Recommend a Camera with Good Optical Zoom?
Just something for looking at distant mountains, nature, etc.
Something like: HIKVISION-DS-2DE4425IW, (about $500 or so)?
HIKVISION DS-2DF8C842IXS-AELW 8MP Rapid Focus 42x Optical Zoom: would be ideal, but too much of a gamble at almost $3k.
I've been using Axis cameras, but after one of them broke down and they wanted lots of dollars just to look at it, I decided no more Axes for me, though their optics are good.
Any suggestions much appreciated. Thanks you.
Comments
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Yes, the DS-2DE4425IW looks good. They also have the DS-2DE7A432IW-AEB(T5) which has longer zoom for not too much more money.
Dahua also has a number of suitable models, for example 59430UNI or 5A445XANR (both available from B&H Photo Video, which is probably the best source of IP cameras in the USA).
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Really good suggestions, Ben. Thank you very much. That Hikvision DS-2DE7A432IW-AEB(T5) is a little hard to find, but looks good.
As for wide angle cameras, I'm using an AXIS 3367 (mainly for keeping an eye on our cat at night, as he tends to raise a ruckus) but the microphone is very noisy; both built-in and any external. Line-level signals are much better. Strange. If you have any suggestions for a replacement, with good optics and good sound, that would be great. The AXIS 3367 was pretty good for nature-time-lapse, good wide angle without too much distortion. I think this format has come down a lot in price. The 3367 was over $1k, so I don't risk it outside anymore.
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The AXIS 3367 doesn't seem to have a built-in mic, instead, it accepts either a mic or a line-level input. Therefore the noise could be down to the particular microphone you are using. 12v powered mics that are designed for CCTV purposes are generally fine - like this one on Amazon. So this may be worth a try. And, make sure the camera is set to send audio in AAC format with 16 kHz sample rate, as this will provide the highest quality (this camera can also send 8 kHz G.711 and G.726, both of which are significantly lower quality).
If you still want me to recommend a camera with audio, please let me know. And let me know if this needs to be indoor or outdoor, and any other relevant features you need.
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That's an excellent recommendation for a mic to try; thank you, Ben. I'll definitely grab one of those.
Regarding the AXIS 3367, I too had forgotten that it had a built-in mic, but I can assure you that it does. It's what I use at the moment for sound from that camera. I tried a couple of small external mics that came with IC recorders but the sound is just as bad as with the AXIS built-in mic. Plugging a headphone output from the TV into the line input yielded a decent sound, so I did conclude that a preamp was needed but couldn't figure out a simple, compact way to do that. So, great find on Amazon!
Yes, I'd appreciate a recommendation for a camera with audio, similar to the AXIS 3367. I can always use one in another room for monitoring a CNC machine, etc., as long as it works with Security Spy and has a browser-based interface, as AXIS does. I've found that this camera is a great way to record kids' homecomings too, BTW. Easy to record, unobtrusive and spontaneous, but the noisy audio was a problem.
Do you think that these cameras you mention have image quality on-par with, or better than the AXIS cameras? Not sure if you are at liberty to answer such questions, but thank you very much for taking the time to read and respond in any case.
PS: The AXIS 3367 is an external camera, but I removed the metal cover and plastic bubble so that it's very compact and easy to mount anywhere. The clear plastic scratches very easily and degrades the image slightly in any case so I like it better without it. Of course, an indoor camera would be more economical and preferable, because there's no need for weatherproofing, etc.
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Sorry for the TLDR above.
I'm close to getting the Hikvision DS-2DE5432IW-AE, as it seems to be available at my location, free shipping from China, via Ebay. 32X zoom is pretty impressive and it's not bogged down with surveillance features that I'd never use, though the size and weight are formidable. They might throw in a HI-Poe too.
I'm hoping this will work with Security Spy. Thanks, Ben.
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Ben, I got the 12v powered mic you recommended today. Works perfectly! Thank you so much for your advice; it transformed my Axis 3367 into a really good camera for my needs.
I wonder what other wide-angle cameras provide such (near photographic) quality. The Hikvision isn't in the same class, though it's good in decent lighting and fine as a surveillance camera. But the 3367 is really good in low-light, while still working in color, with minimal illumination.
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Great to hear that this has resolved the audio issues with the Axis P3367 camera. It really does look like a great camera and it's good to get your feedback about it!
