Cameras to buy?

schneideris
schneideris
in Cameras

I have two TrendNet dome cameras that are older and not doing well at night. Time to consider switching them out. Would love to hear any recommendations on newer, more capable, cameras. I will also add that I am only looking at PoE camera's (no WiFi).

What to get, and what to avoid?

Comments

  • Ben
    Ben

    My opinions on this question:

    Axis - expensive but high quality.

    Vivotek - mid-priced with a big range of great cameras.

    Dahua Technology or Hikvision - big range, excellent and inexpensive dome/turret/bullet cameras, but can be difficult to source/buy genuine products that aren't grey-market imports.

    Amcrest - the best "low-cost" manufacturer - cheap and reliable.

    Avoid: Reolink (though newer cameras/firmware are better than older ones), Foscam, anything battery-powered, Ubiquiti (nice hardware but they removed support for open standards so can't be used with SecuritySpy), any brand you don't recognise (there are a ton of cheap no-name Chinese cameras; some work, some are just junk).

  • schneideris
    schneideris

    Thanks Ben,

    Much appreciated. Gives me a great place to start. Especially knowing to stay away from Reolink.

  • nealk
    nealk

    How much is price a factor? This one has been very good for me.

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TJT1Z1H?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

  • Ben
    Ben

    Anpviz cameras seem to be Hikvision rebrands, and as such should be a good option that works well with SecuritySpy.

  • Korey
    Korey
    edited June 1

    FYI: you can use Ubiquiti if you have their Protect server running and share the RTSP links from the device settings:

    Screenshot 2026-06-01 at 12.25.50 PM.png

    (this is what I do)

  • schneideris
    schneideris

    My problem is the availability of things in Canada. So I decided to continue with my Annke camera’s which have been working well. I ordered a couple cameras and on delivery I found out why I should not support Annke as a company. I am sure many will think I am nuts for this being a reason, but I find it to be a matter of ethics and good business practice. When I ordered it was from the official site, and specifically their Canadian version. The site prices in Canadian dollar, charges GST (and provincial taxes for those not in Alberta), and offers free shipping, and a note on the home page of “local warehouse shipping”. All of this should mean that the cameras show up without any additional charges. Imagine my surprise when my wife tells me she paid $16 customs fees. Annke did not ship from a “local warehouse” in Canada, they shipped out of the US! It may only be $16, but it is a cost that I should not have to pay.

  • fester
    fester

    My only remaining PTZ a Dahua 45x died after several years of good service, its no longer connecting to LAN. Rather not spend what I did then, and besides the Dahuas are gone from the U.S. it seems. Considering and Amcrest IP5M-B1276EB-AI fixed focus to replace. Any thoughts? I'd had positive experiences with the Dahuas (interface not too bad...), on Hikvisions, the interface needs work that it probably will not ever get. For the price the Amcrest doesn't seem to bad, would ideally want a low light color with high sensitivity. They aren't big on posting specs...


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