Buyer’s Guide: Network Camera Comparison Chart

February 16, 2023

Are you wondering how you should go about choosing the right network camera for your home? Network cameras (or IP cameras) are the most important components of a CCTV security system, and you need to make sure you select cameras that are suited to the areas you want to monitor in and around your home.

There are so many network cameras out there, all with a dizzying array of features, not to mention applications. This is why we decided to build the ultimate comparison table for IP cameras. The table below lets you compare the features of the most popular IP cameras from manufacturers such as Hikvision, Dahua, etc. You can filter using the feature dropdown boxes, search for a specific feature such as built-in IR, or sort these cameras by any column. So you can quickly narrow the list down to the IP cameras that have the features you are looking for. We have also explained the comparison criteria in detail just below the table.

We think the most important features that you should look for in an IP cameras are in the comparison table below. Just below the table, you will also find detailed explanations of each of the columns of this table. Let us know if we can improve this tool in any way!

IP Camera Comparison table/matrix:

Start by filtering the table by using the dropdown boxes or the search box. Simply click on the required column header to sort by that criteria. To reset the table, just reload this page by clicking your browser’s refresh button or pressing F5 on your keyboard.

Category	Price	Company	Model	MP	IR	Lens	PoE	Audio In/Out	Alarm In/Out	WiFi	SD Card	WDR	Weatherproof
Fixed Focus Bullet	Discontinued	Hikvision	DS-2CD2032-I	3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
Fixed Focus Bullet	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2012-I	1.3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
Fixed Focus Bullet	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2042WD-I	4	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	IP66
Fixed Focus Bullet	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2022WD-I	2	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	IP66
Fixed Focus Bullet		Hikvision	DS-2CD2012F-IW	1.3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	IP66
Fixed Focus Bullet	Discontinued	Hikvision	DS-2CD2032F-IW	3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	IP66
Fixed Focus Dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2112F-IWS	1.3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	IP66
Fixed Focus Dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2112F-IS	1.3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
Fixed Focus Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2122F-IWS	2	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	IP66
Fixed Focus Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2122F-IS	2	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
Fixed Focus Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2122F-I	2	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	IP66
Fixed Focus Dome	Discontinued	Hikvision	DS-2CD2132F-IWS	3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	IP66
Fixed Focus Dome	Discontinued	Hikvision	DS-2CD2132F-IS	3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
Fixed Focus Dome	Discontinued	Hikvision	DS-2CD2132F-I	3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	IP66
Fixed Focus Dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2142FWD-IWS	4	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	IP66
Fixed Focus Dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2142FWD-IS	4	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Fixed Focus Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2122FWD-IWS	2	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	IP66
Fixed Focus Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2122FWD-IS	2	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Mini-dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2512F-I	1.3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	IP66
Mini-dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2512F-IW	1.3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	IP66
Mini-dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2512F-IS	1.3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
Mini-dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2512F-IWS	1.3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	IP66
Mini-dome	Discontinued	Hikvision	DS-2CD2532F-I	3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Mic	No	No	Yes	No	IP66
Mini-dome	Discontinued	Hikvision	DS-2CD2532F-IW	3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Mic	No	Yes	Yes	No	IP66
Mini-dome	Discontinued	Hikvision	DS-2CD2532F-IS	3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Mic	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
Mini-dome	Discontinued	Hikvision	DS-2CD2532F-IWS	3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Mic	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	IP66
Mini-dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2542FWD-I	4	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Mini-dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2542FWD-IW	4	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	IP66
Mini-dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2542FWD-IS	4	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Mini-dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2542FWD-IWS	4	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	IP66
Mini-dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2522FWD-I	2	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Mini-dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2522FWD-IW	2	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	IP66
Mini-dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2522FWD-IS	2	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Mini-dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2522FWD-IWS	2	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	IP66
EXIR LED	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2212-I5	1.3	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
EXIR LED	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2232-I5	3	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
EXIR LED	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2312-I	1.3	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
EXIR LED	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2332-I	3	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
EXIR LED		Hikvision	DS-2CD2322WD-I	2	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	IP66
EXIR LED	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2342WD-I	4	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	IP66
EXIR LED Low-light		Hikvision	DS-2CD2T12-I3	1.3	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
EXIR LED Low-light	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2T12-I5	1.3	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
EXIR LED Low-light		Hikvision	DS-2CD2T12-I8	1.3	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
EXIR LED Low-light		Hikvision	DS-2CD2T32-I3	3	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
EXIR LED Low-light		Hikvision	DS-2CD2T32-I5	3	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
EXIR LED Low-light		Hikvision	DS-2CD2T32-I8	3	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
EXIR LED Low-light	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2T22WD-I3	2	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	IP66
EXIR LED Low-light	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2T22WD-I5	2	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	IP66
EXIR LED Low-light	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2T22WD-I8	2	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	IP66
EXIR LED Low-light		Hikvision	DS-2CD2T42WD-I3	4	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	IP66
EXIR LED Low-light	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2T42WD-I5	4	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	IP66
EXIR LED Low-light		Hikvision	DS-2CD2T42WD-I8	4	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	Yes	IP66
Varifocal Dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2732F-I	3	Ring LED	Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	IP66
Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2732F-IS	3	Ring LED	Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
Varifocal Dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2712F-I	1.3	Ring LED	Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	IP66
Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2712F-IS	1.3	Ring LED	Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
Varifocal Dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2632F-I	3	Ring LED	Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	IP66
Varifocal Bullet	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2632F-IS	3	Ring LED	Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
Varifocal Dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2612F-I	1.3	Ring LED	Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	IP66
Varifocal Bullet		Hikvision	DS-2CD2612F-IS	1.3	Ring LED	Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2742FWD-I	4	Ring LED	Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2742FWD-IS	4	Ring LED	Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2742FWD-IZ	4	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2742FWD-IZS	4	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2722FWD-I	2	Ring LED	Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2722FWD-IS	2	Ring LED	Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2722FWD-IZS	2	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Varifocal Bullet		Hikvision	DS-2CD2642FWD-I	4	Ring LED	Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Bullet		Hikvision	DS-2CD2642FWD-IZ	4	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Bullet	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2642FWD-IZS	4	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Bullet		Hikvision	DS-2CD2622FWD-IZ	2	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Bullet		Hikvision	DS-2CD2622FWD-IZS	2	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Fixed focus Cube		Hikvision	DS-2CD2412F-I	1.3	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	None
Fixed focus Cube		Hikvision	DS-2CD2412F-IW	1.3	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	None
Fixed focus Cube	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2432F-I	3	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	None
Fixed focus Cube	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD2432F-IW	3	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	None
Mini PT		Hikvision	DS-2CD2F42FWD-I	4	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	N/A
Mini PT		Hikvision	DS-2CD2F42FWD-IS	4	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	N/A
Mini PT		Hikvision	DS-2CD2F42FWD-IWS	4	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	N/A
Mini PT		Hikvision	DS-2CD2F22FWD-I	2	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	N/A
Mini PT		Hikvision	DS-2CD2F22FWD-IS	2	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	N/A
Mini PT		Hikvision	DS-2CD2F22FWD-IWS	2	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	N/A
Motorized Mini PT		Hikvision	DS-2CD2F12F-IZS	1	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	N/A
Motorized Mini PT		Hikvision	DS-2CD2F12F-IZWS	1	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	N/A
Mini PT		Hikvision	DS-2CD2Q10FD-I	1	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	N/A
Mini PT		Hikvision	DS-2CD2Q10FD-IW	1	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	N/A
Mini Fish-eye Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2942F-I	4	Single LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	N/A
Mini Fish-eye Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2942F-IS	4	Single LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	N/A
Mini Fish-eye Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD2942F-IWS	4	Single LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	N/A
Motorized Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD4112F-IZ	1.3	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	N/A
Motorized Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD4112FWD-IZ	1.3	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	N/A
Motorized Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD4124F-IZ	2	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	No	N/A
Motorized Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD4132FWD-IZ	3	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	N/A
Motorized Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD4135FWD-IZ	3	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	N/A
Motorized Varifocal Bullet		Hikvision	DS-2CD4212FWD-IZHS	1.3	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Bullet		Hikvision	DS-2CD4224F-IZHS	2	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Bullet	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD4232FWD-IZHS	3	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Bullet		Hikvision	DS-2CD4635FWD-IZHS	3	EXIR LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Bullet		Hikvision	DS-2CD4A35FWD-IZHS	3	EXIR LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP67
Motorized Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD4312FWD-IZHS	1.3	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD4312F-IZHS	1.3	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD4332FWD-IZHS	3	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD4324F-IZHS	2	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD4535FWD-IZH	3	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
PTZ Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD4312F-PTZS	1.3	None	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
PTZ Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD4312FWD-PTZS	1.3	None	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
PTZ Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD4324F-PTZS	2	None	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
PTZ Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD4332FWD-PTZS	3	None	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Bullet		Hikvision	DS-2CD4A26FWD-IZHS	2	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP67
Motorized Varifocal Bullet		Hikvision	DS-2CD4026FWD-AP	2	None	Auto Back Focus	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	None
Motorized Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD4126FWD-IZ	2	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	None
Motorized Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD4526FWD-IZH	2	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Bullet		Hikvision	DS-2CD4626FWD-IZHS	2	EXIR LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Bullet	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD4A25FWD-IZHS	2	EXIR LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP67
Motorized Varifocal Bullet		Hikvision	DS-2CD4025FWD-AP	2	None	Auto Back Focus	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	None
Motorized Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD4125FWD-IZ	2	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	None
Motorized Varifocal Dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD4525FWD-IZH	2	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Dome		Hikvision	DS-2CD4625FWD-IZHS	2	EXIR LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD4A65F-IZHS	6	EXIR LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP67
Varifocal Bullet	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD4065F-AP	6	None	Auto Back Focus	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	None
Motorized Varifocal Dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD4165F-IZ	6	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	None
Motorized Varifocal Dome	Check Amazon	Hikvision	DS-2CD4565F-IZH	6	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Bullet		Hikvision	DS-2CD4665F-IZHS	6	EXIR LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	IP66
Fixed Focus Bullet	Check Amazon	Dahua	IPC-HFW4300S	3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
Fixed Focus Dome	Check Amazon	Dahua	IPC-HDW4300C	3	EXIR LED	Fixed	Yes	Mic	No	No	No	No	IP66
Mini-dome	Check Amazon	Dahua	IPC-HDBW4300E	3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Bullet		Dahua	IPC-HFW2300R-Z	3	Ring LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
Varifocal Bullet		Dahua	IPC-HFW2300R-VF	3	Ring LED	Variable	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
Motorized Varifocal Dome		Dahua	IPC-HDBW2300R-Z	3	EXIR LED	Motorized Variable	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
Varifocal Dome		Dahua	IPC-HDBW2300R-VF	3	EXIR LED	Variable	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
Mini PT		Dahua	IPC-HDB4300F-PT	3	None	Fixed	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	IP66
Mini-dome		Dahua	IPC-HDW4300S	3	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66
Bullet	Check Amazon	Reolink	RLC-410	4	Ring LED	Fixed	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	IP66

IP Cameras – Explanation of technical terms:

Category: We have grouped the IP Cameras into categories so that you can easily drilldown to the exact type of camera you are after.

Price: To provide you with up-to-date prices, we have linked the cameras to Amazon. Please note that this is an affiliate link which will provide us a commission if you decide to buy from Amazon.

Company:This is the camera manufacturer – we have listed cameras from Hikvision, Dahua and Reolink at the moment.

Product line:Manufacturers often use distinctive titles for their product families – this can be a useful way to filter out cameras that do not appeal to you.

Status:Tells you whether the camera is a current model or has been phased out.

Model:Each manufacturer has their own system of nomenclature. Here is a guide to the naming system used by Hikvision.

MP:The number of megapixels the camera’s sensor has.

IR:IR stands for infrared, most of the cheaper cameras use ring style LEDs but the EXIR LEDs are brighter and have a higher range.

Focus:This column refers to the amount of flight the camera lens has, this maybe either a fixed iris, a manual iris which can be changed, an auto iris which is motorized and responds to the light levels in the scene, or the most desirable P-iris(precise-iris) which uses a motorized lens with additional software to improve the video quality.

PTZ:Indicates whether the camera has a Pan Tilt Zoom feature.

PoE:Indicates whether the camera supports Power-over-Ethernet.

Snapshots:Indicates whether the camera supports taking image snapshots.

IR-cut filter:Good quality cameras have an automatic IR cut filter, which lets the camera produce true colour video during the daytime and high quality night time videos. A camera without this filter can only ever have one of the two, not both.

WDR:Stands for Wide Dynamic Range. WDR is desirable as it enhances the darker parts of the scene without blowing out the brighter parts of the scene.

Hikvision IP Camera Model Naming Convention

Please refer to the Hikvision product guide to understand the model naming convention.

A quick note: This article may contain affiliate links. If you click on one of these links and then purchase something, we may receive a fee. This does not cost you anything extra. Also note that Hikvision and Dahua do not consider certain platforms including Amazon as an authorized seller platform. So if you need warranty support please purchase from authorized resellers of Hikvision and Dahua products in your country.

4 Comments

Puneet G August 25, 2016 at 9:17 pm
Hi Daniel, I am after a 4 cameras DVR kit with expectations below:
– Cameras to be atleast 1080p if not better
– 1 or 2 TB or bigger?
Would 4 channels be good enough
– Do I need POE as not sure if I can supply separate power to each unit
– would you recommend wired connection?
– better night quality recording capabilities
– weatherproof as its for outdoors
– any other feature which you would recommend?
Really confused with so many camera out there and don’t want to spend £1000 on it so looking for reasonable all around kit please. Appreciate your guidance in this.
- Reply
  Daniel Ross August 26, 2016 at 9:37 pm
  Hi Puneet,
  You are on the right track with the requirements you have set – I would recommend at least 1080p preferably 3MP resolution, at least 2TB of storage and an 8 channel kit. 1TB is barely enough for 10 days storage with 2 cameras at 1080p resolution. I say 8 channel because once you get used to the 4 cameras, you may want to add more which you cannot do if you start with a 4 channel NVR.
  I would suggest wired because its one less thing to go wrong – you can have issues with range and dropouts on WiFi. You need your CCTV to be reliable and rock stable – WiFi cannot deliver that yet.
  For sure, go with PoE – saves you running two sets of cables and increases compatibility with cameras you may want to add in future.
  So I would recommend an affordable kit like this one:
  http://amzn.to/2bneOWw
  Daniel
carlos May 22, 2016 at 6:28 pm
which hikvision would u reccomend for driveway?
- Reply
  Daniel Ross May 23, 2016 at 8:04 pm
  Hi, the DS-2CD2132F-IS dome camera or the DS-2CD2332-I with a 2.8 mm lens would be ideal – this is what I use!
  Daniel

Buyer’s Guide: Network Camera Comparison Chart

IP Camera Comparison table/matrix:

IP Cameras – Explanation of technical terms:

Hikvision IP Camera Model Naming Convention

Daniel Ross

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