Dahua TiOC S2 vs TiOC PRO: Which 8MP Turret Camera Should You Choose? Leave a comment
The Dahua IPC-HDW3849H-AS-PV-ANZ-S2 and IPC-HDW3849H-AS-PV-PRO-ANZ look similar on a quotation. Both are 8MP fixed lens turret cameras with IR, warm lighting, a speaker and red and blue active deterrence lights. The question is whether the PRO model’s upgrades matter at your site.
The differences at a glance
| Feature | TiOC S2: IPC-HDW3849H-AS-PV-ANZ-S2 | TiOC PRO: IPC-HDW3849H-AS-PV-PRO-ANZ |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum resolution | 3840 × 2160 at up to 25/30 fps | 3840 × 2160 at up to 25/30 fps |
| Sensor | 1/2.7-inch CMOS | Larger 1/1.8-inch CMOS |
| Minimum colour illumination, manufacturer rating | 0.004 lux at F1.0, 30 IRE | 0.0004 lux at F1.0, 30 IRE |
| Lens choices | Fixed 2.8 mm or 3.6 mm | Fixed 2.8 mm or 3.6 mm |
| IR and warm light | Up to 30 m each | Up to 30 m each |
| Intelligent rules | Person/vehicle intrusion and tripwire | Adds stay detection, loitering detection and full-image face detection |
| microSD limit | 256 GB | 512 GB |
| AcuPick support | Listed, with a compatible back-end | Listed, with a compatible back-end |
| Power and weather rating | 12 VDC or PoE; IP67 | 12 VDC or PoE; IP67 |
Source: Dahua Australia product specifications for the TiOC S2 and TiOC PRO.
Why the sensor matters more than the megapixel count
Both cameras record at 8MP. The PRO’s principal upgrade is its larger 1/1.8-inch sensor, compared with 1/2.7-inch on the S2. Dahua also publishes a lower minimum colour illumination figure for the PRO under the same stated F1.0 and 30 IRE test conditions.
In practice, the PRO is the more compelling choice where ambient lighting is limited, such as a driveway after the porch light turns off or a yard with only distant street lighting. A larger sensor can help gather light, but the final image also depends on movement, exposure settings, mounting position and nearby light sources. The published lux figures do not mean footage will be ten times clearer, and neither figure guarantees identifiable faces in near darkness.
The PRO carries Dahua’s WizColor designation. Both models can use IR or their warm light, with a manufacturer-rated range of up to 30 m for each. If you want colour footage in a completely dark scene, plan the available lighting carefully. Do not assume any camera can produce detailed colour evidence with no useful light.
What stays the same?
Either model can trigger its built-in speaker and red and blue warning lights as part of an active deterrence setup. Both offer person and vehicle classification for intrusion and tripwire rules, dual microphones, two-way talk, 120 dB WDR, SMD 4.0 and an IP67 weather rating. Their maximum published PoE consumption is approximately 10 W, so check the total PoE budget across the installation rather than considering only one camera.
Second image: Warehouse entrance and warning lights. Alt text: Illustrative security camera warning lights at a warehouse entrance after dark. Caption: Illustration of active deterrence; actual alerts depend on configuration and site conditions.
The PRO adds stay and loitering detection as well as full-image face detection. Face detection means detecting or capturing a face in view. It should not be confused with automatic identification of a named person, and results depend heavily on image angle, lighting and distance.
What about AcuPick and the NVR?
Caption: Security Wholesalers AcuPick and TiOC graphic. AcuPick availability depends on the camera and recorder combination.
Dahua lists AcuPick on both camera specification pages. AcuPick works with a compatible back-end device to search for people and vehicles in recorded video. Before promising this feature, check the exact NVR model, its firmware and the supported camera/NVR feature combination. Having AcuPick printed on a camera specification does not make it available through every recorder.
The same principle applies to other advanced searches and analytics. Verify the whole system, including the NVR, before ordering for a particular feature.
Which one should you buy?
Choose the TiOC S2 for a well-lit entry, corridor, carport or general coverage area when you want 8MP recording, active deterrence and person/vehicle alerts at a lower equipment cost. Its published feature list already covers the main TiOC functions.
Choose the TiOC PRO for a dark driveway, yard or perimeter, or when you specifically need stay, loitering or face detection, or up to 512 GB of on-camera microSD storage. Its larger sensor and lower published minimum colour illumination make the PRO the better technical option for challenging low light, although the improvement at your site cannot be quantified from a datasheet alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PRO sharper than the S2?
They have the same maximum 8MP resolution. The PRO has a larger sensor and a stronger published low-light rating, which may help at night. Neither model automatically gives better identification if the subject is too far from the lens.
Do I need the PRO for AcuPick?
No. Dahua lists AcuPick for both models. Check the exact compatible NVR and firmware before purchase.
Will either model record colour video in total darkness?
Both have a warm illuminator that can light a scene, as well as IR for black-and-white night viewing. Usable colour footage depends on the lighting available, illumination distance and camera setup.
Our recommendation: If the price difference is modest and night footage matters, specify the PRO. If the scene is consistently well lit and the extra analytics will not be used, the S2 is the more economical choice. Confirm lens selection and mounting position before either purchase; a well-positioned 2.8 mm or 3.6 mm camera can matter more than a model upgrade.