A 5MP CCTV camera records about 2592 × 1944 pixels, roughly five million pixels in a 4:3 frame. A 4MP camera records 2688 × 1520 in 16:9, and an 8MP (4K) camera records 3840 × 2160. In practice, the step from 4MP to 5MP adds height to the picture rather than horizontal detail. This guide explains when 5MP is the right choice, what the recorder must support, and which 5MP models are actually listed on AZEIDK’s Saudi product pages, with a clear note on what is not.
Key takeaways
- A 5MP camera such as the Dahua IPC-HFW2531T-ZS-S2 records 2592 × 1944; a 4MP camera such as the Hikvision DS-2CD2T46G2 records 2688 × 1520.
- Image width is almost the same; 5MP gains about 28% more vertical lines, so it covers more of the scene’s height.
- If you need sharper faces or number plates at longer range, 8MP is what raises horizontal pixel density.
- Check that the recorder actually records 5MP, not only that it accepts a 5MP signal.
- There is currently no 5MP Hikvision camera on AZEIDK’s pages; the 5MP options listed are from Dahua.
What does a 5MP CCTV camera mean?
The figure is the number of pixels in one frame. The datasheet for the Dahua IPC-HFW2531T-ZS-S2 network camera gives a maximum resolution of 2592 × 1944, about 5.04 million pixels. That is a 4:3 frame, closer to square than the 16:9 frame used by most 2MP, 4MP and 8MP cameras.
So the megapixel number alone can mislead. The Hikvision 4MP DS-2CD2T46G2-2I/4I is 2688 pixels wide, slightly wider than the 5MP camera’s 2592. The 8MP DS-2CD2087G2-L(U) is 3840 pixels wide.
5MP vs 4MP vs 8MP: the numbers
The table compares three cameras listed on AZEIDK’s pages. The density column is for a scene 10 m wide (horizontal pixels ÷ 10), assuming each camera is set to the same scene width. Use it for comparison only.
| Resolution | Example on AZEIDK pages | Frame size | Aspect | Pixels per metre, 10 m wide scene |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4MP | Hikvision DS-2CD2T46G2-2I/4I | 2688 × 1520 | 16:9 | approx. 269 |
| 5MP | Dahua IPC-HFW2531T-ZS-S2 | 2592 × 1944 | 4:3 | approx. 259 |
| 8MP (4K) | Hikvision DS-2CD2087G2-L(U) | 3840 × 2160 | 16:9 | approx. 384 |
Reading it: across the same width, horizontal detail from 5MP is close to 4MP. What changes is height. For a scene 10 m wide, a 4:3 frame covers about 7.5 m of height, against about 5.7 m for the 16:9 4MP frame. For a lens-and-distance calculation of pixel density on target, see our guides to 4K CCTV cameras (8MP) and CCTV coverage.
When to choose 5MP over 4MP or 8MP
5MP suits places where the height of the scene matters as much as its width:
- Long corridors and warehouse racking aisles, where you want the floor and the top shelves in one frame.
- Entrances and doors, where a person should appear head to toe.
- Stairs, ramps and car park gates, where the view runs vertically.
- Sites that need a motorized varifocal lens to set the field of view after installation.
If the aim is reading number plates or recognising faces further away, or covering a wide yard with one camera, 8MP is the stronger choice: it has about 43% more horizontal pixels than 4MP (3840 against 2688). In small rooms and short corridors 4MP is usually enough. The final decision comes from the site survey and the coverage plan.
5MP Dahua cameras listed by AZEIDK
We checked the CCTV product pages on AZEIDK’s Saudi site. The 5MP options are from Dahua:
Dahua IPC-HFW2531T-ZS-S2: outdoor 5MP IP bullet
According to the product page, this is a Lite-series network bullet with a 1/2.7″ CMOS sensor at 2592 × 1944, a 2.7–13.5 mm motorized varifocal lens at F1.5 and IR up to 60 m. It supports H.265 and H.264, basic line-crossing and intrusion rules, and runs on 12 VDC or PoE (802.3af) at under 9.9 W, with IP67 protection and an operating range of -30 °C to +60 °C. That makes it a fit for car parks, fences and gates.
Dahua PoC Series (HDCVI)
The series page lists 5MP and 1080P resolutions. The camera is powered by the recorder over the same coaxial cable that carries the video, up to 400 m for AF cameras and 200 m for AT cameras. It suits upgrades of older coax systems, but it needs a recorder that supports PoC and HDCVI at that resolution.
Dahua WizMind 5 Series
The series page lists 8MP, 5MP, 4MP and 2MP within Dahua’s project-oriented AI network cameras. The exact 5MP model is chosen from the official datasheet by housing, lens and lighting.
On Hikvision: AZEIDK’s pages do not currently list a 5MP Hikvision camera. The Hikvision cameras shown are other resolutions, such as 2MP, 4MP and 8MP. If you are searching for a Hikvision 5MP camera with 40 m night vision, the nearest listed option is the 8MP DS-2CD2087G2-L(U) with white light up to 40 m. For a general brand comparison, see Hikvision vs Dahua.
Will your recorder really record 5MP?
This is the most common mistake. Accepting a signal is not the same as recording it at that resolution. Two examples from AZEIDK’s pages:
| Recorder | Accepts | Records |
|---|---|---|
| Hikvision DS-7608NXI-K1(B) (NVR) | 8 IP cameras, 80 Mbps incoming bandwidth | Recording resolution includes 12, 8, 6, 5 and 4MP and lower |
| Hikvision DS-E04HQHI-B (DVR) | HDTVI up to 5MP at 20 fps, AHD/HDCVI up to 4MP, one IP channel up to 6MP | Listed encoding resolution: 4MP Lite, 1080p and lower |
With the NVR, a 5MP IP camera is recorded at full resolution. The datasheet does not state how many 5MP channels it decodes at once for live view; it gives one channel at 12MP, two at 8MP or four at 4MP (AI off). With the DVR above, a 5MP analog camera is accepted but the listed encoding stops at 4MP Lite, and a 5MP HDCVI camera is above the stated input limit for that format. When pairing a Dahua camera with a Hikvision recorder, confirm compatibility in both datasheets before ordering. Our CCTV recorder guide covers the rest of the selection.
Storage and network for 5MP cameras
Drive capacity depends on bitrate, retention days and recording mode, not on megapixels alone. H.265, which the camera supports, reduces file size compared with H.264. Work from the cameras’ actual settings with the CCTV storage calculator, and see the method in CCTV storage and bandwidth calculation. On the network side, keep the total bitrate within the recorder’s incoming bandwidth and check that the PoE budget of the switch or NVR covers every camera.
5MP CCTV camera price: what drives it
We do not quote fixed prices because they depend on the project. The cost drivers are:
- Camera type: IP or HDCVI, fixed lens or motorized varifocal.
- Night performance: IR or white-light range, and smart analytics.
- The recorder: channels, 5MP recording support, PoE ports and drive bays.
- Storage for the retention period, cable lengths and how hard the cable routes are.
For a quotation that matches your site, send the layout and the number of camera points to AZEIDK’s security and surveillance systems team.
Frequently asked questions
Is 5MP sharper than 4MP?
Not necessarily. Width is almost the same (2592 against 2688 pixels), so horizontal detail is similar across the same scene width. 5MP adds frame height through its 4:3 shape.
What is the difference between 5MP and 8MP?
8MP (3840 × 2160) has about 48% more horizontal pixels than 5MP, so it holds detail further away, but it needs more storage and decoding capacity.
Which 5MP Dahua cameras are available?
On AZEIDK’s pages: the IPC-HFW2531T-ZS-S2 network camera, the HDCVI PoC Series and the WizMind 5 Series, which lists 5MP among its resolutions.
Is there a Hikvision 5MP camera with 40 m night vision?
AZEIDK’s pages do not currently list a 5MP Hikvision camera. The listed option with 40 m illumination is the 8MP DS-2CD2087G2-L(U).
Does every recorder record 5MP cameras?
No. Check the recording or encoding resolution in the datasheet, not only the input. Some DVRs accept 5MP and record at a lower resolution.
Where does an outdoor 5MP camera work best?
Entrances, corridors and car parks where the view runs vertically, with at least IP67 protection as on the IPC-HFW2531T-ZS-S2.
Summary
A 5MP CCTV camera is a useful middle option when scene height matters, but it adds little horizontal detail over 4MP. When range and detail are the goal, 8MP fits better; in small spaces 4MP is enough. In every case, start from the coverage plan and confirm that the recorder actually records the resolution you are buying.
Choosing between 4MP, 5MP and 8MP for a project? Send the layout, camera positions and retention period, and our team will propose the camera, recorder and storage. Talk to the AZEIDK team
