Dahua 5MP Starlight Camera Tested (N52BM3Z)
Is 5MP the new 1080p? According to our recent statistics, average resolution continues to trend upwards. And now, manufacturers releasing new generation 5MP cameras featuring super low light capabilities previously found in 1080p models.
In our first test of this new generation of 5MP models, we look at the Dahua 5MP starlight N52BM3Z dome, examining:
- Physical features
- Installation issues
- IR coverage
- IR range
- Low light image quality
- Full light image quality
- WDR performance
- Bandwidth
- VMS support
Note: This report is the first in our tests of new generation 5MP/6MP cameras, with upcoming reports on the Axis Q3517-LVE, Hanwha XNV-8080R, and Hikvision DS-2CD4565-IZH, as well.
Summary
The Dahua N52BM3Z offered average to poor performance in several areas in our tests:
- Weak IR at edges: IR coverage was poor, with a well lit center but subjects very difficult to spot at the edges of the field of view.
- Dim IR images: Though it claims "starlight" performance, Dahua's N52BM3Z performed poorly in low light with IR on, with weak details and dim images compared to Dahua 1080p models.
- Below average WDR: WDR performance was below average, with details of human subjects and test chart visible in both backlit and dark areas of the scene, but with notable discoloration issues (tending pink/orange) not seen in other models, as well as oversharp edges.
- Difficult SD access: The N52BM3Z's SD card was difficult to access, located under the camera's gimbal with only about a finger's worth of space to access and a sliding retaining clip instead of slot holding the card.
Because of these issues, the camera's main advantage is price, much lower than other 5MP/6MP cameras claiming super low light capabilities.
Price
The camera can be found online for ~$300, less than half the price of Hanwha and Hikvision 5MP/6MP low light models, and ~1/4 the price of Axis' 5MP Lightfinder Q3517.
Physical Overview
The N52BM3Z is fairly standard for outdoor domes, though notably smaller, discussed below. The dome lacks audio, I/O, or other advanced features. We review its construction and features in this video:
Size Comparison
The N52BM3Z is notably smaller than other 5MP+ outdoor vandal domes, shown below. However, these other models typically include I/O, audio, composite video out, zoom controls, etc., which the N52 lacks.
Very Difficult SD Card Access
Inserting and removing the micro SD card of the N52BM3Z used one of the most difficult methods we have seen on an IP camera. In order to insert a card, users must slide and lift a latching clip, lay the card flat in position, then close the clip, as opposed to simply pushing to insert or remove cards in other cameras. All this must be done in a very small space within the camera's gimbal, essentially enough room for one finger.
This process was unwieldy with the camera on a well lit desk, but may be downright impossible if the camera were ceiling or wall mounted, due to the tight space, angles required, and the fact that the card simply lays in position prior to the latch being closed. Additionally, it is easy to bump the card and shift it out of position while the clip still closes (which occurred in the video below), leaving installers to believe the card is properly installed, adding additional time as the tech must revisit the camera, open the dome, and try again.
We review this process in this video:
Very Weak IR At Edges
The Dahua 5MP starlight camera's IR illumination pattern was very hot at the center and weak at the edges, shown below, with the subject nearly impossible to spot near the edge of the field of view.
IR Range Technically Met (30m/~98')
Though its coverage is poor, the camera technically met its 30m/~98' IR spec. This is shown in the example below, with the subject walking from ~120' to the camera location, easily visible at about 100'. However, due to the coverage issues shown above, users should beware of this coverage claim as the camera is likely to not cover their desired FOV.
Poor IR Image Quality
In dark scenes (~0.12lx), the 5MP starlight camera produces moderately dimmer images than the 1080p starlight model, shown below, but better text legibility.
At 60' distance (~20 PPF), the subject is almost impossible to discern in the Dahua 5MP camera, despite its claimed 30m/~98' IR range, while detection is possible in the 1080p model.
Low Light Color
By contrast, with exterior lights on, the 5MP model produces much better detail than 1080p, displaying multiple legible lines of the test chart and some detail of the subject, while details of neither are visible in the 1080p starlight camera, only detection.
Solid Well Lit Performance
In well lit scenes, such as the outdoor scene below, the N52BM3Z produced fine details of the subject not visible in the 1080p model, such as facial hair, clothing details, etc., as well as much more legible text due to its higher PPF.
We saw no distortion or blurring at the edges of the camera's lens in full light, with details similar to the center of the lens visible.
Average WDR Performance
The N52BM3Z produced solid details of the subject and chart both against strong exterior backlight and in darker areas, shown below compared to the weaker 1080p model.
However, image quality is impacted by discoloration and halos against strong backlight, with reds appearing pink/orange and edges overly sharp, less of an issue in the 1080p model (and other cameras tested).
WDR Settings
Though it is a true WDR camera, the N52BM3Z includes an adjustment slider which may be used to "tune" the WDR for light or dark scenes, on a scale of 1-100, with a default of 50. We recommend leaving the camera set to this default, as lower settings result in poor backlight performance and higher settings increase discoloration, shown in the gif below.
Bandwidth
The N52BM3Z includes Dahua's smart codec as well as H.265 support (though few VMSes support these H.265 streams, discussed below). Due to the camera's weak IR and dark images, bitrates decreased at night with IR on, shown below.
VMS Support
The only tested VMS supporting the N52BM3Z's H.265 stream(s) was Milestone XProtect (below). Note that Milestone uses ONVIF, not a direct driver, to connect to Dahua H.265 cameras.
Genetec Security Center added the camera via its Dahua driver without issue, but only using H.264. All other VMSes tested used ONVIF for connecting (Avigilon, Exacq, Hanwha Wave), but did not support H.265 streams.
Test Parameters
The following firmware versions were used for this test:
- Dahua N52BM3Z: 2.460.0000.15.R build date 2017-09-07
- Dahua N25BB5Z: 2.460.0000.14.R build date 2017-07-20