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Montavue and Amcrest are recent newcomers to the industry. Both companies are less than ten years old and specialize in security products.

They are rebranding Dahua OEM and adding their software and services into the mix.

  • Montavue is more business-leaning, as its main product line sells camera systems. These are multi-channel systems with 4-32 cameras and an NVR.
  • Amcrest has a new optional cloud service feature. This service includes cloud storage and smart AI detection features.
  • Amcrest is popular for users of Blue Iris software. Most of their cameras are ONVIF compatible.
  • The Android and iOS apps of both brands have very mixed reviews. Their aggregate ratings tend to be around 3/5 stars.
  • Hardware from both brands is not NDAA compliant. It’s because they are rebranded from Dahua OEM.

Montavue vs Amcrest Security Cameras (2024) at a Glance

High-End PoE Camera Turret Head to Head

Mid-Range PoE Bullet Head to Head

Mid-Range PTZ Head to Head

Fisheye Head to Head

Montavue vs Amcrest Security Cameras (2024) Overview

Monatavue is the younger brand out of the two. It was founded in 2016 in Missoula, Montana.

Despite being a recent newcomer, they are well-recognized. This is thanks to their unique selling point: fully US-based tech support.

Amcrest was founded in 2013. They are also a brand that specializes in security camera systems.

However, Amcrest includes a wider range of devices. They don’t necessarily restrict themselves to IP cameras and doorbells.

Year Founded
2016
2013
Customer Focus
Business Leaning
Mix of Business & Consumer
Aggregate App Reviews
2.75/5
2.25/5
Cloud Platform Name
-
Amcrest Smart Home Cloud
Cloud Subscription Features
-
Cloud StorageSmart / AI NotificationsRich App PreviewsAdvanced App Features
Cloud Subscription Costs
-
Motion Recording 7-day $6 /Camera per month 14-day $10 /Camera per month 30-day $15 /Camera per month 60-day $23 /Camera per month 90-day $27.50 /Camera per month Continious Recording 7-day $9 /Camera per month 14-day $15 /Camera per month 30-day $20 /Camera per month 60-day $27.50 /Camera per month 90-day $35 /Camera per month
Note: PoE & Coax cameras typically require a connected NVR, DVR or surveillance software package (like Blue Iris) to gain access to desktop, mobile or browser apps along with availing of Intelligent Video Surveillance (IVS) Features. The specs below are based on integration with the manufacturers recommended NVR / DVR.

High-End PoE Camera Turret Head to Head

Key Differences

The Montavue PoE Turret camera can record low-light footage through infrared and color. It switches on a warm spotlight whenever motion is detected.

It allows the camera to record motion-triggered events in full color. Other times, it simply records in infrared to save power.

Meanwhile, the Amcrest camera doesn’t have a spotlight. However, it can only record in full color if the illumination levels are higher than 0.007. Otherwise, it will switch to infrared.

Both cameras can detect vehicles and people. However, the Amcrest camera has an additional feature that allows it to detect faces.

The Amcrest camera can perform optical zoom for a maximum of 5x. The Montavue camera has a fixed lens. It cannot perform optical zooming.

Price
Data Transmission
PoEEthernet
PoE
Integrated Siren / Alarm
Yes
No
Lens Type
Fixed Focus
Motorized
Storage Options
microSDNVRNASFTPHDD
microSDNVRNASFTPCloud
Interoperability
RTSPP2P
QNAPBlue IrisRTSPCGIP2P
Smart Motion Detection Features
Person DetectionVehicle DetectionAnimal Detection
Person DetectionVehicle DetectionFace Detection
Motorized Pan Feature
Yes
No
Motorized Tilt Feature
Yes
No
Optical Zoom Feature
No
Yes
Apps
AndroidiOSBrowser App
AndroidiOSWindowsMacBrowser App

Key Features in Common

Both cameras can capture footage at 30fps on a 4K resolution of 3840x2160. They can also use True WDR to process footage and improve contrast.

Both cameras are IP67-rated and can record audio thanks to built-in microphones. However, only the Montavue camera can perform two-way communication.

The Montavue and Amcrest cameras are fully IP-based devices with PoE support. However, You can operate them standalone and record footage to a micro SD card.

Both cameras support integration into 3rd party systems through RTSP or ONVIF. They also support alternative storage methods such as NVR, NAS, and FTP.

Case Type(s)
Turret
Turret
Camera Location
IndoorOutdoor
IndoorOutdoor
Data Type
IP
IP
Camera Wire Type
Wired Data & Power
Wired Data & Power
Power Options
PoEDC Power
PoEDC Power
Integrated Microphone
Yes
Yes
Resolution
4K / Ultra HD / 8MP: 3840x2160
4K / Ultra HD / 8MP: 3840x2160
Image Sensor Size
1/2.8"
1/2.8"
Night Vision Functionality
Yes
Yes
Night Vision Type
InfraredFull Color (via Low Light Sensor / Tech)
InfraredFull Color (via Low Light Sensor / Tech)
IP Rating
IP67
IP67

Mid-Range PoE Bullet Head to Head

Key Differences

The Montavue and Amcrest cameras float around the same price range. However, the Montavue counterpart tends to be more affordable overall.

Also, it offers good value for money since you receive a 100ft network cable right out of the box.

Meanwhile, you only get the Amcrest camera and the necessary documentation. You must purchase cables separately to set it up with an NVR.

That said, you can configure both cameras for standalone operation. You can do this via the respective mobile apps.

Price
Power Options
PoEDC Power
PoE
Data Transmission
PoEEthernet
PoE
Night Vision Type
Infrared
InfraredFull Color (via Low Light Sensor / Tech)
Storage Options
microSDNVR
microSDNVRNASFTPCloud
Interoperability
-
SynologyQNAPBlue IrisONVIFRTSPCGIP2P
Smart Motion Detection Features
Person DetectionVehicle Detection
-
Apps
AndroidiOSWindowsMacBrowser App
AndroidiOSWindowsMacBrowser App

Key Features in Common

The Montavue and Amcrest bullet cameras are PoE devices. Both cameras can capture 4K-resolution footage at 15fps.

That said, they can also operate without an NVR. However, you must provide DC power separately and use a Micro SD card for local storage.

Also, both cameras are rated at IP67. This makes them ideal for outdoor installations. Also, you don't need to set up separate shade structures.

Case Type(s)
Bullet
Bullet
Camera Location
IndoorOutdoor
IndoorOutdoor
Data Type
IP
IP
Camera Wire Type
Wired Data & Power
Wired Data & Power
Integrated Microphone
No
No
Integrated Siren / Alarm
No
No
Resolution
4K / Ultra HD / 8MP: 3840x2160
4K / Ultra HD / 8MP: 3840x2160
Lens Type
Fixed Focus
Fixed Focus
Night Vision Functionality
Yes
Yes
IP Rating
IP67
IP67
Motorized Pan Feature
No
No
Motorized Tilt Feature
No
No
Optical Zoom Feature
No
No

Mid-Range PTZ Head to Head

Key Differences

The Amcrest PTZ camera is handy for object detection. Its computer vision capabilities allow it to identify and detect many objects.

These include people, faces, and vehicles. It can even differentiate non-motor vehicles like bicycles, handcarts, and wheelchairs.

The Montavue camera doesn’t have such elaborate features. However, it can still differentiate between humans and vehicles.

The Montavue PTZ camera focuses on subscription-free storage options. It includes the MicroSD, NVR, and FTP.

The Amcrest device supports all these alongside optional cloud storage.

Price
Data Transmission
PoEEthernet
PoE
Integrated Microphone
Yes
No
Integrated Siren / Alarm
Yes
No
Night Vision Type
InfraredFull Color (via Spotlight)Full Color (via Low Light Sensor / Tech)
InfraredFull Color (via Low Light Sensor / Tech)
Storage Options
microSDNVRNASFTP
microSDNVRNASFTPCloud
Smart Motion Detection Features
Person DetectionVehicle Detection
Person DetectionVehicle DetectionNon-Motor Vehicle DetectionFace Detection
Apps
AndroidiOSWindowsMacBrowser App
AndroidiOSWindowsMacBrowser App

Key Features in Common

Both are indoor/outdoor compatible PTZ cameras with an IP66 rating. They can perform a maximum of 25x optical zoom and 16x digital zoom.

They use a 4MP camera with a maximum 2K resolution of 2650x1440. Both cameras can record at stable framerates, with Amcrest at 25fps and Montavue at 30fps.

Both include motorized lenses for 360° panning. The tilt angles can vary slightly. However, both manage to offer 90° tilting.

The wide-angle FOV of the Amcrest camera is 60°. Montavue’s is not far behind, as it also sports a zoomed-out FOV of 56°

Case Type(s)
PTZ
PTZ
Camera Location
IndoorOutdoor
IndoorOutdoor
Data Type
IP
IP
Power Options
PoEDC Power
PoEDC Power
Resolution
4MP: 2560x1440
4MP: 2560x1440
Image Sensor Size
1/2.8"
1/2.8"
Lens Type
Motorized
Motorized
Night Vision Functionality
Yes
Yes
Interoperability
ONVIFRTSP
ONVIFRTSP
IP Rating
IP66
IP66
Motorized Pan Feature
Yes
Yes
Motorized Tilt Feature
Yes
Yes
Optical Zoom Feature
Yes
Yes
Optical Zoom Magnification
25x
25x

Fisheye Head to Head

Key Differences

The Montavue MTF5360X fisheye lens camera is more expensive than the Amcrest IP5M-F1180EW-V2. However, it doesn’t support DC power or two-way communication facilities.

The Montavue camera lacks a wider array of storage capabilities as it can only record footage to an NVR or local Micro SD card. The Amcrest camera, on the other hand, includes these two features while also providing support for cloud storage.

In terms of object detection capabilities, the Amcrest camera can detect and even count people. Along with that, it can also provide a heatmap of motion zones. The Montavue camera can only detect people and objects.

Also, the Amcrest camera has the better True WDR feature over the Montavue camera’s software-based digital WDR.

Price
Power Options
PoE
PoEDC Power
Storage Options
microSDNVR
microSDNVRNASFTPCloud
Interoperability
ONVIF
Blue IrisRTSPCGIP2P
Smart Motion Detection Features
Person DetectionObject Detection
Person DetectionPeople CountingHeat Map
Apps
AndroidiOSWindowsMac
AndroidiOSWindowsMacBrowser App

Key Features in Common

These cameras are both indoor cameras and they do not have a weatherproof IP rating. They both can operate independently but otherwise need PoE for data and power.

The maximum resolution on these cameras is 2592x1944 through a 5MP camera. There are no integrated sirens but these devices can record audio as there is a microphone built inside.

In low-light environments, they can only rely on infrared, and like many fixed focus lens cameras, they cannot perform PTZ functions.

Case Type(s)
Fisheye
Fisheye
Camera Location
Indoor
Indoor
Data Type
IP
IP
Camera Wire Type
Wired Data & Power
Wired Data & Power
Data Transmission
PoE
PoE
Integrated Microphone
Yes
Yes
Integrated Siren / Alarm
No
No
Resolution
5MP: 2592x1944
5MP: 2592x1944
Lens Type
Fixed Focus
Fixed Focus
Night Vision Functionality
Yes
Yes
Night Vision Type
Infrared
Infrared
IP Rating
Not Weather Proof / Resistant
Not Weather Proof / Resistant
Motorized Pan Feature
No
No
Motorized Tilt Feature
No
No
Optical Zoom Feature
No
No

The Montavue vs Amcrest Security Cameras (2024) - Verdict

So these are the main differences between Montavue and Amcrest with regards to their hardware and software features. All things considered, the Amcrest cameras are seen as more accessible and DIY friendly while the Montavue cameras are more specialized and designed to work on their own ecosystem.

Which brand do you think is the better option for you? Feel free to let us know in the comments.

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