Best res camera for night vision (colour)? Is 2k/4k worse in dark conditions?

[Pentagano]

Hi all,

I need to buy a couple new cameras and am confused about whether to get normal res cams (1080) or a higher res model (2k/4k).
With a higher res camera is the night vision impaired due to it needing more light?
At nigh time I have all my 1080 cams set to colour day mode and have exterior lighting for night vision.

Any advice would be appreciated before I make a purchase.

Thanks

I was reading this thread luckily before buying which made me think twice
(4) Anyone tried Amcrest IP8M-2779EW-AI? 4K Night Color Turret in Black or White | IP Cam Talk

 

[wittaj]

The problem is the cheaper cams shoving more MP on a sensor designed for lower MP.

A common consumer camera is 8MP on a 1/2.8" sensor, which is great for 2MP but horrible at night for 8MP.

You need to get a camera on the proper MP/sensor ratio and you can get by with higher MP. As an example, the 4K cameras on the 1/1.2" sensor will run in color with a lot less light needed than a 1080 on the ideal sensor size.

 

[Pentagano]

ah great info thanks. So if I cannot find a camera in my budget that is in green with the particular sensor size then best opt for a lower res one.
The ones I had in mind have a 1/2.7. Looks like 1080 is about their limit (green).
Anything from 4mp requires a 1/1.8 sensor size to work well in the dark?

 

[wittaj]

That would be correct. If low light performance is your criteria, then you need a camera in the green.

For a 4MP you need a 1/1.8" sensor or larger.

It can be the difference between running in color or B/W.

 

[Pentagano]

yellow is acceptable/borderline I assume.

wow first amcrest I looked up with a 1/1.2 sensor came up with a 400 usd pricetag!
ok may have to lower my expectations or increase my budget

My ezviz 1080 cams at the moment have 1/2.7” Progressive Scan CMOS

 

[wittaj]

Yellow gets into that may work/may not work depending on your light.

What is your budget?

Our trusted vendor @EMPIRETECANDY has the 1/1.2" sensors for almost half in USD of the amcrest.

EmpireTech IPC-Color4K-T 8MP 1/1.2" CMOS Full-color Fixed-focal Warm L

The EmpireTech IPC-Color4K-T Camera offers 8MP resolution and a 1/1.2" CMOS Full-color sensor. It features built-in warm LED lighting for up to 50m of illumination, a built-in microphone, ePoE connectivity, IP67 protection, and Smart AI technology. This rugged metal design ensures maximum...

empiretech01.com

 

[Pentagano]

Yellow gets into that may work/may not work depending on your light.

What is your budget?

Our trusted vendor @EMPIRETECANDY has the 1/1.2" sensors for almost half in USD of the amcrest.

EmpireTech IPC-Color4K-T 8MP 1/1.2" CMOS Full-color Fixed-focal Warm L

The EmpireTech IPC-Color4K-T Camera offers 8MP resolution and a 1/1.2" CMOS Full-color sensor. It features built-in warm LED lighting for up to 50m of illumination, a built-in microphone, ePoE connectivity, IP67 protection, and Smart AI technology. This rugged metal design ensures maximum...

empiretech01.com

Too embarrassed to state my budget (also restricted by import limits as I'm buying from USA to be sent to S.America)
I'll remove the 2k cameras with 1/2.7 sensors from my bucket and go back to 1080 I think.
Many thanks

 

[Ri22o]

Too embarrassed to state my budget (also restricted by import limits as I'm buying from USA to be sent to S.America)
I'll remove the 2k cameras with 1/2.7 sensors from my bucket and go back to 1080 I think.
Many thanks

Send Andy a message. He may be able to ship to S. America without issue. @EMPIRETECANDY

 

[Pentagano]

Send Andy a message. He may be able to ship to S. America without issue. @EMPIRETECANDY

Thanks but unfortunately it doesn't work like that here. Got to buy and ship through a specialist company here who receive the items from amazon in Miami and then organise the shipment and customs papers to Uruguay (all linked to my residence ID).
We can only import items up to 3 times a year with a 200 USD limit each time. If we exceed that we are hit with extremely high fees.
Used to be only 50 usd!

 

[Pentagano]

Bought a pair locally - my ezviz cameras have been rock solid for 4+ years.
Gone for the new 2023 model H3C (1/2.7 sensor) 1080 2mp model. 66 USD.

EZVIZ H3c - Outdoor Wi-Fi Smart Home Camera

Outdoor Security Camera

www.ezviz.com

They do the job, connect to BI and frigate without issues and have the ezviz desktop studio to tweaks some parameters.
Decent budget cams imho.
Even the built-in human detection AI is surprisingly good but I rely on CPAI/BI

 

[mat200]

Thanks but unfortunately it doesn't work like that here. Got to buy and ship through a specialist company here who receive the items from amazon in Miami and then organise the shipment and customs papers to Uruguay (all linked to my residence ID).
We can only import items up to 3 times a year with a 200 USD limit each time. If we exceed that we are hit with extremely high fees.
Used to be only 50 usd!

Hi @Pentagano

I would still recommend reaching out to Andy and see what experiences he's had sending cameras to South America ... or see what he can do to assist you with sending to Miami and the related paperwork ..

it's unfortunately it is that challenging to send to you ..