Which Camera Is Better?

[halam 0]

hi wanted to knoe which camera will have the better quality image out of the following;

 

a 540 tvl camera with a fixed lense of 3.6mm

or

a 420 tvl camera with a vario focal lense of 4 to 9mm

 

p.s the two cameras have ir

regards

[Soundy 1]

Impossible to say based on just that info. *All else being equal* the 540TVL camera will have higher resolution and better image... assuming the listed TVL specs aren't "fudged" (many are, with cheap manufacturers).

 

However, all else is rarely equal... many other factors can have an effect on the image:

- The brand and type of sensor

- The size of the sensor

- The supporting electronics (image processing)

- The quality of the lens

- The quality of the glass/plastic in the housing

[halam 0]

hi

here are the specs of the cameras any good?

 

Model IR SONY 540

Pick Up Element SONY 1/3” CCD

Effective Picture Elements ( H*V ) NTSC:510×492, PAL:500×582

Horizontal Resolution 540 TV Lines

S/N Ratio More than 48dB

Minimum Illumination 0.8 LUX /F1.2

Auto Electronic Shutter NTSC:1/60s~1/100,000s,PAL:1/50s~1/100,000s

Video Output 1Vpp,75 Ohms

Power/Current 12VDC(+/-10%)/350mA

Lens 3.6 mm

Weight (g) 260g

Storage Temperature -20~ +60

Operating Temperature -10~ +50

 

 

 

 

4-9mm varifocal lens

1/3” Sony Super HAD CCD Sensor.

Specification:

500 x 582 Pixels

Pal 420 TV Lines.

Auto White Balance

Signal to Noise Ratio >48dB

0.5 Lux Day 0.0 Lux IR on

Electronic Shutter 1/50 – 1/100000 per sec

Power required: 12v 140mA (380mA IR on)

Lens: 4-9mm Varifocal Lens

Dimensions: 120mmø x 100mm Specification:

500 x 582 Pixels

Pal 420 TV Lines.

Auto White Balance

Signal to Noise Ratio >48dB

0.5 Lux Day 0.0 Lux IR on

Electronic Shutter 1/50 – 1/100000 per sec

Power required: 12v 140mA (380mA IR on)

Lens: 4-9mm Varifocal Lens

Dimensions: 120mmø x 100mm

[vin2install 0]

Out of these two the second one is better. Even if it is only 420TVL. Effective pixel is the same for both cameras. Plus the second camera has a Super HAD CCD which is better than the regular Sony CCD.

Plus the second one looks like its PAL only so you have to make sure its compatible.

[Bean00 0]

Yep, bottom one is better. Thats no 540TVL camera, it's a 330-450TVL camera.

 

Effective pixels on a 540TVL camera would be ~ NTSC: 768(H) x 494(V); PAL: 752(H) x 582(V)

 

To qualify - the PICTURE might not be any better. Probably the same. The varifocal lens is nice because you can fine tune your field of view.

[halam 0]

Out of these two the second one is better. Even if it is only 420TVL. Effective pixel is the same for both cameras. Plus the second camera has a Super HAD CCD which is better than the regular Sony CCD.

Plus the second one looks like its PAL only so you have to make sure its compatible.

 

 

thanks for the help, what do you mean by 'PAL'?

[Bean00 0]

Not a simple question. But I'll give you both a very dumbed down answer, and links for you to read up if your interested in the reality of it.

 

Really Dumded Down Answer:

PAL is the video format for Europe(and a very good portion of the rest of the world), NTSC is the video format for the US.

 

Real Answer:

PAL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PAL

NTSC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTSC

[halam 0]

oh right, thanks. yeah my dvr is compatable with pal

[halam 0]

hi ive just bought and fitted the variofocal cameras they have the exact same picture as the 540 cameras if not better thanks guys

[Toaster 0]

hi ive just bought and fitted the variofocal cameras they have the exact same picture as the 540 cameras if not better thanks guys

 

I'm curious, what camera (and specs) did you replace with the new Super HAD CCD camera? Can you list the specs for your other camera's (or make, model, etc).

 

I've been looking at different cameras online, and while the paper specs seem similar or the same, prices range from $40 to $400..... Any additional details would be greatly appreciated (by me!)

[rory 0]

these are box cameras with a CS mount?

If not, generally a fixed lens board (M12) wont fit a varifocal lens (m13/m14).

[halam 0]

well i bought my old cameras from an ebay store which where 'apparently' 540 tvl 3.6mm lense for around £40.00 and i compared these with the new 420 cameras with a vario lense, the picture was so much better and much more clear

 

ps- the cameras are outdoor vandal domes

[Bean00 0]

again, the specs on the so-called 540TVL camera were definitely "exagerated".

 

Based on the effective pixels, it was a 330TVL-450TVL camera.

[halam 0]

yeah there is no way of telling unless you go and and look at the cameras yourself or go to a genuine dealer