The Dahua IPC-HFW5842E-ZE=S3 is a feature-rich security camera designed for outdoor use that demands high resolution, intelligent detection, and strong environmental durability. It features a 1/1.8-inch CMOS sensor that captures up to 3840 × 2160 video at 25/30 fps. Illumination is supported by 4 IR LEDs with up to 60 meters of range, allowing it to capture clear images even in total darkness.
It has a motorized vari-focal lens (2.7 – 12 mm, F1.8) giving a horizontal field of view from about 113° at the wide end to ~47° when zoomed; vertical field of view correspondingly ~60° to ~26°. Minimum close focus distance is about 1.5 m.
On the intelligence side, it includes deep learning features like video metadata, smart object detection (people, vehicles, non-motor vehicles), face detection (with attributes), people counting (in area / queue / tripwire), loitering detection, heat mapping, etc. There is also sound detection and IVS (Intrusion, Tripwire, Fast Movement). It supports SMD 3.0, DAHUA’s algorithm to better distinguish human/vehicle motion from false triggers.
Other features include wide dynamic range (120 dB WDR), electronic image stabilization (EIS), multiple video streams, region of interest (ROI), smart codecs (Smart H.264+/H.265+, AI codecs), digital watermarking, and flexible angle/orientation controls.
The camera is built tough: rated IP67 (protection from dust and water), IK10 (vandal resistance), with operating temperature down to -30 °C up to +60 °C. It supports dual power options (12 V DC / PoE / ePoE). Power usage ranges from ~4.0 W in basic operation to ~10.2-12.8 W with all features active (IR, WDR, analytics).
Key Specifications
Spec | Value |
---|---|
Image Sensor | 1/1.8-inch CMOS |
Max Resolution / Frame Rate | 8MP (3840 × 2160) @ 25/30 fps |
Lens / Focal Length | Motorized vari-focal 2.7-12 mm, F1.8 |
Field of View (H × V) | 113°-47° (horizontal), 60°-26° (vertical) |
Minimum Illumination | 0.0008 lux (color, F1.8, 30 IRE), 0.0004 lux (B/W) / 0 lux with IR |
Infrared (IR) Range | Up to 60 meters |
Smart Analytics | Face detection, people / vehicle classification, IVS, people counting, heat map, sound detection, SMD 3.0 etc. |
WDR | 120 dB |
Streams | Multiple streams (main + sub) with various resolutions; ROI supported |
Compression | Smart H.264+, H.265+, AI H.264/H.265, etc. |
Protection & Durability | IP67, IK10 |
Power | 12 V DC, PoE, ePoE |
Operating Temp / Humidity | -30 °C to +60 °C; humidity ≤95% |
Dimensions & Weight | ~273.2 × 95.0 × 95.0 mm; ~1.12 kg |
Use Cases
Here are strong applications for this camera:
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Perimeter Surveillance
Monitoring fences, property boundaries, gate entrances—especially in low-light or night conditions. The 60 m IR makes it suited for longer sightlines. -
Parking Areas & Large Outdoor Spaces
Car parks, shipping yards, large outdoor storage—capturing both overview and detail (people, vehicles) with the vari-focal lens. -
Retail / Commercial Building Exteriors
Storefronts, loading docks, entrances for shops or malls, where identification, deterrence, and night performance are crucial. -
Traffic & Road Monitoring
To detect vehicles, identify vehicle types, track fast movement, or capture license plate zones (with right lens and zoom). -
Industrial / Utility Sites
With rugged IP67/IK10 build and broad temperature tolerance, suited for harsh or exposed installations (factories, substations, plants). -
Smart City / Municipal Installations
Street corners, public squares, government facilities that require both visual clarity and intelligent analytics (face detection, people counting etc.).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question | Answer |
---|---|
What does SMD 3.0 do? | SMD 3.0 (Smart Motion Detection) helps distinguish between human / vehicle motion vs irrelevant motion (animals, leaves, shadows) to reduce false alarms. |
Can it detect faces in low light? | Yes, it supports face detection with optimization; performance is strong in low light (thanks to high sensitivity) and IR for total darkness. High-quality face snapshots and attributes are available. |
What is ROI / sub-streaming and why useful? | Region Of Interest (ROI) lets you assign higher bitrate (or resolution) to important areas in the frame (e.g. doorway, entrance) while using lower bandwidth elsewhere. Sub-streams allow multiple lower resolution video outputs (for mobile, remote view etc.). |
How is power provided? | It supports both 12 V DC power and PoE / ePoE, giving flexibility for installations where running separate power is difficult. |
Is it weather-proof / vandal resistant? | Yes — built to IP67 for water/dust protection and IK10 for very strong impact resistance. Suitable for outdoor deployment. |
What’s the operating environment? | -30 °C to +60 °C; humidity up to ~95%. Good for varied climates. |
How much bandwidth / storage will it use? | Depends on resolution, frame rate, number of streams, whether IR/WDR/analytics are active. Using Smart H.266+/H.264+ and ROI/sub-streaming helps reduce storage while maintaining required quality. |