Axis Communications AXIS M5526-E 4MP Indoor/Outdoor PTZ Camera with 10x Zoom

A great, albeit expensive, PTZ camera. The optical zoom is quite good, and I was surprised at the clarity of the image when fully zoomed-in. I purchased the AXIS TQ5001-E Wall mount from Amazon to go with it. The camera and mount are large and heavy, so be aware. The camera only comes in white, but I needed black. That was no problem for the camera - and there are instructions for repainting on the manufactures web site. Paint adhered to the camera shell very well.The issue I had was that the mount only came in white. Attempts to paint it failed, as paint (even with primer), did not adhere. Fortunately, I knew a place that powder coated and took it there. That did the trick and now the whole unit is black and mounts relatively discretely.The camera is large, and not inconspicuous. I tucked it up in between deck joists and that gets it out of the way. Still, if you are looking for something discrete, this is more of a commercial solution.Note that this camera has no illumination (That wasn't completely clear from the online information). I would have hoped that something this expensive would have had some semblance of illumination. Especially since the PTZ function allows it to look 360 degrees. I ended-up purchasing an external Illuminator. I ended-up pointing the illuminator at a wall and bouncing the IR off the wall into the surrounding area. That allowed me to illuminate the entire 360 degree field of view while discretely placing the illuminator. Not the perfect solution, but totally acceptable.The PTZ function works well. It does not have hard stops or limits in the panning and can rotate without interruption or hard stops.All-in all, it's a very nice camera. Very expensive, but you get what you pay for.

The AXIS M5526-E PTZ Network Camera is a notable predecessor to the M5525-E, offering a blend of performance and versatility that makes it a solid choice for a range of surveillance applications. This camera boasts a 4-megapixel resolution and provides a 360-degree pan and 180-degree tilt capability, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the monitored area.The M5526-E stands out for its excellent image quality, with clear visuals both during the day and at night, thanks to its day/night functionality and advanced image processing technologies. The zoom feature is particularly impressive, offering a 26x optical zoom that captures fine details without compromising clarity.Installation and setup of the M5526-E are user-friendly, with support for Power over Ethernet (PoE), which simplifies cabling and reduces installation costs. The camera's compact and durable design makes it suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments, withstanding harsh weather conditions.Integration with other security systems is seamless, facilitated by its compatibility with various video management software solutions. The camera also includes intelligent features such as motion detection and alarm triggers, enhancing its surveillance capabilities.While the M5526-E may lack some of the advanced analytics and higher resolution of its successor, it remains a reliable and cost-effective solution for businesses and organizations in need of a high-quality PTZ camera with strong zoom capabilities and broad coverage.