The Dahua IPC-HFW5842H-ZHE is an 8MP network camera designed for robust security needs. It leverages deep learning to offer advanced features like accurate human and vehicle detection, face capture, and people counting. This camera is ideal for businesses and organizations seeking reliable and intelligent surveillance solutions to enhance security and improve operational insights.
Features
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Advanced Object Detection: Accurately identifies humans and vehicles, significantly reducing false alarms from other movements like animals or swaying branches.
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Detailed Face Capture: Automatically detects, tracks, and captures clear facial images, useful for access control verification or post-event analysis.
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Precise People Counting: Tracks the number of people entering, leaving, or present in specific areas, providing valuable data for managing occupancy or optimizing layouts.
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Efficient Video Storage: Utilizes Smart H.265+ and Smart H.264+ compression, which drastically reduces file sizes without compromising video quality, saving on storage and bandwidth costs.
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Extended Power Reach: ePoE technology allows for longer cable runs between the camera and network switch, simplifying installation and potentially reducing cabling expenses.
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All-Weather Durability: Built to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, including dust, water, and impacts, ensuring continuous operation in various environments.
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Flexible Recording Options: Supports local storage via a microSD card up to 256GB, as well as network attached storage (NAS) and FTP for versatile backup.
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Wide Dynamic Range: Delivers clear images in scenes with both very bright and very dark areas, ensuring important details aren't lost to overexposure or underexposure.
Perfect For:
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Building Entrances/Exits: Accurately counts people and captures faces for enhanced security and flow management.
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Retail Store Aisles: Monitors customer movement and counts people in specific sections for business intelligence.
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Perimeter Fences: Detects intruders (human/vehicle) and minimizes false alarms from environmental factors.
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Parking Lots: Identifies vehicles entering or leaving, enhancing security and capacity management.
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Public Spaces (e.g., parks, plazas): Monitors crowd density and provides insights into public movement.
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Warehouses/Logistics Hubs: Secures entry points and monitors activity within restricted areas.
Installer Tips
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Optimal Mounting Height: For best performance of face detection and people counting, install the camera at a height that provides a clear, unobstructed view of the target area, ideally where faces are clearly visible and people are not too clustered.
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Leverage ePoE: Utilize the ePoE feature for installations requiring longer cable runs than standard PoE allows, saving on the need for additional power outlets or repeaters.
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Lens Adjustment for Specific Views: The 2.7mm–12mm vari-focal lens allows you to adjust the field of view. Use the wider angle (2.7mm) for broad overview shots and the telephoto end (12mm) for more focused, detailed surveillance of specific points.
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Pair with Compatible NVRs: For advanced intelligent search and event management features, integrate this camera with a Dahua Smart NVR. This unlocks capabilities like refining intelligent searches and merging event videos.
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Consider Data Reporting: When using people counting features, work with a compatible management platform to generate daily, monthly, and yearly reports, which can be invaluable for operational analysis.
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Strategic Alarm Setup: Connect external alarm devices (e.g., sirens, lights) to the camera's alarm output ports and configure intelligent alarms (e.g., perimeter protection) to trigger these devices for immediate alerts.
Downloads
Quick-Read Specs
| Feature |
Specification |
| Resolution |
8MP (3840 × 2160) |
| Lens Options |
Motorized Vari-focal 2.7mm–12 mm |
| Night Vision Type |
IR LED |
| Night Vision Range |
60m (196.85 ft) |
| Deterrence |
None |
| AI Features |
Face Detection, People Counting, Perimeter Protection, IVS (Tripwire, Intrusion, Fast Moving, Parking Detection, Loitering Detection, People Gathering) |
| Audio |
1 Input, 1 Output |
| Storage |
Micro SD card up to 256GB |
| Power |
12V DC / 24V AC / PoE+ (802.3at) |
| Weather Rating |
IP67, IK10 |
Extra Info
Dahua WizMind Intelligence
This camera is part of the Dahua WizMind 5 Series, which integrates advanced deep learning algorithms to provide highly accurate and reliable AI solutions. Unlike traditional security cameras that might generate frequent false alarms, the WizMind series focuses on precision. This means that features like Perimeter Protection can accurately differentiate between humans and vehicles, significantly reducing alerts caused by animals, shadows, or even changes in weather. This targeted detection is crucial for restricted areas, ensuring that only genuine threats trigger alarms.
Advanced Face Detection and Analysis
The camera's Face Detection technology goes beyond simple recognition. It not only detects and tracks faces but also captures the best face image from multiple frames. This optimized snapshot can then be uploaded to a management platform. What sets this apart is its ability to extract face attributes such as gender, age, glasses, and even expressions (anger, sadness, happiness, etc.). This detailed data can be invaluable for forensic analysis, identifying specific individuals, or even understanding demographic trends in a retail environment. The system also offers flexible snapshot methods, allowing for real-time capture, priority on specific faces, or quality-priority snapshots for clearer images.
Comprehensive People Counting and Queue Management
The People Counting function is a powerful tool for businesses and public spaces. It accurately counts individuals entering and leaving, and also tracks the number of people currently within a defined area. This data can be displayed in real-time and exported into yearly, monthly, and daily reports, offering deep insights into traffic flow and occupancy. Beyond simple counting, the camera also supports Queue Management. This feature helps monitor and manage queues, providing reports that can assist in optimizing staffing levels and improving customer experience, especially in high-traffic areas like retail checkouts or amusement park entrances. You can configure up to four separate tripwire rules, four counting areas, and four queue management functions, providing significant flexibility for diverse environments.
Smart Encoding for Optimized Performance
The integration of Smart H.265+ & Smart H.264+ encoding is a significant benefit for long-term surveillance operations. These intelligent encoding technologies use advanced scene-adaptive rate control algorithms. In practical terms, this means the camera analyzes the scene and intelligently adjusts the bit rate, leading to significantly higher compression efficiency compared to standard H.265 and H.264. The result is high-quality video that consumes less bandwidth for transmission and requires less storage space, translating directly into reduced operational costs and extended recording times on an SD card or NVR.
Flexible Power and Connectivity
The camera offers multiple power supply options: 12V DC, 24V AC, and PoE+ (802.3at). This flexibility simplifies installation, as you can choose the most convenient power source for your specific setup. The ePoE (extended Power over Ethernet) technology is particularly noteworthy, enabling long-distance transmission of power and data over a single Ethernet cable. This can be a game-changer for large installations where running separate power lines might be costly or impractical. The camera also supports various network protocols and interoperability standards like ONVIF, ensuring it can seamlessly integrate into existing surveillance systems and management platforms from different manufacturers.
Q&A
Q1: Can this camera record in color at night?
A1: This camera features IR (Infrared) LEDs for night vision. This means it will record in black and white in low-light conditions. It does not have a white light illuminator for full-color night vision.
Q2: Does this camera have a built-in siren or flashing lights for deterrence?
A2: No, this model does not have a built-in siren or red/blue strobe lights for active deterrence. It focuses on intelligent detection and recording. However, it does have alarm output ports that can be connected to external sirens or lights.
Q3: How loud is the audio output from this camera?
A3: The specifications indicate an audio output port, meaning you can connect an external speaker. The camera itself does not have a built-in speaker, so there is no inherent "loudness" from the camera directly. The volume would depend on the external speaker you connect.
Q4: Can the AI features, like perimeter protection, be disabled if I don't need them?
A4: Yes, all the intelligent AI features such as perimeter protection, face detection, and people counting can be enabled or disabled through the camera's configuration interface to suit your specific monitoring needs.
Q5: Will this camera work with Network Video Recorders (NVRs) from brands other than Dahua?
A5: Yes, this camera supports ONVIF (Profile S/G/T) and CGI protocols, which are industry standards for IP camera interoperability. This means it should be compatible with most NVRs from other major brands that also support these standards. However, for the most seamless integration and to fully utilize advanced AI features and intelligent search capabilities, pairing it with a Dahua Smart NVR is recommended.
Q6: How long can the camera record on a 256GB SD card?
A6: The exact recording duration depends on several factors, including the resolution, frame rate, video compression (Smart H.265+ will extend it significantly), and the amount of motion in the recorded scene. With Smart H.265+ and typical settings, a 256GB SD card can likely store several days to over a week of continuous recording. It will be much longer if recording is event-triggered.
Q7: What is the main difference between this "WizMind" camera and a standard Dahua camera?
A7: The primary difference lies in the WizMind designation. WizMind cameras incorporate advanced deep learning AI algorithms, enabling more precise and reliable intelligent functions like accurate human/vehicle detection, detailed face attribute analysis, and comprehensive people counting. Standard cameras may have basic motion detection, but WizMind significantly reduces false alarms and provides deeper analytical capabilities for more sophisticated surveillance needs.
Q8: Can I access the camera's live view and recordings from my smartphone?
A8: Yes, Dahua provides mobile applications (DMSS for iOS and Android) that allow you to view live feeds, play back recordings, and receive alarm notifications directly on your smartphone.
Dahua Camera Model Comparison
Comparison: Dahua DH-IPC-HFW5842H-ZHE vs. Dahua DH-IPC-HFW5831E-Z5E
| Category |
Newer Model (Dahua DH-IPC-HFW5842H-ZHE) |
Older Model (Dahua DH-IPC-HFW5831E-Z5E) |
| Series |
WizMind 5 Series |
Eco-savvy 3.0 (often listed under Pro Series) |
| Image Sensor |
1/1.8" 8Megapixel progressive CMOS |
1/2.5" 8Megapixel progressive scan CMOS |
| Max. Resolution |
8MP (3840 × 2160) @25fps/30fps
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8MP (3840 × 2160) @15fps (Main Stream) |
| Min. Illumination |
0.003 Lux@F1.2 (color) / 0 Lux (BW) with IR On |
0.05Lux/F1.4 (Color,1/3s,30IRE) / 0 Lux (IR on) |
| Illumination Distance (IR) |
60m (196.85 ft) |
100m (328ft) (for Z5E variant) |
| RAM/ROM |
RAM: 2 GB / ROM: 4 GB |
RAM: 512 MB / ROM: 32 MB |
| Lens Type |
Motorized vari-focal, 2.7mm–12 mm, Max. Aperture F1.2
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Motorized vari-focal, 7mm–35mm (Z5E) / 2.7mm~12mm (ZE), Max. Aperture F1.4 |
| WDR |
120 dB |
120 dB |
| AI Features (Deep Learning) |
Face Detection (with attributes/expressions), People Counting (with reports/queue management), Perimeter Protection (classification of human/vehicle) |
Face Detection (basic), IVS (Tripwire, Intrusion, Object Abandoned/Missing) |
| Audio |
1 in, 1 out (G.711a; G.711Mu; G726; AAC; G.723) |
1 in, 1 out (G.711a/ G.711Mu/ AAC/ G.726) |
| Alarm Interface |
3 in, 2 out |
2 in, 1 out |
| Storage |
Supports max. 256 G SD card
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Supports max. 128GB Micro SD card |
| Power Supply |
12V DC/24V AC/PoE+ (802.3at)
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DC12V, PoE (802.3af) |
| Power Consumption |
<17.3W |
<12.95W |
| Protection Grade |
IP67, IK10 |
IP67, IK10 |
| ePoE |
Yes |
Yes |
| EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) |
Yes |
N/A (Not specified) |
Summary Recommendation
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Choose the Newer Model (Dahua DH-IPC-HFW5842H-ZHE) if:
- You require higher frame rates at 8MP resolution (25/30fps) for smoother video.
- Advanced AI functionalities like more detailed face attribute extraction, advanced people counting with queue management, and precise perimeter protection (human/vehicle classification) are critical.
- You need enhanced low-light performance with a larger image sensor (1/1.8") and wider aperture (F1.2), resulting in brighter and clearer images in challenging lighting.
- Greater onboard processing power is desired (significantly more RAM and ROM).
- Higher SD card storage capacity (256GB) is beneficial.
- You need PoE+ (802.3at) power capability.
- Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) is a necessary feature for reducing blur from vibrations.
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The Older Model (Dahua DH-IPC-HFW5831E-Z5E) might still be suitable if:
- Your budget is a primary concern, and the enhanced AI features and higher frame rates are not strictly necessary.
- You primarily need 8MP resolution but 15fps is acceptable.
- A longer IR illumination distance (100m) is a key requirement, as the Z5E variant offers this.
- Basic IVS functions (tripwire, intrusion, abandoned/missing object) and face detection are sufficient for your needs.
- Standard PoE (802.3af) is adequate for power.
