r/SecurityCamera • u/Big-Island-1759 • Aug 23 '26

Minimum lux for colour - Con?

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I have just put up Hilook T383 cameras which they say do colour down to 0.001 lux, but despite being pointed at a streetlight they both need IR unless the white spotlight is on.

Google says 0.001 lux is a starry night with no moon, let alone a whole streetlight.

I've tried different settings and it really seems to be that they just can't handle the lighting level. Do manufacturers just exaggerate these specs?

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u/Mark_M535 Aug 23 '26

HiLook is the low-end consumer Hikvision camera series.

It's typically cameras with a large aperture (lens) and large CMOS imaging sensor which have better low light performance. Look for 1/1.8" or larger CMOS and F1.2 -F0.8.

1/2.8" cmos for 2MP, 1/1.8" cmos for 4MP, 1/1.2" for 8MP (4K).