TOP-5 outdoor cylindrical IP surveillance cameras
Advantages of IP cameras
The key difference between IP cameras and analogue models is that digital IP cameras are completely self-sufficient: image capture and video digitization are carried out directly in the camera itself. Therefore, IP cameras do not need a mandatory external video recorder to process the video signal, like analogue models. Some models of IP cameras are even equipped with slots for memory cards, capable of saving video and screenshots to installed cards. That is, it is actually a camera and a registrar in one. Such a camera can fully continue to work when the network connection is interrupted or even in the absence of a network as such, that is, completely autonomously. None of the analogue cameras is capable of autonomous operation.
All IP cameras are connected to a standard computer network, without the need for a separate cable infrastructure to create a video monitoring system. At the same time, a digital camera can remotely interact with any device that can receive a signal from its IP address - a computer, smartphone, tablet, etc., while analogue cameras interact exclusively with the "native" DVR. Finally, IP cameras transmit a digitized video signal over the wire, which is much less susceptible to distortion when exposed to strong electromagnetic interference than the signal from analogue cameras.
Many modern IP cameras support PoE (Power over Ethernet) technology. That is, they are able to receive power over the same Ethernet cable through which the video signal is transmitted. This allows you not to bring a separate power cable to the cameras, which simplifies the cable infrastructure and allows you to install IP cameras easier and faster. However there is an important nuance here: the network equipment to which cameras with PoE support are connected must also support this technology.
If the network to which the IP camera is connected has Internet access, then access to the IP image cameras are easy to get remotely. It is enough to use a regular web browser with the IP address of the device or use the camera ID in a special application for remote access. Moreover, remote access is easy to implement both from computers and from numerous mobile gadgets - smartphones and tablets.
Only IP cameras make it possible to record video of very high resolution, with increased image detail. Today, 3 or 5 megapixel IP cameras are widely available to the consumer, while analogue solutions are limited to 2 megapixels (Full HD).
However, high-definition IP cameras are very expensive, and high-resolution video leads to an increase in the amount of data and, accordingly, the load on the Ethernet network, which can lead to image transmission delays or even frame drops, provided that other clients use the network intensively. Therefore, in this top we will limit ourselves to the consideration of relatively affordable 2-megapixel IP cameras with Full HD resolution (1920x1080). In most cases, this resolution is quite enough for use in security video surveillance, and for a face identification system, and for a license plate recognition programme. After all, 2 megapixels is not so small, the Full HD resolution is more than 5 times higher than the resolution of the D1 frame, which until recently was the standard for video surveillance systems.
In this table you can compare the technical characteristics of 4-camera sets analogue video surveillance. You can choose the best model yourself in the CCTV kits directory.
 Low price, good photosensitive matrix, powerful processor, PoE support, 2 year warranty None | The camera has a metal housing with a high degree of protection IP66, which ensures that water and dust do not get inside the device. The body is attached to the wall or ceiling on a swivel bracket, which allows you to orient the camera lens in any desired direction. The model supports PoE technology, that is, the camera can be powered over a twisted pair cable without requiring a 12 V power wire. The camera uses a decent 1/2.8-inch Sony IMX322 photosensitive matrix, this allows get very high-quality images with realistic colour reproduction in almost any ambient light conditions. The lens here has a fixed focal length of 3.6 mm, which is typical for inexpensive cameras. The camera is equipped with an IR LED with a range of 20 m for operation at night or in the dark. To improve image quality, the camera supports auto exposure, auto signal gain correction, auto white balance, black level correction, backlight compensation, gamma correction, noise reduction, etc. .functions. The HiSilicon Hi3516C processor is responsible for all these functions. This dedicated multimedia signal processor is based on Cortex A7 processor technology and designed for digital video. Moreover, the processor is designed to process a video signal with a resolution of up to 5 megapixels, so this camera will definitely not have problems and delays with digitizing a 2-megapixel Full HD image. The camera has a convenient and logically structured graphical user interface, access to which done through a browser. Naturally, access is password protected. Thanks to the support of the tecsar-cloud.com cloud service, you can access the camera image from anywhere in the world where Internet access is available. This includes access from smartphones and tablets based on Android, iOS and Windows Mobile. Using the "cloud" for camera owners is absolutely free. |
 Affordable price, adjustable visor, PoE support, high sensor sensitivity None | The cylindrical Dahua outdoor camera is made in a durable metal case that reliably protects the device's electronics from the effects of external weather conditions. For optimal protection of the lens from sunlight, the camera is equipped with a movable protective visor with adjustable length. The camera leg-bracket allows you to arbitrarily adjust the direction of the lens and makes it possible to securely mount the camera on the ceiling or wall. When connecting the camera, you can use PoE power over an Ethernet cable, the power consumption of the device does not exceed 6 W even with infrared illumination turned on. The camera is equipped with a fixed lens with a focal length of 3.6 mm. Together with a 1/3" photosensitive matrix with a resolution of 2 megapixels, it allows you to get a very high-quality Full HD (1920 × 1080) image, as well as to "see" a legible picture in very low light - up to 0.1 lux. In total darkness or at in extremely low light, the camera turns on infrared illumination, which operates at a distance of up to 30 m, depending on weather conditions. The camera's processor not only digitizes video without noticeable delays, but also allows you to implement advanced image management and video analysis algorithms. Available settings for colour reproduction, noise reduction, image scaling, changing the frame rate and video bitrate to reduce network load, there is a lens flare compensation function, mirroring / image rotation, motion detection, etc. Web interface camera allows you to remotely view the image, as well as configure the features of the camera. change the IP address, share the camera with other users, etc. Mobile remote access to the camera is possible from smartphones based on Android, iOS and Windows Phone, and supports up to 20 simultaneous users. |
 Affordable price, PoE support, great functionality None | This bullet camera is designed for outdoor surveillance, but can also be used indoors. Robust metal case with IP66 protection class gives the camera the ability to continuously monitor around the clock even in difficult weather conditions. The design of the camera is perfectly adapted to the changing climate of our latitudes and easily withstands significant daily temperature fluctuations, while maintaining consistently high image quality. The black lining on the visor reduces the risk of reflections and glare from sunlight entering the lens optics. The camera supports PoE power, so it can be connected using a single Ethernet cable without requiring a power cable. The model is equipped with a fixed lens with a focal length of 3.6 mm. The photosensitive matrix here has a size of 1/3 inch and a resolution of 2 megapixels, allowing you to receive video in Full HD quality. The camera uses 3DNR digital noise reduction to improve image quality. The function of the so-called 3D noise reduction does not calculate “noise” for one frame, as in 2DNR mode, but for several consecutive frames at once, which makes it possible to filter out noise much more accurately, because it changes in time much more strongly than the main image on the frames. Also, to improve the picture quality, a wide dynamic range WDR mode is used. When both bright and dark areas of the image are on the matrix at the same time, the camera dynamically changes the exposure, trying to capture the maximum possible gradations of brightness and colour. As a result, very bright objects in the image become slightly darker and better distinguished, while dark objects become lighter and more visible against the surrounding background. Thanks to the support of the WDR function, colour gradations are transmitted as accurately as possible, allowing you to get a natural image. At night, infrared LED illumination is automatically turned on, effective at a distance of up to 30 m. The camera has a friendly menu that allows you to adjust not only image quality, but also configure many other functions, such as security options. The camera will automatically raise an alarm and inform the user when motion is detected, when trying to close the camera, when there is an IP address conflict on the network, etc. Hikvision's Ezviz cloud server allows you to view the image from the IP camera remotely. After registering on the website www.ezviz7.com and adding the camera to your account, you can watch video from the IP camera via the Internet using a computer browser or a mobile client of a smartphone/tablet. Mobile gadgets based on Android and iOS are supported. Using Ezviz cloud service is free. |
 Wide operating temperature range, varifocal lens, powerful IR illumination with 40m range, PoE support, great value for money None | This camera is a professional surveillance device with advanced features. If IP66 protection is provided in most cameras of this class, then the ability to work in a very wide temperature range from -30 to +70 degrees Celsius allows you to operate the device in much more diverse ways. For example, use the camera in a “hot” workshop, in a poorly ventilated production room, in areas of the building that are very hot by the midday Sun, etc. There is a powerful infrared illumination, providing visibility in the area up to 40 metres, even in total darkness. The body of the device is mounted on a swivel bracket that allows you to easily mount the camera to a horizontal or vertical plane. The model supports PoE power over a network cable, without requiring a separate power cable. Used photosensitive 1/3-inch 2-megapixel Sony Exmor IMX122 matrix. Due to its unique physical structure, it has some of the best performance in terms of sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio. Combined with the TI368 video signal processor, this excellent sensor delivers very clean, rich and crisp Full HD images with excellent levels of detail. The very level of detail of objects can be chosen thanks to another important feature of the camera - a varifocal lens with a variable focal length of 2.8-12 mm. Thanks to him, it is easy to “zoom in”, increase the size of the observation area, if a given area requires increased detail. Or vice versa, you can cover the largest possible area by reducing the focal length and increasing the viewing angle of the lens. The flexibility of this solution allows you to configure the camera to the maximum in accordance with the tasks facing the video surveillance system. Moreover, you can change the viewing angle of the lens already during the operation of the camera, for example, when a part of the controlled area has been built up or the camera has been moved to another location. The IP camera has a Russified, logically structured and convenient graphical interface available via the web browser. The web interface allows you to adjust colour reproduction, noise reduction, image scaling, change video streams to reduce network load, etc. Of the security functions, motion detection is provided, the detection of an attempt to close the lens. Thanks to the support of the free "cloud" tecsar-cloud.com, access to the camera is possible via the Internet from anywhere in the world, including using mobile devices. |
 Varifocal lens, PoE support, memory card slot, audio transmission support< /div> None< /div> | This outdoor IP bullet camera has advanced features and is aimed at professional use, at the same time, the device has an attractive price. The all-weather housing is IP66 dust- and water-resistant, allowing the camera to be used in harsh outdoor environments. The model is equipped with a movable visor with a variable length, the section of which above the lens has a dark lining, which together makes it possible to minimize the risk of rays from the sun, bright street lamps, etc. hitting the lens. At night, the camera turns on infrared illumination with an effective range of 30 m, which allows you to continue shooting even in complete darkness. At the same time, even with the backlight turned on, the power consumption of the camera does not exceed 7.5 W, so it can be easily connected using PoE technology. Video recording is made using a modern 1/3-inch 2-megapixel CMOS sensor with progressive scan. Together with a powerful signal processor, this allows you to get a high-quality Full HD image without noticeable delays in compression time and without compression artifacts, if the user selects a sufficiently high quality of the video stream. The camera is equipped with a lens with a variable focal length of 2.8- 12 mm. Depending on the selected focal length, the size/detail of objects visible in the frame changes, while the viewing angle varies from 91.2 to 28.3 degrees. This feature of the lens allows you to fine-tune the parameters of the visible area at the camera installation site. Depending on the place of video surveillance, you can choose either the maximum detail or the maximum coverage of the territory. The functionality of the camera is up to the mark: it supports such modern features as a wide dynamic range of WDR images, progressive noise reduction with 3DNR multi-frame processing, glare compensation from bright light sources BLC, etc. An important feature of the model is the presence of a built-in slot for connecting microSD memory cards. This feature allows the camera to maintain functionality even if the network connection is lost: it will automatically record video when motion is detected, according to a schedule, etc. to a memory card. Moreover, this feature allows you to use the camera completely autonomously somewhere in a remote building or in a rural area where there is no possibility of a permanent network connection at all. In addition, the -IS modification of the camera is distinguished by the presence of an audio input and output, which allows you to record sound along with the image, provided that an external microphone is connected. Sometimes it can be very popular in CCTV. |
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