Integrated IR Camera Shootout 2020 - Avigilon, Axis, Bosch, Dahua, Hanwha, Hikvision, Panasonic, Uniview, Vivotek

By: Ethan Ace and Derek Ward, Published on Jan 30, 2020

The best and worst cameras tested in this IPVM shootout showed major differences in quality and performance.

Free image5

While many view IR as being a commodity, our month-long testing of 25 cameras across 9 manufacturers showed differently.

Key Performance Differences

Based on nearly a month of testing, we found several key performance differences:

  • Missing facial details: While the best cameras tested could capture facial details of subjects moving, many cameras tested smeared or obscured faces.
  • Uneven illumination: The best cameras delivered even illumination providing superior image capture over many cameras with hot and dead spots.
  • Problems adjusting to moving objects: Top cameras tested were able to quickly adjust for objects moving but many cameras could not.
  • Poor capture of multiple objects: While top performers could properly capture multiple objects in the scene, many models only exposed the foreground, missing distant subjects.
  • Ghosting/flare on license plates: The best performers captured highly reflective license plates with no flare or ghosted/doubled images, while others suffered from flare and ghosting, reducing details.

Models Tested

We included models with resolutions ranging from 1080p to 4K, low to high cost, to see how they compared to examine trends in integrated IR performance in 2020:

  • Avigilon 2.0C-H5A-BO1-IR
  • Avigilon 8.0C-H5A-BO1-IR
  • Avigilon 2.0C-H4SL-DO1-IR
  • Avigilon 5.0C-H4SL-BO1-IR
  • Axis M3106-LVE Mk II
  • Axis M3206-LVE
  • Axis P3245-LVE
  • Axis Q1798-LE
  • Bosch Flexidome 5000i / NDE-5503-AL
  • Bosch Flexidome 3000i / NDE-3502-AL
  • Dahua N85CL5Z
  • Dahua N45DL7Z
  • Dahua N44CL52
  • Hanwha LND-6011R
  • Hanwha XNO-6085R
  • Hikvision DS-2CD2785G0-IZS
  • Hikvision DS-2CD2723G1-IZS
  • Hikvision DS-2CD2725FHWD-IZS
  • Hikvision ECI-T22F2
  • Panasonic WV-S2531LN
  • Panasonic WV-S2570L
  • Uniview IPC3238ER3-DVZ
  • Uniview IPC262EBR9-HDUPZ
  • Vivotek FD8379-HV
  • Vivotek FD9365-EHTV
  • Wyze Wyze Cam 2.0

The video below quickly reviews the models tested:

*** **** *** ***** cameras ****** ** **** IPVM ******** ****** ***** differences ** ******* *** performance.

Free image5

***** **** **** ** as ***** * *********, our *****-**** ******* ** 25 ******* ****** * manufacturers ****** ***********.

Key *********** ***********

***** ** ****** * month ** *******, ** found ******* *** *********** differences:

  • ******* ****** *******: ***** the **** ******* ****** could ******* ****** ******* of ******** ******, **** cameras ****** ******* ** obscured *****.
  • ****** ************: *** **** cameras ********* **** ************ providing ******** ***** ******* over **** ******* **** hot *** **** *****.
  • ******** ********* ** ****** objects: *** ******* ****** were **** ** ******* adjust *** ******* ****** but **** ******* ***** not.
  • **** ******* ** ******** objects: ***** *** ********** could ******** ******* ******** objects ** *** *****, many ****** **** ******* the **********, ******* ******* subjects.
  • ********/***** ** ******* ******: The **** ********** ******** highly ********** ******* ****** with ** ***** ** ghosted/doubled ******, ***** ****** suffered **** ***** *** ghosting, ******** *******.

Models ******

** ******** ****** **** resolutions ******* **** ***** to **, *** ** high ****, ** *** how **** ******** ** examine ****** ** ********** IR *********** ** ****:

  • ******** *.**-***-***-**
  • ******** *.**-***-***-**
  • ******** *.**-****-***-**
  • ******** *.**-****-***-**
  • **** *****-*** ** **
  • **** *****-***
  • **** *****-***
  • **** *****-**
  • ***** ********* ***** / NDE-5503-AL
  • ***** ********* ***** / NDE-3502-AL
  • ***** *******
  • ***** *******
  • ***** *******
  • ****** ***-*****
  • ****** ***-*****
  • ********* **-*********-***
  • ********* **-*********-***
  • ********* **-***********-***
  • ********* ***-*****
  • ********* **-*******
  • ********* **-******
  • ******* **********-***
  • ******* **********-*****
  • ******* ******-**
  • ******* ******-****
  • **** **** *** *.*

*** ***** ***** ******* reviews *** ****** ******:

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

Overall ********** ** ****** ********

*** **** *****-*** *** Q1798-LE, **** *** ********** Axis ******, ********* **** in *** ***** ** this ****. ******* ****** performed ***** *******, **** as ********'* ***** *** 4K *** *******, *****'* low **** ********* *****, and ****** ******** ***-****, but *** ******** **** one ** **** ****** and ******* ****** ******* than *** **** *******.

*** ******** ** ************* tested *** ** ***** one ****** ***** ** below *******, ********* ****, Bosch, *** ******. **** Avigilon *** ******* ********* at ******* ** ***** average *** *** ****** tested.

IPVM Image

Axis *** */* **** *******

*** **** *****-*** *** Q1798-LE ********* **** ****** all **********, **** ****** facial *******, ********* ********** for ****** *******, ***** images ** ********** ******* and ******** *******, *** no ******** ******.

**** **** **** ***** two ****** *** **** of *** ****** ******* in **** ****, **** released ** ** ****. Additionally, *** *****-** ** a **** ****** ***** 4/3" ** *****, ***** sells *** ****** $*,*** USD, *** **** ********* model ** **** **** by * ***** ******.

Low **** *******: ***** *** *******

*****'* ********* ***** (~$***) was *** **** *****-**** camera ******, **** ****** coverage, **** ************, *** overall ****** *******. *******'* ~$260 **********-***** ******** **** coverage, *** *********** *** subject *** *** *******. Others, **** ** *****, Hanwha * ******, *** Hikvision, ********* *** **** issues, **** ************, ****** illumination, *****, ** *** of ***** ******.

Low-Cost *********** ***** ** *******

****** *** ******* ** the "***** *******" ******* of **** ******** **** from *** ************'* ****** cost **** (**** *, Dahua ****, ****** *, Hikvision ***** *******). *** two ******** ****** **** poor ********** **** *****'* 5000i (~$***+) *** *********'* S2531L (~$***).

Key *********** *******

*** ***** ******** *** following *** ******* ***** impact *********** ********, ** other *****, ******* * camera ** ********** "****" or ***:

  • ******* ** ****** *******:*** ********* ******** *********** difference *** ****** *** quality ** ****** ******* by **** ****** ** moving ********. ***** ** illumination ******** *** ***** were *********, ******* ***** include ******, **** **, but ****** **** ********* and ***** ****** ******* unusable.

IPVM Image

  • ******* ******** ** ********:****, *** ********* ** IR ******** *** *********, as ****. ******* ** our "****" ******** ***** covered *** **** ***** of *** ***** ** view ******* ******** ** the ***** ** * bright ****** *******.

IPVM Image

  • ********** ** ****** *******: Third, ** ********** *** well ******* ******** ** objects ******** ** *** scene, ** ***** ************ or ****** *******. **** did *** ******* ****** much ** ***, ***** others *********** ******** *** background.

IPVM Image

  • ********** *** ******** ******* in *****: **** ********* was ******* ******* ***** adjust ** ******** ****** a ******* ******* ******* the ***** ***** * larger, **** ********** ****** was ** *** **********, with *********** ******* ***********.

IPVM Image

  • ********** ****** ********: ****, we ****** *** **** cameras ******* ****** ********** objects, **** ** ******* plates. **** ******* ******** from ******** *** **********, while ******, *** **** were **** ** ******* both *** ******* ***** and **** ******* ***** default ********.

IPVM Image

Manufacturer *********** ************* ******

**** ************ *** ***** an *********** ** ******* optimizations ** ******* ** eliminate ****** **** ** testing. *** **** ****** suggestion *** ** ****** WDR, ********* ** ********* and *********.

** *** *****, **** had *** ****** ** evening *** *** ******'* illumination, *** ******** ******* additional *******. *** *******, in *** ********* ********, enabling *** ******** ******* dark ***** ** *** field ** ****, *** practical ******* ******* **** similar.

IPVM Image

*********, ***** *********** *********** (********* ************), ***** *** ***** results ** *** *****. In *** *******, *** had ******** ******, ******* out ****** *** **** spots ** *** ******'* field ** **** *** improving ******* ******* **********.

IPVM Image

*******, ** *** *******, details **** *********** *******, with ******* ***********:

IPVM Image

***** ***** *********** *** improve ***** ******* ** some *****, **** *** not ****** ******-***-***** ***************, as **** ****** *** not **** ** **** scenes *** ***** *** unlikely ** **** **** they ****** ****** ***** settings *** ** **** levels.

Performance **** *: ****** ******* *******

*** ********* ******** *********** difference *** ****** *** quality ** ****** ******* by **** ****** ** moving ********, **** **** providing ***** ******* ** long ******* ***** *****, others ************ ******** ** close ***** *** ********* solid ******* ******, *** others * ****** ** others ****** *** ********* any ****** ******* ** the *******.

*** **** *****-*** *** Q1798-LE (*****) ********* **** overall ** **** **** due ** ***** **** IR ************, ****** ************ for ****** *******, *** lack ** ***** ** overexposure.

*** ****' *** *** M3106-LVE ** ** ********* poorly, ************ *** ******* throughout (*****), **** ** recognizable ******* *********.

*********, ******* **** ** the ****** * ****** and ********* ***** ******* overexposed *** *******, **** increased ****** ** *****, shown ****:

*** ********** ***** ***** some ** *** *** performers ** **** **** compared ** *** ***** to **** *** **** range ** ***********:

IPVM Image

Performance **** *: ******** ** ** ********

*** **** **** ****** covered *** **** ***** of **** ****** *********** in *** *******, **** some ******* ** ********** to *** ***** ** the *** *** ****** containing * ****** ****** hotspot ***** ****** ************.

*** **** *****-*** ***** fully *********** *** ***** of **** **** **** to ****, **** ** center ******* ** **** edges:

IPVM Image

*******'* *** **** *** also ******* *** ***** of **** ****, ****** was ******** ****** ** the ******.

IPVM Image

*******, ******, ********* **** average/above ******* ******, *** not ****** **** *** field ** ****. *** example, *** ***** ***** suffered **** ********** **** edges, ****** ** *** not ********** *** ******* in *** ****** ** the *****.

IPVM Image

*** ********* ******** **** produced ** *****'* **** series ******, ****** ******* even **** ** ******* in *** *****:

IPVM Image

**** **** **** ******** of *** ***** ** view *** ******** **** heavily **** ***** ******* in ********, ******* ** some ***** *** "********" of ******** *** *** result ** ***** ***** details.

Varifocal ****** ** **********

*** *** ****** ***** impacted *** **** ******* IR *** ** *** scene *** ******* ******* adjusted ** ************ **** motorized **** *** *******. For *******, **** ******** zoom ** ****' * and * ******, *** camera ******** ******* ********* LEDs *** ********* ** decreased ***** ** *** the *****, ************ ****:

** ********, **** ****** did *** ****** ************ at *** **** ******** zoom, **** ** *** Panasonic * ****** ******. Regardless ** **** *****, illumination ******* ******** *** same:

IPVM Image

Performance **** *: ******** ****** **********

** **** ****, ** placed * ********** **** chart *** ******* ***** in *** **********, **** a ******* ** *** background ** *** *** cameras ******** ** **** both *******.

****, **** ** *** Axis */* ****** *** ExtraLux ***** ****** ********* the ****** *****, ********** and **********, ***** *** Bosch ***** ****** ********, but ***** ******* ********* the **** ******* *******. By ********, ******* **** as *** ********* ***** Express *** ******** ** significantly ****** *** ******* in *** **********, ******** detail.

IPVM Image

Performance **** *: ********** ****** ********

*******, **** ******* ********* flare ** ******** ** highly ********** ******* **** as ******* ******. **** commonly ******** ******* ** lens ***** ** *** side ** *** ******'* field ** ****, ***

IPVM Image

Outdoor ***********: ******* ***** ***** ************

** **** ****** ******* at ***** ** ** outdoor ******* ***, ******* from ~*-* ***. *******, performance *** ********** *******, but **** ****** ******** moderately ** ******* ***** reduced *** ********* ** their ** ************ ********.

*** *******, *** ***** models ***** ******** *** brightest ******* ******* ******* appeared **** ****** *********** outdoors ** ******** *** street ****** ****** ***** levels.

IPVM Image

** *** ******* *******, no ******* **** **** to ******* * ******* plate ******* ******** *** shutter *************, **** *** default ** */*** *** to * **** ****** 1/2000s ** */***** ***** drastically ******** *** **** of *** *****.

IPVM Image

Compared ** $** **** ***

*** ******* ** **** shootout ******** ****** ****** than ****'* $** **** Cam, ***** ******** **** dimmer ****** *******, **** weak ******* *******. **** is ****** ****** ** illuminate * ***** ****** than * ******* ***** room.

IPVM Image

**** ****, *** **** Cam ******** **** **** details ** ******** **** at ***** *****.

IPVM Image

Test **********

**** ****** ******** **** changed ** *********** ************* as **** ** ********, including:

  • ******** *** *** ** a ******* ** */*** in *** ******* ** reduce/eliminate **** ** ****** objects
  • *********** *** *** ** ~28-30 ************ ** *** cameras
  • ***** ****** **** ********

********** ** ******** **** left *********. ************ ******** was ****** ********** **** defaults, ** ********* *****.

****** ******** ** *** time ** ******* *** used ** *** *******.

Comments (14)

Undisclosed Integrator #1

01/31/20 01:56am

*** * **** **** P3245 **** ** *** office *** * *** weeks, ****** ******* *** night ****** *** *** best *'** ****, ***** out * *** ***** (pats *** ****)

vincent hoffmans

01/31/20 06:08pm

***** *** *** *** test. ***** ***** ***** are **** ******* ******** conclusions ** *******.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to vincent hoffmans | 01/31/20 06:19pm

***** ***** ***** *** only ******* ******** *********** or *******.

***** ** ********* ******** in *** ******, ****** below:

Key *********** *******

*** ***** ******** *** following *** ******* ***** impact *********** ********, ** other *****, ******* * camera ** ********** "****" or ***:

  • ******* ** ****** *******:*** ********* ******** *********** difference *** ****** *** quality ** ****** ******* by **** ****** ** moving ********. ***** ** illumination ******** *** ***** were *********, ******* ***** include ******, **** **, but ****** **** ********* and ***** ****** ******* unusable.

  • ******* ******** ** ********:****, *** ********* ** IR ******** *** *********, as ****. ******* ** our "****" ******** ***** covered *** **** ***** of *** ***** ** view ******* ******** ** the ***** ** * bright ****** *******.

  • ********** ** ****** *******: Third, ** ********** *** well ******* ******** ** objects ******** ** *** scene, ** ***** ************ or ****** *******. **** did *** ******* ****** much ** ***, ***** others *********** ******** *** background.

  • ********** *** ******** ******* in *****: **** ********* was ******* ******* ***** adjust ** ******** ****** a ******* ******* ******* the ***** ***** * larger, **** ********** ****** was ** *** **********, with *********** ******* ***********.

  • ********** ****** ********: ****, we ****** *** **** cameras ******* ****** ********** objects, **** ** ******* plates. **** ******* ******** from ******** *** **********, while ******, *** **** were **** ** ******* both *** ******* ***** and **** ******* ***** default ********.

Avatar

Lasse Sørensen

01/31/20 10:26pm

* **** ****** *** Bosch ***** **** **, and * *** ****** sure **** * *** me *** ******'* *** the ******** ***** ** get *** ****** ******** as * *****. **** to **** **** ** isnt **. *** ****** ago ** **** ****, a *** ******* **** the ****** * ******** 🐠 (*** *********) *** im ***** ** **** the ***** ** ***** fair *****/***********.

Gary Dorrian

CAA Security Systems
02/01/20 07:50am

* *** *** ****** understand *** *** **** do ***** ********* *** the ******** ***, ******* and ***** ***** ** the **** ********* ****, Avigilon ***** ***. *** not ****** * **** test.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Gary Dorrian | 02/01/20 05:09pm

****, ****** *** **** first *******!

***** ****** *** ****** know:

*. ** **** ** extensive ************* **** *****, Hikvision *** ******* ********** about **** ** ****** and *** ** ******. We **** **** ***** opportunity ** **** ** feedback *** **** ***.

*. **** ******** ****** do *** **** ** to **** **** ***** companies?

*. ***** *** **** was ********, ********* ********* we **** *** "* ***** *** **** Fighter ******" *** **** is ***** ****** ** Monday ***** **** * variety ** ***** ******* that **** ******** *******.

****** ***** *** *** us **** **** ****** you **** ******.

Avatar

David Johnson

02/03/20 02:52pm

********* ******** *** *****. As *** ****** **** 'you **** **** *** pays ***!' ** ****** virtually *** ** ****** provides * ******** ***** to * ***-** ****** in ***** ********. *** and **** ****** **** to ***** *** ******** of ******* ******* '**** person' ** '******* **** person' *** * ******** performance ******.

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | 02/06/20 05:01pm

******: ** ***** *** Hikvision ***** ****** *** Darkfighter, ******'* *** * series ***-*****, *** ******* FD9389-HV ** *** ********.

*** ********* *** ****** models **** ***** ******* in *** *****, ******* is ** *** ******* rankings.

*********'* ***** ****** ******** rough ******* ******* **** limited ************ *** *** fairly **** ****** *** field ** ****, *** it ******* **** ****/********* on ****** ******* ***** reduced ****** *******.

*** ****** ***-***** *** clear ** *** **** (below), *** * *** center ***, ***** *** to **** ***** ************ (at ~**-**' *** ******).

*** ******* **** *********** at ****** ***** **** others, ******** ** ~**', shown ****.

** **** ******** ** update ******** ** *** cameras *** ****** *** update **** ************.

Laura Jones

02/10/20 04:25am

**** ** ****** *** mentioned * ****** *** series ***** * *** hoping ** *** ********* from *** * ****** tested ******* *** ******* are ** * * & * ****** **** the ***** *** ****** of ***** ******* ****. Have *** ***** ****** any ** ***** *** comparison ****? * **** a ******* ** ***** be ******** ** *** Axis ***** ***** ** some ******* *’** ******** experienced ** *** *****.

Avatar

Derek Ward

IPVM | In reply to Laura Jones | 02/10/20 03:24pm

***** ******, *** ***** you *** *** ********!

*'** ******* * *** example ****** ** **** you *** *** ****** XNO-6085R ******** ** *** Axis *****-***. *** *****, I ****** ** *** you **** **** ******* IR ******** ** *** 6085R *** ******, ** seen *****:

***, *** ******** ****** as ** *** *** Hanwha ***** ****** ****** the **** ***** ** that ** ***** *** long *** ** ** adjust **** * ******* walking ** ******* *** scene. ** ~**' ****, a ****** ******* ******* overexposed, **** *** ****** unable ** ****** ** and ******** ** **** close-range *******:

**** *** **** *** Hanwha ******* ********:

*** *****-***** ****** ** the ***** ****** **** of *** **** *********** 2.0 ******* ** ******. If *** **** ********* or **********, ****** *** us **** *** *'* be ***** ** ******* more ****!

Laura Jones

02/10/20 04:48pm

****** *****! ****’* ** excellent ********. * **** that *** * ******* concern **** *** ***** on ** *** **** couple ***** **** *** number ** **’* *** placement ** ****** ** not *** **** **** overexposed *****. **** **** done *** ********** *** follow **.

Vladi Raikhlin

02/23/20 10:24pm

***** ********! *** ** Axis ******* **** *** LPC ** *****-**. ** you ****** ** ** close ** *****-*** / Q1798-LE?

Undisclosed Manufacturer #2

04/05/20 01:15pm

* **** ** *** Illustra *** ******* ** the **** **********

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #2 | 04/05/20 01:17pm

#*, ** ****** *** Illustra *** ***** * months *** *** **** did ********** ******. ***:******** *** **** ** Camera ******

Login to read this IPVM report.

Related Reports

Cheap Camera Problems at Night on Feb 19, 2020
Cheap cameras generally have problems at night, despite the common perception...
Bias In Facial Recognition Varies By Country, NIST Report Shows on Jul 15, 2020
While many argue that face recognition is inherently racist, results from one...
Injes Tiny Temperature Terminal Tested on Jul 17, 2020
While temperature terminals have trended bigger, the Injes DFace801 is...
Directory of 201 "Fever" Camera Suppliers on Aug 04, 2020
This directory provides a list of "Fever" scanning thermal camera providers...
IronYun AI Analytics Tested on Feb 17, 2020
Taiwan / US startup IronYun has raised tens of millions for its "mission to...
IR Surveillance Camera Guide on Feb 06, 2020
Integrated infrared (IR) cameras are everywhere in 2020, but not all IR is...
Masks Cause Major Facial Recognition Problems on Feb 24, 2020
Coronavirus is spurring an increase in the use of medical masks, which new...
Spectron IR Thermal Fever Screening System Examined on Apr 14, 2020
Most are quick to avoid "fever screening" and "medical" labels, but...
Facial Recognition 101 on Mar 18, 2020
Facial recognition interest, use and fear is increasing. This guide aims to...
FLIR Screen-EST Screening Software Tested on Jun 30, 2020
In our FLIR A Series Test, the cameras' biggest drawback was their lack of...
FLIR A Series Temperature Screening Cameras Tested on Jun 04, 2020
FLIR is one of the biggest names in thermal and one of the most conservative....
Hikvision and Uniview Entry Level Thermal Handheld Cameras Tested on Jun 05, 2020
While most screening systems cost $10,000 or more, manufacturers such as...
Mobotix Thermal Detection Camera Tested on Jun 09, 2020
For years Mobotix has struggled but now sales are surging driven by Mobotix's...
TVT Temperature Measurement Terminal Tested on Jul 23, 2020
While Dahua and Hikvision get the most attention for China temp products,...
Vivotek LPR Camera Tested on Apr 15, 2020
Vivotek has historically sold license plate capture cameras but not LPR. Now,...

Recent Reports

Dangerous Hikvision Fever Camera Showcased by Chilean City on Aug 07, 2020
Deploying a fever camera outdoors, in the rain, with no black body, is...
"Grand Slam" For Pelco's PE Firm, A Risk For Motorola on Aug 07, 2020
The word "Pelco" and "grand slam" have not been said together for many years....
FLIR Stock Falls, Admits 'Decelerating' Demand For Temperature Screening on Aug 07, 2020
Is the boom going to bust for temperature screening? FLIR disappointed...
VSaaS Will Hurt Integrators on Aug 06, 2020
VSaaS will hurt integrators, there is no question about that. How much...
Dogs For Coronavirus Screening Examined on Aug 06, 2020
While thermal temperature screening is the surveillance industry's most...
ADT Slides Back, Disappointing Results, Poor Commercial Performance on Aug 06, 2020
While ADT had an incredible start to the week, driven by the Google...
AHJ / Authority Having Jurisdiction Tutorial on Aug 06, 2020
One of the most powerful yet often underappreciated characters in all of the...
SIA Coaches Sellers on NDAA 889B Blacklist Workarounds on Aug 05, 2020
Last month SIA demanded that NDAA 899B "must be delayed". Now that they have...
ADI Returns To Growth, Back To 'Pre-COVID Levels' on Aug 05, 2020
While ADI was hit hard in April, with revenue declining 21%, the company's...
Exposing Fever Tablet Suppliers and 40+ Relabelers on Aug 05, 2020
IPVM has found 40+ USA and EU companies relabeling fever tablets designed,...
Indian Government Restricts PRC Manufacturers From Public Projects on Aug 04, 2020
In a move that mirrors the U.S. government’s ban on Dahua and Hikvision...
Directory of 201 "Fever" Camera Suppliers on Aug 04, 2020
This directory provides a list of "Fever" scanning thermal camera providers...
Face Masks Increase Face Recognition Errors Says NIST on Aug 04, 2020
COVID-19 has led to widespread facemask use, which as IPVM testing has shown...
Dahua Loses Australian Medical Device Approval on Aug 04, 2020
Dahua has cancelled its medical device registration after "discussions" with...
Google Invests in ADT, ADT Stock Soars on Aug 03, 2020
Google has announced a $450 million investment in the Florida-based security...