re: General security camera discussion (was "Unifi Protect security cameras")

Back with another head-to-head, this time the UniFi G3 Flex (1080p/2MP, $79) vs. the Amcrest IP5M-T1179EW (5MP, $50). Subject is a picnic table with a DeWalt impact driver on top, ~30' from the cameras. Very minimal lighting, night mode on both cameras.


Amcrest


UniFi



First note that even though the Amcrest has 150% more total pixels, due to the aspect ratio it only has 35% more pixels horizontally. Combined with the slightly different FOV, the result is that the front edge of the bench measures 250 pixels across on the Amcrest and 200 pixels on the UniFi. Also, the UniFi is sending 6mbps vs 8mbps on the Amcrest. Even so, to my eye the UniFi image still looks better. Both cameras are shooting at 15fps. I realize the rotation of the camera may be playing a role given so few pixels here, but I did not want to do any processing aside from cropping so as not to distort the images. I will try to do some daytime testing tomorrow.



As to the cost of a minimal complete 4 camera system, here are a couple configurations for comparison:

UniFi Protect
G3 Flex 4 @ $79 = $316
CK+ (w/1TB) $199
8 port PoE switch $80
Total = $595

Amcrest
IP5M-T1179EW 4 @ $50 = $200
NV4108E-1TB NVR (w/1TB) $220
Total = $420


I went with the 1TB drive in the Amcrest NVR because that's what the CK+ comes with, and I went with the 8 channel Amcrest and a 3rd party 8 port PoE switch to pair with the UniFi to allow for expansion.

Obviously there are countless ways to configure a system, lots of different package deals etc., but I did this mostly for my own info as a starter kit price. So while you'll get more pixels with the Amcrest, I'm not so sure you'll get better videos. And given the UI/UX of Protect, I'd say the extra cost is worth it.

You can get a package with 4K Amcrest cameras for less than the 1080p UniFi setup above, so maybe that will be enough to push the cheaper cameras ahead. But given how little improvement I've seen going from 2MP to 5MP Amcrest, I don't really have high hopes for 8MP. If the optics and processing aren't there, the pixels are mostly wasted it seems (at night, at least).



All that said, I still like both Amcrest and Reolink. They seem to offer a lot of value at their price points, and if you want to hook up a few dozen cameras to Blue Iris or something, you could save a ton of money and gain a lot of flexibility. But if you want something that's super easy to use, captures pretty good video, and has some pretty unique features (the CK+ is an NVR barely larger than an external hard drive and powered via PoE), then think about spending a few more dollars and trying UniFi Protect. Worst case scenario, they hold value very well like all Ubiquiti products, and it'll be easy to sell.