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

*********'* ** **-******* ********* 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:

Avigilon EVP Engineering Quits (May 2015)
Avigilon SVP Sales "Resigns" (August 2015)
Now Avigilon's VP of Marketing is Out (August 2015)

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...

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

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

Read this IPVM report for free.

This article is part of IPVM's 6,534 reports, 880 tests and is only available to members. To get a one-time preview of our work, enter your work email to access the full article.