Security installer versus vendor: how does Canon Europe’s VB-M50B PTZ network camera capture low-light colour without IR?

In the video below a security installer quizzes Canon Europe’s EMEA marketing director about the Canon Europe VB-M50B PTZ network camera in a bid to get beyond the sales pitch.

At IFSEC 2016 exhibitors were invited to pitch their latest, most innovative products in just 45 seconds. Recognising the limits of our technical knowledge we recruited some respected security installers to choose the four most compelling pitches and conduct a more in-depth interview with the ‘pitchers’.

Here is the the first of those chosen few, with Geoff Windeatt, technical operations manager at KM Security Solutions, grilling Julian Rutland, EMEA marketing director at Canon Europe, about the VB-M50B PTZ 1.3MP day/night PoE PTZ network camera (and here is the 45-second pitch that so impressed Windeatt and his fellow judges.)

Key points

• Product developed based on customer feedback that zooming in on images with low-light cameras limited the angle of view and reduced light sensitity
• This is because cameras for low-light have lenses wide open to capture light, says Rutland
• He says Canon uses its renowned lens technology, which boasts a wide aperture
• Installer puts the question: how different is it to other cameras that give you low-lux levels and reduce the glare?
• Rutland conducts a side-by-side comparison with an equivalent-spec rival camera
• He says the VB-M50B PTZ Network Camera can see in the dark without IR, keeping colour under low-lux levels
• Captures images up to 100m, even reading numberplates
• Says the camera is ideal for covert applications
• IR filter takes out glare – this is also demonstrated on the video

Canon Europe VB-M50B PTZ camera: advertised functions

• Highly sensitive 1/3” 1.3MP CMOS sensor for exceptional low-light performance
• 5x optical wide aperture zoom lens with distortion-suppressing UD elements
• Unique Clear IR Mode and Motion-Adaptive Noise Reduction
• Enhanced Digital Zoom extends camera’s zoom capabilities while maximising image quality
• 8 built-in analytics functions provide intelligent and efficient alarm detection
• Support for multiple web browsers and mobile devices
• Compact, lightweight PTZ design
• ONVIF Profile S and G

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