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Reolink RLC-523WA PTZ camera review rating
Generalize
Reolink RLC-523WA is an impressive camera. Thanks to its 5x optical zoom, the installation position is flexible and suitable for multiple purposes. The automatic tracking is particularly impressive. The main disadvantage is its sheer size.
advantage
- Automatic tracking of people or cars works well and significantly improves the usable shots you get with uninvited guests
- The spotlight is very bright, which can both act as a deterrent and provide color night video
- Considering the amount of technology you have acquired, the price is reasonable
shortcoming
- Physically very large, so it may be a bit obtrusive to some people’s tastes
If not all, I have reviewed most of the new ones Reolink camera This year, the new WiFi RLC-523WA is one of the more interesting products (although the 8MP POE RLC-823A is more like my cup of tea).
In the past year, all the technologies we have seen from Reolink, including object detection and spotlights with color night vision, are full of this. They have 5x zoom and PTZ function to automatically track people/vehicles.
Specification
- Image Sensor: 1/2.7″ CMOS sensor
- Video resolution: Default value: 2560 x 1920 (5.0 megapixels), 20 frames per second
- lens: f=2.7-13.5mm F=1.6-3.3, zoom module
- Video format: H.264
- Vision
- Sooner or later: Infrared cut filter with automatic switching function
- Infrared night vision: Up to 60 meters (190 feet) (LED: 4pcs/28mil/850nm)
- Color night vision: Spotlight: 3pcs/5700K/945 lumens
- Vocal: Two audio channels
- strength: DC power interface (non-POE)
- Ethernet: 1 10M/100Mbps RJ45
- Store：MicroSD card slot (maximum 256GB)
- Vocal: Built-in microphone and speaker
- Pan and tilt range: Pan: 360°, Tilt: 0°~90°
- Translation speed：2.5°-150°/s (speed can be set)
- Tilt speed：1.5°-60°/s (speed can be set)
- patrol: 1 patrol team; up to 16 presets per patrol
- size: 136 x 136 x 201mm
- weight: 1.8kg
Design Features
This is very unique to the Reolink series, so it is worth emphasizing on functionality and overall design.
This is a PTZ camera, which means that the camera can rotate left and right, pan left and right, and move up and down. It also has a 5x optical zoom, allowing you to position the camera high on your property, but still get high-quality ground coverage.
Then the camera is equipped with a spotlight to enable color night vision. It is not as good as the native color night vision devices used by Hikvision cameras and their white label subsidiaries. However, the spotlight itself is a good deterrent for anyone who enters your property without permission.
Like the recent Reolink camera, it has human and vehicle detection capabilities. Then use it with pan and tilt to automatically track objects.
This is one of Reolink’s WiFi options, so the resolution is 5MP and it is powered through the DC port. There is Ethernet, but this is only for data.
Thanks to the PTZ, spotlight, and zoom functions, the end result is a physically huge camera. I think it’s important to be aware of this before buying, because I suspect that many people don’t want such a big thing in front of their house.
set up
Due to its huge size, I could not find it in my usual test location, covering the front of my garden. This could have provided some good automatic tracking opportunities, but it is the case.
The camera uses four screw holes for mounting like many other bullet cameras, making it slightly less troublesome than a dome camera. I found that this design makes it a bit difficult to use standard size drills on the screws, so it is not completely problem-free.
When my camera is placed at a fairly low position, I find that the vertical tilt is not very high, so if I zoom in, it will zoom out to the floor. I think most people will install it at a height higher than the head, so I suspect this is a problem for many people.
Other than that, the settings are roughly the same as all other Reolink cameras. Scan the QR code and follow the instructions.
set up
Most settings are also the same as all other Reolink cameras. The main difference is that you can now detect the automatic tracking switch. You can then set it up to track people and/or cars.
Not in the main settings, but under the PTZ option, you have various additional options. The main thing for me is the protection point with automatic return. This defines where you want to watch by default. After the tracking is completed, it will return to the location after the preset time.
You can also set various preset points to make it easier for you to control the PTZ, instead of pressing the direction buttons until it is at the position you want. You can set 64 presets.
Then there is a cruise path (I think this is the same as the patrol in the app) that allows you to set the camera to pan and tilt on its own, thus providing a wide range of surveillance coverage. This is a preset setting, you can define how fast it moves to the point and how long it stays in the point.
Motion detection
For me, the main feature of this camera is the automatic tracking of pan/tilt when detecting objects. Because it was set up in my back garden, I only set it up for people. It works as expected, and it runs well.
For still cameras, it’s not uncommon for the camera to recognize someone, but you don’t really capture too much detail because they are moving too fast on the path or just how to orient themselves. With this, you have a greater opportunity to capture the detailed information of any person or vehicle entering your property.
The translation is not 100% smooth, it sees someone, moves a little, and then moves more as they move in the field of view. But the overall result is valid.
Day/night video quality
The overall video quality during the day and night is approximately the standard of a Reolink 5MP camera. It is usually good enough and I am satisfied with it, but obviously, 8MP or more expensive brands can provide better quality.
Night shots benefit from the spotlight that is activated when motion detection is turned on. This then provides a color image. You can choose to make the spotlight appear as planned.
The two long clips are exported from the NVR, so not much happens in them. Sorry for that. I uploaded two shorter clips showing auto tracking and color night vision.
Prices and alternatives
The suggested retail price of Reolink RLC-523WA is £256.99, and the discounted price I wrote for this article is £192.74.
As always, Reolink does not have many ways to compete, and it is definitely not a brand I am familiar with.
The best option seems to be the SV3C PTZ camera, which is priced at £160 on Amazon, but with a 20% discount. It has pretty good reviews and almost the same specifications as this Reolink. If you are already in the Reolink ecosystem, then I will ignore it, but if you use ONVIF Blue iris,worth considering.
Another option worth considering is Reolink DUO, You obviously don’t get the PTZ, but it has a 150-degree viewing angle, and I might cover the tilt/tilt camera field of view that most people want. The WiFi model is cheaper, but the POE model is much cheaper. Although its appearance is unusual, it is not as obtrusive as this PTZ camera. The main disadvantage is that there is no zoom.
overall
Like Reolink, the RLC-523WA is an excellent camera that provides a lot of features at a reasonable price.
Auto tracking PTZ is the main feature I like about this camera, and it works well in my scene. However, many people may like the patrol function, allowing them to cover important areas with only one camera.
As a commercial camera, this may also be attractive, but in this case, I might prefer the 8MP POE model. In a business environment, the size of the camera may not be an issue.
