Introduction: Meet the DS-2CD2566G2-IS(4mm)(C) 6 MP AcuSense Mini‑Dome
The DS-2CD2566G2-IS(4mm)(C) is a compact fixed mini‑dome IP camera designed for commercial and small‑to‑medium business surveillance. Part of the Pro/AcuSense family, this 6 MP (3200 × 1800) camera combines high resolution, advanced low‑light imaging (DarkFighter), and on‑board deep‑learning analytics to deliver clearer images and smarter alarms. The “-IS” variant adds a built‑in microphone plus audio and alarm I/O for two‑way audio and external alarm integration. With PoE or 12 VDC power options, vandal/weather protection (IP67/IK08), and IR up to 30 m, it’s a versatile choice for perimeter, car park and retail exterior monitoring. The suggested retail price is approximately $169.99, making it a competitive option for projects that need modern video intelligence without large hardware costs.
Key features at a glance
- 6 MP (3200 × 1800) progressive‑scan CMOS for high‑resolution capture
- DarkFighter low‑light technology — retains colour at very low lux
- AcuSense human/vehicle classification using deep‑learning algorithms
- 120 dB Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) and 3D Digital Noise Reduction for challenging light conditions
- Built‑in microphone; audio line in/out and alarm I/O on -IS model for expanded integration
- H.265 / H.265+ / H.264 compression; up to 30 fps at 6 MP resolution
- PoE (IEEE 802.3af) or 12 V DC power; microSD storage up to 512 GB
- Rating: IP67 weatherproof, IK08 vandal resistance
Detailed specifications and benefits
- Lens: Fixed 4 mm, M12 mount, F1.6 — wide enough for many close‑ to mid‑range monitoring scenarios while limiting distortion.
- Field of view: Horizontal 78°, Vertical 38°, Diagonal 96° — delivers a balanced field for entrances, small car parks, and walkways.
- Minimum illumination: Colour 0.003 Lux @ F1.6 (AGC ON); B/W 0 Lux with IR — DarkFighter technology keeps images in colour much deeper into low‑light conditions than traditional sensors.
- 120 dB WDR — handles scenes with bright backlighting and deep shadows to preserve both highlight and shadow detail.
- SNR ≥ 52 dB — good signal‑to‑noise ratio for clearer images in mixed lighting.
Benefit: Together, these optics and imaging features produce usable footage in a wide range of lighting conditions — daytime, strong backlight, twilight and many night situations — reducing the chance that critical events are lost in shadow or blown highlights.
- Frame rate: Up to 30 fps at 3200×1800 (60 Hz regions) / 25 fps (50 Hz) — smooth motion capture for identification tasks.
- Compression: H.265 / H.265+ / H.264 / H.264+ — efficient codecs reduce bandwidth and storage needs without sacrificing image quality when tuned correctly.
- Image features: 3D DNR, BLC, HLC, smart IR — useful tools to cut noise, correct exposure and manage strong lighting sources.
Benefit: Efficient compression and frame‑rate options help keep storage and network costs manageable while preserving the clarity needed for evidence and operational review.
- Built‑in microphone; supports G.711/G.722.1/G.726/MP3/AAC‑LC audio formats.
- microSD storage up to 512 GB and NAS support (NFS, SMB/CIFS) — local and network backup flexibility.
- Alarm I/O on -IS model: 1 alarm input, 1 alarm output (max 12 V DC, 30 mA) — allows external sensors or sirens to integrate directly.
Benefit: Audio and alarm I/O extend the camera’s role beyond passive recording to an integrated security node capable of voice announcements, two‑way interaction and trigger‑based workflows.
- Power: PoE IEEE 802.3af (Class 3) or 12 V DC — flexible powering simplifies installs.
- Network: Standard Ethernet IP camera interfaces — works with mainstream VMS, NVRs and cloud services (validate compatibility).
- Dimensions & weight: Ø110 × 57.4 mm; ≈ 375 g — compact, unobtrusive housing for sheltered or exposed mounts.
- Environmental: Operating −30 °C to 60 °C; humidity ≤ 95% non‑condensing.
- IR range: Up to 30 m (850 nm) for supplemental night illumination.
Benefit: The camera’s compact form, weatherproofing and flexible power options make it straightforward to deploy in many outdoor or semi‑outdoor positions without extensive additional hardware.
Use cases and scenarios where the camera excels
The DS-2CD2566G2-IS(4mm)(C) is targeted at installations that need a mix of image quality, smart analytics and practical integration. Typical scenarios include:
- Perimeter and site security — AcuSense classification (human/vehicle) reduces nuisance alarms from animals, foliage or weather and focuses operator attention on genuine threats.
- Car parks and access lanes — 6 MP resolution is useful for reading number plates at moderate distances and for capturing situational context across a bay.
- Retail exteriors and store fronts — DarkFighter keeps colour and detail at dusk/low ambient lighting, aiding recognition and customer incident review.
- Small campus or branch offices — PoE simplifies cabling; audio and alarm integration supports access control and local alerting workflows.
- Upgrade projects — replaces older 2–4 MP cameras to bring higher resolution and analytics to existing cabling/NVR infrastructure.
Real‑world advantage: The combination of intelligent detection and resilient low‑light imaging means fewer false positives and more actionable footage for security teams and investigators.
How it compares with similar products
When evaluating mini‑dome cameras, buyers often compare across three axes: image quality, analytics/smart features, and environmental/installation robustness. Here’s how this model stacks up in those areas.
Many basic mini‑domes offer 2–4 MP sensors without deep‑learning analytics. Compared to those models, the DS-2CD2566G2-IS delivers higher resolution (6 MP), DarkFighter low‑light colour performance and AcuSense human/vehicle classification — reducing false alarms and improving the usefulness of captured video, particularly at night or in mixed lighting.
8 MP cameras provide more detail at longer distances but at the cost of higher bandwidth and storage. The 6 MP balance here keeps bandwidth and storage needs more modest while still delivering ample detail for identification in many scenarios. If the primary need is very long‑range license plate capture at high detail, an 8 MP or dedicated ANPR camera may be preferable.
Rival manufacturers offer similar feature sets (PoE, WDR, IR, analytics), but differentiation often comes down to the quality of low‑light imaging and the maturity of analytics. The DarkFighter sensor gives this camera an edge in retaining usable colour at low lux versus some competitors that fall back to monochrome earlier. AcuSense classification is comparable to other brands’ deep‑learning packages (Dahua’s AI, Axis analytics, etc.), but integration with existing VMS and product ecosystem should guide the final choice.
Customer feedback and reviews
There are no named customer testimonials supplied with the technical materials for this model. Based on common field reports for cameras with similar feature sets, installers and end users typically highlight the following points:
- Positive: Noticeably clearer night‑time colour with DarkFighter compared with older cameras; meaningful reduction in false alarms where AcuSense classification is enabled.
- Positive: Easy PoE deployment and compact form factor that fits under eaves and in compact housings.
- Neutral: Some integrators note that to fully benefit from analytics and compression settings, firmware tuning and VMS configuration are important — not all out‑of‑the‑box settings are ideal for every site.
- Neutral/negative: Like many modern cameras, reliance on vendor‑specific features means verifying compatibility with third‑party NVRs or cloud platforms before purchase.
Recommendation: Ask your supplier or installer for sample recordings (day/night) and a short trial on site where possible — that gives the clearest evidence of real performance in your environment.
Conclusion: Why choose the DS-2CD2566G2-IS(4mm)(C)?
The DS-2CD2566G2-IS(4mm)(C) represents a practical balance of resolution, intelligent analytics and environmental durability at a competitive price point. Its key strengths are the DarkFighter low‑light performance that preserves colour in dim conditions, built‑in AcuSense human/vehicle classification to cut false alarms, and integrated audio/alarm I/O for richer, more responsive installations. For commercial and SMB sites that need reliable daytime and low‑light performance, smarter motion detection, and flexible installation options (PoE/12 VDC), this mini‑dome is an efficient, cost‑conscious choice.
Before purchase, verify regional compliance markings and confirm the meaning of the “(C)” SKU suffix with your distributor. Also consider your storage and VMS strategy to optimise compression and analytics settings for best results. With correct integration and placement, the DS-2CD2566G2-IS(4mm)(C) can significantly improve situational awareness and reduce operational costs related to false alarms and unusable night footage.
