Pelco recently announced the release of its new Sarix IL10 entry-level line of cameras. At first glance they appear to be a good offering — 720p resolution, H.264 compression, and a sleek design — but how do they compare to the competition?
I often find myself searching for budget-friendly solutions for my smaller customers. Though small budget professional IP surveillance solutions are possible, the selection of cameras to choose from is often very limited.
Being that the greatest advantage of an IP system is the ability to use high-definition cameras, I make every effort to specify IP cameras with at least one megapixel resolution. Keeping this in mind greatly narrows down the selection of cameras to choose from. Allow me to explore some options with you.
My first instinct is always to look at large reputable brands like Axis (and now Pelco).
With several budget-friendly cameras, Axis might seem like the obvious choice. Its M10 series of cameras are all excellent options. They are built to the same standards of quality and performance as other Axis cameras, but at an extremely budget-friendly price point.
The M10 line offers features like edge storage and integration with Axis Camera Companion. Aesthetically they look a bit like old consumer webcams, but their functionality and image quality is far superior. There is, however, one major downside.
With a little extra investigating, many integrators and end users may be surprised to discover that the M10 series, along with other budget-friendly cameras from Axis, only have a one-year warranty (as opposed to the three-year warranty on many of its other cameras).
Vivotek also offers a line of box cameras that are extremely similar to Axis’s M10 series.
Vivotek’s IP-813x lineup of cameras come with 24 month warranties, double what Axis offers. Of course, moving to Vivotek means you lose two key features that Axis offers — edge storage and Axis Camera Companion integration. It also fails to solve the aesthetic issue of a box camera design, and, in my opinion, these cameras are even less attractive than the Axis M10 line.
Everything premium but the price
In an effort to find a camera that somewhat resembles that of a premium-grade IP camera, let us consider ACTi.
ACTi has several box, bullet, and even fixed dome cameras that fall into the budget-friendly price category. The ACM-3701E, which I reviewed a few weeks ago, seems to fit the mould. It is certainly aesthetically pleasing, it is well within any budget friendly price point, and it has a resolution of 1.3 megapixels. However, the ACM-3701E only has a one-year warranty; so, we are back where we started.
As you can tell, the selection of budget-friendly IP cameras is slim at best. Most integrators and end users make their final decision begrudgingly, because they realize the large sacrifices associated with these cameras.
Working within smaller budgets can be challenging and is often more time-consuming than specifying cameras for large installations. Though Pelco’s new budget line of cameras suffers from many of the same traits as other entry-level IP cameras, it is encouraging to see a large manufacturer like Pelco introduce a competitive and somewhat innovative entry-level camera.
Let us hope more manufacturers will follow in helping expand our options.
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I think the new entry level range from LILIN fits this catagory perfectly http://www.meritlilin.co.uk/product_316.htm the prices listed are £RRP but our US MSRP prices start at $199 for the LD2222 which is a mini dome with micro SD recording, H.264, Onvif Profile S and SenseUp+ for exceptional low-light peformance in colour without motion blur. Hopefully these would be a good option to those you’ve listed above and all LILIN products are covered by a 3 year warranty. We’ll be showing the entire range at IFSEC of course!
Colin,
The 2nd camera on Jason’s list look pretty impressive for the money (the LR7022E4/E6), presume it is a bullet camera like its image rather than a dome like its description!
One of your tests on this would be extremely useful if Jason is OK with it.
I’m a big fan of bullet cameras for inside and outside as installation/maintenance training is minimised and IR is available for both options.
Thanks.
Thanks Tony – the typo is being rectified as I type! Yes the LR7022 is an IR bullet and we would be happy to send a sample to Colin anytime. So far the feedback from customers has all been about picture quality for the price – but I think we should ask the independant experts to verify that eh Colin?
Jason, those certainly look like good options. I haven’t had the chance to get hands-on with any of them though, so I will abstain from giving too many opinions without actually testing one out. If you have a chance, send me a quick email [email protected] and we can discuss getting a demo unit for review.
Otherwise, I will be at IFSEC in May and you can count on me stopping by your booth.
Tony, I can definitely appreciate the flexibility of a bullet camera as well as the ease of install.
Interestingly enough I am told that dome style cameras tend to dominate the North American market while box style cameras are the overwhelming choice for Europeans. I’m not sure how demand for bullet cameras is in different areas but I would think they would be a sensible option for both markets.
Certainly an idea. I like the ease of fitting, no extra lighting units, no housings, no premium power supplies, etc, the cost is much less than camera/lens/housing/IR lamp combinations and less programming required, i.e. making sure the IR lamp comes on when the camera switches to monochrome, sounds simple but it isn’t in my experience! It’s automatic with a bullet camera with integral IR rings. However, you have to be careful as there appears to be a huge range in image quality. I recently tested 6 analogue bullet cameras all with similar datasheets, I wouldn’t have 5 of them on… Read more »
Tony, you’re right about image quality – so here’s a clip from the LD2222 for you to look at http://youtu.be/j1fWcBMx8zo don't forget to switch Youtube to 1080p to see the original resolution. We are sending some kit to Colin for him to look at soon.
Thank you Colin for this article
Can we add the quality of the user manual and how fast we can get the support and its technical level as a comparing factor between these cameras?
I often find articles such as this missing real information about the imaging sensors and optics used in the cameras. I consult with the customer on their application and budget requirements first. Then I determine the imaging sensor, optics, and if need be illumination, to fit the application. Once this is accomplished, I search the various vendors that build cameras with the desired imaging sensor, the lenses with the desired optics(motorization if need be) and illumination. Just buying what you can get cheap is not providing your customer with the knowledge they need to make an appropriate decision. For more information… Read more »
Lami, sadly most people only discover the short comings of a manufacturer’s technical support after they have already made the purchase. That being said, yes those are very important factors to consider.
Colin
I remember a funny support story happened with me from a well known camera brand. I asked their help about one of their cameras about broadcasting the camera stream through a web server, so they started by asking me to follow the instruction from a document, this could not solve the problem, then we started a long chain of mail exchanging of information, which took two months, then I got a mail from them telling me to follow the instruction from the same old document
@jason hill – Now there is much competition in the market as there are many IP camera manufacturers. Prices have slashed to a great extent, the quality of cameras have also dropped considerably. Fresh buyers need to keep an eye on these areas before making the purchase.
@william gillett – Most of the cameras in the market now comes with IR, would you know a good IR IP cameras for outdoor use. We are currently using some KayJay cameras internally.
@jason hill – Would you have a day time sample picture and a low light picture to share, I too feel that LR7022 is an IR bullet that captures good quality images.
@ColinBodbyl – When it comes to cameras it’s always good to pay a visit and have a look a how it works in the real environment. You have that option, but I will have to see the sample images online.
@ColinBodbyl – Once you have a look at the LR7022 Please share your opinion so that I could have an idea on this camera. I always look for user review before I make a purchase.
“Interestingly enough I am told that dome style cameras tend to dominate the North American market while box style cameras are the overwhelming choice for Europeans. I’m not sure how demand for bullet cameras is in different areas but I would think they would be a sensible option for both markets.”
@ColinBodbyl – This could be true, but I wonder how this happens, for me a perfect solution is a mix of all the cameras depending on the range and the location.
The dome versus directional camera housing argument, for us, is mainly one of deterrent value. In many situations, a dome camera is a better bet as the direction of orientation is obscured. As such, it can serve as a more effective deterrent, making folks wonder where it is pointing.
Also, a directional camera can often be reoriented with a long stick, broom, or other extension, a far more difficult task with a dome camera.
It’s funny how many manufacturers rate their support quality of service based on how quickly they answer the phone and how quickly they get rid of the caller. Picking up the phone isn’t particularly meaningful if the support person is less knowledgeable than the caller which happens far too often. And getting someone off the phone quickly only to have them call back again because the answer was wrong is equally counterproductive.
Hi Robert, I’m using camera reorientation analytics to guard against people moving the cameras illegally during the day, something that happens a great deal in my experience as well as perhaps uncontrolled maintenance activity having the same result! Best ones in my opinion are those that look for “edges” rather than full picture versions that can cause issues if a van pulls up for instance. Choose an “edge” visible on camera that will never normally be covered (e.g. guttering, window, fenceline, etc) and if that “moves” anytime day or night then the camera has been compromised and a response to… Read more »
A more funny part came after. I ended that support from that company and solved the camera problem after I found out that the cause of problem was about 6 € which was the fee for fixed IP address compared with free dynamic IP address and that dynamic IP address has been assumed as intruder and blocked by the “intelligent” firewall by linking the changing IP address to the same MAC address
I’m looking for an IP bullet camera with integral IR as we speak, no doubt I will end up testing a handful of them, as I did with analogue bullets recently, as I never believe datsheets any more! I’m not sure if we are allowed to mention brand names on here but I’m currently using the Samsung range, great quality & features at a low price. I sound like a salesman don’t I but I am independent and this is the honest result of a fair amount of testing I’ve carried out. Most of my customers require up to 40m… Read more »
I may be getting cynical in my old age but I rarely rely on datasheets these days as I have been disappointed many times, even if the individual elements seem really good, sometimes even how they are put together can have an impact on image quality. Agreed, camera selection just based on cost is dangerous, camera selection based on cost-effectiveness is what my customers demand and is the philosophy I have always employed. Before I select a camera, I ALWAYS test them in real life using the technical expertise of the supplier to set them up. The quality (or not!)… Read more »
Don’t worry you’re not coming off as trying to sell any single brand. I’m a brand agnostic type and recently went through a fairly large purchase. I know that sometimes you run into a sales guy who seems to hate bringing in cameras for you to test but to me that’s one of those things you just have to do. Before we made our purchase we had vendors in with various models and we put them roughly in the places we needed them to see how they would perform. It’s funny that the Axis M10 was mentioned, as that was… Read more »
There are standards throughout the various markets. The one that I use is the standard set by EMVA, the EMVA 1288 standard. This standard and test procedures allows you to test lenses, sensors, cameras, and illumination to a specific application.
Currently it is for visible to NIR(night vision), from 400nm to 900nm. Eventually standards will be set for UV, SWIR, MWIR, & LWIR.
Tony, you are correct, I select product for the application, not how cheap I can get it.
Uh oh. The Emperors New Clothes are once again resplendent among the courtiers, even though to the clear-minded, he’s obviously standing there naked. Every modern surveillance system is an IP system. Today’s issue is, where on the local site to convert the TV signals to IP? The correct answer, of course, is to convert to IP in the most economical way that is fit for purpose. The wrong answer, presupposed in this blog post, is that the right answer is always to convert in the camera mount. It is so 2009 to write “IP surveillance” or “IP system” and mean… Read more »
Vegatecgroup, Tony, I agree completely. Every system needs to be designed with the right product for the application as a top priority.
That being said, I have plenty of clients who simply cannot afford the ideal system.
It does not have to be the ideal system. What it does have to be is a system that fits the application requirements and budget. Just handing the customer the cheapest you can find is doing a disservice to the customer. That is why once I consult with the customer I look at an appropriate imaging sensor and optics to begin with, then build the system out from there. I consider QE of the sensor, spectral response, pixel well fill & fill factor. SNR, dark current, Dynamic Range, etc. As well, I look at the lens; FOV, F#, motorized or… Read more »
Prices have slashed to a great extent, the quality of cameras have also dropped considerably.
@Shehan Ahamed, I dont think the quality of the cameras have dropped considerable. Infact technolgoy has helped to improve the resolution. So we are getting good resolution photo at lower cost compared to older cameras.
When it comes to cameras it’s always good to pay a visit and have a look a how it works in the real environment.
@Shehan Ahamed, I totally agree with you. Its always better to make a visit and have a look at how it works in real environment. I think we need to test them for different conditions like low light, bright light etc. This will give us complete picture of how the camera behaves in different ambient conditions.
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