The Dahua SD8A840-HNF-PA is a robust 8MP AI network camera designed for extensive outdoor surveillance. Featuring a powerful 40x optical zoom and Starlight technology, it excels at capturing clear images in various lighting conditions, making it suitable for monitoring large areas where precise detail and automated tracking of subjects are crucial. Its integrated AI capabilities, including perimeter protection and face recognition, provide enhanced security and intelligent event detection for proactive monitoring.
Features
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Exceptional Low-Light Performance: Starlight technology captures clear, detailed color images even in extremely dim conditions, providing superior visibility when it matters most.
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Long-Range Infrared Night Vision: Built-in IR illuminators provide clear black and white vision up to 500 meters (1640 feet), ensuring comprehensive coverage in complete darkness.
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Precise 40x Optical Zoom: Offers incredible magnification for detailed distant viewing without compromising image clarity, ideal for identifying objects or people over vast distances.
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Intelligent Perimeter Protection: Accurately distinguishes between real threats and false alarms (like animals or rustling leaves) using advanced AI, reducing unnecessary alerts and improving response efficiency.
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Automated Object Tracking: The camera automatically follows moving targets, keeping them in view and zoomed in, which is invaluable for security personnel monitoring active scenes.
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Advanced Video Metadata: Extracts detailed attributes of human bodies, faces, motor vehicles, and non-motor vehicles, enabling efficient data retrieval and post-event analysis for investigations.
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Smart Wiper System: Ensures a clear view even in adverse weather conditions like rain or snow, maintaining optimal performance and image quality.
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High-Resolution 8MP Sensor: Captures incredibly sharp 4K video, providing superior detail for identification and evidence gathering across large surveillance areas.
Perfect For:
- Large commercial and industrial complexes
- Port and harbor surveillance
- City surveillance and public safety monitoring
- Airport perimeters and runways
- Critical infrastructure protection (power plants, water treatment facilities)
- Border control and extensive outdoor areas
Installer Tips
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Optimal Mounting Height: For effective auto-tracking and perimeter protection, install the camera at a height that provides a clear, unobstructed view of the target area, typically 5-10 meters.
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Hi-PoE Importance: Utilize Hi-PoE for power and data transmission to simplify wiring and ensure stable power delivery, especially for its extensive PTZ and IR functions.
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Network Bandwidth Planning: Account for the camera's 4K resolution and multiple streaming capabilities (up to 64 Mbps total bandwidth) to ensure adequate network infrastructure.
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Leverage PFA Technology: PFA technology ensures fast and accurate focus during zooming. Calibrate the focus carefully during installation to maximize this benefit for clear long-range views.
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Environmental Protection: While IP67 rated, consider additional protection from direct impact or vandalism in high-risk areas due to its exposed PTZ mechanism.
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SD Card for Edge Storage: Install a high-capacity (up to 512GB) microSD card for local recording redundancy or as a primary storage solution in case of network outages.
Downloads
Quick-Read Specs
| Feature |
Specification |
| Resolution |
8 MP (3840 x 2160) |
| Lens Options |
5.6 mm–223 mm (40x Optical Zoom) |
| Night Vision |
Starlight Color, 500m IR Range |
| Deterrence |
None (Focus on surveillance & detection) |
| AI Features |
Perimeter Protection, Face Recognition, Metadata |
| Audio |
1 Input / 1 Output |
| Storage |
Micro SD card (up to 512GB) |
| Power |
36 VDC / Hi-PoE |
| Weather Rating |
IP67 |
Extra Info
Dahua WizMind Solutions
This camera is part of the Dahua WizMind portfolio, which integrates industry-leading deep learning algorithms to provide highly accurate and reliable AI solutions. WizMind focuses on real-world applications, offering precise detection and analysis of various targets. For users, this means a more intelligent surveillance system that significantly reduces false alarms and provides richer, more actionable data for security and operational insights. It's designed for project-oriented applications where high performance and intelligent functions are paramount.
Advanced AI with Video Metadata
The camera's video metadata capability goes beyond simple object detection. It extracts detailed attributes for human bodies (gender, age, clothing), human faces (glasses, masks, beards), motor vehicles (plate color, type, vehicle color, seatbelt usage), and non-motor vehicles (type, color, number of people). This rich metadata is invaluable for efficient data retrieval, allowing users to quickly search for specific characteristics post-event. For example, security personnel can rapidly locate all instances of "red cars" or "individuals wearing hats" within recorded footage, dramatically speeding up investigations.
Intelligent Auto-Tracking and PFA Technology
The auto-tracking feature is a significant advantage for monitoring dynamic environments. Once a moving object is detected, the camera automatically adjusts its pan, tilt, and zoom to keep the target centered and in focus. This is particularly useful in large areas where manual tracking would be impractical. This intelligent tracking is further enhanced by PFA (Predictive Focus Algorithm) technology. PFA ensures that as the camera zooms in or out, the image remains sharp and clear with minimal focus delay. This combination provides a seamless and highly effective solution for continuously monitoring suspicious activity or individuals, allowing operators to react quickly and with greater accuracy.
Smart H.265+ for Storage Efficiency
The implementation of Smart H.265+ video compression is crucial for managing the large data streams generated by an 8MP camera. This optimized codec uses intelligent strategies like dynamic GOP (Group of Pictures), dynamic ROI (Region of Interest), and intelligent noise reduction. For the end-user, this translates to high-quality video recordings that consume significantly less bandwidth and storage space—up to 70% less compared to standard H.265. This allows for longer recording durations on local storage (like the 512GB microSD card) and reduces the strain on network infrastructure, making the system more cost-effective and scalable.
Perimeter Protection for Enhanced Security
Dahua's Perimeter Protection feature is a sophisticated AI application designed to provide superior security by accurately detecting intrusions and filtering out common false alarms. It can identify various behaviors such as tripwires, intrusion, climbing fences, loitering, fast-moving objects, and people gathering. Crucially, it uses secondary recognition to classify targets as vehicles or humans, significantly improving alarm accuracy. This means security teams receive fewer nuisance alerts from animals or environmental factors, allowing them to focus on genuine threats and respond more efficiently, enhancing the overall security posture of the monitored area.
Q&A
Q1: Can this camera record in color at night?
A1: Yes, this camera features Starlight technology, which allows it to capture clear, detailed color images even in very low-light conditions, down to 0.005 lux. In complete darkness, it switches to black and white using its IR illuminators, effective up to 500 meters.
Q2: What is the maximum distance for the camera's facial recognition feature?
A2: The DORI (Detect, Observe, Recognize, Identify) distances listed are for general viewing capabilities. Intelligent function distances, such as for face recognition, are not reflected in this table. For specific intelligent function distances, you would need to refer to the installation and commissioning manual or a project design tool.
Q3: Can the smart wiper system be controlled manually?
A3: The information provided indicates a "Smart wiper" feature. While typically automated by a rain sensor, further details on manual control (if any) would be in the detailed user manual.
Q4: Does this camera work with Network Video Recorders (NVRs) from other brands?
A4: Yes, the camera supports ONVIF (Profile S&G&T) and CGI interoperability, which generally allows it to work with NVRs from other manufacturers that also adhere to these standards. However, full functionality might be best achieved with Dahua NVRs.
Q5: How long can a 512GB SD card record footage at 4K resolution?
A5: The recording duration depends on various factors, including the video compression (Smart H.265+ is highly efficient), scene complexity, and chosen frame rate. With Smart H.265+, a 512GB card would provide a substantial amount of 4K recording time, far more than standard compression, but exact hours would require calculation based on average bitrate for your specific use case.
Q6: What makes this camera different from a "Pro" or "Lite" version?
A6: As a "WizMind" series camera, the DH-SD8A840-HNF-PA is a high-end model designed for complex, project-oriented applications. It features advanced AI capabilities like detailed video metadata, robust perimeter protection, and sophisticated auto-tracking, which are typically absent or less comprehensive in "Lite" or even some "Pro" series cameras. It signifies a focus on deep learning algorithms for superior accuracy and intelligent features.
Q7: Will the camera automatically track objects without me manually triggering it?
A7: Yes, the auto-tracking feature can be triggered automatically by predefined rules set within the camera's intelligent functions, such as motion detection or tripwire crossing. Once a rule is met, the camera will automatically zoom in and track the defined target.
Q8: Can the metadata extracted by the camera be used to search past recordings?
A8: Absolutely. The extracted metadata (attributes like gender, clothing color, vehicle type, etc.) is specifically designed for data retrieval. This means you can use these attributes to quickly search through recorded footage for specific events or subjects, significantly streamlining investigations and analysis.
Camera Model Comparison
Dahua PTZ Camera Comparison
Comparing SD8A840-HNF-PA with its Predecessor
| Category |
Newer Model (SD8A840-HNF-PA) |
Older Model (SD8A440-HNF-PA / Similar 4MP Model) |
| Image Sensor |
1/1.8" 8Megapixel STARVIS™ CMOS |
1/1.8" CMOS |
| Pixel |
8 MP |
4 MP |
| Max. Resolution |
3840 (H) x 2160 (V) (4K) |
2560 (H) x 1440 (V) (4M/2K) |
| Min. Illumination (Color) |
0.005 lux@F1.4 |
0.001 lux@F1.4 |
| Min. Illumination (B/W) |
0.0005 lux@F1.4 |
0.0001 lux@F1.4 |
| Illumination Distance |
500 m (1640.42 ft) |
500 m (1640.42 ft) |
| Optical Zoom |
40x |
40x |
| DORI Distance (Detect) |
4,400 m (14,435.70 ft) |
3,034.5 m (9,955.71 ft) |
| DORI Distance (Observe) |
1,740 m (5,708.66 ft) |
1,204.2 m (3,950.79 ft) |
| DORI Distance (Recognize) |
880 m (2,887.14 ft) |
606.9 m (1,991.14 ft) |
| DORI Distance (Identify) |
440 m (1,443.57 ft) |
303.4 m (995.41 ft) |
| WDR |
120 dB |
140 dB |
| AI Features |
Perimeter protection, Metadata (human body, human face, motor/non-motor vehicle attributes), Face Recognition, Auto-tracking |
Perimeter protection (tripwire, intrusion, climbing fences, loitering, abandoned/missing object, fast moving, parking, people gathering, vehicle/human alarm classification), Video Metadata (human body, human face, motor/non-motor vehicle attributes), Face Recognition, Auto-tracking |
| Storage |
Micro SD card (512GB) |
Micro SD card (256GB) |
| Power Supply |
36 VDC, 2.23 A (±25%), Hi-PoE |
24 VDC/2.5A or PoE+ (802.3at) |
| Operating Temperature |
–40 °C to +70 °C (–40 °F to +158 °F) |
–40 °C to +70 °C (–40 °F to +158 °F) |
| Protection |
IP67; TVS 6000 V lightning protection; surge protection; voltage transient protection |
IP67; TVS 6000V lightning protection; surge protection; voltage transient protection |
Summary Recommendation
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Choose the Newer Model (SD8A840-HNF-PA) if:
- You require significantly higher resolution for sharper images and more detail, especially for forensic analysis or larger monitoring areas (4K resolution is a major upgrade).
- You need extended DORI distances for better detection, observation, recognition, and identification capabilities over longer ranges.
- You plan to utilize the maximum available local storage for video recordings (512GB Micro SD support vs. 256GB).
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The Older Model (SD8A440-HNF-PA / Similar 4MP Model) might still be suitable if:
- Your existing infrastructure or budget limits you to 4MP resolution, which is still excellent for many surveillance applications.
- Your primary concern is low-light performance, as the older model appears to have slightly better minimum illumination specifications in color and B/W.
- The specific AI features provided by the older model meet your requirements, as both models offer a comprehensive suite of intelligent functions.
- Cost-effectiveness is a major factor, as older models are typically more budget-friendly.
