WDR Shootout 2017: Low vs High Cost Cameras

Published Jan 24, 2017 15:01 PM

Multi-exposure WDR was once only available in expensive cameras but in the past few years, this capability has become available even in sub $200 cameras.

But is the multi-exposure WDR in low cost cameras just as good as more expensive ones or is there any deficiencies?

To see low-cost models stack up against expensive models 2 - 4x the price, we tested high and low end WDR cameras of 3 manufacturers: Axis, Hikvision, and Samsung/Hanwha:

We shot out these cameras in two common WDR scenarios to see how performance differs and whether low cost models can truly compare with their more expensive counterparts. First, a door with the subject exiting from a much brighter exterior with the door closing behind him, to see how cameras adjust to large changes in dynamic range. And second, a warehouse scene with open overhead door to show how cameras perform in more constant, though still wide dynamic scenes (typical of warehouses, garages, and lobbies)

See our results and recommendations inside.

Readers should also see our WDR Tutorial for more information on the basics of WDR, as well as WDR Camera Shootout 2015, which tests 10 of the latest WDR cameras head to head to see whose WDR model is best.

Recommendation: Changing Light Conditions, More Expensive Better

In our harsher, more difficult entry/exit door test, both Axis and Samsung's expensive models significantly outperformed lower end counterparts, as they took less time to react to the opening/closing of the door and simply needed less adjustment, with better contrast across light and dark light levels.

Note, Hikvision's high and low end models performed much more similarly in this scene, with even the (more) expensive 4025 requiring more time to adjust to light changes than Axis and Samsung. Because of this, not every more expensive model will perform better in this scene.

Recommendation: Constant WDR Scenes, Inexpensive May Suffice

In the "easier" warehouse WDR scene, low cost cameras performed more similarly to their more expensive counterparts, especially against strong backlight. In scenes where light levels vary significantly, but are static much of the day (without doors opening/closing), lower cost options are likely to perform better and expensive models more difficult to price justify.

In scenes such as lobbies, glass store fronts, warehouses, garages, etc., with more constant WDR levels (as opposed to opening/closing doors), we recommend testing low end models, as they may save significant cost compared to expensive WDR cameras.

Individual Manufacturer Low Vs. Expensive

In our tests, performance between manufacturers' low cost and expensive WDR models varied significantly:

  • The Axis Q1615 drastically outperformed the low cost M3045 in both tested scenes, with even images of the subject and background and less time to adjust to the strong backlight introduced by opening the exit door, while the M3045 performed poorly with darker images of the subject. 
  • Hanwha's performance was more similar. The SNB-6004 produced better details than the QND-6010R in the entry/exit door scene, but only slight advantages in details in the overhead door warehouse scene.
  • Finally, the low cost Hikvision 2522 performed similarly to their top end WDR model, the 4025, in our entry/exit door scene. However, the 4025 produced better details against both strong backlight and darker areas of the scene in the warehouse test.

Price Differences

Comparing low cost and expensive models from each manufacturer, the expensive models average 2-4x the price of the low end. 

Compare these cameras in the IPVM Comparison Tool:

Test Scenes

We tested cameras in two common WDR use cases to show key differences:

First, a south-facing exit door, with the subject entering, to show how cameras adjusted to powerful sunlight in a relatively much darker interior and whether blur/artifacting was present on the moving subject.

Second, a standard warehouse/garage with open overhead door with a stationary subject, seen here:

Entry/Exit Door Comparison

First, we tested in an entry/exit door scene, with the subject opening the door, entering, and the door closing behind him, requiring the cameras to adjust to the sudden increase in backlight, and readjust when closed.

For comparison, the clips below show the high end models on the upper row, and lower cost on the bottom:

Click for full size image

The gap between the two Hanwha / Samsung Techwin models was most significant, with both adjusting providing solid details of the subject as he opens the door. However, the Wisenet Q takes longer to adjust to the backlight from outside and introduces blur on the subject, obscuring some detail.

The performance gap between the Axis Q1615 and M3045-V was narrower, but the M3045-V significantly darkened the subject immediately after entering the door, obscuring details.

 

Finally, the two Hikvision models performed most similarly, with both reacting in about the same time and showing similar details of the subject.

Warehouse Overhead Door Comparison

Next, testing in the warehouse scene, differences between Axis are most pronounced again, with the M3045-V showing poor detail of the subject in the darker area of the scene. The Hikvision 2522WD performs worse than the 4025 in the dark area of the scene, as well, though some subject details are still clear. The Hanwha cameras perform most similarly here, with similar details provided by both.

Test Parameters

Cameras were defaulted prior to testing, with the following settings applied:

  • Axis Q1615 and M3045-V: WDR "On"
  • Hikvision DS-2CD4025FWD-A: WDR "On"
  • Hikvision DS-2CD2522FWD-IS: WDR "On", Level 80
  • Samsung SNB-6004 and QND-6010R: Backlight set to "WDR", level "High"; SSDR set to level 20

The following firmware versions were used: 

  • Axis Q1615: 6.30.1.3
  • Axis M3045-V: 6.15.4.1
  • Hikvision DS-2CD4025FWD-A: 5.4.0
  • Hikvision DS-2CD2522FWD-IS: 5.4.1
  • Samsung SNB-6004: 3.03_150918
  • Samsung QND-6010R: 1.00_160702
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