MegaPixel Camera Shootout: Panasonic vs. Arecont Vision

In this shootout the Panasonic WV-NW502S network super dynamic 5 camera is matched against the Arecont Vision AV5150. These two cameras are recorded in almost the identical location except that the Arecont is installed in a camera housing on the outside of the building and the Panasonic is viewing through a glass window inside the building. There is some refraction in the field of view on the Panasonic due to this arrangement. 

Notice the two pictures. The Arecont camera is having trouble getting enough light to maintain an image most noticiable by the noise and grainy image. The Panasonic is still in color and has not had to switch into the night or monochrome mode yet.

High megapixel cameras claim to be able to do digital zoom better than PTZ and higher quality than lower megapixel. This is simply a spec game. Compare actual camera output below.

The Panasonic NW502 camera is technically a "lower resolution" camera, but which one gives you more useable security information?

We recorded and archived video from each camera to show the difference in total cost of ownership. The Panasonic clip is 3 minutes, 16 seconds, and is only 32Mb. Panasonic camera is also in H.264 mode.

In addition, costs to record the 5Mp camera is very high, as there is so much more motion due to the CMOS sensor. Network bandwidth is very high to transmit the images; number of viewing clients and frame rate may be limited.