• Resolution: 2MP for an overview, 4MP for faces and plates at normal distances, 5MP–8MP where you need to zoom into footage. More resolution needs more hard-drive space and recorder bandwidth.
• Night vision: infrared (black and white) is standard. ColorVu and Smart Hybrid Light cameras record in colour after dark.
• Shape: turrets are easy to aim and tidy under eaves. Bullets are a visible deterrent for long views. Domes protect the lens in public or vandal-prone areas. PTZ cameras pan, tilt and zoom across a large site.
• Lens: 2.8mm for a wide view. 4mm or a motorised varifocal lens to look further down a narrower area.

For more detail, read our Hikvision IP camera buying guide. It explains every series, the model number suffixes and pixels per metre: the sum that decides whether you see a usable face or a grey shape. It's why a 4K camera on a wide lens still won't identify anyone across a car park.

What do the camera series mean?

Each series name tells you what problem it solves. Most people only need one or two.

• AcuSense: the camera tells people and vehicles apart from rain, leaves, shadows and animals, so you get far fewer false alarms. Most sites should start here. AcuSearch and AcuSeek on an NVR only work with AcuSense cameras that have the function turned on. See our Hikvision NVR buying guide.
• ColorVu: colour pictures in near darkness, using a wide f/1.0 lens and a soft warm light. Colour helps when you need "grey hoodie, red car". Works where there's some light: forecourts, car parks, entrances.
• Smart Hybrid Light: infrared by default, switching to white light when something is detected. Discreet most of the night, colour when it counts. Suits streets where a lit camera would bother neighbours.
• ColorHunter: HiLook's version of ColorVu. Same idea, lower cost.
• LightHunter: a larger sensor for low light, with no added light. For dark scenes where you can't add lighting.
• DarkFighter and DarkFighterX: the specialist low-light range. DarkFighterX combines two sensors, one for detail and one for colour. It costs more, so use it only where light is poor and picture quality is critical.
• Active Deterrence: a strobe light and a spoken or siren warning when someone is detected. Suits yards, compounds and forecourts after hours.
• PanoVu: several sensors in one housing for one seamless wide or 180° view, from a single cable and licence. For large open areas.

How do I read a Hikvision model number?

• G2, G3: the generation. A G3 is newer than a G2 of the same model, and usually improves the sensor, detection or low-light picture.
• Letters in brackets, such as (C), (D), (E), (eF): the hardware revision. These matter. A revision can change resolution support, storage limits or detection features. Check which revision a quote refers to. We state it on every product page.
• /SL: strobe light and audio alarm (Active Deterrence).
• U or IU: built-in microphone.
• Z or IZ: motorised varifocal lens, adjusted remotely instead of up a ladder.
• /BLACK, /GREY: housing colour only.
• 2.8mm or 2.8-12mm: the lens. One figure is fixed, a range is varifocal.

Every camera here works with a HiLook or Hikvision PoE NVR, and supports ONVIF (a common standard) for other recorders. Choosing the recorder too? The Hikvision NVR buying guide covers channels, PoE power, bandwidth and storage.