Amcrest Outdoor PTZ POE Camera, Pan/Tilt/ 12x Optical Zoom 1080P POE+ (802.3at) Home Security PTZ IP Camera, Starvis Low Light Sensor, 328ft Night Vision, IP66 Waterproof, 2-Megapixel, IP2M-853EW

I hope to upgrade this review later, but for now...[See 2-19-2018 Update at bottom re-rated from 2 Stars to 4 stars][See 3-23-2018 Update at bottom which raises rating from 4 to 5 stars][See 7-15-2018 Update at Bottom... am ordering another one]I received this camera today. While requiring some assembly, how-to is not obvious, it came without any instructions for the hardware assembly. It only had an App setup quick start guide and on the CD a user guide for a different model camera.The wiring includes the standard Ethernet-PoE connection and DC power connector. In addition you have cluster of 5 color-coded wires. (spare Ethernet wires?) You also have a cluster of 3 wires (white red black, for another power lead?). And you get a separate lone yellow wire.I went to the Amcrest web site for additional documentation and help. The model number was not found.I called Amcrest Support. I was told the it was a new model and they did not have the documentation available yet...but they are selling it?The support person offered try to talk me through setting it up. The actual camera assembly I think I can figure out. He told me to just use the Ethernet connector and DC power wire to set it up inside, wired to my router, then move it outside connecting it to an Ethernet cable coming from my PoE injector. I am just replacing an old outdoor PoE simpler model camera.But what to do with all those other loose wires with exposed metal wire ends? When talking with the Support person, he did not seem to have a picture or diagram of what I was trying to explain to him. (Update: after emails and calls they seemed puzzled by my concern about not have the right user guide and assembly instructions for this model ? ? ? but we did carry on a 3 day "chat" using email)My first inclination was to just return the camera. But then I noticed the price was now significantly higher than what I had ordered it for.So I think I'll wait until I am home again in a few days, and then try to assemble, setup and install the camera. I call into Support again then, if I think it will help. If I have any problems, then I will be returning it.Update: 2-19-2018 Rated changed from 2 to 4 starsAmcrest sent me the link to download the User Guide yesterday.It doesn't cover a lot of the high end features of the camera, audio and alarm panel interface, but it did cover everything I needed.Setup and installation was easy.The video quality in daylight is amazing. I need to work with the iR night vision settings. It looks like fog passing by the camera. I expect that is something I can adjust.The structure and feel of the camera is impressive...it reeks Quality construction.I am having no problem controlling or accessing remotely the camera with the App (using P2P) on my iPad, or with the App on my desktop PC. I don't think Blue Iris has a match for this new model yet, but I'm sure they'll add it soon.I work with the camera over the next month, then do another update in mid March. I hope to be able to change the my rating to 5-Star then.UPDATE: 3-23-2018 Upgraded Rating from 4 to 5This camera is located completely outdoors and unprotected on the oceanfront.In has only been installed just over a month, but it has weathered 3 Nor'Easters. On of those storms at borderline hurricane strength.The only two at tropical storm strength. It is still working perfectly.The IR issue mentioned on 2-19-2018 was corrected by messing with IR adjustments, trial and error.The IR still remains very sensitive to night-time light fog and heavy air from being so close to the surf (125ft). It often creates a bright reflection off that air. On bright moon nights I can just turn the IR off and get excellent available-light video of the dune area, beach and surf zone. This island faces south.A friend, with a similar exposed installation, replaces his $1,000+/- (power at camera and coax connected) cameras every 2 to 3 years. I previously used $90 to $125 bullet cameras that never lasted more than a year. Well see how long this one lasts.Update: July 15, 2018I did not intend to do another update before it was a year old, but...I am still very please with the camera AND I now see that the price has fallen back down to closer to what I originally paid. I am going to order another to replace a different 3x PTZ brand that I've had for 2 years. This one is so much better than that other camera (which still works) that I don't want to wait any longer.

I have been using this camera for a little over a month. Camera was easy to setup, I used a poe injector instead of the ac adapter it came with. From the time i connected the camera to the time i was able to view it on my android cell phone was less than 5 minutes. Picture quality is amazing for being a 1080p camera very clear and sharp picture both day and night . Awesome camera as a stand alone system the sd card slot is great addition, I have it to record motion only i have a 16gb card for now and can get about six days recording on it. I have other security system with nvr this one is a back up but has become one of my favorites 12x zoom is amazing i was not sure to buy it because i thought it was not going to be enough but i can zoom in and read license plates clearly both day at night at over 250 feet away. The phone app is good but could be better, the pan and tilt work great but zoom is a little slow . Motion detection works great but there is a 10 second limit before it starts recording which at time misses what caused the motion. The only complaint i have is the motion detect and that i am not able to view videos that are recorded on sd card through the phone app at least on my android device. Setup to control camera through windows 10 was a little hard but once i got it to work is amazing pan and tilt are super fast including zoom. Would definately recommend as an additional camera would work a lot better if you connect it to an nvr.

This Amcrest camera is excellent. Delivers excellent quality and is loaded with features. It is big and heavy, notice on the camera mount photo I had to upgrade my end soffit to be sure it was securely mounted. When the camera was mounted setup is extremely easy. Nighttime clarity is excellent the best of any of my cameras. I use BlueIrus software and the camera did a good job of installing itself. PTZ functions are easy and accurate. I have attached some pictures from the last couple of days which does more than anything I can say.The first two pictures of our birdfeeder day and night, the next two are the backyard morning and night, the final picture is the camera mount.

This camera works very well. With that said, I have only had it two weeks.Positive highlights:1. Night vision is very good. I have lighting (wavelength the human eye can see) around my house. This camera is more sensitivity at night than any other camera I have used. I leave the IR lights turned off.2. The camera has great controls allowing the user to adjust many important things.3. Overall picture quality is very good.4. The user interface (accessed via web browser) is very good.Constrictive highlights1. The user interface will not work in some browsers like Edge.2. I do not get fluid motion even with high speed CAT 6 cable (running 30 frames/second). For example, when I watch a car drive by at a slow speed the movement is jerky. I have a good network that can handle the date speeds. I have the Amcrest NVR (POE) and it has the same issue when the NVR hosts the camera. I have also tried reducing the picture quility to reduce the bit rate required with no change.3. One thing the new Starvis sensor MFG mentions is the improved daylight low light operation. This camera switches to night view too early so it does not take advantage of sensor performance.