Introduction to the DS-2CE72KF3T 3K ColorVu Turret Camera
The DS-2CE72KF3T ColorVu 3K fixed turret camera is a purpose-built analogue CCTV camera designed to deliver high‑quality, full‑colour surveillance both day and night. With a 1/1.8" 3K CMOS sensor, an F1.0 aperture and integrated white‑light illumination, this compact turret offers exceptional low‑light performance and evidence‑grade colour imaging without the need for expensive lighting upgrades. Weatherproof to IP67 standards and compatible with Turbo HD/TVI systems, it is targeted at installers and end users who want clear colour detail after dark from a robust, easy‑to‑install camera.
Key features at a glance
- 3K (2960 × 1665) resolution for high detail imaging
- ColorVu technology with F1.0 aperture for bright colour in low light
- Fixed 2.8 mm lens providing a very wide horizontal field of view (~112°)
- Built‑in white‑light illumination up to 40 m to retain colour at night
- True WDR ≥130 dB and advanced noise reduction (3D/2D DNR)
- IP67 weatherproof housing suitable for outdoor use
- 12 V DC operation (consumption max ≈5.3 W); PoC/model variants available
Detailed specifications and benefits
The DS-2CE72KF3T combines a high‑sensitivity 1/1.8" 3K sensor with a wide F1.0 lens. The result is a camera capable of producing bright, colour images in lighting conditions where traditional cameras would switch to monochrome IR mode or lose fine detail. The technical highlights and practical benefits include:
- 3K resolution (2960 × 1665)— Delivers greater detail than typical 2 MP cameras, helping to capture facial features, licence plates at moderate distances and other fine scene information.
- Minimum illumination— Rated to 0.0003 Lux @ F1.0 (AGC ON), and 0 Lux when the white light is activated. Practically, that means the camera can maintain true colour imaging in very dim environments and produce vividly coloured images once the white light engages.
- Frame rates— 3K at up to 20 fps; 4 MP and 1080p options at standard analogue frame rates, providing smooth motion capture for most surveillance tasks.
- 2.8 mm fixed lens— Approximately 112° horizontal field of view, ideal for wide areas like entrances, driveways and retail floors. A 3.6 mm variant is also available for slightly narrower coverage.
- F1.0 aperture— Very wide aperture improves light gathering, enabling the ColorVu technology to produce clear colour images in low light.
- White light up to 40 m— When required, the integrated white light provides colour illumination for longer night distances than typical supplementary LEDs, improving identification and evidence usability.
- True WDR ≥130 dB— Balances scenes with bright and dark areas, such as entrances under backlighting, to preserve detail in both highlights and shadows.
- Noise reduction— 3D/2D DNR reduces low‑light noise for cleaner images and improves compression efficiency.
- Additional features— BLC/HLC, privacy masks (4), motion detection and OSD make the camera flexible for many installation scenarios.
- IP67 ingress protection— Fully sealed against dust and water, allowing outdoor mounting in exposed locations.
- Construction— Metal main body with plastic enclosure, compact dimensions (Φ 109.98 mm × 98.27 mm) and weight ≈350 g make for easy handling and low‑profile installation.
- Power— 12 V DC ±25% with a maximum consumption of about 5.3 W. Certain variants (LE/LS/LSYE) add PoC, dual‑light or audio capabilities — confirm suffix before purchase.
- Operating range— Rated for –40 °C to 50 °C and up to 90% relative humidity (non‑condensing), suitable for most climates.
Use cases and scenarios where the camera excels
The DS-2CE72KF3T is particularly well suited to installations where colour information at night significantly improves situational awareness or evidential value. Typical scenarios include:
- Car parks and vehicle access points— Colour imaging after dark helps identify vehicle colours and other distinguishing details that are lost with IR‑only cameras.
- Retail entrances and forecourts— Wide FOV allows a single turret to cover an entrance and adjacent walkways; colour night images assist with incident investigations and customer safety.
- Residential perimeters and driveways— Compact form and IP67 rating make it an unobtrusive yet resilient choice for home security where night‑time colour evidence is desirable.
- Small commercial properties and warehouses— The combination of WDR and ColorVu technology ensures readable footage in mixed lighting and low‑light conditions across loading bays and external perimeters.
- Budget‑sensitive upgrades— For sites with existing analogue cabling, replacing legacy cameras with this ColorVu turret provides a significant night‑time imaging upgrade without full IP conversion.
How it compares with similar products
Understanding where the DS-2CE72KF3T stands in the market helps clarify whether it is the right choice for your project. The main comparisons are between:
Compared with standard analogue cameras that rely on IR, the DS-2CE72KF3T’s ColorVu approach maintains colour information in dim lighting and uses white light when extra illumination is needed. Standard IR cameras will typically switch to monochrome at night; this camera preserves colour evidence (vehicle colour, clothing, signage) that can be decisive in investigations.
Analogue Turbo HD/TVI units like the DS-2CE72KF3T offer simpler upgrades for sites with existing coaxial cabling and typically lower upfront system costs compared with IP solutions. IP cameras provide greater flexibility, higher maximum resolutions and advanced analytics in many cases, but require network infrastructure, potentially more storage and IT overhead. The DS-2CE72KF3T is a cost‑effective middle ground if you want modern low‑light performance without replacing cabling and VMS/NVR ecosystems.
Within the ColorVu family and competitor products, key differentiators are sensor size, aperture, white‑light distance, form factor and available variants. The DS-2CE72KF3T’s 1/1.8" 3K sensor and F1.0 lens place it toward the higher end of analogue ColorVu offerings for low‑light colour retention and image detail. If you need longer ranges or higher networked resolution, consider IP ColorVu options; if you need smaller, lower‑cost cameras, some 2 MP ColorVu turret models will be cheaper but offer less fine detail.
Customer feedback and installer impressions
Official public testimonials for specific SKUs may vary by region and reseller. In general, installer and end‑user feedback for ColorVu products over time has emphasised:
- Significant improvement in night‑time identification compared with conventional IR cameras, especially for vehicle colours and clothing.
- Ease of installation for analogue upgrades — minimal changes to existing cabling and power setups.
- Positive comments about the compact turret form factor and weather resistance for outdoor placements.
When selecting a variant, some installers advise confirming whether PoC, audio or dual‑light features are required (LE/LS/LSYE suffixes) to avoid later returns. As with any CCTV purchase, proper positioning and tuning (exposure/WDR settings) are essential to get the best results from the ColorVu system.
Conclusion: Why choose the DS-2CE72KF3T?
The DS-2CE72KF3T 3K ColorVu turret camera is a compelling choice for those who need colour‑accurate, high‑detail surveillance in low light while keeping installation simple and cost effective. Its combination of a large 3K sensor, bright F1.0 optics, long‑range white light and robust image processing (True WDR ≥130 dB, 3D/2D DNR) makes it effective across a wide set of scenarios — from business entrances and car parks to residential perimeters and retrofit projects.
Choose this model if you want a weatherproof, compact analogue camera that significantly improves night‑time evidence capture without migrating to a full IP system. Confirm the exact variant and features you need (PoC, audio, dual‑light) before purchase, and use a suitably rated 12 V DC supply or approved PoC adapter where supported to ensure a safe and compliant installation.
Overall, the DS-2CE72KF3T delivers a strong balance of image quality, low‑light performance and practical value for many CCTV applications where colour at night can make the difference between a usable and unusable recording.
