Best Outdoor 360-Degree 4K PTZ Security Cameras

PTZ cameras are versatile video surveillance devices that offer the ability to pan and tilt to cover a 360 degree view while also being able to zoom in on a specific object of interest. For the outdoors, PTZ cameras are a great option as they can take on the role of multiple general-purpose cameras.

They can be controlled manually or automated to monitor a wide-open space (like a parking lot or filling station) for unusual activity. PTZ features like auto-tracking, scan presets, patterns, and tours are very useful in these settings.

Let’s get into it.

Best Outdoor 360-Degree 4K PTZ Security Cameras

Our top pick is the Reolink RLC-823A PTZ Security Camera. It has an IP66 rating and covers full 360° panning, 90° tilting, and 5x optical zoom magnification.

The motorized lens allows the PTZ camera to perform automated PTZ functions such as tracking and following preset patterns. On top of that, the camera can detect humans or vehicles and send out push notifications via the Reolink mobile app.

This Reolink PTZ camera is compatible with smart integration systems such as Google Assistant, Chromecast, and Google Nest Hub, allowing you to seamlessly pull up a live feed from this camera onto your smartphone or TV.

Our runner-up is the Lorex E881AP-W, a 4K resolution PTZ camera. It is a high-end PTZ camera well regarded for its instantaneous panning and tilting speeds. (400°/s panning and 300°/s tilting.)

As per usual, the camera can carry out full 360° panning and 90° tilting. Additionally, the motorized lens can carry out 25x optical zoom. (Digital zoom is only available with compatible NVRs.) There are numerous automation features for the PTZ functions, allowing users to set up highly customizable presets. (Configurable patterns during a certain time of day.)

The device has an IP67 rating and is specifically designed to cover large outdoor spaces. It also has an IK10 impact rating which classifies it as vandal-proof.

The Ubiquiti UniFi Protect G4 is another high-end PTZ camera that records 4K footage on a motorized lens.

The PTZ capabilities include 360° panning and 22x optical zoom. Unfortunately, the device incorporates none of the audio-based features such as two-way communication and integrated sirens. Therefore, you will be left with video footage with no sound, no way to sound the alarm or carry out two-way communication.

Since this is a Ubiquiti product, the PTZ camera needs to be set up using Ubiquiti’s own UniFi Protect support software and compatible NVRs. (Unifi Dream Machine Pro> or the UniFi Protect UNVR)

The Hikvision DS-2DE2A404IW-DE3 is a more affordable mid-range PTZ camera. It has a 4MP camera with 2560x1440 maximum resolution.

The motorized lens allows the system to carry out 330° panning, 90° tilting, and 4x optical zooming. (Along with a standalone 16x digital zoom.)

One of the main reasons to consider this PTZ camera is the number of intelligent features. Apart from PTZ presets, the camera can also perform face detection and line crossing detection. (Along with other events such as video tampering and audio exception detection, to name a few.)

The enclosure has an IP66 rating and can endure a stable temperature range of -4F to 140F.

The ANNKE CZ800 Ultra is a premium-priced high-end PTZ camera. It includes an 8MP camera recording 4K footage at 3840x2160 resolution.

The PTZ capabilities of this device include 360° panning and 25x optical zooming with support for automated customizable preset and scanning. The device also supports 16x digital zoom, and it’s one of the few cameras designed to perform license plate recognition with the aid of supported software. (Check here for the best LPR cameras.)

This PTZ camera also supports various intelligent motion detection features, including but not limited to human, vehicle, and face detection.

The Montavue MTZ8250-IRAI is a high-end PTZ security camera. It utilizes an 8MP sensor to record 4K footage at 3840x2160 resolution. The PTZ functions allow it to carry out full 360° panning and 90° tilting with 25x optical magnification. (Along with 16x digital zoom.)

The camera can also perform several PTZ-based automated operations such as tours, presets, scans, and tracking.

This Montavue PTZ camera is one of the most feature-packed PTZ cameras regarding intelligent features. A few of these include vehicle and person detection, tripwire detection, IP address conflict, network disconnection detection, scene changing, and storage anomaly

The Amcrest IP4M-1063EW-AI is a 4MP outdoor PTZ camera. Its motorized lens allows it to carry out full 360° panning, 90° tilting, and 25x optical zoom. On top of that, the camera can also perform 16x digital zoom and supports a variety of PTZ automation features such as tracking and customizable presets.

Despite being a mid-range camera, this device includes a versatile catalog of intelligent features such as various object detection facilities, configurable motion zones, storage anomaly, illegal access, and video tampering detection, to name a few.

The enclosure is rated at IP66 along with IK10 vandal-proof impact protection.

The Dahua 6CE445XANR is a high-end PTZ security camera with a 4MP image sensor. It records footage at 2560x1440 resolution with a motorized lens that can carry out full 360° panning and 90° tilting. (With 45x optical and 16x digital zooming capabilities.)

The camera supports a variety of PTZ automated functions such as presets, scans, and tracking. It also includes multiple general-purpose intelligent features such as person and vehicle detection, tripwire detection, missing object detection, and many more.

The housing has an IP67 rating, and the device can operate at temperatures ranging from -40F to 158F.

The Uniview IPC675LFW-AX4DUPKC-VG is a decent mid-range PTZ camera with a 5MP image sensor recording footage at 2880x1620 resolution. The motorized lens allows 345° panning, 110° tilting, and 4x optical zoom.

The automated PTZ functions include presets and tracking. This PTZ camera lacks many intelligent features but manages to include sound detection along with other events detection features such as IP address conflict, video tampering, and audio exception.

This Uniview outdoor PTZ camera has an IP66 rating, along with operating temperatures ranging between -4F to 140F.

Our final device on this list is the AXIS M5065 PTZ Network Camera. It is a 2MP mid-range PTZ camera with limited 180° panning, 90° tilting, and 5x optical zooming. (Also includes 10x digital zoom.)

It supports PTZ presets and is one of the few outdoor PTZ cameras that includes optional cloud storage. A few of its intelligent features include object and sound detection along with event triggers for missing object detection and storage anomaly.

Unfortunately, the enclosure for this camera has a weaker IP51 rating which doesn’t protect the device against water. (It also has a narrower operating temperature range of 32F to 113F.)

Decision Factors when Choosing an Outdoor PTZ Security Camera

IP and IK ratings

When installing any security camera in an outdoor setting, you need to ensure that it is protected against rain and dust. Therefore, we recommend choosing a device with a minimum of IP66. Fortunately, most cameras on this list have this minimum IP rating. Also, if you want to vandal-proof the device, you will have to get one with an IK10 rating. 

Night Vision

Night Vision features play a significant role in maintaining security, especially at night. Most PTZ cameras on this list include full-color night vision with infrared as a backup. Infrared and full-color Night vision is adequate for most situations. Nonetheless, you can have better security with a PTZ camera that incorporates an in-built spotlight. (On top of the existing night vision functions.) 

PTZ Specs

The PTZ specs are the most important aspect of any PTZ camera. Ideally, you want to look for a device with 360° panning and 90° tilting. Also, some high-end devices offer high optical magnification, such as 12x or 20x. Depending on your requirements, you might want to prioritize the optical zoom. (For applications like License plate recognition.)

PTZ automation

Almost every PTZ camera allows you to control the camera manually. However, it takes a special camera and supporting software to automate these features. This is another aspect we recommend you look for, as it will help you customize presets or enable tracking so the camera can do a better job of monitoring a wide-open space. 

Audio Features

Audio-based features such as two-way communication and integrated sirens aren’t included in every outdoor PTZ camera. However, these add a new level of security and can help deter intruders and avoid a break-in. We recommend going for a PTZ camera that includes two-way communication facilities and integrated sirens, especially for homes and small businesses.

Conclusion

Here is our list of the top ten outdoor wired PTZ cameras. Unlike wireless PTZ cameras , the advantages of a wired system are that you can record footage continuously and automate the camera to follow a preset or keep track of objects in the location.

Hopefully, this list helped you with some ideas on what to look for in your next outdoor wired PTZ camera.

Do you agree with our top pick? Let us know in the comments.