Sorry for the title mislabel. It should read 2CD2232-I5 EXIR vs 2CD2032-I.
In a different thread I mentioned that I had the 2CD2232-I5 EXIR cameras.
I was asked:
In order to not derail that thread, I started this one for discussion comparing these cameras.
I'm hoping it'll be helpful and informative to people. I know that when I was trying to decide which cameras to get, I had a limited amount of information to go on.
Background:
I bought several single cameras from Nelly's Security at full retail price so I could compare one of each before buying 10+ from Aliexpress. When it came to the EXIR, it was clear I would have to order from Aliexpress with up to 6 week waiting, so I bit the bullet and just bought 10 of them rather than just 1. I wouldn't say that was a mistake, but I should have just got the 2032.
Actually I had the opportunity to get a Swann 16 camera NVR with 8 2032 cameras on sale and I should have done it. What I did was the same price (actually a little more) buying my own NVR and EXIR cameras. I don't think it's any better.
I have the following cameras:
1 - 2CD2032-I (mini bullet 3MP)
1 - 2CD2632F-IS (Large Varifocal with audio and MicroSD card slot)
1 - 2CD2332-I (EXIR Turret)
8 - 2CD2232-I5 (EXIR Bullet with 4mm Lens)
2 - 2CD2232-I5 (EXIR Bullet with 6mm Lens)
3 - 2CD2232-I5 (EXIR Bullet with 12mm Lens) ... Being shipped to me. I don't have them yet.
Posing the question:
Is the 2232 better than the 2032?
My answer is No.
I finally put up both cameras in a temporary make-shift way so I could compare the image quality. I started playing with the settings, and in the end I can hardly tell the difference. I almost prefer the cheaper 2032 image.
Cost:
The 2032 can be bought for as low as about $90 or so on Aliexpress (those may be Chinese versions) or for around $150 on US sites.
The 2232 is around $110-$120 on Aliexpress (Chinese) and $200 in the US.
The cost difference isn't huge unless you're buying 10 like I was.
Size:
The 2032 is small. It's very understated, easy to install in small places, and not an eyesore.
The 2232 is big. It's not huge like the 2632F Varifocal, but it's about twice as big as the 2032 in both diameter and length.
So are the trade-offs worth it? No. I sort of wish I had bought 2032 instead. In fact I may buy more 2032 and install them instead where they are visible in the front yard.
The two cameras mounted side by side, I configured them with identical settings. For the most part they were default settings unless otherwise stated. More could be done to tweak the settings for optimal quality, so these don't represent the best options.
I tested both cameras using only the 2232's IR, as well as using only the 2032's IR.
I also tested both quite a bit with IR off to look at noise. With IR off I also triggered my motion sensor lights (CFL driveway carriage lights and an LED porch light.) Also with all lighting off (only street lights and neighbor's lights) I tried a few variations with different exposure settings in daytime and nighttime modes.
Again, all of this is to compare:
Does the EXIR's square shaped IR emitters help IR dispersal?
Is the EXIR's low lux light sensitivity any better and less noisy?
IR LEDs:
The IR emitters on the EXIR may be marginally better. The lighting is a little bit more spread out than the 2032 which leaves a slightly brigher center hot spot. But overall, I don't see a much difference in the particular setting. At least not as much as I expected.
Noise:
I honestly don't see any difference in noise. They are both just as noisy in low light. With external light and IR, neither is better than the other in terms of noise. The 2032 actually looks a tad better with digital noise reduction set at 100. The EXIR camera is suppose to be better at low light sensitivity but I'm just not seeing it with the settings I've tried.
Color:
The only difference I see is when cranking the exposure up. The 2232 has a different color tone than the 2032. I think the 2032 is more color accurate
I have posted comparison screen grabs here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/29026914@N04/sets/72157646395816086
All were captured in 1080p resolution mode.
Spider Webs:
I don't have that answer. I installed them permanently yet. I don't see how they are any less susceptible to spider webs.
Conclusion:
I'm a little bit bummed that I went through the expense and trouble to get the 2232 when in retrospect the 2032 is just as good and are more aesthetically pleasing.
If there are specific camera settings you would like me to try, let me know. I'll set both cameras identically and post the comparisons. In fact I ask that you please make suggestions. I'm not going to leave the cameras up like this for long since wires are hanging down and it looks bad. I'm going to start on installation soon.
--UPDATE--
I finally have some of my cameras mounted permanently. While it's not conclusive due to the difference of lighting, I'm finding that the 2CD2232-I5 does indeed perform a bit better at night. First, the IR illumination is a lot stronger. The way they are mounted it isn't a direct side by side comparison, but I wanted to get an update here to update the initial conclusion.
I'll try to get some better side-by-side comparison in the near future. Meanwhile I retract my initial assessment and conclude that the 2CD2232-I5 is better at night and possibly worth the investment if you have an area that is lit by the camer's IR for nighttime viewing. That being said, if you have a well lit porch or daytime use, the 2CD2032-I is smaller and works just as well.
In a different thread I mentioned that I had the 2CD2232-I5 EXIR cameras.
I was asked:
In order to not derail that thread, I started this one for discussion comparing these cameras.
I'm hoping it'll be helpful and informative to people. I know that when I was trying to decide which cameras to get, I had a limited amount of information to go on.
Background:
I bought several single cameras from Nelly's Security at full retail price so I could compare one of each before buying 10+ from Aliexpress. When it came to the EXIR, it was clear I would have to order from Aliexpress with up to 6 week waiting, so I bit the bullet and just bought 10 of them rather than just 1. I wouldn't say that was a mistake, but I should have just got the 2032.
Actually I had the opportunity to get a Swann 16 camera NVR with 8 2032 cameras on sale and I should have done it. What I did was the same price (actually a little more) buying my own NVR and EXIR cameras. I don't think it's any better.
I have the following cameras:
1 - 2CD2032-I (mini bullet 3MP)
1 - 2CD2632F-IS (Large Varifocal with audio and MicroSD card slot)
1 - 2CD2332-I (EXIR Turret)
8 - 2CD2232-I5 (EXIR Bullet with 4mm Lens)
2 - 2CD2232-I5 (EXIR Bullet with 6mm Lens)
3 - 2CD2232-I5 (EXIR Bullet with 12mm Lens) ... Being shipped to me. I don't have them yet.
Posing the question:
Is the 2232 better than the 2032?
My answer is No.
I finally put up both cameras in a temporary make-shift way so I could compare the image quality. I started playing with the settings, and in the end I can hardly tell the difference. I almost prefer the cheaper 2032 image.
Cost:
The 2032 can be bought for as low as about $90 or so on Aliexpress (those may be Chinese versions) or for around $150 on US sites.
The 2232 is around $110-$120 on Aliexpress (Chinese) and $200 in the US.
The cost difference isn't huge unless you're buying 10 like I was.
Size:
The 2032 is small. It's very understated, easy to install in small places, and not an eyesore.
The 2232 is big. It's not huge like the 2632F Varifocal, but it's about twice as big as the 2032 in both diameter and length.
So are the trade-offs worth it? No. I sort of wish I had bought 2032 instead. In fact I may buy more 2032 and install them instead where they are visible in the front yard.
The two cameras mounted side by side, I configured them with identical settings. For the most part they were default settings unless otherwise stated. More could be done to tweak the settings for optimal quality, so these don't represent the best options.
I tested both cameras using only the 2232's IR, as well as using only the 2032's IR.
I also tested both quite a bit with IR off to look at noise. With IR off I also triggered my motion sensor lights (CFL driveway carriage lights and an LED porch light.) Also with all lighting off (only street lights and neighbor's lights) I tried a few variations with different exposure settings in daytime and nighttime modes.
Again, all of this is to compare:
Does the EXIR's square shaped IR emitters help IR dispersal?
Is the EXIR's low lux light sensitivity any better and less noisy?
IR LEDs:
The IR emitters on the EXIR may be marginally better. The lighting is a little bit more spread out than the 2032 which leaves a slightly brigher center hot spot. But overall, I don't see a much difference in the particular setting. At least not as much as I expected.
Noise:
I honestly don't see any difference in noise. They are both just as noisy in low light. With external light and IR, neither is better than the other in terms of noise. The 2032 actually looks a tad better with digital noise reduction set at 100. The EXIR camera is suppose to be better at low light sensitivity but I'm just not seeing it with the settings I've tried.
Color:
The only difference I see is when cranking the exposure up. The 2232 has a different color tone than the 2032. I think the 2032 is more color accurate
I have posted comparison screen grabs here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/29026914@N04/sets/72157646395816086
All were captured in 1080p resolution mode.
Spider Webs:
I don't have that answer. I installed them permanently yet. I don't see how they are any less susceptible to spider webs.
Conclusion:
I'm a little bit bummed that I went through the expense and trouble to get the 2232 when in retrospect the 2032 is just as good and are more aesthetically pleasing.
If there are specific camera settings you would like me to try, let me know. I'll set both cameras identically and post the comparisons. In fact I ask that you please make suggestions. I'm not going to leave the cameras up like this for long since wires are hanging down and it looks bad. I'm going to start on installation soon.
--UPDATE--
I finally have some of my cameras mounted permanently. While it's not conclusive due to the difference of lighting, I'm finding that the 2CD2232-I5 does indeed perform a bit better at night. First, the IR illumination is a lot stronger. The way they are mounted it isn't a direct side by side comparison, but I wanted to get an update here to update the initial conclusion.
I'll try to get some better side-by-side comparison in the near future. Meanwhile I retract my initial assessment and conclude that the 2CD2232-I5 is better at night and possibly worth the investment if you have an area that is lit by the camer's IR for nighttime viewing. That being said, if you have a well lit porch or daytime use, the 2CD2032-I is smaller and works just as well.
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