Ubiquiti G6 180 vs Reolink Argus 4 Pro vs Hikvision DS-2CD2T87G2P-LSU/SL Dual Lens Panoramic Surveilance Cameras

Ubiquiti recently announced its first dual-lens camera, the G6 180.

I am a big fan of dual lens cameras and have used most of the options from Reolink, including the Duo, Duo Floodlight and the Duo 3.

When I saw the G6 180, it looked suspiciously familiar to the Reolink Argus 4 Pro. The Argus 4 Pro is a battery-powered WiFi camera, so very different. But, Reolink are due to launch a POE version anytime soon.

With a growing number of brands introducing cameras with true colour night footage, I have often wondered if they are using sensors and technology that Hikvision pioneered.

To the best of my knowledge, Hikvision were the first company to do true colour night footage and the first, or one of the first, companies to offer a dual lens 180°.

They have numerous sub-brands where these technologies have been trickled down to.

I suspected that many brands are using white label hardware from a larger company.

The Ubiquiti G6 180 appeared so similar to the Argus 4 Pro, I was convinced they were manufactured by the same company. So, I did my best to compare the Ubiquiti G6 180 with the Reolink Argus 4 Pro and the dual lens Hikvision DS-2CD2T87G2P-LSU/SL.

While there are some suspiciously similar specs, it wasn’t quite like-for-like as I expected.

The end result is that I am not too sure. It is possible, if not likely, that when Reolink launch their POE dual lens camera, it will have specs much closer to the Ubiquiti, but we will have to wait and see how that plays out.

One likely possibility is that these sensors are manufactured by OmniVision. This is something that has been speculated about Hikvision for quite some time.

Ubiquiti G6 180 vs Reolink Argus 4 Pro vs Hikvision DS-2CD2T87G2P-LSU/SL Specification

Unifi
SpecificationUbiquiti G6 180Reolink Argus 4 ProHikvision DS-2CD2T87G2P
Image SensorDual 1/1.8″ 8MP1/1.8″ CMOS sensor2 × 1/1.8″ Progressive Scan CMOS
ResolutionDual 4K (16MP 7680 x 2160)5120 × 1440 (8MP) @15fps5120 × 1440
Field of View(2) H: 180°, V: 56.7°H: 180°, V: 50°4 mm, H: 180°, V: 44°
Night VisionBuilt-in IR LED illumination and IR cut filterTrue full-colour night vision (via spotlights)Color: 0.0005 Lux @ (F1.0), 0 Lux with light
Infrared Night VisionYesNoYes (White Light)
Color Night VisionN/AYes, with spotlightsYes
Frame Rate15 FPSMain: 10–15 fps (default 15 fps)5120 × 1440 @ 12.5/15 fps (WDR On), 20 fps (WDR Off)
Video CompressionN/AH.264 / H.265H.265+/H.265/H.264+/H.264
AudioTwo-way audioTwo-way audio (built-in mic and speaker)Mono, built-in microphone and speaker
BatteryN/A5000mAh rechargeableN/A
Power MethodPoE+Battery (USB Type-C charging)12VDC ±25% / PoE (802.3af)
SD Card SlotMicroSD cardMax. 512 GB microSD supportedmicroSD/SDHC/SDXC up to 512 GB
Wireless StandardN/AIEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/axN/A
Operating Temperature-20°C to 50°C-10°C to 55°C-30°C to 60°C
Weatherproof RatingIP66IP66IP67
Dimensions136 x 64 x 92 mm128 × 87 × 80 mm118.6 × 105.1 × 305.4 mm
Weight839 g400 g1420 g
Smart DetectionPeople, Vehicles, AnimalsPIR, motion, person, vehicle, animal detectionLine crossing, intrusion, human/vehicle detection
Lens(2) Fixed focal length4 mm, fixedFixed focal lens, dual lens: 4 mm
Max Power Consumption15WN/AN/A

Analysis of Similarities and Hardware

Looking at the specifications, there are several points of convergence and divergence among the Reolink Argus 4 Pro, Hikvision DS-2CD2T87G2P, and Ubiquiti G6 180 cameras. Here’s a breakdown of their similarities and differences to assess if they might share underlying hardware:

  • Image Sensor: All three cameras use a 1/1.8″ sensor size, though described differently (single CMOS for Reolink, dual Progressive Scan CMOS for Hikvision, and dual 8MP for Ubiquiti). This suggests a potential similarity in sensor technology or supplier, as 1/1.8″ is a specific size often sourced from common manufacturers like Sony or OmniVision in the surveillance industry. However, the dual-sensor configuration in Hikvision and Ubiquiti versus Reolink’s single sensor indicates different implementations.
  • Resolution and Field of View: Reolink and Hikvision share the same resolution of 5120 × 1440, while Ubiquiti offers a higher 7680 x 2160 (16MP). All three provide a 180° horizontal field of view, which is likely achieved through dual-lens or wide-angle configurations. This points to a similar design goal of panoramic coverage, possibly using comparable lens or stitching technology, though Ubiquiti’s higher resolution suggests a more advanced processing capability.
  • Night Vision: Reolink and Hikvision both support colour night vision (Reolink via spotlights, Hikvision via low-light sensitivity and white light), while Ubiquiti relies on infrared with no mention of colour capability. This divergence suggests different hardware or firmware approaches to low-light performance, reducing the likelihood of shared night vision components.
  • Power and Connectivity: Reolink stands out as a battery-powered, wireless camera with Wi-Fi support, while Hikvision and Ubiquiti use PoE (Power over Ethernet), indicating wired setups. This fundamental difference in power delivery and connectivity implies distinct internal architectures and target use cases, making shared hardware less likely at the power management level.
  • Physical Design: The cameras vary significantly in dimensions and weight, with Reolink being the smallest and lightest (128 × 87 × 80 mm, 400 g), Hikvision the largest and heaviest (118.6 × 105.1 × 305.4 mm, 1420 g), and Ubiquiti in between (136 x 64 x 92 mm, 839 g). These differences suggest unique enclosures and mounting designs, likely tailored to their specific power and connectivity needs, further reducing the chance of shared hardware beyond core components.
  • Smart Detection: All three offer advanced detection features (person, vehicle, animal), though described differently. This could indicate similar software algorithms or AI processing chips, but it’s not conclusive evidence of shared hardware, as such features can be implemented via firmware on different platforms.

Conclusion on Hardware Similarity: While there are notable similarities in image sensor size, resolution (between Reolink and Hikvision), and field of view, the differences in power methods, night vision technology, physical design, and connectivity suggest that these cameras are unlikely to share the same underlying hardware beyond possibly sourcing similar sensor components from common suppliers. The Reolink Argus 4 Pro’s battery-powered, wireless nature sets it apart from the PoE-based, wired designs of Hikvision and Ubiquiti, pointing to distinct internal architectures. Hikvision and Ubiquiti show more alignment in using dual sensors and PoE, but differences in resolution and night vision capabilities indicate they are still separate designs. These cameras likely target overlapping markets with panoramic surveillance needs but achieve this through customised hardware and firmware solutions.

Ubiquiti G6 180 Specification

Ubiquiti G6 180
SpecificationUbiquiti G6 180
Dimensions136 x 64 x 92 mm (5.6 x 2.5 x 3.6″)
IR Night Vision20 m (65 ft)
Face RecognitionYes
License Plate RecognitionYes
Smart DetectionsPeople, Vehicles, Animals
ResolutionDual 4K
Field of View(2) H: 180°, V: 56.7°
AudioTwo-way audio
WeatherproofingIP66
Tamper ResistanceIK04
MountingCeiling, Pole, Wedge Mount, Pan Adapter (Included); Camera Junction Box, Dual Mount, Gang Box Mounting Plate (Optional)
UniFi Application Suite – ProtectYes
Networking Interface10/100 MbE RJ45 port
Image SettingsColor, brightness, sharpness, contrast, white balance, exposure control, 2DNR, 3DNR, NR by motion, masking, text overlay, HDR
Max. Frame Rate15 FPS
Video Resolution16MP 7680 x 2160 (3.5:1)
SensorDual 1/1.8″ 8MP
Lens(2) Fixed focal length
Night ModeBuilt-in IR LED illumination and IR cut filter
Max. Power Consumption15W
Supported Voltage Range37—57V DC
Power MethodPoE+
ProcessorQuad-core Arm® Cortex®-A53 based chip
Weight839 g (1.8 lb)
Enclosure MaterialAluminum alloy, polycarbonate
Mount MaterialPolycarbonate, stainless steel
Expansion SlotMicroSD card
Button(1) Factory-reset
Ambient Operating Temperature-20 to 50º C (-4 to 122º F)
Ambient Operating Humidity0 to 90% noncondensing
NDAA CompliantYes
CertificationsCE, FCC, IC

Reolink Argus 4 Pro Specification

SpecificationReolink Argus 4 Pro
Coverage180° in 4K
Night VisionTrue full-colour night vision in dim lighting (via 3x 2W 6500K spotlights)
Image Sensor1/1.8″ CMOS sensor
Resolution5120 × 1440 (8MP) @15fps
Lens4 mm, fixed
Field of ViewH: 180°, V: 50°
Infrared Night VisionNo
Color Night VisionYes, with spotlights
Frame RateMain: 10–15 fps (default 15 fps); Sub: 10–15 fps (default 15 fps)
Video CompressionH.264 / H.265
Code RateMain: 1024–4096 Kbps (default 2048 Kbps), Sub: 256–1024 Kbps (default 512 Kbps)
AudioTwo-way audio (built-in mic and speaker)
Battery5000mAh rechargeable (life depends on settings/usage/temp)
Solar PowerCompatible with Reolink Solar Panel 2 (6W)
Power PortUSB Type-C
SD Card SlotMax. 512 GB microSD supported
Reset ButtonYes
BluetoothBluetooth V5.0
Wireless StandardIEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Operating Frequency2.4GHz / 5GHz
Wireless SecurityWPA / WPA2 / WPA3
OS SupportWindows, macOS, iOS, Android
ProtocolsSSL, TCP/IP, UDP, UPNP, SMTP, NTP, P2P, FTP
User AccessMax. 12 streams (2 main, 10 sub)
Smart DetectionPIR, motion, person, vehicle, animal detection
PIR DistanceAdjustable, up to 10m (33 ft)
PIR Angle170° horizontal
Recording ModeTriggered recording
Time LapseYes
Smart AssistantGoogle Assistant
Home Hub CompatibilityYes
Cloud StorageReolink Cloud (selected countries)
Operating Temp-10°C to 55°C (14°F to 131°F)
Operating Humidity20% to 85%
Weatherproof RatingIP66
Dimensions128 × 87 × 80 mm
Weight400 g
Warranty2-year limited warranty

Hikvision DS-2CD2T87G2P-LSU/SL Specification

SpecificationHikvision DS-2CD2T87G2P-LSU/SL
Image Sensor2 × 1/1.8″ Progressive Scan CMOS
Max. Resolution5120 × 1440
Min. IlluminationColor: 0.0005 Lux @ (F1.0, AGC ON), 0 Lux with light
Shutter Time1/3 s to 1/100,000 s
Angle AdjustmentPan: 0° to 355°, Tilt: 0° to 90°, Rotate: 0° to 360°
Lens TypeFixed focal lens, dual lens: 4 mm
Focal Length & FOV4 mm, H: 180°, V: 44°
Lens MountM16
Iris TypeFixed
ApertureF1.0
Depth of Field3.6 m to ∞
DORI4 mm, D: 77 m, O: 30 m, R: 15 m, I: 7 m
Supplement Light TypeWhite Light
Supplement Light RangeUp to 40 m
Smart Supplement LightYes
Main Stream5120 × 1440 @ 12.5/15 fps (WDR On), 20 fps (WDR Off)
Sub-Stream1920 × 536, 960 × 272 @ 12.5/15 fps (WDR On), 20 fps (WDR Off)
Video CompressionMain: H.265+/H.265/H.264+/H.264, Sub: H.265/H.264/MJPEG
Video Bit Rate32 Kbps to 16 Mbps
H.264 TypeBaseline, Main, High Profile
H.265 TypeMain Profile
Bit Rate ControlCBR, VBR
Scalable Video CodingH.264 and H.265
ROI1 fixed region (main stream)
Audio TypeMono
Audio CompressionG.711, G.722.1, G.726, MP2L2, PCM, MP3, AAC-LC
Audio Bit RateVaries from 8 Kbps to 320 Kbps
Audio Sampling Rate8/16/32/44.1/48 kHz
Environment Noise FilteringYes
Network ProtocolsTCP/IP, ICMP, HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, DHCP, DNS, DDNS, etc.
Simultaneous Live ViewUp to 6 channels
APIONVIF (S, G, T), ISAPI, SDK, ISUP
UsersUp to 32 users (admin, operator, user)
SecurityPassword protection, HTTPS, 802.1X, TLS 1.2, etc.
Network StorageNAS, ANR, NVR, encrypted SD card
ClientiVMS-4200, Hik-Connect, Hik-Central
Web BrowserIE 10/11 (plugin), Chrome/Firefox/Edge (no plugin)
Image SettingsBrightness, Contrast, Saturation, etc.
Day/Night SwitchDay, Night, Auto, Schedule
WDR130 dB
SNR≥ 52 dB
Image EnhancementBLC, HLC, 3D DNR
Privacy Mask8 zones
Ethernet1 × RJ45 10/100M
On-Board StoragemicroSD/SDHC/SDXC up to 512 GB
MicrophoneBuilt-in
SpeakerMax 1 W, 97 dB @10 cm
Audio I/O1 in / 1 out, terminal block
Alarm I/O1 input / 1 output
Reset KeyYes
EventsMotion, alarm I/O, flashing light, audio output
Smart EventsScene change detection
LinkageFTP, NAS, SD, email, alarm, record, capture
Perimeter ProtectionLine crossing, intrusion, human/vehicle
Power12VDC ±25% / PoE (802.3af)
MaterialMetal (body, bracket)
Dimensions118.6 × 105.1 × 305.4 mm
Package Dimensions405 × 190 × 180 mm
Weight1420 g (2228 g with package)
Operating Conditions-30 °C to 60 °C, 95% RH
Languages33 languages including English, Russian, German, etc.
General FunctionsAnti-banding, heartbeat, password reset, etc.
Flashing LightYes
EMCFCC, CE, RCM, IC
SafetyUL, CB, CE-LVD
Environmental ComplianceRoHS, WEEE, REACH
ProtectionIP67
Paul MacMillan

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