Panasonic 4K / 12MP Camera Tested

By: Ethan Ace, Published on Aug 17, 2015

We bought the new Panasonic 4K / 12MP WV-SFV781L dome camera and tested it against the: 

In this in-depth report, we tested:

  • FoV widths up to 135' to determine how the 4K cameras would compete at under 30ppf levels / wide areas
  • Daytime, nighttime and WDR scenes to examine how performance varies across the most fundamental different scene types.
  • 4K vs 12MP modes
  • Smart IR performance
  • Super Chroma Compensation: Low Light Color Mode
  • Compression Level differences
  • Bandwidth consumption

    • ** ****** *** *** Panasonic ** / ******-*********** ****** *** ****** it ******* ***: 

    ** **** **-***** ******, we ******:

    • *** ****** ** ** 135' ** ********* *** the ** ******* ***** compete ** ***** ***** levels / **** *****
    • *******, ********* *** *** scenes ** ******* *** performance ****** ****** *** most *********** ********* ***** types.
    • ** ** **** *****
    • ***** ** ***********
    • ***** ****** ************: *** Light ***** ****
    • *********** ***** ***********
    • ********* ***********

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

    *******

    *********'* ** **-******* ********* significantly ****** ******* ** wide ****** ** **** than ****, *****, *** Dahua ** ****** ******, with above ******* *** ***** performance, ********* ** ******** color ***** ****.

    *******, ** ** ************ expensive *** ***** *****, ****** to *** ***** *** size ** *** ********** than ***** *****. ********* is **** * *******, as *** *********** ** many ****** *** *** highest ** ******* ******, even **** ***** ****** quantization **** *******.

    Market ******

    ** *** (*) ** cameras ** **** ******, this *** *** ***** to **** ***** ******** of ****** ** ** Ultra ** ** ***** larger *****. ** **** end, ** ******* **** Panasonic ***** **** ****** an ********** ****** *** such ************.

    ****: ****, ** **** to **** *** **** 4K ****** ** ** starts ** ****.

    Key ********

    **** ***** **** ** our *** ******** *** each ****** ** **** test:

    *******

    • ** **** *** ******, the **-******* ******** **** fine ******* **** *** other ** ****** ******, such ** ****** ******** and ***** ****. **** was ********** ********** ** wide ****** ** **** (50'+).
    • *** ***** *********** ** narrow **** *** *********, best ** ******* ******. However, ** ***** *** widths, details *** ******** ** digital *****, ****** ****** moderately **** ****** **** the ***** ** *** 1080p ********* ****.
    • ****** *** *********** ******* bright *********, *** **** performance ** **** *****, with ******** **** ********* to ***.
    • ******* *********** ******** ("******") resulted ** ************ ** ~37 *******, ************* ****** than *******, ****** ***** quality ****** *** *******, with ******* ******* ** ******* using ******* ~**-***.
    • ******** ** **** *** scenes ***** ******* *********** were *-** ***** ** cameras, ****** *********'* ****** were **** ***** ** noted *****. *** ***** bitrates **** ******* ** other ****** ** ******** below.
    • ******** ************ **** ~** to 30 ("******" ** "****" in *** *** *********) resulted ** **** ******* increases, **-*** ***** ****** in **** *** ****** due ** **** **** details ***** ********* (*****/****** patterns, *******, ***.).
    • **** ****** ******* **** other ***** *****, ****** the **** ** ******* speeddomes.

    *****

    *** **-******* ***** *** ~$2,000 *** ******, ****** it ~$*** **** **** the***** ***-*****-*** (***** ****, ****** ****) *** about ****** *** ***** of ******* *****-* (***** ** ************).

    Physical ********

    *** **-*******'* **** ******* physical ******* ** *** size, **** ****** ** that ** ********** **** other ***** *****, *********** here ** **** ********** to ** **** ***** PTZ:

    *** ****** **** ******** on-board ******** *** **** and *********, ** **** as * **** ******* output, which *** ***** ************. We ****** *** ***** features ** **** *****.

    4K *** **** *****

    ** ******** ** ** resolution, *** ****** ** capable ** ** ****** ** 12MP ********** (*********). **** provides *********** *** **** horizontal ***, **** ****** 50% ******** ** ******** field ** ****. *** camera *** ** ****** maintaining *** ********* ** FPS ** **** ********** during *** *****.

    12MP / ** ***** ********

    ****** *** ******** ** the ********* **-******* ** both ** *** **** resolutions. *** ~*** ** zip ****** *** ************ ****.

    Daytime ***** *******

    *** **-******* ******** **** fine ******* ** **** FOVs **** ***** ******* tested. **** ** **** pronounced ** **** ~***' HOV (~***' **** *******), where *** ********* ** is **** ** ******* stronger ******* ******* *** more ******* ***** ** the **** ***** **** other *******, ** **** as ****** ******* *** test ******* *****.

    ** ***** **' **** the *******, *** *** narrows ** ~**'. *** WV-SFV781L ***** ******** *** best ******* ** ******* tested.

    *******, ** *** ****** indoor ***, *** ******* produce *********** ******* *** the **** ***** ** easily *******, ****** *** SFV781L ******** ********** ****** details **** **** **** exposure *** ****** **********.

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

    *** **-*******'* ** ***** is ********* *** ***/~**'. At **** *****, *** test ******* ** ********** in *** ******* **** scene, **** ****:

    *******, ******* ** **** range *** **** (** in *** *******) *** to **** ****** ** digital *****, ********* *** subject.

    ****** ** *** ****** (~25') ***** * ******** 25' ****, *** *** delivers *** ********* ******* of *** **** ***** and ******* *****, ********** better **** *** ***** 4K *** ********* ***** IR ******.

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

    ** **** ***** ********* models (*** ******* ** *** ********* 6 ******), *** ******'* ** was ********** ** ******** entering *** ***** *** approaching *** ******, **** power ******* ** ***** overexposure. **** ** ******* in *** ******* *****, as *** ******* ***** from ~***' **.

    ***** ****** ************: *** Light ***** ****

    ** ******** ** *** built ** **, *** 781 ******** * ***** mode ****** "***** ****** Compensation" ***** ***** *** mechanical *** ****** ***** staying ** *****, ********* white ******* ** ********** for *** ******** ***** created ** ** *****. 

    **** ******* ** ******* nighttime ***** ******, **** below ** ~*.* ***, with ******** ****** ******* than *** ******* ***** mode (**** *** ***** below). **** **** *** IR *********** ** *** used ** **** ****.

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

    *** *********** *** ****** against ****** *********, *** weak ** **** *****, seen ** **** **** FOV *****:

    *** **-******* *** *** strongest ********* ** *** bright **** ** *** WDR *****, **** *** best ******* ** *** subject *** **** *****. However, ** **** ***** of *** *****, ** performed *****, **** *** subject *** ***** ****** visible.

    ***, ***, ***

    ** ******** ** *** WDR ****, ***** *** select ******** ***** ******* or ********* ************. ********* describes ******** ***** *******'* function **: "******** ********** of **** ***** ******* degrading *** ***** ******* in ****** *****."

    ** ***** ***' ******* to ** *******, **** no ********* ******** ** visibility ** *** **** areas ** *** *** scene. Turning *** ** ******** in *** ******* ***** almost ********** ****** *** in *** ****** **** of *** *****, ***** he *** **** **** visible ** *** **** area ****** *** ****, seen ****:

    Compression ***********

    *** **-*******'* ******* *********** ("Normal", * ** * scale ** *-*) ******** an ******* ************ ** ~37, **** **** *** most *******, ***** ******* significant ************* *** ******* quality ** ***** ******.

    *******, *** ******* ********** between ~** *** ******* quantization ** ~** ** the *** *** *******, with **** ****** ********** in **** **** *******, despite * ****** ** increase ** *******. ******* this ** *** **** P1428-E, ***** *****, ***** show * **** **** significant ******** ** ******* when ********** ************ ** 37, **** *** *******'* face looking ******** *******.

    Bandwidth **********

    ******* ** **** ********** in ***** ******* ** differening ************ ******, ** tested *** **-******* ** both ***** ******* "******" quality ***** *** ************ to **.

    ** **** ************ ******, the **-******* *** ****** than ***** ******* ****** in **** *** ******. However, ** *** *****, bitrates **** ******* ** slightly ***** **** ***** cameras ****** **** ***** Q30, *** *** *** was ****** ** *** dark **** ** ** when ***** ***** ******* ~37 ************.

    ***********

    ******* **** ****** ***** default ******** ****** ********* noted. ******* ***** *** set ** */*** *** in *** ******. ************ was ************ ** ~** with ** *-***** ******** of ** (* *** second).

    *** ********* ********/******** ******** were **** ** **** test:

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

Comments (30)

Michael Miller

08/17/15 01:48pm

Got any sample clips you can post? Also since your testing 4K cameras it would be nice to see Avigilon's 4K camera added to the mix.

IPVM Update: For any user wishing to view 4K Panasonic Clips, please click here to download a ~185 MB zip folder containing examples.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #1

In reply to Michael Miller | 08/17/15 09:10pm

Michael,

If an Avigilon 4K camera were suddenly to depart from the company, it might get some coverage here.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #1 | 08/17/15 09:19pm

That was truly funny, undisclosed Avigilon employee, kudos!

For those who do not understand the departure reference, please see:

For your information, we have done 4 Avigilon tests in the past 12 months:

As for your 4K camera, given that it is proprietary, lower frame rate, has no integrated IR and higher cost than competitors (like the Panasonic just tested), it's not a top priority.

Michael Miller

In reply to John Honovich | 08/17/15 09:48pm

As for your 4K camera, given that it is proprietary, lower frame rate, has no integrated IR and higher cost than competitors (like the Panasonic just tested), it's not a top priority.

It wouldn't call 12FPS low frame rate and it's $2000 MSRP so it's in the same price range as the Panasonic. It's disapointing you will not test it as the image qualty/lowlight and analytics are very good and I haven't seen another 4K that can match it yet.

FYI your pricing is still off.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Michael Miller | 08/17/15 10:49pm

So that we are comparing apples to apples, which model number are you referring to? The 8L-H4PRO-B? And you are including lens or not?

Michael Miller

In reply to John Honovich | 08/17/15 11:07pm

8L-H4PRO-B is the model number and no the lens is not included at the $2000 MSRP price point. Lenses start off at a around $125 plus another $100 for a housing. $2225+ for that camera is not a bad deal for what this camera brings to the table. **Even if you go with higher end glass this camera is still under $3000.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Michael Miller | 08/17/15 11:13pm

And to confirm the MSRP is $2,000, not the dealer price?

Also, since you are citing lenses "start off at around $125", are you saying it is ok to test with that lens (the LEF5018CA?). I ask because those lenses are not rated by Avigilon for 'highest image quality', only 'good'.

Michael Miller

In reply to John Honovich | 08/18/15 01:43pm

Lens selection is very important with this camera so without knowing the scene it's hard to recommed a lens. The Sig 18-35mm is a great perfomer so that would be one to look at.

**SPOLLER ALERT - If you test this camera in areas with NO lighting it will not work well. We have been sucsessful installing these to cover parking lots that have lighting at nightime and for city streets that have lighting.

Anyway I am not trying to hijack this thread so if you would like John I can stop over with a camera and lens and we can do a shoot out. Reach out off line if your intrested.

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Michael Miller | 08/18/15 12:37am

8L-H4PRO-B is the model number and no the lens is not included at the $2000 MSRP price point.

Maybe this is a misprint? It's a NYS purchasing contract, updated June 2, 2015, it says the MSRP is $4,650. Discounted to $3,766.

I couldn't find a 'official' MSRP, is it listed anywhere?

Michael Miller

In reply to Undisclosed #2 | 08/18/15 01:29am

Send me a PO for one Avigilon 4K camera at $2085 MSRP and I will ship you a camera.

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Michael Miller | 08/18/15 01:40am

Tempting, but are you sure that won't take the 'mustard off the hot dog'?

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Michael Miller | 08/18/15 03:10pm

Just confirmed with an Avigilon dealer that the MSRP of the 8L-H4PRO-B is $4650.

If you want to sell them at $2000, more power to you.

Michael Miller

In reply to John Honovich | 08/18/15 03:28pm

John the info you got is wrong as we have installed over 15 of them in the last month at the new pricing. I

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Michael Miller | 08/18/15 03:30pm

So Avigilon has cut 4K camera pricing by over 50% in the past month, yes?

Undisclosed #2

In reply to John Honovich | 08/18/15 03:34pm

The Avigilon 4K margin has departed suddenly from the company!

Michael Miller

In reply to John Honovich | 08/18/15 03:34pm

More like 2 months

Undisclosed Manufacturer #1

In reply to John Honovich | 08/18/15 03:35pm

This was changed shortly after ISC West. Your source is a bit behind on his info or just wants to make some serious margin on a sale to IPVM for testing

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #1 | 08/18/15 03:39pm

This then raises a bigger question - Avigilon says they are feeling no price pressure, but they dropped the pricing for their flagship line by 56%....

Michael Miller

In reply to John Honovich | 08/18/15 03:55pm

They dropped the price of one camera not the whole line. Man you are always negative about Avigilon. Why not look at this as this really good camera at a great price point.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Michael Miller | 08/18/15 03:59pm

It's a 'really good camera' that:

  • works with no other VMS
  • has less than half the frame rate of competitors (12 vs 30)
  • does not have integrated IR
  • does not have auto focus or auto zoom with your recommended setup (like this Panasonic does)
  • does not support 12MP (like this Panasonic does) requiring to pay an MSRP of ~$7000 for that resolution

And even still is significantly more expensive than any of the 4Ks on the market.

And yes, Avigilon's management tells everyone that they feel no price pressure, so when they drop pricing by over 50% on a high end offering, that's not a good sign.

Related, for a guy who cannot stand us talking about Avigilon, you have hijacked the comments of a Panasonic 4K camera that tested very well.

Michael Miller

In reply to John Honovich | 08/18/15 04:16pm

Related, for a guy who cannot stand us talking about Avigilon, you have hijacked the comments of a Panasonic 4K camera that tested very well.

I justs asked if you would test Avigilon 4K camera and then I responed to other questions including yours.

It's clear no matter I say you are going to spin this the way you want. Your keep questioning me about the price which I told you months ago in another thread your pricing was wrong. Hell even if you did test it and it was good you would bash it.

** the camera supports remote focus

Michael Miller

In reply to John Honovich | 08/18/15 03:45pm

The dealer is probably giving you the IPVM discount

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Michael Miller | 08/18/15 03:49pm

Maybe he missed the memo?

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #1 | 08/17/15 10:10pm

If an Avigilon 4K camera were suddenly to depart from the company, it might get some coverage here.

A couple of pasties and some body paint would also guarantee an IPVM reaction...

Avatar

Derek Ward

IPVM | 08/17/15 02:32pm

For any user wishing to view 4K Panasonic Clips, please click here to download a ~185 MB zip folder containing examples.

Michael Miller

In reply to Derek Ward | 08/17/15 02:42pm

Thanks

Michael Miller

In reply to Derek Ward | 08/18/15 11:01pm

Derek quick question. Does the video play smoothly on your machines? I have tried this video on my Serface Pro (i7) and my highend desktop computer and it will not play smoothly. Also have you tried to connect all of the 4K camera you currently have to Exacq and test how well it works? Could you post a clip with all 4K cameras if possible? Thank you

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Michael Miller | 08/18/15 11:08pm

Viewing multiple 4K streams is choppy on I'd say 50% of the machines we have. On some, even a single 4K camera is enough to choke it. On my Macbook (Pro, current model), I can play back two 4K cameras at once without issues. After that, I'd say it starts to drop some frames. Opening up all four of them (Axis, Bosch, Dahua, Pan), it ends up at about 2-3 FPS.

We haven't tried adjusting video accelleration or H.264 deblocking in Exacq, but processor is definitely something people should be aware of.

Michael Miller

In reply to Ethan Ace | 08/19/15 12:02am

Thanks Ethan. Could you please share a clip with all 4 cameras in it?

Michael Goodwin

12/01/15 09:53pm

Any idea when you are going to start testing the latest batch of 4k+ cam's?

http://overseas.hikvision.com/en/Products_accessries_509_i5582.html

1/1.7” Progressive Scan CMOS

http://www.dahuasecurity.com/products/ipc-hdbw81200e-z-1223.html

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

Pelco Sarix Pro3 Camera Tested on Oct 16, 2019
Pelco has released their Sarix Professional Series 3 cameras, claiming "more security detail in challenging scenes with excellent low light and...
IPVM Camera Calculator User Manual / Guide on Oct 16, 2019
Learn how to use the IPVM Camera Calculator. The guide below includes instructions, images, gifs, and videos demonstrating and explaining the...
Last Chance - Register Now - October 2019 IP Networking Course on Oct 10, 2019
Last Chance - Register Now - Fall 2019 IP Networking Course. The course starts next week. This is the only networking course designed...
Avigilon H5A Analytic Cameras Tested on Oct 07, 2019
Avigilon has released its H5A analytic cameras, claiming to "detect more objects with greater accuracy even in crowded scenes." We tested the...
Hikvision ColorVu is Smart Marketing on Oct 03, 2019
Hikvision ColorVu (see IPVM test results) is smart marketing, a lesson to be learned by competitors and a rising trend. Inside this note, we...
'Bunker Busting' Wireless Access Startup: Sure-Fi Profile on Oct 03, 2019
An access startup is claiming its 'bunker busting' wireless Wiegand radios can punch through 'any obstruction'. We examine their offering,...
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...
Vivotek 4K S-Series Camera Tested on Sep 30, 2019
Vivotek's highest-end S-series camera claims "Supreme Night Visibility", "Smart IR II", "Smart Stream II", "WDR Pro for unparalleled visibility in...
Directory of 70 Video Surveillance Startups on Sep 18, 2019
This directory provides a list of video surveillance startups to help you see and research what companies are new or not yet broadly known. 2019...
Uniview Prime Series 4K Camera Tested on Sep 18, 2019
Is the new Uniview 'Prime' better than the more expensive existing Uniview 'Pro'? In August, IPVM tested Uniview 4K 'Pro' but members advocated...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Alarm Veteran "Demands A Criminal Investigation" Of UL on Oct 18, 2019
The Interceptor's Project pressure against UL continues to rise. Following Keith Jentoft's allegation that "UL Has Blood On Their Hands", Jentoft...
Camect "Worlds Smartest Camera Hub" Tested on Oct 18, 2019
Camect is a Silicon Valley startup that claims the "Smartest AI Object Detection On The Market", detecting not only people and vehicles, but...
Hikvision Global News Reports Directory on Oct 17, 2019
Hikvision has received the most global news reporting of any video surveillance company, ever, ranging from the WSJ, the Financial Times, Reuters,...
Camera Calculator V3.1 Release Improves User Experience on Oct 17, 2019
IPVM has released a new version of our Camera Calculator, V3.1, with significant user experience improvements, a new development plan, and an...
Securing Access Control Installations Tutorial on Oct 17, 2019
The physical security of access control components is critical to ensuring that a facility is truly secure. Otherwise, the entire system can be...
Access Control Course Fall 2019 - Last Chance on Oct 17, 2019
Register Now - Fall 2019 Access Control Course. Thursday, October 17th is the last day to register. IPVM offers the most comprehensive access...
US DoD Comments on Huawei, Hikvision, Dahua Cyber Security Concerns on Oct 16, 2019
A senior DoD official said the US is "concerned" with the cybersecurity of Hikvision, Dahua, and Huawei due to "CCP" (China Communist Party)...
Pelco Sarix Pro3 Camera Tested on Oct 16, 2019
Pelco has released their Sarix Professional Series 3 cameras, claiming "more security detail in challenging scenes with excellent low light and...
IPVM Camera Calculator User Manual / Guide on Oct 16, 2019
Learn how to use the IPVM Camera Calculator. The guide below includes instructions, images, gifs, and videos demonstrating and explaining the...
Altronix Claims Tango 'Eliminates Electricians' on Oct 15, 2019
Power supply provider Altronix claims its new Tango power supply 'eliminates the need for an electrician, dedicated conduit and wire runs'. In...

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?