *****, **** ** close ***** (~**'/~** ***), nighttime ******* **** ** were ********** ****, **** subject ******* *******.

*******

*** ********* **-**********-* ******* for ~$*** ******, ************* higher **** *********** ******* such ** *** ***** N44CL52 (~$*** ******). **** pricing ** ****** ** competitors **** ** ******'* QNV-7010R *** *******'* ******-** (~$230).

4mp camera price comparison

**** **** ** ****** the *.*** *****, *** the ********* **-**********-* **** comes ** ***, ***, 8mm, *** **** ***** length.

Physical ********

*** ***** ******** **** Hikvision's ****** ******, *** 2345's ******** ************ ******* practically *********. ***** ** provided * ******** ******** of *** ********* ************-*.

Size **********

**********, *** ********* **-**********-* is ******** ****** ** diameter ** *** ***** and *** **** ******* but ******* ** ******. Note **** *** ***** and ********* ***** *** a **** *** ************ while *** **** ****** does ***.

similar size to other turrets

Day/Night ***** *******

****** *** ***, ** ~15' *** ****** ******** full ****** ******* *** a ******* ***** **** to *** ***** ****, with *** ******* **** evenly ******* ******* ~**,*** lux ********. ** *****, facial ******* *** **** soft *** ********* ** make ***, **** **** overexposure ** *** **** chart.

solid day details slight blur 1 lux

******** *** ******** ** ~30', ** ~** *** the ****** ***** ******** some ****** ******* *** the ****** **** ** the ***** ** ******** during *** ***. ** night **** ** **, the ****** ******** ** facial ******* *** ** lines ** *** ***** are *******.

rough day details no subject details 1 lux

*******, ** ~***' *** camera **** ******** ********* of *** ******* ** both *** *** ***** images. ** ************ ******* the ******'* ********* ***** of ~*****.

detection only at max ir range

IR ********

*** ****'* ********** ** appeared ******** ****** ** the ******, *** ******* illuminated ******** ** *** edges ** *** ***** of ****, ** ****. Details ** *** ***** of *** ***** ** view *** ********** ******* due ** ******** ********* digital ***** *** ****** lens **********.

hikvision ds-2cd2345fwd-i

WDR ***********

** ****** *** ** a ********* ***** **** open ******** ****, **** a **** ***** **** lighting ******** (~** *** indoors **. **,***+ *******).

wdr test field of view

*** **-**********-*'* *** *********** was ****** ** *** testing, ********* ****** ******* against **,***+ *** ********* and ************** ******* ** a **** ~** *** region. ** *** *** shootout, *** **** ******** details **** ***** ** the *** ********** ******* FD8379-HV, ****** **** **** the ******* ***** ******** a ********** ******** ** Quad ** ******* ** 4MP ** *** **** WDR, *** ******** ** Hikvision.

solid wdr performance

VMS ***********

*** **-**********-* ********** **** Exacq, *********, *** ** Witness ******* ***** *** H.264, ***** *** ** Witness **** *** **** VMSes ** ********* *** camera's *.*** ******. *** of *** ***** **** supported *** ****** **** supported ***. *** ******'* on ***** ********* **** supported ** ********* *** NxWitness.

Smart ***** *********

*** ****'* *.***+ ******** were ********** ***** **** H.264+ **** *** *** night, ***** **-**% ** both ******. ***** ******** were ***** **** **** other *** ******* ****** in *** *** ********, with **** *** **** M3106 **** ********* *.*** lower.

**** **** *** ************ were ***** **** ******** motion ** *** ***** (subjects *******). ***** **** less ****** ** ******* still ****** *** *** much ***** ********.

bitrate comparison

Test **********

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

  • ********* **********-*: **.*.** ***** 180622

*** **-**********-* ** **** in *****.

Comments (6)

kam sawalha

09/29/18 02:23pm

This is the dome model DS-2CD2145FWD-I(S) of the turret. Is there a US version?

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Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to kam sawalha | 10/01/18 03:54am

The dome version (DS-2CD2145FWD-I) is available in the US. We actually have one, but preferred turrets in the 4MP shootout as they were more widely available across all seven manufacturers in the shootout, and many prefer them for outdoor use.

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Jon Dillabaugh

Pro Focus LLC
10/01/18 12:28pm

What I would love to know is if the Darkfighter models (2X25/2X35) end up providing more effective “resolution” than the non-Darkfighter (2X45) models in low light environments. Would be nice to know if we should stick with the DF models for outdoors or if going back to the 4MP would make more sense. 

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Chris Chambers

In reply to Jon Dillabaugh | 03/24/19 06:01am

Higher up in price, but the DS-2CD5546G0-IZHS is very impressive in low light.  It's one that makes the claim of 0.002 lux in color, which I believe is the lowest claim Hik makes for anything other than the two "DarkFighterX" models they have which claim 0.001 in color.  In a direct comparison, the DS-2CD5546G0-IZHS was noticeably better in low light than a DS-2DE4A404IW-DE speed dome, which also claims 0.002 lux in color.  The 2 are close, but the non PT is better.  Both are 4 MP.  The former has a slightly larger sensor and is newer, I think.

Based on some other comparisons, I would say in some cases the 3 MP DF may offer better subject details in low light.  Close range in particular.  The DS-2CD5546G0-IZHS appears to show more detail than an 8 MP DS-2CD2785FWD-IZS within about 20 feet at night.  The 8 MP has a claimed 0.01 lux in color.  If you look at the specs you see the sensor in the 4 MP is actually a good bit larger even though half the MP, so you expect much better low light performance.  One problem in terms of keeping cost down when seeking really good low light performance is that Hik does not seem to offer the larger sensors without the added cost of varifocal.

EDIT:  I'll add that the DS-2CD5546G0-IZHS is much better in low light than another Hik model, the DS-2CD2642FWD-IZS, that makes the same 0.014 lux in color claim as the model reviewed here.  It's an older bullet with a smaller sensor but a slightly faster lens.

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kam sawalha

10/01/18 12:42pm

That’s were I’m at know trying to decide Hanwha 7080r or between 2x35 or 2x45 , dome or turret,  I don’t have much of a low light need.

 

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Chris Chambers

03/24/19 06:19am

And herein lies a big problem in the choice of security cameras.  I will pay more money for U.S. made products.  I will also pay more for some products not made in the U.S. but not made in China.  In pretty much all of those cases, however, I'm getting better performance and durability with products made in the U.S., or made in Germany, or made in Japan, etc.  In some cases the Chinese products are a joke.

In this case, though, the Chinese brand offers better performance.  And the Chinese brand is offering a huge selection as well.  And of course the typical lower cost versus most other options.

If I were an installer/integrator, I would probably still make the same choice as most here appear to do, which is avoid Hikvision due to cybersecurity issues and Chinese government ownership issues.  I would not be happy about lower performance and less selection.

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