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4K 360-degree PTZ cameras are highly versatile video surveillance devices. They can take on multiple general-purpose cameras because of these PTZ functions.
They can be controlled manually or automated. This makes them ideal for monitoring a wide-open space like a parking lot or filling station.
My recommendation is the Reolink RLC-823A PTZ Security Camera. It’s a professional option with 5x optical zoom and support for smart integration.
My second pick is the Lorex 4K PTZ Security Camera. It specializes in color night vision and an IP67-rated weatherproof enclosure.
However, please note that a few cameras do not record in 4K. They have a lower megapixel count, but I’ve included them here since they’re still worthwhile options.
10 Best Outdoor 360-Degree 4K PTZ Security Cameras (2024)
- Only camera listed with Google Nest Hub support
- Highest rated camera listed with DC Power option
- Highest rated camera listed with PoE data
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.
- High Resolution: 4K / Ultra HD / 8MP: 3840x2160
- Data Transmission: PoE
- Night Vision Support: Infrared, Full Color (via Spotlight)
- Power Options: PoE, DC Power
- Integrated Microphone
- Motorized Optical Zoom Lens
- Highest rated camera listed with Full Color (via Low Light Sensor / Tech)
- Highest rated camera listed with IP67
The Lorex 4K PTZ camera prioritizes providing consistent image quality regardless of the environment. This is because it’s got full-color night vision and an IP67-rated weathertight enclosure.
However, it also includes infrared night vision for a maximum range of 150ft. You don’t necessarily have to provide ambient light. However, color night vision will keep the footage readable and consistent 24/7.
Other than that, the camera has 25x optical zoom and IK10 vandal proofing. These options make it a professional option for monitoring sprawling fields and open facilities.
- Motorized Pan Feature
- Motorized Optical Zoom Lens
- IP Rating: IP67
- Storage Options: microSD, NVR
- High Resolution: 4K / Ultra HD / 8MP: 3840x2160
- Motorized Tilt Feature
- No smart home integrations
- No integrated microphone
- Does not have an integrated siren
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)
- Power Options: PoE
- Night Vision Support: Infrared
- Data Transmission: PoE
- High Resolution: 4K / Ultra HD / 8MP: 3840x2160
- Motorized Optical Zoom Lens
- IP Rating: IP66
- No integrated microphone
- No smart home integrations
- Does not have an integrated siren
- Highest rated camera listed with NAS support
- Highest rated camera listed with Face Detection
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.
- Motorized Optical Zoom Lens
- Storage Options: microSD, NAS
- Power Options: PoE, DC Power
- IP Rating: IP66
- Smart Motion Detection Features: Face Detection
- Night Vision Support: Infrared, Full Color (via Low Light Sensor / Tech)
- Does not have an integrated siren
- No smart home integrations
- Highest rated camera listed with AC Power option
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.
- Smart Motion Detection Features: Person Detection, Vehicle Detection, Face Detection
- Motorized Pan Feature
- Data Transmission: PoE
- Motorized Optical Zoom Lens
- Night Vision Support: Infrared, Full Color (via Spotlight)
- Storage Options: NVR
- No integrated microphone
- No smart home integrations
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
- Motorized Pan Feature
- Storage Options: microSD, NVR, FTP
- High Resolution: 4K / Ultra HD / 8MP: 3840x2160
- Data Transmission: PoE
- IP Rating: IP67
- Power Options: PoE, AC Power
- No smart home integrations
- No integrated microphone
- Does not have an integrated siren
- Only camera listed with Cloud support
- Only camera listed with Non-Motor Vehicle Detection
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.
- Storage Options: microSD, NVR, NAS, FTP, Cloud
- Night Vision Support: Infrared, Full Color (via Low Light Sensor / Tech)
- Motorized Tilt Feature
- Power Options: PoE, DC Power
- Motorized Pan Feature
- Motorized Optical Zoom Lens
- Does not have an integrated siren
- No smart home integrations
- No integrated microphone
- Only camera listed with Ethernet data
- Only camera listed with Animal Detection
This Dahua 360-degree PTZ camera only records at 1080p. However, it makes up for this with 32x optical zoom and 400 degrees per second automatic panning speed.
These specs make it a great option to detect and identify faraway objects. According to the DORI standard, it has an object “detection” range of 6863 ft and an “identify” range of 685 ft.
The camera is outdoor-ready thanks to an IP66-rated enclosure. It also has starlight sensors built-in for consistent color night vision.
- Power Options: DC Power
- Storage Options: microSD, FTP
- Motorized Tilt Feature
- IP Rating: IP66
- Night Vision Support: Infrared, Full Color (via Low Light Sensor / Tech)
- Motorized Pan Feature
- Relatively Low Resolution: 2MP: 1080P / HD: 1920x1080
- Does not have an integrated siren
- No smart home integrations
- No integrated microphone
- Highest rated camera listed with Sound Detection
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.
- Motorized Optical Zoom Lens
- High Resolution: 5MP: 2880x1620
- Motorized Tilt Feature
- IP Rating: IP66
- Data Transmission: PoE
- Integrated Microphone
- Does not have an integrated siren
- No smart home integrations
- Only camera listed with Object Detection
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.)
- Motorized Optical Zoom Lens
- Motorized Pan Feature
- Power Options: PoE
- Integrated Microphone
- Data Transmission: PoE
- Smart Motion Detection Features: Object Detection, Sound Detection
- Relatively Low Resolution: 2MP: 1080P / HD: 1920x1080
- No smart home integrations
- Does not have an integrated siren
- Low IP Rating: IP51
- No night vision support
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
360-degree PTZ cameras recording at 4K resolution are ideal for tracking objects. They are extensively used in wide outdoor spaces and facilities such as airports and parking lots.
My top pick is the Reolink RLC-823A PTZ Security Camera. It’s outdoor-ready with IP66 and offers 5x optical zooming.
My second best is the Lorex 4K PTZ Security Camera. It excels in full-color night vision and comes with a Micro SD card slot for backup storage.