Panasonic Series 6 IP Cameras Tested

By: Ethan Ace, Published on Jul 21, 2014

Can Panasonic make a comeback?

One of the early entrants in IP cameras, Panasonic has been slipping, dues to faster and more aggressive competitors.

Now, Panasonic has released a sixth generation [link no longer available] plus added a 20%+ price cut.

We tested two models from their new 6 series, the 720p WV-SFV611L and the 1080p WV-SFV631L to see how they stack up against competitors from Avigilon, Axis, Bosch, Samsung, and Sony.

 

*** ********* **** * comeback?

*** ** *** ***** entrants ** ** *******, Panasonic ******* ********, **** ** ****** and **** ********** ***********.

***, ********* *** ******** a ***** ********** [**** no ****** *********] **** added ***%+ ***** ***.

** ****** *** ****** from ***** *** * series, *** ******-********** *** *******-********* *** *** **** stack ** ******* *********** from********, ****, *****, *******, and ****.

 

** **** ******, ** **** at ***** *********** ** full *****, *** *****, and *** ****** ** find *** **** *** good **** *** ********** is.

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

Key ********

**** *** *** *** findings **** **** ****:

  • *** ***** *********** **** IR******** *** **** ** cameras ******, ********** ***** 720p ******.
  • *** ***** *********** **** IR***** ****** **** ***** low ***** ***-** *******, though ********* ***** ******* performance ******** ** *** Avigilon ** ********** ** model.
  • ** ************ ******* ********* range ** *** (~**'), though noise ******** ******* ******* at **** *****.
  • ***** ** ********** ******** were **********, ******** *********** output ** ***** ************ of ******** *******.
  • *** *********** ** *** with ** ****** **** all ***** ******* ******, with ****** *********** **** against ****** ********* ** well ** ** ****** areas.
  • **** ***** *********** ** similar ** ***** ****** with **** ***** ********.
  • ********* ***** ***** *** lowest ** ******* ****** in *** ******.

*******

******* ** *** ********* 6 ****** ** *********** with ***** ***** ************'* IR *****, ********** *********** ***** ****. *** *******, *** WV-SFV631L ***** *** ~$*** online, ***** *********** ****** by ****, ***** *** Sony. *******, **** ** still * *** ******* dollars **** **** *********** such ** ********* *** Samsung.

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

*** ********* * ****** among *** *** ********** ** low ***** *** ********** WDR ***********, ** * price ******* ** **** competitors. ************, ********** *** appreciate ******** ****** ******** such ** ********* ******** **** and ***** ******* ** well ** * ***** monitor ******. 

*******, ********** ********* ****** and ******* ****** **** some *** **** ****** may **** ***** ******* more **********.

Positioning ******

**** *** ******* ** the * ******, ********* has ****** ** ** or ********* **** ******* ************* in ***********. ***** **** recent ***** ****, ********* is better ********** **** **** were **** **** ***********. The ******* ********* ******** is: ** **** ***********/ cost *********** ****** ** bring **** ***** *** may **** **** ********* for ***** ****** ** higher ********** *****?

Physical ********

** **** ***** ** review *** ******** ************ of *** * ****** Domes. ******* ******** *******:

  • ***** ** ** ************ including ****** ******* **** which ******** ** ********** from **** **** ****.
  • **** **** **** ***** for ** ***** *******, **** uncommon ** *******.
  • ***** ******* ******, *********, and zoom ********** ******* ******* on****** **** *** ********** on ****.

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

**** ***** ******* ******* the *** ********* ** the * ******. **** options *** *********, *** users ****** ****:

  • ********** *.*** ************ ***** compared ********** ******, *** ********* true ***.
  • ***** *** **** **** shows ***** * ******* of **** *****, ****** aiming *******.

 

IR ***********

*********'* * ****** ***** all ******* ** ************ specified ** * ***** of ***, ********* ***** IR ********** ******** ***** lower ***** ** ******* overexposure ** ******* ****** through *** *****. ** tested *****, ******** ** coverage, *** ***** ** features ** *** *** the *******' ************ ********.

** *****

*****, ** ****** *** camera's ** ************ ***** in * **** ******* ***** (<1 ***). ** ******* this ********, *** ******* noise ******** ******* ** the *******. 

** ****** ********, ***** 20', ** ************ ** even ******* ************ ** the ****** ** *** scene, **** ***** ** adjusting ***** **** ** compensate *** *** *******. 

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

*** * ******' ** adjustment ******** ********* ******* ** a ******* ******* ******* the *****, **** ******* and ***. ** **** video, ** *** *** the ******'* ************ *** as *** ******* ********** the ******, *** ******** to ****** ***** ** he ***** *** ** the *****:

 

Image ***********

** ****** **** * Series ******* ******* ******* 720p *** ***** ****** from ***** *************. **** image ***** *** *** of *** ********** **** test *****.

**** *****

**** **** *** ***** models ********* ********* ** other ******* ** **** light, ~******, **** ********* **** color ********.

 **** (IR ***

******* ***** **** *********** under * ***, *** WV-SFV611L ** ****** **** to *** ******* ***-****. At **** ***** ***** and ***, ** ******* produce ******* ******* ** our **** *******. *******, both *** ********* *** Samsung ******* *** **** to **** *** ******* plate, while ****** ***** ***.

*** **-******* ******** * brighter ***** **** **** competitors, *** ********* ******* noise ******** *** ******* and **** *****.

 **** (IR **

***** * ***, **** IR **, *** ********* 6 ****** *****

*****

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

** ****** *** *******' WDR ************ ** *** following *****:

*** **-******* *** **** of *** ************************* **** ******, **** clear ****** ** *** subject *** **** ***** both ******* ****** ********* and *** **** **** next ** *** **** overhead ****.


*** **-******* *** *** strongest *********** ** *** 1080p *****, ********** ********** in *** **** **** beside *** ****.

*********

***** ****** *******, **** Panasonic ****** *** **** of *** ****** ********* seen. *** ***** ***** shows ********* ** **** light *** **** ****** (monochrome, **** ** **). Compared ** *** ******** 2.0W-H3-B01, *** ***** ********** IR ****** ** **** test, *** ***** **-*******'* bitrate *** ~*** **** lower. *** ************ **** taken ** ** ***, with ************ ************ ** ~28.

Test **********

******* **** ****** ***** these ******** ********:

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

*********** ******* *.*.*.***** *** ****.

 

Comments (12)

Marc Lindike

07/22/14 12:53pm

Dear Ethan,

thanks for the test ... i am wondering if you used a more or less static or a rather dynamic scene for your bandwith comparisons. I assume it was rather static.

Our recent tests showed very significant bandwith differences between manufacturers in handling scenes with moving objects.

Best regards

Marc

P.S:

Our test case: A0 Test Chart covering 40% of the FOW, mounted on a whiteboard which is suspened from the ceiling with 2 parallel 3m long ropes, forming a pendulum. This pendulum generates any (reasonable) required target object speed and is repeatable. The test chart contains faces, license plates, barcodes, siemens stars etc and pictures of typical surveilance scenes.

Luke Maslen

IPVMU Certified | 07/22/14 01:22pm

Hi Ethan, thanks for a great review. These new Panasonic models appear to be fantastic cameras. However I can't help myself from saying, "They're ugly!" I don't know why anyone would want the plus sign design and bevelled edge. The Pelco Sarix shown in your Physical Overview video looked much nicer with its clean lines and simple face. I would plead that Panasonic get some really good industrial designers on to their next generation of this camera and make it look as good as it performed in your tests.

Paul Jakowski

IPVMU Certified | 07/22/14 01:30pm

I would like to see Hikvision camera in this test to see how it compares being half price.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Paul Jakowski | 07/22/14 02:37pm

Paul, for space considerations, we can't include every manufacturer. However, you can contrast these results to our test of Hikvision cameras from 7 months ago.

Harold Baumgarten

In reply to John Honovich | 07/23/14 06:17pm

Nice report, the new Panasonics seen to perform very well.

I did notice though that comparisons were made with the Axis Q1604 which is NOT an IR camera so I believe the results are not quite right i.e. image in "Below 1 Lux, with IR on" and bandwidth table.

Avatar

Derek Ward

IPVM | In reply to Harold Baumgarten | 07/23/14 06:44pm

Harold,

Thank you for addressing your concern. The Axis Q1604 image (and every other non-ir camera in those comparisons) were collected with IR off on the Panasonic and Avigilon cameras, as to not skew the results.

The same applies to the bandwidth table, as "Dark, IR On" measurements were obtained with all IR off for the non-integrated IR cameras tested. IR was also only on for one camera at a time, so results would not be skewed.

Harold Baumgarten

In reply to Derek Ward | 07/23/14 07:39pm

Derek, thanks for your kind response, still, the title of that specific shootout is:

Below 1 Lux, with IR on, the Panasonic 6 Series domes

Thereupon my comment, the result´s presentation creates confussion IMHO, same for the table.

Undisclosed Integrator #1

07/27/14 02:36pm

Clearly Panasonic has done their homework.

Pros:The IR performance was the best in the group tested.

Cons: Tails!

We have one customer who prefers Panasonic dome cameras.

We have been starting to see problems with corrosion on the RJ45 female connection even though they are mounted to boxes.

I would recommend wrapping the connection with a butyl tape or product recommend for this purpose.

Undisclosed #2

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #1 | 07/28/14 03:59pm

The cameras come with tape in the box to wrap the the connection and the manual shows best pratices on how to do it.

Undisclosed Integrator #1

In reply to Undisclosed #2 | 07/29/14 01:15am

I'm still not a fan of the tail but thanks for the heads up. I think the industry is moving towards designs that help to reduce the possibility of making installation mistakes. Manufactures can put yards of tape and hands full of descant packs in box but they don't do any good if they come back with the truck at the end of the day.

Phil Shanahan

07/31/14 12:44pm

I agree with the comment abouth them being ugly, 90% of dome cameras are installed in shops, offices, hotels...... places where there seen and need to look good, if its a thermal PTZ in an Oil Refinery then its a different story.

The previous generation (or maybe the one before) was even worse, the domes were horrible cheap looking silver/grey plastic things, stick one of them up in a high end office, building lobby and you get shouted at.

Bosch and Sony make the best looking dome's around in my view

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | 08/06/14 09:34pm

For what it's worth on the dome aesthetics discussion: the models tested here are outdoor vandal resistant domes. The interior domes looks like this:

Cleaner look, but obviously whether you like the look of it or not is a matter of preference.

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 GFC 4K Dome Camera Tested (IMP831-1ERS) on Mar 12, 2019
Pelco has finally released their first 4K IP camera, after years of competitors' releases. Is this move too late? Or is their new GFC Professional...
Axis ~$150 Outdoor Camera Tested on May 21, 2019
Axis has released the latest in their Companion camera line, the outdoor Companion Dome Mini LE, a 1080p integrated IR model aiming to compete with...
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...
Hikvision 4K Camera Shootout on Aug 02, 2019
With their latest Smart Series 5 cameras, Hikvision is claiming cameras "fully loaded" with "state-of-the-art technology for high performance and...
Dahua 4K Camera Shootout on Aug 20, 2019
Dahua's new Pro Series 4K N85CL5Z claims to "deliver superior images in all lighting and environmental conditions", but how does this compare to...
Axis 4K Camera Shootout 2019 on Aug 14, 2019
Axis' 4K Q3518-LVE claims the "best video quality possible", with Lightfinder super low light performance, Axis' high end Forensic WDR, and...
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...
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...
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...

Most Recent Industry Reports

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...
IPVM Conference 2020 on Feb 13, 2020
IPVM is excited to announce our 2020 conference. This is the first and only industry event that will be 100% sponsor-free. Like IPVM online, the...
Bosch Dropping Dahua on Feb 13, 2020
Bosch has confirmed to IPVM that it is in the process of dropping Dahua, over the next year, as both IP camera contract manufacturer and recorder...
BluB0X Alleges Lenel, S2, Software House Are Dinosaurs on Feb 13, 2020
BluB0X is running an ad campaign labeling Lenel, S2, Software House, Honeywell, AMAG and more as dinosaurs: In a follow-up email to IPVM,...
London Live Police Face Recognition Visited on Feb 13, 2020
London police have officially begun using live facial recognition in select areas of the UK capital, sparking significant controversy. IPVM...
Converged vs Dedicated Networks For Surveillance Tutorial on Feb 12, 2020
Use the existing network or deploy a new one? This is a critical choice in designing video surveillance systems. Though 'convergence' was a big...
Monitoreal "Completely Autonomous" Home AI Tested on Feb 12, 2020
Monitoreal claims to allow users to "see the things you want (people, vehicles, animals) and ignore the things you don’t”, using AI to distinguish...
Cisco Video Surveillance Is Dead, Long Live Cisco Meraki Video Surveillance on Feb 11, 2020
A dozen years ago much of the industry thought that Cisco was destined to dominate video surveillance. They stumbled repeatedly, failing. Now it is...
BICSI For IP Video Surveillance Guide on Feb 11, 2020
Spend enough time around networks and eventually someone will mention BICSI, the oft-referenced but only vaguely known standards body prevalent 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?