Introduction

8-megapixel (4K) cameras have become the standard for prosumer and small-business surveillance. Dome and turret form factors are compact, weather-resistant, and suitable for both residential and commercial environments. This article compares current 2024–2025 models from Dahua, Hikvision, Uniview, Milesight, and Hanwha. The focus is on measurable specifications such as illumination, infrared range, lens aperture, analytics capability, onboard storage, and compliance with the National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA).

Technical Comparison Table

Brand / Model Illumination Minimum Illumination AI / Analytics microSD Capacity NDAA Status Build Rating RRP (AUD)
Dahua TiOC 8 MP (DH-IPC-HDW3849H-ZAS-PV-ANZ-S2) IR + warm LED, 30 m 0.01 Lux (Starlight) WizSense SMD 4.0, perimeter protection, active deterrence with light and audio Up to 256 GB Non-compliant IP67, IK10 $550–$650
Hikvision ColorVu 3.0 8 MP (DS-2CD2387G2-LU/SL) White LED hybrid, 30 m 0.0005 Lux (F1.0 lens) AcuSense human/vehicle classification, ColorVu continuous colour Up to 512 GB Non-compliant IP67, IK10 $500–$600
Uniview LightHunter 8 MP (IPC3618SB-ADF28K-IW-D) Smart IR, 30–40 m 0.005 Lux Human/vehicle detection, 120 dB WDR, smart IR Up to 256 GB Marketed compliant, not NDAA-approved IP67, IK10 $450–$550
Milesight Q-Series 8 MP (MS-C8175-PD/Q) Smart Hybrid Light + IR, 50 m 0.008 Lux (TrueColour) VCA 2.0, MSense analytics including counting and heatmap Up to 1 TB NDAA Approved IP67 $550–$650
Hanwha Q-Series 8 MP (QNE-C9083R) IR LEDs, 30 m 0.05 Lux Core AI object detection, motion analysis Up to 256 GB NDAA Approved IP66, IK10 $600–$700


Brand Analysis

Dahua

The Dahua TiOC 8 MP turret integrates active deterrence through visible light and audio output in addition to IR illumination. It performs reliably in perimeter protection and small-business applications where deterrence is valuable. However, it is not NDAA compliant, restricting its use in government or institutional projects.

Hikvision

Hikvision’s ColorVu 3.0 series offers excellent low-light performance with an F1.0 lens and supplemental white LED lighting. It delivers full-colour video in environments where competitors would switch to infrared. While this is a strong choice for residential and retail, the brand remains non-NDAA compliant, limiting acceptance in tenders.

Uniview

Uniview’s LightHunter range provides balanced performance with wide dynamic range (120 dB) and smart IR. It is affordable and widely available, but its NDAA status is ambiguous. Although marketed as compliant, Uniview historically relied on HiSilicon chipsets, meaning it does not carry the same approved status as Milesight or Hanwha.

Milesight

The Milesight Q-Series is compact and feature-rich, with Smart Hybrid Light, AI VCA 2.0, and the MSense analytics platform. It supports up to 1 TB of local storage, giving it an edge for standalone operation. Importantly, Milesight is fully NDAA approved, making it suitable for both residential and government applications.

Hanwha

Hanwha’s Q-Series dome combines solid construction (IP66, IK10) with object detection and motion analytics. While less advanced in deterrence features compared to Dahua, it is widely deployed in enterprise and government contexts due to its NDAA approved status and consistent build quality.

Use-Case Scenarios

  • Residential Entrances: Hikvision provides the most natural colour imaging at night, though non-compliance restricts it from public projects.

  • Small Business Perimeter: Dahua TiOC integrates light and sound deterrence, effective for warehouses and service yards.

  • Retail and Analytics: Milesight combines surveillance with people-counting and heatmaps, useful for shopfloor analysis.

  • Vehicle Areas / Car Parks: Hanwha offers robust housing and dependable AI, with compliance credentials suited to councils and strata.

  • Public Sector / Education: Milesight and Hanwha are the safe selections due to NDAA approval; Uniview carries risk, while Dahua and Hikvision are excluded.

All five brands deliver capable 8 MP dome or turret cameras for the Australian market, but project requirements dictate the right choice.

  • NDAA-approved: Milesight and Hanwha.

  • Non-compliant: Dahua and Hikvision.

  • Ambiguous: Uniview.

For residential customers, feature sets such as colour night vision (Hikvision) or active deterrence (Dahua) may outweigh compliance concerns. For schools, councils, and businesses requiring formal approval, Milesight and Hanwha are the correct selections.