EmpireTech 4K 8MP 1/1.2" CMOS Ultra Low Light Full-Color AI Bullet IP Camera Warm LED IP67, Built-in Mic and Speaker,ePOE and POE, Motion Detection,IPC-Color4K-X 2.8mm S2

This camera serves to overview the front of my home & the street. Thanks to the street lights the image almost looks like daytime. Under a circumstance where the street lights weren't on but this cameras were, the quality didn't drop much it just got somewhat darker. You could see what's important under the right placement. Microphone is alright, didn't expect much as it's not the main focus of this item. While I understand the price may be a little high, it beats having to figure out firmware updates yourself & which ones won't brick the camera. In my experience, EmpireTech provides phenomenal support for their products. Thinking of buying a 6mm one of these for a specific use-case where identification is necessary. The other versions of the camera really just serve as overview cameras; somewhere to be placed up high to capture the most due to the wide angle.

If you are looking for good outdoor security cameras with decent night performance that will actually be useful in the case of an incident, go look up "DORI" and do some research, and then evaluate the specs on this camera. I've used a half dozen different cameras over the years, and the low light performance of this camera has been the best I've seen by a wide margin at this price point. Note there are good arguments for "night vision" vs "color night vision" and their effects on DORI which you'll have to tailor to your actual needs, though I find color information to be useful enough in a security situation that I like using this for the "wide view" for DOR, and more focused regular night vision for Identify, which can have a slightly smaller sensor if you have to (1/1.8 for night vision, 1/1.2 for color night vision is a good test). The sensor size on this camera is fantastic and really makes the color night vision impressive. Anything smaller than this sensor size is basically garbage for the purpose. Its a Dahua rebrand, so take proper precautions with network security (I used the matched NVR to isolate the cameras, and then block the NVR from talking to the internet at all). The Empire Tech has a relatively good reputation in the community from what I understand too, thought I haven't had to exercise that at all, but was a factor in me choosing THIS rebrand over others.

Have these cameras over two years now and have no problem so far love the video quality here is a night and day screenshot.

I have a system of roughly 14 high end IP cams and purchased one of these this summer and another one last week. The quality of the camera for low light is outstanding, much better than any of the other IP cams I have. It is difficult to convey how good the low light color picture is. If I cannot see outside, it still has a great picture. Probably the best compliment came from my wife who really does not care but appreciate how good the picture was at night compared to our other cameras that had IR illuminators.

I cannot tell the difference between day and night images. The smart codec is incredible producing extremely low bandwidth streams up to 4K. What's more nearly every parameter is hot controllable within a Dahua NVR and is incredibly easy to adjust. I could not be happier with 8 of these so far.

The IPC-Color4K-X 2.8mm has been a solid performer. I am in a harsh environment. My temps reach single digits frequently this winter between 0 and 9 degrees Fahrenheit. The camera is fully exposed to the elements. It is on a pole with no overhanging roof to shield it. I used a PFA152-E to mount the junction box to a pole. The night time picture is in a pitch black environment with no external lighting. The day time picture is the same view on a rainy and slightly misty & foggy day. Works great with Blue Iris too. Vendor Notes: I have purchased 4 IP camera from Andy at EmpireTech. Transaction always smooth. Product has the right firmware and works like it should. All of my pre-sales questions were dutifully answered promptly. Tip: If your first time ordering a junction box, double check with Andy that you are selecting the correct one for your camera.