Reolink 5MP PoE Security Camera Outdoor with Human/Vehicle Detection, IP66 Weatherproof, Audio Recording, RLC-520A

Got a relatively large home CCTV system of 9 cameras, mixed brands, recording 24/7 on a HikVision NVR. Mostly bullet cameras as felt easier to site and point where wanted as typically minidomes can be adjusted pan and tilt only (no twist like a bullet camera, typically…) Due to where the camera was going I opted for a minidome as more discrete. Ordered an alternative cheaper brand initially, but first one unstable (returned no issue), second one glitchy and also unstable so returned too. I’d skipped the Reolink minidome initially as wasn’t the cheapest, but as I already have a Reolink bullet which works like a treat and has rock solid firmware it seemed the obvious choice. Not sure if I had missed it in the description, but opened the box to check and inspect and had a pleasant surprise… Other cheaper minidomes typically have limited flexibility when installing as can pan and tilt (I.e. Left/Right and Up/Down) but that doesn’t always get you exactly where you want. However with this Reolink, it also has a twist ability. That might not sound like a big thing, but it basically means you get the flexibility of where you want to point the camera just like a bullet but in the neat and discrete package of a minidome. 🙂 Win Win! Second very significant point I noticed was that on many other cheaper minidomes, you remove the dome/cover with an allen/torx key, install/fix the camera then re-install the cover. This typically results in allowing moisture/humidity into the camera during install, and also means you don’t have a watertight seal to the elements. I’m turn this increases the chances of having condensation inside the camera which not only obscures the image but can also shorten the lifespan of the camera over time, even if packed with silica gel. The Reolink camera however doesn’t have either of those issues. Reason being is that to install the camera, you have a separate mounting plate which the camera clips onto, and the camera is sealed and doesn’t need to be opened or tampered with reducing or eliminating any issues from moisture/humidity. So, in short, really very impressed with the design and overall package of this minidome. Given that it gives the same benefits of a bullet but less intrusively due to being a minidome I will be looking to use these in the future. On the firmware side, I already have 1 Reolink bullet so was confident on that side but compared to the cheaper alternatives, the Reolink (Not generic IP camera firmware) firmware is responsive, simple and solid. As a mention, whilst there isn’t an option to change the codec from the standard h265 if you check the Reolink website there is a h264 rtsp feed which you can use for older equipment that doesn’t support h265 so this camera should be able to work on almost any NVR or viewer. 🙂 And lastly the one I purchased was a 5MP (All my other cameras are 8mp/4K) but this provides a very clear image for a 5MP in my opinions and there is very little difference in overall image quality vs my 4K cameras. So overall 10/10 and very good value for money, will definitely be buying more in the future. 👍🏻

Have two professionally installed by my son at my house, one front one back. He has the same at his house. Amazed at the clarity and all the different ways you can choose to set it up. Easy to find what you want on playback due to choice of dates and time, symbols for people ,vehicles and animals. Good infrared images at night. Also records and plays back sounds if you want that. Waterproof, survived some terrible weather in the two months since they were set up. You can also black out parts of the picture like your neighbours garden so as not to invade their privacy. I’ve got very good neighbours and I thought it was right to tell them they were there. There were no objections and one is pleased it covers his drive and cars too. Not easy to see from ground level either. Very unobtrusive under the gutter. Amazing for rhe money Patrick

Right, the good bits. Image quality great day or night, setup of reolink cameras are probably one of the best. The android app and pc app work fantastic and easy to use. I use blue iris and can confirm rtsp and onvif work fine. Customer services is probably the best I've had in the past 10 yrs. Now the bad bit: The mounting system isnt good at all, after following the instructions to the T. The camera would rotate super easy my kids 80gram air filled plastic ball moved it without any effort. I did contact reolink customer service who sent me out another before I sent the faulty one back at my request (there was a reason). Unfortunately the replacement was the same. To save messing about with returns etc I asked reolink if I could put a small screw in the replacement through the bracket and just kissing the body of the camera to hold it in place and asked if I did this would it affect my warranty to which I was told it wouldn't. It's pretty obvious this is a design flaw in this particular model (i do have other reolink models and they are all fantastic). Great camera all in all bit cant give 5 stars it loses one for the design and one for me having to use a screw to rectify it, which I shouldn't have to do! **UPDATE After seeing this review Reolink customer services has been in touch apologising. As an apology they have sent me a £5 refund. It's great to see a company actively looking at reviews of there products, once again really impressed with Reolinks customer service. I have given an extra star to reflect the customer service aspect. I know this is a product review but customer services is such an important part of a product too.

It works much better then expected. It's my first proper cctv but it has everything I needed: - not depending on some stupid cloud account (although their mobile app is quite usefull) - can hook it to nas/home assistant thanks to standard protocols it supports - picture quality is great (for me) even in night - motion detection works quite well, even it could be slightly better motion detection: Not sure if it ever missed any motion but few times (like 3x per year) I've got false-positive detection without any real movement - in heavy rain or wind causing tree movement. Sometimes it has difficulty to differentiate between person and animal, but that could be caused by angle it's installed(basically from top to bottom). Not sure about car detection, don't have a road in the view.

I needed extra security cameras for my shop to replace faulty ones. I was recommended the Reolink 520A cameras. These are brilliant quality and for a great price. I now have 3 of them.

Great camera but stopped working 8 months after purchase :(

I bought this camera to add to some i already had and it work perfect, the night vision is amazing and the camera itself was well built. its made of plastic but that's not a big deal. it can record on the SD card so you dont need a DVR.

Works well, and the software that comes with it is not bad (not Apple standard good, but it works). Actual hardware is chunky - impressive for the price. Just bear in mind when ordering that this one is not wifi, and does not come with a power adaptor.