Dahua IPC-HFW5421E-Z 4 Megapixel Bullet Motorized lens 2.7-12mm Real WDR POE Network IP Security Camera

When it works it is a very good camera. The 4k picture is clear, video smooth, night illumination easily works to 100ft, HDR works pretty well too. It also has several cool features like tripwire detection - which results in far fewer false positives than simple motion detection outdoors when shadows or branches move. The www UI is a mix of fairly clear basis items, but search and especially snapshot delay, latch, pre-record are somewhat cluttered and confusing, though that is true even for the genuine Dahua.Now the reality check after almost 2 years in service: You get what you pay for. The good news is it still works. But compared to my 6+year old AXIS these cameras are shaky and moody - occasionally forget some configuration, change settings, tripwire works great for 4 weeks then I cannot enable it back no matter what setting I change back and forth, then 2 weeks later starts working when I reset and set back an unrelated setting. Perhaps just a buggy firmware.Dahua recently opened up the firmware files, so yes, I can easily find the matching firmware but so far no upgrade method was successful - nether direct network, nor config tool. The upgrade starts, get stuck at 50%, then just times out. Luckily the camera has no bricked yet.All labels look genuine - i.e., no typos, show real model numbers, UI features mostly match Dahua manuals. But config tool does not recognize the model automatically, only detects it as "IP camera", so these are likely knock-off, though the optics and sensor are quite good.This is the last firmware i tried to update from 2.4 to 2.6 - if anyone had a luck with it on this amazon model please post a comment how.DH_IPC-HX5X2X-Themis_EngSpn_N_Stream3_V2.600.0005.0.R.20161219If you need a simple 4k stream without using any advanced feature I would recommend the camera. If you need any advanced features then look elsewhere, you'll save yourself a lot of time.

I was looking for a Firmware upgrade for my camera and struck out. Dahua will not provide Firmware or instructions for their Cameras. Do your self a favor and look elsewhere for a camera company that will at least provide basic support.

DAHUA products purchased through Amazon will not get technical support from Dahua directly and Amazon doesn't provide any tech support on this cameras make this camera useless for me. Camera doesn't work at all.

great so far