Top 5 IP Cameras For Night Vision | Best 5 Tested CCTV Model

If you have planned to buy IP cameras with excellent night vision capabilities, then this post is highly helpful for you. If night vision quality is compromised, safety and security are in danger. Suspects and culprits may take undue benefit and perpetrate crimes. It is why good night vision cameras are incumbent.

The Top 5 IP Cameras for Night Vision are from mixed brands. These cameras are selected for their quality and performance. We have considered their availability, user reviews, and performance in low-light & darkness. We have counted their smart features with bitrate, codec options, PoE, and NVR compatibility.

These IP cameras are best on their own. Based on locations and needs, we can use them. Some are good in low light, some in darkness and some for wider views at night. The post will give you complete understanding of their best uses.

Why a Quality Night Vision Camera is Important?

A quality night vision camera is extremely important because the safety and security of our people and properties depend on image and footage capturing in low-light and darkness. A top-rated night vision IP camera must have the following characteristics.

Sensor Quality and Resolution Standard– The bigger the sensor, the better the image quality. Similarly, the higher the resolution, the detailed the images. Cameras with 1/1.8″, 1/1.2″ are better in their night vision than compared with 1/2.8″. The 4k devices are better than 2k in their image quality in dim lights and murkiness.

Lense Aperture– If the aperture is wider, it absorbs more light and thus produces better quality images.

IR LEDs– IR LEDs are studded on the face of cameras. They cover a long range and give pellucid black and white images in darkness.

True Colour Night Vision– The true colour night vision cameras have fast lenses, ultra-sensitive sensors, and smart noise reduction features. They give colour images in low light and darkness.

Image Processors– Technologies like Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) and 3D Digital Noise Reduction (DNR) help in producing clean and bright images in the darkness. They improve the night vision quality of IP cameras.

The Top 5 IP Cameras for Night Vision

The 5 best Night Vision Cameras are introduced here. These cameras are tried and tested by many. They are available worldwide. They are durable and advanced. These cameras are

1- Hikvision ColorVu 8MP Bullet (DS-2CD2087G2-L(U))- Full Colour Camera for All Locations

2- Dahua WizMind 4MP Starlight (HFW5442T-ASE-S3)- Long Range IR Camera with Ultra Clean Images

3- Axis Q1798-LE- Hug- Image Sensor Camera for Sensitive Locations

4- Hanwha Vision Wisenet (PNO-A9081R)- AI-powered Low-light Camera

5- Uniview IPC2328SB-DZK-I0 (Prime I, “LightHunter”) Camera- 4k Varifocal Camera for Low-light

We will discuss the key night vision features of these cameras in detail here.

1- Hikvision ColorVu 8MP Bullet (DS-2CD2087G2-L(U))- Full Colour Camera for All Locations

How is Its Night Vision?

The 8MP Hikvision ColorVu camera has a big 1/1.2″ sensor with an F1.0 lens. This important feature provides a colour view in darkness or dim light. It has a built-in white light that also assists in its colour vision at night.

The Lux light and lens aperture are designed to give clean and colour images. The 8MP or 4k camera has high resolution that ensures good quality images in low or no light conditions. The camera is available for 2.8mm, 4mm, and 6mm options. It is a good camera for homes and small business units.

Key Device & Night Vision Features

The Hikvision ColorVu has a 1/1.2″ Progressive Scan CMOS Sensor.
The device has an 8MP, 3840×2160 Resolution. It gives clean images during the day and at night.
The Hikvision camera is designed in a way to produce min. illumination of 0.0005 lux, Colour, F1.0, and AGC ON. It absorbs 0 lux with white light.
The device has fixed lenses. It is available in 2.8mm, 4mm, and 6 mm options. You can select a device based on your needs.
It provides clear imaging against strong back light due to 130 dB WDR technology.
It is an AI-powered camera as well. Its AcuSense features can classify between humans and vehicles.
It is a metallic bullet camera for outdoors and indoors with IP67 certification. It can withstand tough weather conditions.
This camera is used worldwide at driveways, yards, entrances, parkings, and homes with any ambient light.

Best Night Vision Feature– It provides night vision in all conditions.

Pay Attention to – Pay attention to the white light. Constant use can affect illumination quality. Use motion-triggered colour view. To capture number plates at night, use the right angle with the device height.

Who will love the camera – Those users who want a true colour night vision without complicated lighting plans.

2- Dahua WizMind 4MP Starlight (HFW5442T-ASE-S3)- Long Range IR Camera with Ultra Clean Images

How is Its Night Vision?

The Dahua WizMind 4MP camera is known for its extremely clean images in low light. It has a 1/1.8″ sensor and a strong image processor. The camera produces incredibly detailed images in minimal light conditions. The camera has IR lights. They can capture as long as 80 meters in the darkness.

This camera is popular among users who want consistent and clean images in low light and darkness. It is used for entrances, patios, driveways, and long passages.

Key Device & Night Vision Features

The camera has a 1/1.8″ CMOS sensor
The Dahua WizMind intelligent camera has a 4MP resolution that is equal to 2688×1520 @ 25 to 30 frames per second.
The WizMind camera has strong IRs. They can view around 80 meters in low light and no light.
With technologies like WDR, 3D NR, HLC, and BLC, image quality is much improved.
The device understands deep learning. It is highly intelligent and AI-powered.
The camera supports video metadata and smart motion and sound detection. It recognises faces and tracks objects. They classify humans, vehicles, and pets. The device has the potential to count heads.
Supports two-way audio. It is a metal camera with waterproofing quality. The cam has IP67 and IK10 protection.

Best Night Vision Feature– This Dahua WizMind camera has incredibly good low-light vision with a long IR-supported range up to 80 meters.

Pay Attention to – The model is available in 4MP and 8MP options with a little price and feature variations. But, if you want a full colour night vision camera, then you can prefer Dahua’s Dahua’s TiOC 2.0 model cam.

Who will love the camera – The camera is loved by owners who require long area coverage with good quality and intelligent features. The cam is used successfully for long perimeter capture.

3- AXIS Q1808- Hug 4k Cam- Huge Image Sensor Camera for Sensitive Locations

How is Its Night Vision?

This Axis camera is known for its quality night vision. It is an IP bullet camera with 10 MP resolution. It has a big 4/3″ image sensor that helps in capturing clean and detailed images of high resolution. It can be panned, tilted, and zoomed with 4x optical zoom capability.

The Lightfinder 2.0 technology is used to give true colour in low light and darkness. The Axis camera uses a Canon lens that has a varied focal length between 12mm to 48 mm. Users can adjust the lens to focus on objects or get broader views.

The camera has a FoV of 90 degrees. This camera is preferred for locations where we have to cover large areas like ports, fields, stadiums, grounds, malls, etc. It is a highly intelligent device with security features like motion and audio detection, perimeter protection, object classification, and alert notifications. It’s one of the most capable colour night vision cameras.

Key Device & Night Vision Features

The AXIS camera is known for its huge 4/3″ sensors along with the 4k or 10MP resolution, which produce quality night vision images in true colours.
It is considered an excellent device because of its Lightfinder 2.0 technology. It gives great colour images in dim or no light.
The device has a varied focal length between 12mm and 48mm. They can be adjusted as per the requirement. The 90-degree horizontal field of view helps in wide area coverage.
It is a robust bullet camera with integrated IRs. It is metallic with IP67 and IK10 certifications.
The device is sensitive and highly intelligent.
It can detect motion and audio. It tracks objects and issues alert notifications, detecting threats. Motion-triggered lighting and recording features are also an integral part of the device.
The device has a built-in microphone and speaker slots. Supports 2-way audio.
The device stores data internally. Supports micro SD cards.

Best Night Vision Feature – The best night vision feature includes big sensors, Lightfinder 2.0 technology, true colour night vision in complete darkness, and a premium build.

Pay Attention to – It is a highly costly device. Users have to optimise their bitrates and spend on storage.

Who will love the camera? This camera is widely popular for locations that are highly sensitive. Industries and business units where low-light is mandatory for functional purposes prefer the device.

4- Hanwha Vision Wisenet (PNO-A9081R)- AI-powered Low-light Camera

How is Its Night Vision?

The Hanwha Wisenet camera has a 4k resolution. It gives highly clean images in the day and at night. The device is designed for low-light and dark conditions. It has a 1/1.8″ image sensor with an F1.6 lens, 0.05 lux colour spec.

It has smart IPs that give pellucid images up to 30 meters in the darkness. The DNR and 120dB WDR technologies support quality images in the darkness. It detects motion and differentiates between humans, pets, and vehicles.

The camera supports H.265 with 30 frames per second video capture. It captures a 122-degree field of view diagonally.

Key Device & Night Vision Features

This camera has a 4k or 8MP resolution with 30 frames per second.
It has a low-light 0.05 lux. The IR-studded device can view up to 30 meters in the darkness. It gives black and white images.
The camera has a motorised, variable focal lens. They are between 4.5mm to 10 mm.
The camera is AI-powered. It can differentiate between a person and a vehicle.
The camera recognises faces.
This device is good for entrances, exits, garages, building perimeters, etc. If it is handy for all those outdoor and indoor locations where we require AI features with long-distance quality vision.

Best Night Vision Feature – The Hanwha camera has a 4k resolution with balanced low-light performance. It views up to 30 meters in the darkness. The WDR feature is enhanced in this device.

Pay Attention to – It doesn’t give colour night vision images in the dark. For a colour view, a supplemental light is required.

Who will love the camera? Users who want a robust camera with AI power. Users who want a detailed image with consistency in performance in low lights and colour images are not mandatory.

5- Uniview IPC2328SB-DZK-I0 (Prime I, “LightHunter”) Camera- 4k Varifocal Camera for Low-light

How is Its Night Vision?

This Uniview camera is popular as a light hunter because of its low-light capturing quality. It is a quality IP device that is budget-friendly with 4k resolution. It has a motorised focal length between 2.8 to 12 mm.

Though it is not as vibrant as the ColorVu or Lightfinder but it is highly useful if there is some light in the environment where it is installed. It gives clean images. The ‘LightHunter’ technology ensures ultra-high image quality in low illumination environments. It has a 1/2.8″ CMOS image sensor with 0.0025 Lux.

The camera has IR LEDs. It can view up to 50 meters in the dark. A long-view camera with advanced smart features. This camera is useful for indoors and outdoors. It is installed at the entrance, exit, hall, passage, parking, subways, etc.

Key Device & Night Vision Features

The UNV LightHunter camera has a 1/2.8″ CMOS image sensor.
The camera is 4k. It captures up to 30 frames per second.
The Codec Ultra 265, H.265, and H.264 compression modes give clean videos with managed bandwidths.
The IR-studded camera can view up to 50 meters or 164 feet in the darkness.
The 120 dB true WDR technology enables a clear image in a strong light scene.
It has smart features like motion detection, object tracking, and classification.
It supports perimeter protection and two-way audio.
The SD cards are supported up to 512GB.
The strong bullet camera has weather and vandal protection. It is IP67 and IK10 certified.

Best Night Vision Feature – A 4k camera. A budget-friendly cam with a varied focal length for a better view. IRs support a 50-meter view in dim light and darkness.

Pay Attention to – It has a smaller 1/2.8″ CMOS image sensor. The cam doesn’t produce colour night vision images in complete darkness.

Who will love the camera? Those users who want a budget-friendly 4k camera with wide-angle coverage and long-range IRs.

Preferred Cameras for Different Locations

If you want cameras for driveways, villa entrances, and grounds in street light, The Hikvision ColorVu camera is preferred for colour vision in the darkness. You can adjust the light trigger with every motion or restrict it to human and vehicle movements.
If you want to capture long fences, warehouses, and open spaces with little to no ambient light– Prefer the Dahua camera under such conditions. It has long-range IRs with WDR features. Combinedly, they give detailed images.
If you want cameras for sensitive locations (Gates, Logistics yard, Malls)– For high sensitivity, large image sensors are more useful with AI-powered features. AXIS Q1798-LE is a good device for these locations.
If you want cameras for retail stores, parking, etc- The Hanwha PNO-A9081R camera is a very good option for these areas. It has a high low-light performance with strong AI features.
If you want a budget-friendly 4k camera for general locations– A Uniview low-budget 4k camera with motorised focal length is a good option.
If you want a colour night vision camera with active spotlight & siren deterrence in one camera– The Dahua WizMind camera is a good selection for these features. A Dahua TiOC 2.0 variant camera is ideal but costlier.

Camera Comparison at a Glance

The Hikvision ColorVu 4k camera gives the best true colour vision in the darkness. You can use it accordingly at different locations.
Dahua WizMind camera is the best for long-range vision in low light and dark conditions. The device views up to 80 meters in the darkness.
The Axis Q1798-LE model camera is a highly premium device. It has a huge and smart image sensor of 4/3″ with Lightfinder 2.0 technology. The colour vision quality is the best in no light and low light conditions.
The Hanwha Vision Wisenet PNO-A9081R 4k camera has the best analytics among the lot. Use it at sensitive locations where you require minute details for security reasons.
The Uniview IPC2328SB model camera is a verifocal and highly budgeted 4k camera with vision up to 50 meters in low light.

Top IP Cameras	Resolution	Image Sensor	Aperture Lens	IR/Colour Night Vision	Night Vision Range
Hikvision ColorVu	4K	1/1.2″ Progressive Scan CMOS	F1.0	Colour Night Vision	Up to 40 meters
Dahua WizMind	4MP	1/1.8″ CMOS image sensor	F1.6	Colour Night Vision	Up to 80 meters
Axis Q1798-LE	4K	4/3″ back–illuminated colour CMOS	F1.7 to 4.0	LightFinder 2.0 Technology, True Colour Night Vision	Range of reach more than 50 meters in a wide field of view and 100 meters in full tele view
Hanwha Vision	4k	1/1.8″ image sensor	F1.6	IR LEDs/ Black & White Vision	Up to 62 meters
Uniview IPC2328SB-DZK-I0	8MP	1/2.8″ CMOS sensor	F1.6	Smart IRs/ Black & White Vision	Up to 50 meters

Conclusion

The top 5 IP cameras for night vision are detailed with their best features and functions. Their resolution, image sensor quality, Lux, night vision, and view in darkness are all considered for analytical study.

The Best IP cameras for night vision are from Hikvision, Dahua, AXIS, Hanhwa Vision, and Uniview. These are all renowned brands with quality products.

Kindly share your suggestions regarding the camera selection in the comment box. You can also raise queries if you have any. We respond to all queries and comments.

Thank You.

What makes an IP camera good for night vision?

A good night-vision IP camera uses a large image sensor, a fast aperture lens, infrared (IR) or dual light illumination, and strong image processing. These factors determine how well it can capture detail in low-light or total darkness.

Which brands are best known for night vision IP cameras?

The best known brands for night vision cameras are Hikvision, Dahua, Axis, Hanwha Vision, Uniview, etc.

What is the difference between IR night vision and full colour night vision?

IR night vision cameras use infrared LEDs to produce black-and-white images in darkness.
Full-Colour Night Vision cameras use large sensors with wide aperture and white or dual LEDs to show colour images even in very low light.

What is Hikvision ColorVu, and why is it popular?

Hikvision ColorVu cameras use F1.0 lenses and large sensors to deliver true-colour footage at night, often without needing IR.

What is Dahua Starlight or TiOC technology?

The Starlight technology optimises sensors for low-light monochrome clarity with very low noise. TiOC is Three-in-One Camera technology. It combines IR, white LEDs, and active deterrence features, like flashing lights, and sirens. Great for both evidence capture and intruder deterrence.

What is Axis Lightfinder 2.0?

Axis’s Lightfinder 2.0 technology is designed for true-color images in near darkness without heavy noise.

Are 8MP/4K cameras always better than 4MP at night?

Most of the time 4k is much better than 4MP. Thogh, sometimes, higher resolution needs more light. Sometimes a 4MP camera with a larger sensor performs better in darkness than an 8MP camera with a smaller sensor.