Dahua IPC-B5442E-Z4E For License Plate Camera

[Parley]

I just purchased a Dahua IPC-B5442E-Z4E for a license plate camera. It replaced the 5231 that I was previously using. I have to say that I can see a nice difference even in black and white. I have it set up in black and white for both day and night and have the shutter speed set at 1/2000. So over the coming year I will replace the other 3 license plate cameras with this model.

 

[ajwitt]

I hope they come out with a higher zoom version!

 

[biggen]

Ha! I just did the opposite! Yesterday, I took down my 5442-Z4E I've had up for about 6 months and "upgraded" to the 5231-Z12. I just wasn't happy with the level of zoom the Z4E provides. I needed a tighter shot. I do wish the Z4E had longer focal length because it is great cam.

 

[Jomsha]

I just purchased a Dahua IPC-B5442E-Z4E for a license plate camera. It replaced the 5231 that I was previously using. I have to say that I can see a nice difference even in black and white. I have it set up in black and white for both day and night and have the shutter speed set at 1/2000. So over the coming year I will replace the other 3 license plate cameras with this model.

Did you leave it B/W 24/7 because of the focus problem?

 

[Parley]

Ha! I just did the opposite! Yesterday, I took down my 5442-Z4E I've had up for about 6 months and "upgraded" to the 5231-Z12. I just wasn't happy with the level of zoom the Z4E provides. I needed a tighter shot. I do wish the Z4E had longer focal length because it is great cam.

I do have it maxed out on the zoom. However the detail is such with the 4MP that it works out better for my situation.

 

[Parley]

Did you leave it B/W 24/7 because of the focus problem?

I am not sure I would call it a focus problem. With this camera I only want the license plates and that is why the shutter is at 1/2000. My other 3 license plate cameras are also in B/W and for me it seems to and that work the best. The focus is fine. I have other cameras that cover the same area in color 24/7 and they only get plates if the lighting happens to be just right. Two of those other cameras are also IPC-B5442E-Z4E models.

 

[Parley]

This camera has worked out so good that I just ordered a 2nd replacement camera for another location. I can understand why some would be limited by the zoom capabilities of this camera, but for my situation it works just fine.

 

[biggen]

I do hope Dahua comes out with a Z12 of that model. I can tell a difference between the 4MP and 2MP as you noted. Especially at night!

 

[Parley]

I do hope Dahua comes out with a Z12 of that model. I can tell a difference between the 4MP and 2MP as you noted. Especially at night!

I fully agree. Andy tell Dahua if you are reading this thread about bringing out a Z12 model of the 5442E. Yes, the big difference between the 4MP and the 2MP is at night. A nice enough difference that it caused me to replace another 2MP camera.

 

[tech101]

NIce, I would love to use this as LPR however for me the zoom needs to be more.. So Hopefully this year we will see some model with higher zoom. Anyhow But again this could also be great for LPR over view

 

[Parley]

Another thing I wish Dahua and Hikvision too for that matter is to be able to sort through the cameras by the sensor size.

 

[Parley]

OK, I just installed the 2nd camera as a replacement and it looks good. As stated the extra pixels sure do help plus the added light gathering. However a Z12 version of this camera would be dynomite for longer range.

 

[GaryCAa]

I will be holding off further purchases until there is a z12 version of this camera.

 

[wittaj]

Too bad we can't take apart a 5442 and put the sensor into the Z12 - any takers willing to try LOL.

 

[samplenhold]

There is a thread here that covers changing out lenses on Dahua cams. I am sure one could find a 40, 50, or 60 mm lens to use. If you already have a Z12 then you could calculate the lens needed. Then you could even use a B5442 fixed version, which would be cheaper than the Z4, and swap out the lens. You would be risking about $200 on the new cam and maybe $20 for the lens.

If I remember correctly, the guy did it to make a cheaper LPR cam than the costly 5241 Z12. Do a search.

 

[pozzello]

Too bad we can't take apart a 5442 and put the sensor into the Z12

might be easier to get a 5-60mm (12x) lens to fit into the 5442. the Z4 already has a VF lens, so it may have room for a longer one...
do the 5442 Z4's use an d14 lens? or is it an m16? or maybe a CS mount? I don't have one handy...

 

[tibimakai]

Andy, you don't have a Z4 that is broken? People want to experiment here.