Top 10 best panoramic network cameras for video surveillance

Offering 360 degree panoramic viewing angle is the one of biggest benefits of panoramic network cameras. The panoramic camera isn’t the new product in video surveillance industry, it has existed for almost a decade, old panoramic security cameras merely can capture 360 degree image, but will loose the detail. After the appearance of dewarping technology (industry experts call it dewarping algorithm), the new panoramic cameras can correct the image distortion to output flat image. Thanks to the fast improvement on image quality and image resolution. In addition to providing the surround view, today’s panoramic security cameras can offer flat image view containing details. So that simply installing a panoramic camera can replace multiple ordinary security cameras to cover the whole area. Consequently, the panoramic network security cameras become popular in recent two years.

To achieve the panoramic view, the security camera may adopt a single fisheye lens, or multi-lenses structure design. Using a single fisheye lens, the camera can see 360 degree or 180 degree to capture the panoramic image. In order to correct the lens distortion, single lens panoramic security camera will use the dewarping technology to correct the image distortion, and display flat image when users want to check the specific area to know the details. Multi-lens panoramic cameras will have a six or eight lenses to capture the image, then using the image stitching technology to form a panoramic image.

Currently, because multi-lenses panoramic security cameras are too expensive, single-lens panoramic security camera is more popular than multi-lens type. Although both types of camera can provide the similar function. The multi-lenses panoramic cameras can provide better image quality, since the camera has six or eight HD CMOS image sensors to capture the image in every direction simultaneously, while the single-lens panoramic camera has only one lens or image sensor to cover the whole scene.

In the past, the panoramic network cameras are merely deployed in commercial video surveillance fields such as traffic, air port, military, government utilities. The ubiquity of smartphones has helped usher in a new generation of panoramic security cameras targeting to home video surveillance application. These new panoramic security cameras have been designed with smartphones as the center and support watching HD panoramic video. However, many support ePTZ (digital pan/tilt/zoom) function, allowing users to rotate the image to any angle, zoom in to see the details, even offering the VR experience by using the G-sensor.

Resolution is the key factor when you intend to select the panoramic security cameras among different manufacturers/brands. As we mentioned above, the single-lens panoramic cameras rely on a HD CMOS image sensor to capture the panoramic image. Today, you can find these panoramic cameras offer many different image resolution from 1.0-megapixel to 12-megapixel. Making sure to pick up the camera offers higher resolution. Although 1.3 megapixel or 2-megapixel panoramic cameras can provide you crystal clear image when you watch the video on your smartphone. If you watch the video on computers, the image quality will “degrade”, especially after zoom in to magnify the details. A 12-megapixel single-lens camera can ensure the image quality even after zoom in for details.

Top 10 Best Panoramic Security Cameras

No.10 Gwell Panoramic Cameras

Gwell panoramic cameras are specifically designed to provide panoramic video surveillance solution on Smartphones. GW-360CAM is the cost-effective 360 degree panoramic camera which can deliver true VR experience. GW-360CAM camera utilizes a 1.3-megapixel CMOS image sensor to capture 1280x960 resolution video at 25fps, equipped with a 1.44mm single fisheye lens. The camera can also support ePTZ, simply swiping on video, you can rotate the image vertically and horizontally. The camera adopts the H.264 video compression, support 802.11 b/g/n WiFi connection. It comes with the free and powerful Yoosee App for both Android and iOS smartphones. This camera is compliant with ONVIF specification.

Dedicated to provide 360 degree panoramic video surveillance on smartphones
Support WiFi connection, easy to setup
1.3MP CMOS image sensor with ICR filter
1280x960 resolution at 25 frames per second
Included IR LEDs, night vision up to 10 meters
Compliant with ONVIF 2.4 (Profile S) standard, RTSP protocol

Gwell GW-360CAM

No.9 Mobotix 6MP Panoramic Camera

An elegant, ultra compact and weatherproof IP dome camera. Thanks to the 360° panoramic view to capture an entire room, a panorama function and a quad view to show images from four different angles simultaneously, the Q25 can be used in all new scenarios. In terms of image resolution, the Mobotix Hemispheric Q25 uses a 6-megapixel progressive scan CMOS image sensor to capture max. 3072x2048 resolution video at 4fps or Full HD 1080p resolution video at 15 fps. This camera also has a microSDHC/XC card slot to provide internal video recording up to 64GB. This camera also supports PoE function, it adopts IP65 weatherproof design, suitable for both indoor and outdoor installation.

Mobotix Hemispheric Q25

No.8 Hikvision 12MP Panoramic Camera

Hikvision retains as the number one global leading video surveillance manufacturer, the company released its first panoramic camera dated back to 2014, the DS-2CD63C2F-I(V)(S) is an affordable 12-megapixel panoramic camera adopting a single fisheye lens. Offering the crisp image no matter working in the day time or under low light conditions. By using the Infrared illuminators, the camera even can capture the clear image under complete darkness environment. This single fisheye lens based panoramic camera supports 128GB on-board video storage, and powerful ePTZ function to keep track everything happening, includes a Gigabit/1000Mbps Ethernet port, being compliant with ONVIF (Profile S, Profile G) and PSIA standard, this camera can be easily integrated with third-party's hardware and software.

Affordable price 12mp high-end panoramic cameras
Max. 25fps frame rate to deliver smooth video stream
Support Hikvision Smart 2.0 video analytics
Audio I/O, microSDHC TF card slot, ONVIF&PSIA standard
Support 12 VDC, or PoE

Hikvision DS-2CD63C2F-I(V)(S)

No.7 Bosch Flexidome Panoramic 5000MP

The FLEXIDOME IP panoramic 5000 MP is a discreet,aesthetic, panoramic camera in a compact design. The 5MP sensor operating at 15 fps provides full panoramic surveillance with complete area coverage and fine details. The camera offers full situational awareness and simultaneous E-PTZ views in high resolution. When mounted centrally on a ceiling, the 360° camera lens gives complete wall‑to‑wall coverage. When mounted on a wall, the dewarped camera image can provide a 180° image.

Delivering 5-megapixel at 15fps video stream
With Bosch client-side dewarping software
Remote view on Bosch VMS, Bosch smartphone App
Conforms to the ONVIF Profile S, Profile Q and Profile G
Indoor version and an IK10, IP66-rated outdoor version

Flexidome 5000MP

No.6 Dahua 4K Panoramic Camera

Dahua 4K vandal-proof panoramic camera adopts the single fisheye lens structure + 12-megapixel CMOS image sensor hardware design. This panoramic camera can deliver 12mp video at 15 frames per second or real-time 3-megapixel resolution video. It features dewarping and ePTZ functions, utilizing DWDR, 3DNR and BLC etc image enhancing technologies. Including Infrared illuminators design, can see up to 10 meters under complete darkness condition, meanwhile it integrates with smart video analysis, this camera can be widely used in school, hotel, super-mall, factory...etc places, bring a total different new experience.

Max. 12-megapixel resolution at 15fps or real-time 3-megapixel resolution
Supports panoramic, 180 degree, 1+3, 4 multiple dewarping modes
H.264H/MJPEG/JPEG video compression
Audio I/O, 10/100Mbps RJ45, microSDHC, Alarm I/O
Support 12VDC or 802.3af PoE power input
1K10 vandal-proof, IP67 weatherproof

DAHUA DH-IPC-EBW81200

No.5 Vivotek Panoramic Camera

VIVOTEK’s FE8191 is a market-leading Ultra-Megapixel fisheye fixed dome network cameras, featuring a detailed 12-Megapixel CMOS sensor which guarantees superb image quality. Equipped with a 1.5 mm fisheye lens for 180° panoramic view (wall mount) or 360° surround view (ceiling/wall/floor mount) with zero blind spots, the camera is able to provide total coverage of wide, open areas, such as airports, shopping malls, parking lots, retail stores, offices and more.

Capturing 12-megapixel resolution video at 15fps
180° Panoramic View and 360° Surround View
H.264 and MJPEG Compression
WDR, 3DNR, AWB, BLC, AGC
Audio I/O, 10/100Mbps RJ45, 1CH Alarm I/O
Support 12V DC, 802.3at PoE

Vivotek FE8191

No.4 AXIS Multi-lenses Panoramic Network Camera

Axis, the global leading and the most innovative network video surveillance solution provider, the company provides a wide range of high-end network cameras for commercial video surveillance applications. AXIS P3707-PE is a multi-lenses panoramic network camera, it includes 4 units 2-megapixel resolution camera modules to monitor four different direction. This panoramic camera uses the image stitching technology to deliver 8-megapixel panoramic video at maximum 15 frames per second. The camera supports exclusive Axis’ Zipstream technology. Zipstream can lower bandwidth and storage use by an average of 50% or more for many surveillance scenarios.

Image stitching technology, no image distortion
Equipped with vari-focal 2.8-6mm lens
4x1080p & 720p capture mode
Adjustable focus and zoom
H.264 & MJPEG video compression
Axis' Zipstream technology in H.264
IP67 and 1K09 rated protection for outdoor installation
Axis 3-year warranty

Axis P3707-PE

No.3 AV8185 SurroundVideo Panoramic Camera

ArecontVision Panoramic Camera AV8185DN-HB

The AV8185 SurroundVideo® series network camera is a dual encoder (H.264 & MJPEG), 8 Megapixel resolution, IP addressable 180 degree panoramic IP camera. The AV8185DN SurroundVideo® camera line provides an all-in-one solution with integrated four high sensitivity 2 megapixel sensors, 8mm lens, vandal resistant dome enclosure with rated IP66 for water and dust protection, and optional heater/blower. Using MegaVideo® technology, these cameras offer bandwidth and storage efficiency of up to 10X on average over traditional megapixel counterparts.

Industry's First 8MP Panoramic Megapixel Camera
Dual Encoder H.264/MJPEG
Indoor/Outdoor IP66, Vandal Resistant and IK-10 Rated Dome
Reduced Overall System Cost
Easily adjustable 2-axis camera gimbal with 360° pan and 90° tilt
+/- 5 ° Electrical Vertical Alignment to Locate Each Sensor Position

ArecontVision AV8185DN-HB

No.2 Hikvision PanoVu 360°Panoramic+PTZ Camera

Hikvision 360°Panoramic+PTZ Camera DS-2DP1636Z-D

Hikvision PanoVu series 360°Panoramic+PTZ Camera, the DS-2DP1636Z-D is a multi-lenses + PTZ camera panoramic camera, it delivers up to 4K UHD resolution by using image stitching technology. The camera includes 8 pieces independent 1/1.9-inch 2MP progressive scan CMOS sensor. Incorporating a PTZ camera can offer 36x optical zoom, smart auto-tracking. Similar to other Hikvision products, this camera offers intrusion, line crossing, object-missing, parking, people gathering etc smart detection; supporting motion detection within 300 meter range, can simultaneously tracking 60 targets.

Multi-lenses panoramic technology
Including 8x independent 2MP CMOS sensors
Up to 2x 4096x1800 resolution video at 30fps
PTZ function, offering 36x optical zoom
Ultra-low illumination, WDR, 3DNR
3D intelligent positioning function

Hikvision DS-2DP1636Z-D

No.1 Hanwha/Samsung Panoramic Camera

Hanwha Techwin Panoramic Camera SNF-8010

Hanwha Techwin SNF-8010 is a 5-megapixel panoramic network camera adopting the single 360° fisheye lens. The camera is able to capture 5MP@20fps video with true day and night function. It utilizes the Samsung unique on-board dewarping supports ePTZ, quad view, and panorama views. SNF-8010 has microphone and speaker built-in to support 2-way audio intercom, having the microSDXC memory card slot to offer up to 128GB edge video storage. It also adopts vandal-resistant and weatherproof design can be suitable for indoor and outdoor installation.