Best Outdoor IP Security Camera 2021 - Hikvision, Dahua or Xiaomi?

When selecting products for our comparison, we immediately ignored models that have a shooting resolution of less than 1080P. By modern standards, such a picture is no longer relevant. It is difficult to see something on it, you have to strain your eyesight, and objects slightly removed from the lens will remain completely unreadable.

In addition, 1980×1080 resolution is the most popular format for both cameras and computer monitors. As a result, it occurs most often. Among our nominees, as many as 4 models have such permission, and the only exception is the outdoor camera from SECTEC. It shoots at 3840×2160, which is 4K. If you output the image from the camera to your TV, then this is the best model with the most detailed and clear picture. Accordingly, we send her to the honorable first place, and the rest of the participants share the second position.

The frame rate determines the smoothness of the picture. This parameter shows how many still images the lens captures per second. The most comfortable is 60 frames. Most monitors and TVs work in this mode, but since our topic is video surveillance, 60 shots are simply not needed there. In addition, increasing the frequency leads to an increase in the size of the final file, which is also not good.

In our comparison, the camera from Xiaomi has the maximum indicator. Here stable 30 frames. We give her first place. Three nominees share the second position at once: Dahua, Hikvision and Falcon Eye. They have 25 frames. The difference with Xiaomi is small and will not even be noticeable to the human eye, but the fact remains. But the smallest figure for the SECTEC model. It shoots with a frequency of only 15 frames.

No matter what kind of camera you need, indoor or outdoor, the larger the field of view, the better. Any model from our comparison is swivel, but all have a different viewing angle. And here it is important to look not only at the horizontal position, but also at the vertical one, as well as how much the camera can rotate around its axis. For convenience, consider these parameters in the table:

Despite the similarity of the four nominees, SECTEC, Hikvision, Dahua and Falcon Eye, only three can rotate around their axis 360 degrees. The Falcon Eye's camera only rotates half way.And Xiaomi does not know how to rotate in a circle at all, but it has the widest horizontal angle, so it simply does not need to turn around.

As for the vertical angle, Hikvision has the highest score, so it makes sense to give it the first place, and send Xiaomi there too. The second position is taken by SECTEC, and the third place by Falcon Eye and Dahua. They have the smallest field of view in all directions, so you will need to choose a place for their installation more carefully.

In the early days of digital cameras, this was considered the most important parameter, and the best camera was the one with the most pixels per square centimeter. Today, any student knows that you can not build solely on megapixels. There are a lot of parameters that affect the quality of shooting, but even manufacturers indicate this value in their descriptions and, according to old memory, make a significant emphasis on them.

The most powerful in this nomination is the camera from SECTEC. It has 8 megapixels - and this is the best version among our nominees. No other camera even comes close to this value. For example, the rest of the participants have 2 megapixels, so we send them all to an honorable second place.

Focal length is the distance between the lens and the lens. This parameter has a direct correlation with the viewing angle. That is, the smaller the focal length, the larger the camera's field of view. But there is also feedback. The longer the focal length, the higher the draw distance. That is, you will see objects at a distance more clearly, although the picture will be narrower. Given these relationships, it makes sense to bring a small table in which you can clearly see how the parameters affect each other:

Accordingly, it is not possible to give any recommendations on the choice. Just choose what you need more. Since the camera is outdoor, it should see well both far and near objects. If, for example, you have a house wall on one side and a fence on the other, then it is better to take a camera with a minimum focal length. She does not need range, but the angle will be very large.

It is also important to look at the range of the infrared sensor. Since video surveillance is also carried out at night, it is important that the camera shoots in complete darkness. The IR sensor has a range limitation and as soon as an object enters its field of view, night vision turns on. The mode is very energy-consuming, so if you have a stand-alone camera, then there is no point in chasing large numbers.

As for our nominees, the places between them are distributed as follows: we send Hikvision and Xiaomi to the first place. Both have a focal length of 2.8 millimeters, but the infrared sensor works at different distances.Hikvision has 30 meters, while Xiaomi has half as much. But here everything is logical. Xiaomi is a standalone camera. She has a SIM card and WiFi, and it can not be connected to a power source at all. Enough of the built-in battery. For her, the issue of energy saving is very important.

Second place went to SECTEC and Dahua. The focal length of the first is 3.6 millimeters, the second is 2.8 mm, and the IR sensor is triggered at a distance of 20 and 30 meters, respectively. Falcon Eye has the last position. The focal length and range of the IR sensor are the same as those of the nominees from the second line: 2.8 mm and 30 meters. But the turning radius of the camera itself is smaller.

There is an international security classification. It is denoted by the letters IP and numbers. The first digit in the block shows how the device is protected from dust ingress, and the second is the protection against moisture. Of course, an outdoor camera should have the maximum level of protection, because it will have to work in the rain, snow and scorching sun, and all this negatively affects thin electronics. Yes, you can install a visor over the device, but it will not provide sufficient protection.

Among our nominees, the most secure is SECTEC. The IP67 class is declared here, that is, the gadget is not afraid of even a large amount of water. We send the camera to the first place in the nomination. But this brand is not alone on the pedestal. It is shared with him by Hikvision and Dahua cameras with the same level. Falcon Eye is located one line below with a security class of 66.And Xiaomi has the weakest protection - only 65 units. However, this is enough for comfortable work, but we are comparing dry numbers, so only the third line.

An outdoor IP camera does not have to be on all the time. The issue of energy saving is very important, especially if there is a SIM card inside or WiFi is used to communicate with the computer. In order for the device to turn on only when a moving object appears in front of the lens, a motion sensor and an infrared port are installed on it. All of our nominees have them. But additional options can significantly expand the initial functionality. So, for example, models from SECTEC and Falcon Eye have several useful features:

• full support for WDR, a technology that allows you to save the color gamut in the picture at any degree of illumination of the space around;
• automatic removal of light on the background;
• suppression of noise and distortion in the frame;
• built-in microphone.

Most of the additions are aimed at improving the picture being taken. Thanks to these options, you will not be disturbed by the sun or rain. Both nominees go to the first line. Hikvision and Dahua look a little more modest. They support WDR technology, but that's where the filters end. And Xiaomi has the most modest version. There are no filters at all, but the manufacturer installed a microphone and a speaker. You can communicate with the subject in front of the lens.To be honest, a strange decision, especially for a top brand.

Today there are a lot of codecs for recording video. They are very different from each other. The developers are faced with the task of compressing the video as much as possible, but at the same time maintaining its quality. Almost all modern cameras have switched to H-format codecs. They produce compression of the highest quality and reduce traffic, which is very important when connecting both via WiFi and cable.

The winner in this nomination is the SECTEC camera. It uses 4 formats at once: H264, H265, H264 + and H265 +. Xiaomi, Falcon Eye and Hikvision are a little more modest. They do not have plus codecs, but can be recorded in both H264 and H265. But Dahua's video surveillance is limited only by the H264 codec. It has a right to exist, but today it is already outdated.

Feedback from buyers and real users is an important argument when choosing a product. Unfortunately, not all sites with comments can be trusted. We carefully studied the opinion of ordinary people, weeded out obvious stuffing and came to the conclusion that cameras from Dahua and Falcon Eye are considered the most attractive models. In the first case, buyers praise the product for its quality and reliability. It is not surprising, since the brand specializes in such equipment and has long had a hand in its production. The build quality and components are at a very high level, but the price is appropriate.But in relation to Falcon, the main thesis is "top for your money." That is, people initially do not expect much from a budget camera, although in practice it turns out that the camera is quite decent and can easily compete in quality with more expensive models.

SECTEC and Hikvision are also mostly praised, but there are fewer reviews on the web. Most likely, this is due to a higher price segment, where a certain part of the funds is spent only on the brand name. However, buyers respond very well to SECTEC. Especially praise the issued picture. No wonder, since it's the only nominee in our comparison that shoots in 4K resolution.

But users have a lot of complaints about the product from Xiaomi. First of all, they complain about a bad connection. The camera has antennas for receiving and transmitting information via WiFi, but, apparently, they do not help much. In addition, the camera has very few functions, which explains the quite affordable price tag. But the main complaint is the inability to introduce the device into the Xiaomi Mi Home ecosystem, at least if you are not in China.

We give the first place to two nominees: Xiaomi and Falcon Eye. Their cost is the lowest among all participants in the comparison. The second position is also held by two participants at once: Dahua and SECTEC. These products, in turn, have an average price tag, but at the same time good characteristics that correspond to the cost. And Hikvision has the most expensive video surveillance, and judging by the content and functionality, we give a considerable part of the funds for the brand name and its logo on the device.

The outdoor IP camera from SECTEC is predictably the winner. It allows you to conduct video surveillance in high quality, has many additional options and supported codecs. This is the best turntable for the home, but with a price tag to match. The golden mean in terms of the number of wins and the total score can be called the Hikvision DS-2CD2123G0-IS - a camera with a large viewing angle, focal length and high protection. Reliable, high-quality model, but very expensive.

Xiaomi and Falcon Eye are the most budget versions. They cost half as much as their competitors, while Falcon is not much inferior to them in terms of content and functionality. What can not be said about Xiaomi - this is a model with a very modest content and its own shortcomings. A very strange model for such a top brand, but if you do not plan to include a camera in the brand's ecosystem, then it is quite possible to get by with it.

And the real surprise is the fact that the Dahua DH-IPC-HDW1220SP-0280B scores the least points.This is a brand that has long been known on the market and is considered one of the best. In fact, only the fourth line and not the most attractive price tag.