Product Overview
Combining active deterrence with 24/7 full-colour imaging, the DS-2CD3686G3-LIZSU(Y)/SL is an 8MP motorized varifocal bullet camera built for perimeter and industrial outdoor deployment where passive recording alone is not enough. Equipped with DarkFighter 2.0 technology and a large 1/1.8″ CMOS sensor reaching 0.001 Lux sensitivity, it delivers colour detail in near-dark conditions without relying solely on supplemental light. The Smart Hybrid Light system integrates both 850 nm IR and white light illumination out to 60 m, switchable across 3 lighting modes to suit the scene. When AcuSense perimeter rules detect a person or vehicle, the camera responds with a visible strobe flash and an audible alarm through the built-in speaker, backed by two-way communication via the arrayed dual-microphone. The motorized 2.7-13.5 mm varifocal lens allows remote framing without physical access to the housing, and the NEMA 4X anti-corrosion rating on the -Y variant makes it suitable for coastal, chemical, or salt-laden environments that would degrade a standard camera over time.
Key Capabilities
Active Strobe and Audible Deterrence
When AcuSense detects a person or vehicle crossing a defined perimeter rule, the camera immediately triggers a white strobe flash and sounds an audible alarm through the built-in speaker, creating an on-site response before an operator even reviews the footage.
DarkFighter 2.0 Full-Colour Night Imaging
The 1/1.8″ CMOS sensor with an F1.2 aperture achieves colour imaging down to 0.001 Lux, meaning driveways, yards, and entry points with minimal ambient light still produce colour video rather than monochrome IR footage, preserving clothing and vehicle colour detail for identification.
Motorized Varifocal Lens (2.7-13.5 mm)
Remote zoom and focus adjustment via software eliminates the need to physically access a rooftop or high-mounted bracket after installation. The lens covers a horizontal FOV from 112.3 degrees at wide end to 41.2 degrees at tele, supporting everything from gate entry framing to longer driveway approaches up to 220 m detection distance.
Smart Hybrid Light with 3 Lighting Modes
The integrated IR and white light system reaches 60 m and operates across 3 selectable modes: IR only for discreet long-distance coverage, white light only for full-colour illumination, or smart switching that automatically selects the appropriate mode based on scene conditions.
NEMA 4X Anti-Corrosion Rating
The -Y variant carries NEMA 4X certification alongside IP67 and IK10 ratings, making it suitable for coastal installations, food processing facilities, chemical plants, or any environment where salt spray, moisture, or airborne corrosives would cause premature housing failure on a standard outdoor camera.
Two-Way Audio with Arrayed Dual-Microphone
A built-in arrayed dual-microphone and a 2 W onboard speaker enable real-time voice communication in both directions. Operators can verbally challenge intruders or issue instructions directly through the camera, supported by environment noise filtering for clearer outdoor audio capture.
Best For
- Industrial Perimeter Fencing and Yards: AcuSense line crossing and intrusion detection filtered to person and vehicle targets triggers the strobe and audible alarm automatically, making it suitable for unmanned yards where an immediate on-site response matters.
- Coastal or Corrosive Environments: The NEMA 4X anti-corrosion design on the -Y variant supports long-term deployment in marinas, coastal industrial sites, food production facilities, and similar locations where standard IP67 housing is not sufficient alone.
- Loading Docks and Commercial Driveways: The motorized varifocal lens allows precise framing of a long approach from a fixed high mounting position, while 8MP 4K resolution supports number plate and face capture at range confirmed by DORI tele detection distance of 220 m.
- Construction Sites and Remote Locations: Local microSD storage up to 512 GB combined with Auto Network Replenishment means footage is retained on-device if network connectivity drops, with full resolution 4K recording available independently of an NVR.
- Warehouse Walls and High-Mount Applications: Remote focus and zoom adjustment via the motorized lens means the field of view can be corrected from the NVR or browser after mounting, avoiding the cost of returning to a difficult installation point to manually readjust.
Why Choose the DS-2CD3686G3-LIZSU(Y)/SL
The DS-2CD3686G3-LIZSU(Y)/SL sits above standard AcuSense bullet cameras by combining four features rarely found together in a single housing: active deterrence via strobe and speaker, DarkFighter 2.0 full-colour low-light imaging, a motorized varifocal lens for remote framing, and NEMA 4X anti-corrosion protection on the -Y variant. A standard fixed-lens bullet camera in a similar price bracket will not offer remote zoom adjustment, will not trigger an on-site alarm response, and will not withstand the corrosive conditions this model is rated for. The 130 dB WDR handles high-contrast scenes like gated entries with direct sun exposure, and the 1.5 TOPS HEOP 2.0 edge platform provides onboard computing headroom for future custom applications. Available through Security Wholesalers, this model is suited to integrators and commercial buyers who need a single camera to cover identification, deterrence, and environmental durability without combining separate devices.
Buyer Decision Tips
PoE Power Budget: This camera requires IEEE 802.3at PoE+ at up to 18 W maximum. Standard 802.3af PoE switches deliver only 15.4 W and will not power this camera reliably when the strobe light and speaker activate simultaneously. Confirm that your switch or NVR PoE ports are rated for 802.3at Class 4 before purchasing. If using a 12 VDC power supply instead, confirm 1.21 A output capability at the camera end of the cable run.
Lead Time: This model carries a 6-8 week lead time. Plan procurement ahead of project installation schedules rather than ordering at the point of site readiness. The motorized varifocal lens and NEMA 4X housing make it a purpose-specific unit that is not directly substitutable with a standard stocked bullet camera once rough-in cabling is complete.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Image Sensor | 1/1.8″ Progressive Scan CMOS |
| Max. Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (8MP / 4K) |
| Min. Illumination | Colour: 0.001 Lux @ F1.2, AGC ON; 0 Lux with supplemental light |
| Lens Type | Motorized varifocal, 2.7-13.5 mm, F1.2 DC iris, integrated mount |
| Horizontal FOV | 112.3 degrees (wide) to 41.2 degrees (tele) |
| DORI Distance (Tele) | Detection 220 m, Observation 87.3 m, Recognition 44 m, Identification 22 m |
| Supplement Light | IR (850 nm) and White Light, Smart Hybrid Light, up to 60 m |
| Wide Dynamic Range | 130 dB scene-adaptive WDR |
| Active Deterrence | Built-in strobe white light and audible alarm triggered by AcuSense detection events |
| Audio | Built-in arrayed dual-microphone; built-in speaker (2 W, 120 dB SPL at 10 cm); 1 audio line in, 1 audio line out |
| Deep Learning / AcuSense | Person and vehicle classification; perimeter protection (line crossing, intrusion, region entrance, region exiting); face capture; people counting |
| Video Compression | H.265+, H.265, H.264+, H.264, MJPEG |
| On-Board Storage | microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC up to 512 GB |
| Alarm I/O | 2 inputs, 2 outputs (max. 24 VDC / 24 VAC, 1 A) |
| Power | 12 VDC 1.21 A max. 14.5 W; PoE IEEE 802.3at Class 4 max. 18 W |
| Protection Ratings | IP67 (IEC 60529), IK10 (IEC 62262); NEMA 4X anti-corrosion (-Y variant) |
| Operating Temperature | -30 degrees C to 60 degrees C |
| Dimensions / Weight | 298 mm x 97.9 mm x 95.7 mm; approx. 1555 g |
| HEOP Edge Platform | HEOP 2.0 OpendevSDK, 1.5 TOPS computing power, supports Caffe, PyTorch, TensorFlow, PaddlePaddle, ONNX |
Ideal Use Cases
Industrial Yard Perimeters
AcuSense line crossing and intrusion detection filtered to person and vehicle targets reduces nuisance triggers from animals and foliage. When a genuine detection occurs after hours, the strobe and audible alarm activate immediately without requiring operator intervention.
Coastal and Marine Facilities
The NEMA 4X anti-corrosion housing on the -Y variant protects against salt spray and moisture that causes rapid degradation in standard IP67 bullet cameras. Suitable for marina car parks, boat yards, harbourside warehouses, and waterfront commercial sites.
Loading Docks and Freight Entries
The motorized varifocal lens can be tuned from wide to tele after installation to frame a long dock approach precisely. At 8MP resolution, vehicle number plates and personnel are captured with enough detail for identification at recognition distances confirmed by the DORI specification.
Construction Sites
Local microSD storage up to 512 GB with Auto Network Replenishment keeps footage secure during temporary network outages common on active construction sites. The active deterrence feature can discourage after-hours entry without requiring an on-call guard response for every motion event.
Food Processing and Chemical Plants
Environments with cleaning chemicals, steam, or airborne corrosives require housing that goes beyond standard IP67. The NEMA 4X rated -Y variant is designed for exactly these conditions, offering long-term reliability in areas where standard cameras require frequent replacement.
Unmanned Remote Sites
Two-way audio via the built-in arrayed dual-microphone and 2 W speaker allows operators to communicate verbally with people on site without dispatching personnel. Combined with the alarm output terminals for integration with external sirens or access control, this camera suits sites that are not continuously staffed.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: Your site requires active on-site deterrence (strobe and audible alarm) triggered by confirmed person or vehicle detection, you need motorized varifocal framing flexibility without post-installation physical adjustment, and the installation environment is coastal, industrial, or chemically corrosive enough to require NEMA 4X anti-corrosion protection.
- Choose a different model if: Your installation is indoors or in a benign environment where NEMA 4X anti-corrosion is unnecessary and the budget premium it carries is not justified. If active deterrence is not required and a fixed focal length is sufficient for the scene, a standard AcuSense bullet camera without strobe or speaker will deliver equivalent image quality at lower cost and without the 6-8 week lead time.
- Choose a different model if: Your PoE switch is 802.3af only and cannot be upgraded, as this camera requires 802.3at PoE+ to operate at full power draw with deterrence features active. A camera within the 802.3af power envelope would be a more practical fit for that infrastructure.
FAQs
- What triggers the strobe light and audible alarm on the DS-2CD3686G3-LIZSU(Y)/SL?
The strobe and audible alarm are triggered by AcuSense perimeter detection events, specifically line crossing, intrusion, region entrance, or region exiting rules configured to target persons or vehicles. Because the detection is filtered by target type using deep learning, the alarm response is tied to confirmed human or vehicle movement rather than general motion, which reduces false activations from environmental causes like blowing vegetation or animals. - Does this camera have genuine two-way audio, or does it only record sound?
This camera has genuine two-way audio capability. It includes both a built-in arrayed dual-microphone for audio capture and a built-in speaker rated at 2 W with a maximum sound pressure level of 120 dB at 10 cm. This allows real-time voice communication in both directions when paired with a compatible client such as iVMS-4200 or Hik-Connect, not just one-way audio monitoring. - What does the NEMA 4X anti-corrosion rating mean in practice, and when does it matter?
NEMA 4X certifies the housing against corrosion in addition to the standard IP67 weather sealing and IK10 vandal resistance the camera already carries. It matters in coastal locations with salt air, food processing areas exposed to cleaning agents, chemical storage facilities, and marine environments. Standard IP67-rated cameras in these conditions can show housing degradation or connector failure within 2-3 years; the NEMA 4X construction is designed to remain serviceable significantly longer in those specific environments. - Why does this camera need PoE+ rather than standard PoE?
The maximum power draw is 18 W via PoE, which exceeds the 15.4 W ceiling of IEEE 802.3af standard PoE. This is because the camera powers a 2 W speaker, a strobe light, IR and white light illuminators, and the main imaging and processing hardware simultaneously. IEEE 802.3at Class 4 PoE+ is required. Check your switch or NVR PoE port ratings before purchasing to avoid underpowering the camera, which can cause instability or prevent deterrence features from operating correctly. - Can the motorized varifocal lens be adjusted after the camera is mounted on a high wall or bracket?
Yes. The 2.7-13.5 mm motorized varifocal lens is adjusted remotely via the camera’s web browser interface, iVMS-4200, or a compatible Hikvision NVR. There is no need to physically access the camera housing to change zoom or focus after mounting. This is particularly useful for high-wall or rooftop installations where returning to adjust a manual varifocal lens would add significant labour cost to commissioning. - What on-board storage does the DS-2CD3686G3-LIZSU(Y)/SL support, and does it record independently of an NVR?
The camera accepts microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards up to 512 GB. It can record directly to the card independently of a network recorder, and the Auto Network Replenishment feature automatically backfills any footage recorded locally to the NAS or NVR once network connectivity is restored after an outage. This makes it suitable for remote sites where network reliability cannot be guaranteed. - Is this camera available off the shelf, and where can it be purchased in Australia?
The DS-2CD3686G3-LIZSU(Y)/SL carries a 6-8 week lead time due to the specialised anti-corrosion construction of the -Y variant. It is available through Security Wholesalers, and orders should be placed well in advance of the planned installation date to avoid project delays. Contact the sales team to confirm current stock status and lead time at time of ordering.
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