Choosing the Best: Hikvision or Dahua IP cameras?

Hikvision and Dahua are two of the most well-known IP camera manufacturers on the planet. CCTV solutions. But how can you pick the best one out of all of them?

Let’s talk about it.

Hikvision

Hikvision is a leading supplier of surveillance products in China. The company is dedicated to improving video processing and analysis technology. It provides top-notch surveillance products, technical solutions, and professional services to customers worldwide, consistently creating maximum value. Furthermore, Hikvision has established a global marketing and service network. Currently, it operates branches in 33 locations across mainland China. Additionally, it has opened wholly-owned and joint venture subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and India, with plans to expand further.

Traditionally, Hikvision has focused on developing security solutions for government and enterprise-level clients, particularly in collaboration with transportation agencies. This highlights its technical superiority in AI recognition. Moreover, in response to the growing need for customer behavior analysis in the retail industry, Hikvision has gained an edge in big data solutions based on security cameras.

While many firms, including Huina Technology, are researching this field, they lack the fundamental hardware support Hikvision offers. Frequently, Hikvision deploys cameras for basic and trial versions of solutions, enticing clients and eventually securing long-term deals.

Although Hikvision is rapidly expanding into new industries, breaking revenue records soon is challenging for a publicly traded corporation with $50 billion in revenue. Therefore, the company’s traditional camera industry remains its primary source of income.

Dahua

Dahua is a global leader in video surveillance products and solutions. It offers a wide range of video storage, front-end, display control, and intelligent transportation solutions. Since launching the industry’s first self-developed 8-channel integrated DVR in 2002, Dahua has remained dedicated to R&D and technological advancement. Each year, about 10% of the company’s sales revenue goes into research and development. As a result, Dahua employs a technical team of over 3,000 individuals cctv solutions.

The Dahua hard disc video recorder is among the most advanced brands in the domestic video recorder market. It runs on an integrated LINUX operating system, supporting multi-channel recording, simultaneous playback, and recording. The system uses an industrial-grade embedded microcontroller as the video recorder’s main processor. Additionally, it supports network customization and features a 16-bit true color graphical menu with mouse and menu annotation. Despite its advanced features, the Dahua hard disc video recorder remains cost-effective, offering superior quality and an excellent price-performance ratio for CCTV solutions.

Here we recommend some hot model comparisons.

Table 1. IP Cameras – Bullet

Brand	Hikvision	Dahua
Model	DS-2CD2043G2-I	IPC-HFW5442E-ZE
Price	$245	$188
Product line	Pro Series (Easy IP)	Wiz Mind Series
Resolution	4MP (2688 × 1520)	4MP (2688 × 1520)
Sensor	1/3″ Progressive Scan CMOS	1/1.8″ 4Megapixel progressive scan CMOS
Lens	2.8 mm, horizontal FOV 103°, vertical FOV 55°, diagonal FOV 122°	2.7 mm–12.0 mm Motorized varifocal, horizontal FOV : 114°–47°, vertical FOV: 62°–26°
Day/Night	Auto(ICR), Schedule	Auto(ICR)/Color/B/W
IR Range	Up to 40m	Up to 50m
WDR	120dB	140dB
Summary	Both are good for human and vehicle target classification. Dahua wins in price and lens.

Table 2. IP Cameras – Dome

Brand	Hikvision	Dahua
Model	DS-2CD2143G0-IS	IPC-HDBW2431E-S-S2
Price	$114	$60
Product line	Pro Series (Easy IP)	Lite Series
Resolution	4MP (2688 × 1520)	4MP (2688 × 1520)
Sensor	1/3″ Progressive Scan CMOS	1/3″ 4Megapixel progressive CMOS
Lens	2.8 mm: Horizontal 103.0° × Vertical 58.0° × Diagonal 123.0°	2.8 mm: Horizontal 102.0° × Vertical 55.0° × Diagonal 121.0°
Day/Night	Auto/Schedule/Triggered by Alarm In (-S)	Auto(ICR)/Color/B/W
IR Range	Up to 30m	Up to 30m
WDR	120dB	120dB
Summary	The main specs are almost the same. Dahua wins in price.

Table 3. Hot IP Cameras Recommendations

Brand	Model	Resolution	Case Type
Hikvision	DS-2CD2043G2-I	4MP	Bullet
	DS-2CD2143G0-I	4MP	Dome
	DS-2CD2087G2-LU	8MP	Bullet
	DS-2CD2086G2-IU	8MP	Bullet
	DS-2CD2383G0-IU	8MP	Dome
	DS-2CD2385G1-I	8MP	Turret
	DS-2CD2T85G1-I8	8MP	Turret
	DS-2CV2046G0-IDW	4MP	Wi-Fi Dome
	DS-2DE2A404IW-DE3/W	4MP	PTZ Dome
Dahua	IPC-HFW1230S-S5	2MP	Bullet
	IPC-HDBW2431E-S-S2	4MP	Dome
	IPC-HDW2831T-AS-S2	8MP	Eyeball
	IPC-HFW3449E-AS-LED	4MP	Bullet
	IPC-HDBW3449E-AS-NI	4MP	Bullet
	IPC-HDW5241TM-AS-LED	4MP	Eyeball
	IPC-EW5541-AS	5MP	Fisheye
	SD1A404XB-GNR	4MP	PTZ Dome

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