Comparing the Hikvision DS-2CD2032 – Which Camera is The Best

Finding the best security camera is not as simple as it would seem. Comparing models is one of the easier ways to determine what will work best for you. 

It can be time-consuming to try to find the best security camera. Many people make the critical mistake of not doing enough research to locate the camera that meets their needs. This comparison will take the work out of finding a security camera that you can rely on.

There are a few key elements that any security camera should offer:

• Reliability
• Ease of use
• Easy installation
• Clear view

Of course, you want your security camera to be reliable, that is after all the idea of a security camera. You want to know that your security camera is doing its job. 

It should be easy to use, and easy to install. You want crisp clear images. 

It does not sound like such a tall order but many cameras on the market just cannot cut it when it comes to delivering the options you need in a security camera.  

Most models are made specifically to work with their own brands which can be a downfall if you are happy with one system and you just want to add on a camera and you want to add on the camera from a different manufacturer.

Who Needs Surveillance Cameras?

Surveillance cameras used to be relegated to business and commercial use only. For a long time, these security cameras were not affordable for the average household so most people did not consider them as an option. 

Today, surveillance cameras are more affordable than ever. The lower prices combined with a hyper-awareness of how important security is today for every home has seen a surge in these cameras being used in homes of all income levels.

Business owners and commercial property owners would be wise to invest in a surveillance system that they can easily install on their own. Keeping out unauthorized entry must be a priority to reduce the risk of theft and vandalism.

Surveillance cameras can help to:

• Deter crime
• Capture evidence of unauthorized entry
• Provide security for residents and employees

In many cases, just having a surveillance camera installed is enough to deter crime.  If a criminal can avoid being videotaped 9 times out of 10 they will take that opportunity.  Of course, if someone does intrude or your property is vandalized you will have a clear record to hand over to the police to catch the criminals. 

Knowing who is lurking around your property whether it is a personal residence or a commercial property is very important when it comes to keeping people safe. Whether it is your family or your employees that you want to keep secure surveillance cameras can help you do that.

Surveillance cameras offer an opportunity to deter crime and to help to record it should it occur. Everyone that owns property should be considering surveillance cameras for their property.

A Few Facts

Surveillance cameras are really taking a bite out of crime. Most major cities use them around the globe and report some large-scale statistics about how using surveillance cameras has helped to reduce crime:

n 2007, the police of Baltimore, Maryland, USA reported that their integrated network of security cameras and other safety devices reduced crime in their city by 17%. Philadelphia PA, USA reported a 37% drop in crime after installing security cameras in some of the highest crime areas.  On a smaller scale but still very significant, homeowners that have a surveillance system are 5 times less likely to experience a break-in than homeowners that do not have one.

Surveillance cameras significantly reduce the threat of becoming a victim of crime.

What You Need to Consider

There are a few things that you will want to consider that is going to be largely unique to your situation.

Where do you want to mount the camera?

Will you be using it strictly indoors or outdoors?

What about the mounting space?

Where do you want to mount the camera?

Does it matter if you must mount it on a ceiling or a wall?

A lot of what makes a camera perfect for your individual needs really depends on where you are going to use it and what your field of vision needs are.  All the personal needs can be addressed by understanding the features that are available with the cameras that are reviewed here.

There are a few things that you should not do when you are considering which surveillance camera is best for your needs:

• DO NOT shop by price alone
• DO NOT purchase without knowing what you are getting

The lowest price is not always the best value. Many people make a critical mistake of buying a camera that is the lowest cost. Budget is always an important consideration but for safety sake, you should not base your decision on the lowest cost. Low-cost cameras can mean low-quality cameras. Low-quality cameras can mean unreliable cameras. The last thing you need is to have a false sense of security only to find out when there is an incident that the camera just did not do its job.

A little research is in order when it comes to choosing a surveillance camera and system. You do not need any expert knowledge but you do need some basic knowledge. The information is readily available and it will pay off nicely if you can educate yourself on the basics like what DPI means and how to measure your field of vision needs. Taking the time to become familiar with surveillance camera installation and set-up will ensure that you get everything you need out of your camera.

You want to choose the camera that is going to meet your surveillance needs and that you feel comfortable working with during installation and use.

The Comparison

Frankly unless you really go low end, most surveillance cameras will likely get the job done but, of course, you do not want to settle for just getting the job done, you want the job done right and with reliability.

There are many different cameras to consider on the market. Narrowing down the field of options can be a difficult task so we took the liberty of choosing the cameras that we think are top in their categories and comparing them to help you make a choice that you will be happy with.

We are going to start by listing the virtues of the Hikvision DS-2CD2032 and then we will look at some other options that we think will compete nicely.

The Hikvision DS-2CD2032

The Hikvision is considered tops in its class but there are a few contenders out there that come very close to possibly dethroning the Hikvision DS-2CD2032. It is hard to beat the little bullet for quality performance it is easily one of the most reliable bullet cameras on the market. 

Hikvision has an amazing 3MP progressive scan CMOS sensor that is powerful and reliable. You can choose between the standard 4mm lens or use the 6 mm or 12 mm. It is all about the options with this model. It is really no surprise that the DS-2CD2032 is regarded as one of the best cameras on the market for security because Hikvision became a leader right out the gate in 2001.  What we love about this model:

• It’s easy to install
• Has easy to use software that is smart and easily locates the camera
• There are plenty of settings in network that can be customized to meet your needs

Overall this is a great security camera option that will serve many purposes well.  This indoor/outdoor surveillance camera is a good bet.

Swann – Add-On Indoor/Outdoor High-Definition Surveillance Camera – White

This bullet surveillance camera is listed as one of the top ten indoor-outdoor options and it deserves that ranking. 

This DIY surveillance camera is ideal for home or commercial property. It offers an easy to use software suite.

Swann is an Australian company that has created quite the name for themselves by producing affordable home security systems. This bullet camera can be used in both residential properties and commercial properties.  This camera is meant to be used as an add-on to any Swann security system. 

This camera works with the Swann Pro Series. It comes ready to install. The white housing is weatherproof so it can confidently be mounted anywhere outside.

This camera comes with:

• 60′ TVI cable for connecting, plug adapter
• Mounting screws and plugs
• Owner’s manual
• CMOS sensor
• 30 IR LEDs

Features

• Enabled night vision up to 100′ away. IR cut filter allows for great clarity even in low light conditions
• The aluminum housing is IP66-rated for durability
• The recording is done in color images are recorded in full color to add to the security features.
• The camera can be mounted either on the ceiling or the wall which allows for more flexible mounting options
• Easy installation wherever you need coverage
• It has resolution of 1080p that delivers super clear footage

Overall, this add-on camera is a great option if you are already a fan of Swann and have a Swann Pro Series system or you have a Swann Pro DVD. This is a highly reliable camera that will provide you with dependable surveillance. Of course, if you are not a fan of Swann and do not have a Swann system you may have a hard time getting it to be compatible with your system. A little research will help you figure out if this camera is a good match for your system or not.

Night Owl – AHD Indoor/Outdoor High-Definition Security Bullet Cameras (2-Pack) – Black

This Night Owl AHD indoor/outdoor Hi Def bullet camera comes in a two pack and is packed with features that really heightens your security surveillance. This camera is a great option that can meet a wide range of surveillance needs. 

The 2 pack is a great value that gives you an opportunity to place cameras in more locations. The cost is affordable and you get a couple of great cameras out of the deal.

This is what these cameras offer:

• You get two 60’ cables
• You get two 4-way power splitters and 2 12V DC power adapter
• Enough mounting screws for both cameras
• 3 deterrent security stickers
• Owner’s manual with easy to understand instructions

Features

• Everything is captured in high definition
• Crisp resolution 720p offers a clear capture of images with tremendous detail. These cameras are compatible only with Night Owl AHD DVR’ which you buy separately.
• You can see in the dark thanks to the infrared night vision.
• See up to one hundred feet away with little to no light.
• These cameras have a field view of 70 feet.
• Minimal blind spots allow you to see more areas.
• These cameras offer vandal resistant mounts that prevent damage.
• Can be mounted to the ceiling or wall
• Infrared night vision lets you see in the dark
• Monitor subjects and scenes up to 100′ away when there’s little to no light.
• See more with the generous 70° field of view
• Observe a large area with few blind spots.
• Great for both indoor and outdoor mounting, completely weatherproof.

These cameras add to the security of your property by giving you a sweeping view with very few blind spots in all types of lighting conditions. It is important that you can see as much of the field of vision as possible and with the sweeping 70-foot field of view these cameras make it easy to see what is coming and to record the comings and goings of anyone in the field.

While these cameras are made to work only with the Night Hawk AHD DVD, there is a strong possibility that it may be compatible with the system that you already have in place. A little research will reveal if these cameras will work with your system. Ultimately users have found that these cameras fit the bill so nicely that they invested in the whole system just to be able to use these cameras.

Pro Bullet Indoor/Outdoor 1080p Wi-Fi Network Surveillance Camera – White

This camera is an excellent option for anyone that wants to be able to see what is going on at home or at their business from anywhere. This Wi-fi network surveillance camera lets you access your camera from anywhere with your smartphone. It is a great option for anyone that wants an easy to use the camera that they can access from anywhere. It offers an outdoor shell construction that makes it 100% weather proof and:

It is a great option for anyone that wants an easy to use the camera that they can access from anywhere. It offers an outdoor shell construction that makes it 100% weather proof and:

• HD 1080p live video and recorded video with remote access
• Not only is it weatherproof but it is vandal proof. It can be operated in -22 to 140 degrees F safely. The shell is hard and vandal proof so it is safe wherever you put it.
• This state of the art camera is self-learning and has intelligent sensors, the camera will be able to analyze motion to determine if it is a motion worthy of alert or not.
• You do not have to pay any fees for the 24-hour cloud storage for event videos up to 10 seconds.
• Local recording is free with up to 128GB SD card (not included you purchase separately)
• You can choose to purchase a monthly subscription
• Infrared night vision that allows up to 100 feet of viewing
• Very fast setup, you can connect to your router and be in the cloud in about 3 minutes
• You can view your video and export the video remotely from wherever you are
• You do not need a DVD or VCR recorder
• Ethernet cables are included
• IFTTT integrated making it compatible with many smart home devices
• Bandwidth consumption technology for smart consumption
• Bank level encryption ensures highly secure operation

There are a few clear positives with this camera that really makes it an excellent choice for many reasons. The fact that you do not need a DVD recorder of VCR recorder makes this camera perfect choice for anyone that does not want to invest in additional equipment. It is also a good choice for anyone that wants quick easy access to their camera.

Another huge benefit is the cost savings of this model. There is less equipment to worry about paying for and keeping up with, additionally, you can have as many cameras as you want on the same network without any additional cost. You do not have to worry about operation costs because there is none.

This is the modern means of surveillance. 

You do not need any special equipment other than your smartphone a router and the camera. The setup is quick and easy, there are no cables or wires to contend with. It is one of the easiest ways to have the surveillance that you need without the headaches of dealing with compatibility issues or dealing with cables, wires, connections and complicated setups.  The 75-foot field of vision is ample and out does some of the other models in the comparison. The inferred night vision offers bright vibrant imaging and the ability to access it remotely offers a great deal of peace of mind.

It is one of the easiest ways to have the surveillance that you need without the headaches of dealing with compatibility issues or dealing with cables, wires, connections and complicated setups.  The 75-foot field of vision is ample and out does some of the other models in the comparison. The inferred night vision offers bright vibrant imaging and the ability to access it remotely offers a great deal of peace of mind.

The 75-foot field of vision is ample and out does some of the other models in the comparison. The inferred night vision offers bright vibrant imaging and the ability to access it remotely offers a great deal of peace of mind.

Overall

All the cameras that we looked at offered the possibility to have a rely surveillance system on board. Each option has its pros and its cons, most, except the Pro Bullet has the potential for having compatibility issues unless you have the same brand equipment. This can be reason enough to consider the Pro Bullet.

Choosing the best security camera for your needs really depends on what your needs are. You can confidently purchase any of the surveillance cameras listed here, they are all good options.