Best Outdoor PTZ Security Camera Reviews

Quite often, there is a need to monitor a certain open area, which requires a 180 or 360-degree view. That’s when guard stations deploy outdoor PTZ security cameras. They are designed to monitor outdoor areas and provide a wide range of coverage. All thanks to the ability to pan (move horizontally), tilt (move vertically), and zoom in and out to keep an eye on objects with greater detail and clarity. But what are the best outdoor PTZ security cameras for this purpose? I put together a comprehensive review that will give you hints on what products to look for.

Our pick

REOLINK RLC-823A

Best outdoor PTZ security camera

The REOLINK RLC-823A can distinguish a person, vehicle, or pet from other objects. When RLC-823A detects someone suspicious, its spotlights and siren will be triggered or manually activated, eliminating potential threats. Read the full review.

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Outdoor PTZ security cameras comparison table

Features to consider when buying an outdoor PTZ camera

Resolution

One of the key points to consider when buying an outdoor PTZ camera is the resolution. Of course, you can find anything from SD to ultra full HD cameras with 4K resolution on the market. But here is an important thing—the higher the resolution, the better detailing you will get. For an outdoor camera, the ability to identify objects, people, and even details like the figures on the car’s license plate can be critical.

Additionally, do not skip looking at the frame rate—fps. I recommend picking a device with at least 25 fps for an outdoor camera.

Video compression is another characteristic defining image quality. You will probably encounter cameras with H.264, H.265, and MJPEG compression technology. H.265 is the recent encoding technology with the highest level of efficiency that delivers better compression ratios while maintaining the footage quality.

Zoom capabilities

Zoom allows you to conduct a closer inspection of details within a surveillance area for effective monitoring and improved identification of potential threats. Modern cameras offer an optical or digital zoom. Optical zoom is known for delivering better image quality as it physically moves the lens. In the case of digital focus, spot magnification happens when the image gets enlarged. Thus, resolution and quality can suffer. What suits you most you have to determine from the range of tasks to be solved.

You can also look at additional zoom features like automatic zoom tracking, which allows the camera to follow moving objects.

Night vision

If you want to capture clear video footage in low light or complete darkness, you have to carefully study the night vision parameter in the camera you are going to buy.

There are two types of night vision available in outdoor cameras: infrared and color night vision. Infrared night vision produces black-and-white images, while color night vision captures color images in low-light conditions. In addition, some devices may come with thermal imaging technology, which spots thermal signatures in complete darkness.

When selecting an outdoor camera with night vision, it’s important to consider the range and clarity of the night vision feature. Some cameras have a longer range and better clarity than others.

Also, mind if the camera has a manual or auto night vision control. Devices with auto night vision capabilities will automatically turn off the spotlights if the environment’s brightness is intense.

Weather resistance

The level of weather resistance in a camera is determined by the Ingress Protection (IP) rating, where a higher IP rating indicates a higher level of protection. IP65 cameras are dust-tight and protected against water jets, so they will do for most cases.

It’s also important to choose an outdoor camera with an optimal temperature range. This parameter will define the minimum and maximum temperature values the device will withstand. Wind load resistance should be in your consideration as well to increase the resistance to wind loads and improve control over the cameras. Finally, dehumidification may be handy for areas with high humidity.

Best outdoor PTZ security camera reviews

REOLINK RLC-823A – best overall

With REOLINK RLC-823A, you will see the world on the camera just the way it is. Thanks to ultra-high definition (8MP) videos, you will easily grasp hard-to-see details, day or night. In these terms, this 4K camera outperforms Ctronics 380C, which has a 4MP resolution. So, you will get more data from this device.

It has color night vision technology. Also, there is 190 ft IR night vision that relies on four infrared LEDs. As it has a motorized varifocal lens, you will get a view from any angle. Add a 5x optical zoom, and maximum coverage is guaranteed.

An example of REOLINK RLC-823A image quality

Smart detection with auto tracking works amazingly for tracking suspicious events, while the alarm system will immediately notify you about a stranger approaching your property. In addition, the built-in microphone and speaker allow you to speak directly to a person intruding on your space.

An example of REOLINK RLC-823A night vision mode image quality

There is an app to live view or download videos on your phone. But it has some gripes. For instance, there is no way to toggle alerts on and off or silence them without going into the app and disabling them completely.

Ctronics 380C-4MP – budget outdoor ptz camera

If you do not want to invest much in the outdoor security camera, consider the Ctronics 380C-4MP. It is packed with cutting-edge technology like human detection, auto tracking, and a smart alert system. And, most importantly, it has a reasonable cost.

The color night vision technology is helpful. Even from a distance of 98 ft, the footage is clear in complete darkness. It has an auto mode, which automatically turns on the built-in spotlight when the human is detected. This is going to result in smaller electricity bills. 5x optical zoom is also here, like in Ctronics 380C-4MP, to provide more details.

An example on the screen of Ctronics 380C-4MP image quality

Its 2K high-definition lens delivers QHD images in 2560x1440p for day and night. The actual image quality is good, but I doubt it’s a true 2K camera. Some 1080p devices delivered a better picture. The frame rate is not good either. If you walk faster than 2mph, you will probably not get a good shot of your face on this camera, even when heading straight toward it.

An example on the screen of Ctronics 380C-4MP night vision mode image quality

SV3C SD7W-5MP-HX – wireless ptz outdoor camera

Would you like to do away with the cords when installing the outdoor camera? That’s what SV3C SD7W-5MP-HX will help you with. It features Wi-Fi with IEEE 802.11 b/g/n standard, making it compatible with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bandwidth.

Similarly to REOLINK E1 Outdoor, this camera offers a resolution of 5 megapixels (2592 x 1944 p). It boasts a good night vision system featuring 6 infrared LED lights that provide a clearer night vision range of up to 165 ft. Its 4.7-84.6mm 20x optical zoom autofocus lens ensures you do not miss any moment of what you care about.

An example of SV3C SD7W-5MP-HX image quality

Weather resistance capabilities in SV3C SD7W-5MP-HX are also great. With an IP66 rating, it stays resistant to harsh weather conditions.

An example of SV3C SD7W-5MP-HX night vision mode image quality

Setting up the camera is somewhat complicated, especially if you are not tech-savvy. And, by the way, get ready to deal with many alarm videos—even bugs and rain can trigger the alarm. These are the two main disadvantages of this model, which in my opinion, are not critical and certainly do not spoil the overall positive impression.

REOLINK E1 Outdoor

Meet another smart camera with high-end features like auto tracking, motion detection, two-way audio, and wireless control—REOLINK E1 Outdoor. This 5MP camera with color night vision lets you see full-color images even at deep night. With a 355-degree pan and 50-degree tilt, the lens rotates to give you a full view of the setting.

This is a Wi-Fi-enabled camera supporting both 2.4 and 5 GHz. It also has a mobile app that allows you to access settings, watch videos live, or get alerts.

An example of REOLINK E1 image quality

The 1/2.7″ CMOS sensor operates at 20 fps. But I wish this camera had a higher frame rate for better tracking fast-moving objects. The 3x optical zoom delivers an optimal level of magnification but may be insufficient to see smaller details from farther away. Also, REOLINK E1 Outdoor has H.264 compression standard that delivers good video quality at substantially lower bit rates. However, compared to H.265 used in SV3C SD7W-5MP-HX, this is an older video coding technology, so—less efficient.

An example of REOLINK E1 night vision mode image quality

JideTech P1 Plus-5X-8MP

The JideTech P1 Plus-5X-8MP camera features a 2.7-13.5mm lens that captures video in 8MP resolution. It has only IR night vision that allows you to detect objects at a distance of up to 98 ft. One pleasant surprise with the camera is that it supports three streams, at different resolutions and refresh rates, instead of the usual two like in REOLINK E1 Outdoor. With the 355-degree pan and 90-degree tilt, you can cover the desired area. Another wonderful bonus—5x zoom for better detailing.

And now, let’s look at advanced features. The autofocus is finicky and refocuses whenever I adjust the zoom or repoint it to a new location. The detection technology is available, which is a good thing but it has a flaw. It will detect even a parked vehicle and trigger an alert.

An example of JideTech P1 Plus-5X-8MP image quality

As for the provided software, it is user-friendly and meaningful. But it definitely lacks the tracking feature. Also, notifications are not reliable. You may get a whole batch of alerts that were relevant a week ago.

An example of JideTech P1 Plus-5X-8MP night vision mode image quality

FAQ