Hikvision ColorVu Series Buying Guide

Hikvision Smart Hybrid Light ColorVu Cameras – Smarter Security, Day and Night

Looking for advanced surveillance that adapts to every lighting condition? Hikvision’s Smart Hybrid ColorVu Cameras offer the best of both worlds — full-colour video when you need it and powerful infrared when you don’t. These intelligent cameras switch seamlessly between colour and infrared night vision based on real-time lighting and activity, ensuring round-the-clock clarity without compromise.

Ideal for both homes and commercial spaces, this range combines Hikvision’s innovative ColorVu technology with AcuSense AI to reduce false alarms and deliver clearer, more accurate footage. Whether it’s total darkness or low-light conditions, you’ll capture critical details in vibrant colour — only when it matters most.

Explore our collection below and discover the smart choice in proactive protection.

Key Features

Smart Hybrid Light Technology: Seamlessly switches between IR and white light modes based on real-time activity, ensuring optimal illumination.
ColorVu Technology: Provides full-colour imaging even in ultra-low light conditions, capturing critical details 24/7.
AcuSense AI: Accurately detects and classifies humans and vehicles, reducing false alarms and enhancing security efficiency.
Super Confocal Lens with F1.0 Aperture: Delivers sharp, high-definition images with enhanced low-light performance.
Flexible Lighting Modes: Choose from IR mode, white light mode, or Smart Mode to suit various surveillance needs.

Why Choose Smart Hybrid Light ColorVu Cameras?

Traditional cameras often struggle in varying lighting conditions, leading to compromised image quality. Hikvision’s Smart Hybrid Light ColorVu Cameras intelligently adapt to their environment, ensuring clear, full-colour images when needed and efficient infrared imaging when appropriate. This adaptability enhances security effectiveness while minimising light pollution.

Advanced Technologies

Motion Detection 2.0: Differentiates between humans, vehicles, and other objects, focusing on real threats and reducing unnecessary alerts.
Live Guard Functionality: Deters intruders with visual and auditory warnings, while sending real-time notifications to users.
Hikvision Embedded Open Platform (HEOP): Allows for seamless integration with third-party applications, enhancing system flexibility.
High-Resolution Imaging: Offers up to 4K resolution, providing detailed and clear visuals for accurate identification.

ColorVu Buying Guide

Everything you need to choose the right Hikvision ColorVu camera for your needs.

1. What is ColorVu?

Hikvision’s ColorVu technology enables cameras to capture full-colour video 24/7, even in complete darkness. These cameras use advanced lenses with F1.0 aperture and high-sensitivity sensors, delivering bright and colourful footage when conventional cameras revert to black and white. ColorVu helps improve identification accuracy and offers a stronger visual deterrent to intruders.

2. Key Benefits of ColorVu

24/7 Full-Colour Video: Capture important details in colour, even at night.
Smart Hybrid Light: Automatically switches between IR and white light for optimal lighting.
Better Evidence: Accurately identify people, vehicles, and objects with colour information.
Greater Deterrence: Visibility of white light discourages suspicious behaviour.

3. Recommended Use Cases

Residential driveways and entryways
Retail stores and indoor environments
Car parks and laneways
Warehouses and loading docks
Public spaces, parks, and campuses

4. Types of ColorVu Cameras

Turret: Most versatile and popular; ideal for both indoor and outdoor installations.
Dome: Anti-vandal and compact, great for indoor and semi-exposed locations.
Bullet: Long-range and highly visible; effective for outdoor deterrence.
PTZ with ColorVu: Offers pan, tilt, zoom with 24/7 colour coverage.
Mini Cameras: Discreet models for smaller areas and residential settings.

Also available: models with additional features like AcuSense (AI detection), Live Guard (strobe + speaker), 4K ColorVu (ultra HD clarity), and panoramic dual-lens versions.

5. Choose by Resolution

2MP (1080p): Entry-level clarity for smaller areas or budget installations.
4MP (2K): Mid-range option offering detailed and clear footage.
6MP: Wider coverage for large spaces with high image detail.
8MP (4K): Maximum clarity for forensic-level zoom and identification.

6. Choose by Smart Features

Built-in Microphone: Enables audio recording for enhanced evidence.
Built-in Speaker: Allows for two-way audio or alarm warnings (Live Guard models).
Strobe Light + Siren: Actively deters intruders with sound and flashing light.
Smart Motion Detection: Reduces false alarms by filtering human/vehicle targets.
AcuSense Technology: Adds deep learning-based classification to ColorVu models.

7. Choosing by Environment

Location	Recommended Camera Type	Reason
Front Door	Turret with Mic	Captures wide angle and audio clearly
Driveway	Bullet 4MP or 8MP	Long-range view with deterrent appearance
Retail Store	Dome 2MP or 4MP	Low profile and suitable for indoor use
Warehouse Loading Dock	Bullet w/ AcuSense	Smart detection plus strong outdoor durability
Office Corridor	Mini or Turret	Compact and clean installation for indoor spaces

8. Installation Tips

Use PoE (Power over Ethernet) for easier wiring and reliable power.
Mount cameras away from walls or reflective surfaces to avoid glare from white light.
Install at eye-level where possible for best facial recognition and deterrence.
Angle the camera slightly downward to reduce blind spots.

9. Compatible Recorders

ColorVu cameras work best with Hikvision NVRs that support H.265+ compression.
Ensure your recorder has the correct number of PoE ports for your cameras (4, 8, 16, 32 channel).
Enable remote access with the Hik-Connect mobile app for live viewing and playback.

10. ColorVu Comparison Table

Model	Form Factor	Resolution	Lens	Smart Features	Mic	Speaker	Light Range
DS-2CD2087G3-LI(2U)Y	Mini Bullet	8MP	2.8mm	Smart Hybrid Light	✔️	❌	Up to 40m
DS-2CD2387G3-LIS2UY/SL	Turret	8MP	2.8mm / 4mm	Smart Hybrid Light + Live Guard	✔️	✔️	Up to 40m
DS-2CD2187G3-LIS2UY	Dome	8MP	2.8mm	Smart Hybrid Light	✔️	✔️	Up to 60m
DS-2CD2687G2HT-LIZS	Bullet (Varifocal)	8MP	2.8–12mm	Smart Hybrid Light	✔️	❌	Up to 60m
DS-2CD2787G2HT-LIZS	Dome (Varifocal)	8MP	2.8–12mm	Smart Hybrid Light	✔️	❌	Up to 40m
DS-2CD2087G2H-LIU/SL	Mini Bullet	8MP	2.8mm / 4mm	Smart Hybrid Light + Live Guard	✔️	✔️	Up to 40m
DS-2CD2367G2H-LIU	Turret	6MP	2.8mm / 4mm	Smart Hybrid Light	✔️	❌	Up to 40m
DS-2CD2367G2H-LISU/SL	Turret	6MP	2.8mm	Smart Hybrid Light + Live Guard	✔️	✔️	Up to 40m
DS-2CD2387G2H-LIU	Turret	8MP	2.8mm	Smart Hybrid Light	✔️	❌	Up to 40m
DS-2CD2387G2H-LISU/SL	Turret	8MP	2.8mm	Smart Hybrid Light + Live Guard	✔️	✔️	Up to 40m
DS-2CD2187G2H-LISU	Dome	8MP	2.8mm	Smart Hybrid Light	✔️	✔️	Up to 60m
DS-2CD2667G2HT-LIZS	Bullet (Varifocal)	6MP	2.8–12mm	Smart Hybrid Light	✔️	❌	Up to 60m
DS-2CD2687G2HT-LIZS	Bullet (Varifocal)	8MP	2.8–12mm	Smart Hybrid Light	✔️	❌	Up to 60m
DS-2CD2767G2HT-LIZS	Dome (Varifocal)	6MP	2.8–12mm	Smart Hybrid Light	✔️	❌	Up to 40m
DS-2CD2787G2HT-LIZS	Dome (Varifocal)	8MP	2.8–12mm	Smart Hybrid Light	✔️	❌	Up to 40m
DS-2CD2T87G2H-LISU/SL	Bullet	8MP	2.8mm / 4mm	Smart Hybrid Light + Live Guard	✔️	✔️	Up to 60m

Applications

Ideal for various settings including residential areas, commercial properties, parking lots, and public spaces where enhanced night-time visibility is crucial.