Hikvision ColorVu Camera Tested

By: Rob Kilpatrick, Published on Jun 24, 2019

Hikvision says their new ColorVu line captures "vivid chromatic images in darkness", with unconventional white light illuminations whereas most cameras use infrared.

To see how these new models perform, we bought and tested the DS-2CD2347G1-L, examining:

  • How good are details using the white light LED in the dark?
  • How do details compare without the LED?
  • Does it overexpose people in the scene?
  • Can it replace an outdoor light?
  • How does bandwidth compare to typical Hikvision turrets?

********* **** ******** ******* ************ "***** ********* ****** in ********", **** ************** white ***** ************* ******* most ******* *** ********.

** *** *** ***** new ****** *******, ** bought *** ****** *****-*********-*, *********:

  • *** **** *** ******* using *** ***** ***** LED ** *** ****?
  • *** ** ******* ******* without *** ***?
  • **** ** ********** ****** in *** *****?
  • *** ** ******* ** outdoor *****?
  • *** **** ********* ******* to ******* ********* *******?

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

*******

*********'* ******* ******** ***** details *** **** ***** fidelity ** ***** **** the ********** ***** ***** on ** ***** ***** (~15-30') **** ******* ******* lighting.

************, ** ****** ** supplemental ********, *********** * low **** *** *****, much **** ********* **** adding **** ******* ******** and ******* **** ****** a ********** *** *****. Those **** ****** ** no ******* ******** ** seeking ** ***** **** spots *** **** **** especially ******.

*******, *******'* ***** ***** suffers **** *** ***********:

  • ************ ******:** ***** **-**' *** nearer ** *** ******, subjects **** *********** ** our *****, ********* ** a ******** **** ** facial *******.
  • ****** ************:*******'* ************ *** **** weaker ** *** ***** of *** *** **** the ******, ******** ****** and ***** ******** ** these *****.
  • **** ** ************ ** longer *****:*******'* ************ ***** **** a ******** ~* *** at ~**' ******** (***** default ********) ** *.* at ~**' *** ~*.* at **', *** **** to ******** ********** ********.

*** ***** ******* ** accept ** **** ****** these ******, ******* ** an *********** *********** ** typical ********** ** ****** which ******* **** ********** images ** ***** ****.

*******

*** ********* ******* ****** (DS-2CD2345FWD-I), ******~$*** *** ****** is ~$** **** ********* than *** ********** ** version (**-**********-*) ***** ***** for ~$***.

Size **********

*** ******** ******* ****** is ********** ****** **** Hikvision's ******* ** ****** camera, *** **-**********-*, *** much ****** *** **** noticeable **** * ******* Dahua ***** **** ******.

Camera Size Comparison

Physical ********

*** ******* ****** ** similar ** ***** ******* in **** ******, *** uses * ******* ***** light *** ******* ** the ****** ** *** below *** ****.

ColorVu White LEDs Standard IR LED opsi2

***** **** **** *** its ****** ****, ************ of *** **** ** similar ** *********'* ***** turrets, **** *** **** mounting ******* *** ***** whip.

White ***** ************ ****

** *** ***** ***** we **** *** ******* of *** ******'* ***** light *********** ** * near-0 *** *****. *** white ***** ******* *********** details ** ***** ***** while *** ****** ** almost ******* ***** ******* illumination. ** **** *****, illumination ***** ********* *************, but *** ******* ** still ****** ******** ** up ** ~***' **** it *******.

Bright ***** ****** ** **** ***** / ** ****** ** ***

** *** *****, *** ColorVu ****** ******** ****** color ****** ** ***** at **** ***** (~**' distance/~60 *** *****), **** recognizable ******* ******* **** the ***** ***** *** on, **** ******* **** images ******* *** ***.

Strong Color Images At Near Range

****** ******** ****** **** in **** ****** **** using *** ***** ***** LEDs, ****** **** **** differences *** ****, **** as *** **** ** the *** ***, *********** between ****** ****** *** green, *** **** **** shades. *******, ****** *** much ******* **** ******* using *** ****, ***** they *** ********* *****************.

Nighttime Colors True With LED On

Colors **** ** *** ***** *** ******

*******, ** ****** *****, the ***** ***** ***'* power ** ******, **** subject ******* *** ****** lost ** ~**'/~** ***, shown *****, **** ***** noticeably *********. *******, ******* the ***** ***** ***********, even ********* ******* **** difficult, **** ** ******* details ** **** *********.

.Details And Colors Weaker At Longer Range 1 lux

Weak **** ************

***** *** ******* *** illuminates **** ** ******* range ** *** ****** of *** ***** ** view, ************ ** ******, with *** ***** ************* darker.

White Light Illumination Uneven

**** ******* ** ******* reduced ******* ** ******** near *** **** *** to ****** ***** *** light *** ******* *****. Additionally, ****** *** *********** lost.

Color Fidelity And Details Weak At Edges Of FOV

Near ***** ************

************, ******** ****** **-**' of *** ****** **** often ** ***********, ****** all ****** *******. ***** issues ******** ********** ** whether *** ***** *** set ** **** ** manual *** ******* "***** Supplemental ********" *** ******* or ***.

Near Range Overexposure

Slow ******* ******* (*/***)

**** **** ****** **** Hikvision ******, ******* ********* to */*** ******** ********* in ********** ********, *** present ** */***.

slow-shutter-default-causes-ghosting

** ******, ** ****** with */*** ******* *****, except *** *** ***** above ** **** *** tradeoffs ** *** ******* 1/12s *******.

White ***** ******

*******'* ************ *** *** very ******, ********* **** ~2 *** ** ~**' distance, ** *** ****** of *** ***, ***** default ********* ***** ********, though ******** **** (*.*.,******* ****** ***), **** ** ~*.* lux ** **' *** only ~*.* ** **'. The ***** ***** *** also ** ******** **********, which ******* ** ~** the ***** ****** ** maximum, ***** ** *** chart *****, *** **** increased *** ******** ** overexposure (*****).

***** ************ **** **** in * ***** **** background ************ ** *.** lux ******* *** ******'* white ***** ************.

Low **** *** ********

******* *******'* ***** ****** are ****** ** ** night (** *** ** a *****), ** *** be **** ** * substitute *** ** ******* light. **** *** ** especially ********** ** ***** with ****** ** ** exterior ********. ************, *** is ********* **** ********* to ******** *** ******* than **** ******* ********** wiring, ****** ************ **** versus ****** * *****.

*******, *******'* **** *** small *** ********** *****, appearing **** **** *** light ** * ********** than ******, **** ********* lighting ******* ***** *** accustomed **.

*** *******, *** ***** below ***** *** ******* camera (*****) ******* ~**-**' away **** ** ******** building ***** (****). *** standard ***** ** ****** and ****** **** *****, but ** ******** ********** the **** ****** **** ColorVu, **** *** ****** of *** **** ***** it ****** *******, ***** details ** *** **** around *** ******* ****** are ********* ** ***.

******* ******* ******** ** also ********* ******** *** more *******. *** *******, the ***** ***** ******** ColorVu ** * ******* outdoor ***** **********. *** ColorVu ****** ** ****** directly ** ***** ** it, *** ***** ** the **** ** *** FOV *** ****. ** contrast, *** ***** ********** bulb *********** ******** ** front ** **, **** harshly **** *******, *** also *********** **** ** the **** ** *** room, **** ***** ** the **** ** *** camera ********** ***, ******* the ******* **** ** ColorVu.

ColorVu Vs Standard Lighting

******* ** ***** ******, those **** ****** ** no ******* ******** *** find ******* ******. *******, those **** ********* ***** by ** ********* ******** may ** ****** *** with ******** ******** *** cameras ******* ** *******

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

*******'* ********* ******** **** higher **** ******* *** 4MP ****** ** **** tests, ****** * **/* at ***** **** ***** light **, ******** ** 1-2 **/* ** **** tests ** ** ******. Daytime ******** **** ******* to ***** ******.

**** **** ******* ********* with ***** ***** ****** off, *** *** ** much ****** ******, **** few ****** ******* ********* at **** ***** *****.

Bitrate Comparison1

Country ** ******

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

ColorVu Made In China

Test **********

******* **** ****** ***** default ******** **** **** changes:

  • *.***+/*.***+ **** *******
  • ******* ******** *** *** to */*** ******* ** the ******* */***
  • *** ***** ***** ******** were ***** ***** ******* settings (*********) *** ***** Supplemental ***** *******

*** ********* ******** ******** were ****, *** ****** available ** *** **** of *******:

  • **-*********-*:*.*.**

Comments (21)

Avatar

Matthew Del Salto

BLACKBOX USA | 06/24/19 04:12pm

**** *** *** ***** light ***** ** * deterent ** ****?

Undisclosed #1

06/24/19 04:18pm

****

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 06/24/19 04:45pm

**, * ****** ***** those. ***** ********** * *** *, now, ** ****.

** ******* **** **** ONVIF **********, *'* ** interested ** **.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Ethan Ace | 06/24/19 05:10pm

***** ********** * *** *, now, ** ****.

******* **** ******** **** range, *** *** *** bunny **** *** * dead ********.

Undisclosed Integrator #2

06/25/19 09:22am

**** ***** *** ********* of ***** ***** *** attracting ***** *** ********* spider ****? **** *** white ***** **** ** this ******?

Avatar

Rob Kilpatrick

IPVM | IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #2 | 06/26/19 11:39pm

** *****'* ****** **** specifically *** * ***** think *** ***** ***** would ***** ******* **** at *****, ***** ***** then ******* *******.

Undisclosed Integrator #3

06/26/19 06:43pm

**'** **** *** *** version *** ***** * month ** ** *** found *** ******* ** be ********** **** ***; especially **** ******* ******* comparable ****-**** ******** */ "Matrix ** " ** poor ******* **********. 

******** ***'** **** * screenshot ** (*) ****-***** compared ** (*) **/* color *** ** *** same *** ***** ** the **** **** (~* AM) **** ***** * rainstorm **** **** ******* lighting.

*********** ** *** **** the ********* ******* *** a *** **** ******* available ** ** ******* to *********** *** ******** of *** *** ****** within *** ***...****** ****. Don't ****** *** *** versions ****** ***** ********.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #3 | 06/27/19 12:13am

...**** ***** * ********* with **** ******* ********.

*** *** **** **** ambient*****, *****?

Undisclosed Integrator #3

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 06/27/19 02:30pm

???

*** **** **** *** are *********; **** ********** dealership ****** ***** *** lighting ** **** * PM, ** ***** **** light ******** ** *** cam ******, **'* ****** much ***** ***** *** there.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #3 | 06/27/19 02:34pm

#* ** ******** ** the ***** ** *** background ** *** *****.

* ** **** **'* dark ***** ***, *** camera ********, ** ***** a ********** ** *** lux ***** ** *.* or *.* ** * or *, ***. *******, all ** **** *** subjectively ** ********* ** dark ***, ** * camera, ** *** **** a ******** ********** ** performance.

**** ********** ********** ****** leave *** ******** ** past * **

*** *** ******* ****? If **** ********** ****** leave *** ********* **, how ** ** ******* to ***** *** ***** light ************ ** *** camera **? ** * missing ********* ****?

Undisclosed Integrator #3

In reply to John Honovich | 06/27/19 03:16pm

#* ** ******** ** the ***** ** *** background ** *** *****.

* ** **** **'* dark ***** ***, *** camera ********, ** ***** a ********** ** *** lux ***** ** *.* or *.* ** * or *, ***. *******, all ** **** *** subjectively ** ********* ** dark ***, ** * camera, ** *** **** a ******** ********** ** performance.

***, ** ******...****'* ****** someone ***** **** ***** that ******* *********** ** literally ;) *** ***, obviously "***** ** *** background" **** **** *** camera ***; *** ***** cams **********. ** **** every ********* *** ******** lots ********* ******* ** least ****** **** ******** to **** **** *******...****'* primarily **** * *** referring ** ** *** typical ****** ** "*******" light. ** **** ******** though, **** ************* ***'* possible. 

*** *** ******* ****? If **** ********** ****** leave *** ********* **, how ** ** ******* to ***** *** ***** light ************ ** *** camera **? ** * missing ********* ****?

******** **** * ******* of ******* ** **** less **** *** ***+ lumen **** ****** **** previously *********** *** ****** lot. ***** * *** amendment ** **** ****, this ********** ********** ** no ****** ******* ** produce * "********" ***** of ********...******* *** ****** powered **** **** **** under **** *********.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #3 | 06/27/19 03:39pm

...** ***** **** ***** provided ** *** *** itself, **'* ****** **** pitch ***** *** *****.

 *** *****, (** *** **** remote ****** *** ***’** motivated), turnoff *** *** *** a ****** *** **** a ********.  ** ***** is ** ******** ************ the *** ****** *** that **** *** ***, then ** ****** ***** see *** **** ** distant ****** *** * black ******* ***.

 

Undisclosed Integrator #3

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 06/28/19 03:36am

** *********, *** *** GUI **** *** ******* access ** ******** ******* the ***.

* ******* ** ******* a *** ********* *********** at ******* ******* ****** though (***** ****'* ** helpful) **** */** ***** the **** ******* *******...**** taken ** ~**:** **.

1/12

1/250

1/500

1/1000

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #3 | 06/28/19 05:15am

** *********, *** *** GUI **** *** ******* access ** ******** ******* the ***.

******* *** *** **** set (***********) *** ******* image ******** ** ** the **** ** *** night, *** **** ***** daytime.

********, *** ***** **** have ** ******** *** effect ** *** ** CUT ******, *** * would ****** **’* *** switchable ******, *** ****** on, ****** *’* *** positive.

@*****, **** ** *** think ***** *** ** CUT ******, ****** ** or?

Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security | 08/12/19 06:04pm

** **** *** ***** in *** * **** been ******* **** *** they *** ******. **** impressed **** *** *** light *******. **** ** my ******** ** ******** with ********** ** ******** other **** *** **** light. *******, *** ****** a **** **** *** this ** *****! (**** is **** *** ************ light ****** ***)

Undisclosed #4

In reply to Sean Nelson | 08/12/19 06:19pm

"*** **** *** ****"

******* **** ****:)

******* **** ** ****** for *** **** * month

*** ***** ***%

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

 

 

Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security | In reply to Undisclosed #4 | 08/16/19 06:46pm

*** ***** **** **** these ** ***** *** can **** *** ***** turn ** **** ** event *******? ** *** they *** * ** missing *********?

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Sean Nelson | 08/16/19 07:17pm

*** ******** **** *** models**** * ****** *** audio ***** ***** *** can ******** ** *****. We **** *** ** these ** *****, *** it's ****** ****** ** ship. * ****** ** test ** ** *********.

***** *** **** **** models ******** **** **** and *** ******, *** not **** ** ****'** coming ** *** ** or ***. ***** ****:

Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security | In reply to Ethan Ace | 08/16/19 07:21pm

****** *****. *** *** Accusense **** ** ****. pretty ****. ******** *** only * ****** *****.


**** ***** ** **** on *** *******'* ** if *** ***** ****** it **** * ****** activated *****.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Sean Nelson | 10/04/19 09:56pm

**** ***** ** **** on *** *******'* ** if *** ***** ****** it **** * ****** activated *****.

*** ***** ** ****** the ****** ** *** dark?

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | 10/16/19 06:00pm

**'** ***** * **** video ** *** ****** more ******* ******* *** effects ** *** ***** light *********** ***** ****** on *** *** ** a ****** ***** **** scene (~*.**-*.** ***):

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

Speco Ultra Intensifier Tested on Apr 22, 2019
While ISC West 2019 named Speco's Ultra Intensifier the best new "Video Surveillance Cameras IP", IPVM testing shows the camera suffers from...
Axis ARTPEC-7 P1375-E Camera Tested on Jul 12, 2019
Axis claims the new P1375-E box camera with ARTPEC-7 chip delivers "clear, sharp images in any lighting condition." But how well does it do? We...
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...
WDR Camera Mega Shootout 2019 - Avigilon, Axis, Bosch, Dahua, Hanwha, Hikvision, Panasonic, Vivotek on Sep 04, 2019
This is the biggest WDR Shootout ever, with 23 cameras from 8 manufacturers: We included true multi-exposure WDR and non-WDR models, ranging...
Panasonic 4K Camera Tested (WV-S2570L) on Sep 13, 2019
Panasonic has released their latest generation 4K dome, the WV-S2570L, claiming "Extreme image quality allows evidence to be captured even under...
Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) Guide on Oct 01, 2019
Understanding wide dynamic range (WDR) is critical to capturing high quality images in demanding conditions. However, with no real standards, any...
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...
Axis "Best Of The Best" 4K Camera Tested (Q1798-LE) on Nov 21, 2019
Axis has released their "best of the best" Q1798-LE bullet camera, touting "4K without compromise" with a large Micro 4/3" image sensor, custom...
AVTech ~$70 IP Cameras Tested Vs Dahua and Hikvision on Dec 04, 2019
Taiwanese manufacturer Avtech is taking direct aim at low cost leaders Dahua and Hikvision with ~$70 starlight and white light illuminator...
Uniview Color Low Light Camera Tested Vs Hikvision ColorVu on Jan 07, 2020
Hikvision has been marketing ColorVu aggressively. Now, Hikvision domestic rival Uniview (UNV) is offering aggressive pricing for their new rival...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Video Surveillance 101 Course - Last Chance on Feb 20, 2020
This is the last chance to join IPVM's first Video Surveillance 101 course, designed to help those new to the industry to quickly understand the...
Cheap Camera Problems at Night on Feb 19, 2020
Cheap cameras generally have problems at night, despite the common perception that integrated IR makes cameras mostly the same, according to new...
Milestone Launches Multiple Cloud Solutions on Feb 18, 2020
Milestone is going to the cloud, becoming one of the last prominent VMSes to do so. Milestone is clearly late but how competitive do these new...
Video Surveillance Architecture 101 on Feb 18, 2020
Video surveillance can be designed and deployed in a number of ways. This 101 examines the most common options and architectures used in...
UK Stands Behind Hikvision But Controversy Continues on Feb 18, 2020
Hikvision is exhibiting at a UK government conference for law enforcement, provoking controversy from the press, politicians, and activists due to...
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...
PRC Warns Against China Video Surveillance Hacks, Hikvision Targeted on Feb 14, 2020
Hackers are targeting China video surveillance manufacturers and systems, according to the PRC's main cyber threat monitoring body. The hackers...

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?