I'm trying to decide between the IPC-HDW5231R-ZE (2mp) camera and the IPC-HFW2831R-ZS (8mp) camera. I've read the cliff notes and other posts and how the 2mp camera with Starlight is much better than a higher MP camera. I haven't found any comparisons comparing these two cameras. It seems like I have to make a choice. Do I want better night time shots or do I want better day time shots if all else is equal except the mega pixels why can't I have both? Can you answer this for me?
One thing that affects low light image quality is how much light the image sensor can capture within each pixel.
How much space each pixel gets as it projects into the image sensor is important.
The 2MP Starlights use an image sensor that’s 1/2.8”.
The 8MP 2831 models use an image sensor that’s 1/1.8”. So this camera is projecting 4x more pixels onto an image sensor that is about 1.5x bigger. That means each pixel gets less space on the image sensor, which means less light per pixel.
The newer 8MP cameras with the 1/1.8” sensors are an improvement (in terms of low light performance) over the 8MP cameras with the 1/2.5” sensors, but Starlights still have a lower minimum illumination requirement.
Who knows... your scenes may have enough light at night to do well with the newer 8MP. If you’re going to have multiple cameras, consider starting with one of the Starlights and one of the newer 8MP. See how the 8MP does at your place. BE SURE TO COMPARE MOTION CLIPS! It’s not hard to get good looking static images at night. It’s much harder to get non-blurry motion clips at night. Even with a Starlight, low light motion shots don’t usually look as good as daylight shots...
I'm glad to finally see someone say a specific model number. I've been contemplating asking "which specific camera is this starlight I keep seeing mentioned?"
Not trying to hijack the thread but since it's about the same camera, is this weatherproof to have mounted outside? (Like under an awning maybe?) I guessing many people are looking to monitor their surroundings outside of their living room and I see this model mentioned.
Looking on the manufacturer site, it doesn't trumpet about its weather resistance but it does mention temperature. IPC-HDW5231R-ZE
The specs on the page you linked state that the camera is rated as IP67... which means the unit can be dropped into a body of water up to a meter deep for half an hour. (The spec is listed under the Environmental section as Ingress Protection.) So, yes, it is weatherproof...
Almost ready to order couple of IPC-HDW5231R-ZE but still have similar nagging question. IF the FOV can be illuminated by motion sensing lights at night, what is the advantage of having starlights? Wouldn't it be better then to have higher resolution?
Almost ready to order couple of IPC-HDW5231R-ZE but still have similar nagging question. IF the FOV can be illuminated by motion sensing lights at night, what is the advantage of having starlights? Wouldn't it be better then to have higher resolution?
Each installation location and conditions will vary - in fact the tested location will vary based on the season, moon light, rain, fog, etc
Each camera is some how a compromise in one way or the other.
In general if you want the best low light performance - right now the winner for the value is the Dahua OEM 2MP starlight models.
If you can put enough ambient light out, some of the newer 1.8" 8MP sensor cameras do well
You can of course pick up both a quality 8MP and 2MP camera and do a comparison for your setup. Trust me, you will always be able to find a spot to place a good quality camera - this is why we recommend 16 port NVR/Switches.
Got it. I was reading different posts and realized this point about switching from color to BW / IR etc. I orderd couple 2MP ZEs. Will figure out the rest after playing with them for a bit.
Have you considered the 6 MP IPC-HDW5631R-ZE at all? I picked one up to play with as a compromise between the 2 models you are considering. I have 3 if the 2 MP starlight cameras mounted where there is little light and plan to use the 6 MP cameras where there is a bit more light, and where I need to see a bit farther during the day.
Have you considered the 6 MP IPC-HDW5631R-ZE at all? I picked one up to play with as a compromise between the 2 models you are considering. I have 3 if the 2 MP starlight cameras mounted where there is little light and plan to use the 6 MP cameras where there is a bit more light, and where I need to see a bit farther during the day.
Thanks Fenderman, back to the drawing board I go.
Does anyone have a link to the specs for the 8 mp cam referenced above? I’m not finding it. Is this the correct model:
IPC-HFW2831R-ZS
How do you tell the new model from the older model with different sensor? If it’s a decent 8 MP camera I’ll grab one from Andy to play with. I have some locations that always have a decent amount of light that low light isn’t a high priority.
Thanks Fenderman, back to the drawing board I go.
Does anyone have a link to the specs for the 8 mp cam referenced above? I’m not finding it. Is this the correct model:
IPC-HFW2831R-ZS
How do you tell the new model from the older model with different sensor? If it’s a decent 8 MP camera I’ll grab one from Andy to play with. I have some locations that always have a decent amount of light that low light isn’t a high priority.
Well, that explains it, thanks again fenderman. I was only looking at turret cameras as that's all the wife will allow on the house. When I mentioned the 6MP camera as a compromise, I was referring to the difference between the IPC-HDW5831R-ZE (8MP) vs the IPC-HDW5631R-ZE (6MP). I leapt to the conclusion that since the 2MP starlight was so good at night, and the 8MP HDW5831 was poor, then maybe the 6MP HDW5631 would be a good compromise. Has there been a direct comparison between the IPC-HDW5831R-ZE (8MP) vs the IPC-HDW5631R-ZE (6MP)? I thought Burtonflooring did one a while back.
Thanks everyone for a good discussion. I ordered one 2mp and one 8mp as earlier suggested. I will set them up and test them. I guess it's going to be awhile for Andy to get me both in White however.
