Hikvision 8MP Ultra Series Turret Camera, 2.8mm, Dual‑Illumination, PoE DS-2CD3386G3-LISUY

Introduction: Meet the Hikvision 8MP Ultra Series Turret Camera

The Hikvision DS-2CD3386G3-LISUY is a high-performance 8 MP (4K) fixed turret IP camera in Hikvisions Ultra (G3) family. Designed for demanding outdoor and high-end indoor surveillance, this 2.8 mm turret combines a large 1/1.8" progressive CMOS sensor, dual-illumination (IR plus white light) and on-device artificial intelligence to deliver clear, actionable video day and night. With PoE power, HEOP (Hikvision Embedded Open Platform) support for third-party apps, and an IP67-rated housing, the DS-2CD3386G3-LISUY is positioned for professional installations that need ultra-high resolution, reliable night colour and advanced analytics.

Key features at a glance

• 8 MP (3840 × 2160) 4K resolutionat up to 25/30 fps for exceptional scene detail.
• Dual-illumination:integrated IR and white light provide colour imaging at night up to ~40 m.
• On-device AI:person and vehicle classification, face capture, people counting and perimeter protection.
• HEOP open platform:1.5 TOPS computing power supports third-party AI frameworks (Caffe, PyTorch, TensorFlow, ONNX).
• Flexible power and compression:PoE (IEEE 802.3af, Class 3) or 12 VDC; H.265+/H.265/H.264+/H.264 codecs.
• Rugged build:IP67 ingress protection (with -Y anti-corrosion variants/NEMA 4X) and operating range down to -30 °C.

Detailed specifications and benefits

The DS-2CD3386G3-LISUY packs advanced imaging and hardware into a compact turret form factor. Key specification areas and the practical benefits they deliver are summarized below.

• Sensor and resolution:A 1/1.8" progressive-scan CMOS sensor captures 8 MP (3840 × 2160) images. The 4K resolution is invaluable for identifying small details such as license plates, facial features and signage across a wide scene.
• Lens and field of view:The fixed 2.8 mm F1.0 lens provides a wide horizontal FOV (~108.8°) for broad coverage, making a single camera well-suited to entrances, lobbies and parking areas.
• Low-light sensitivity and dual-illumination:With a minimum illumination spec in the sub-millilux range and supplementary lighting, the camera can deliver usable colour images in near-dark conditions. The combination of IR and white light (up to 40 m) enables automatic switching or hybrid lighting strategies to maintain detail and colour for identification after sunset.
• WDR and noise reduction:Scene-adaptive 130 dB WDR, 3D DNR, BLC/HLC and defog functions reduce glare, motion noise and challenging lighting artifacts for clearer, more reliable footage.

• Efficient codecs:H.265+/H.265 deliver significant bandwidth and storage savings versus legacy H.264 while retaining high detail at 4K.
• Multi-streaming:Allows a high-resolution main stream for recording and lower-resolution streams for remote monitoring or mobile clients, optimizing network use.
• Local and network storage:MicroSD up to 512 GB, NAS (NFS/SMB) and ANR (automatic network recovery) support give installers flexible retention options.

• On-device analytics:Person/vehicle classification, perimeter protection and people counting reduce false alarms and enable smarter event-based recording.
• HEOP platform (1.5 TOPS):The embedded open platform enables custom AI apps or updates using popular frameworks (Caffe, PyTorch, TensorFlow, ONNX), future-proofing deployments and enabling specialised analytics at the camera edge.

• Network protocols:10/100 Mbps RJ45 with ONVIF Profiles S/T/G and Hikvision SDK/ISAPI compatibility integrates with many VMS and NVR systems.
• Audio:Built-in dual microphones enhance evidence capture; some variants include audio I/O and a speaker for two-way or deterrence functions.

• Power options:PoE (IEEE 802.3af Class 3) simplifies installation by combining data and power on a single cable; 12 VDC is also supported where PoE is not used.
• Durability:Rated for -30 °C to 60 °C and IP67 ingress protection (with anti-corrosion -Y variants/NEMA 4X available), the camera suits exposed outdoor locations with harsh weather and coastal environments.

Use cases and scenarios where the camera excels

The DS-2CD3386G3-LISUY is versatile and particularly strong in scenarios needing high resolution, reliable night colour and smart analytics:

• Retail entrances and storefronts:4K detail helps capture faces and items of interest while people counting supports footfall analytics and staffing decisions.
• Parking lots and perimeter monitoring:Wide FOV and dual-illumination make it easier to detect and identify vehicles and intruders at night without constant floodlighting.
• Commercial building façades and campus security:High resolution and long-range illumination provide a strong deterrent and evidence-gathering capability for large properties.
• Transportation hubs and public spaces:On-device AI reduces false alarms while enabling real-time alerts for safety or security incidents.
• High-end residential installations:For homeowners wanting professional-grade surveillance with colour night capture and discreet turret styling.

Comparisons with similar products on the market

In the 4K turret camera category, the Hikvision DS-2CD3386G3-LISUY competes with other manufacturers 4K outdoor fixed dome/turret models. Key comparative points to consider:

• Image sensor and low-light performance:The 1/1.8" sensor and F1.0 lens provide above-average low-light sensitivity. Some competitors use smaller sensors or slower apertures, which can reduce image quality in dim conditions unless they rely solely on IR.
• Dual-illumination:The combined IR + white light approach gives colour imaging at night, an advantage over IR-only models that only provide monochrome footage after dark. This is particularly useful when colour information (clothing, car colour) is important.
• On-device AI and HEOP:Many cameras offer basic analytics; the HEOP open platform and 1.5 TOPS compute allow more advanced or custom AI workloads at the edge, which some competitors may not support or may only offer via cloud services.
• Integration and standards:ONVIF support and Hikvisions broad ecosystem make integration straightforward. Some competing brands may offer similar support but differ in VMS compatibility or third-party app marketplaces.
• Price and value:At a suggested retail price around $479.99, the DS-2CD3386G3-LISUY positions itself as a high-value pro-sumer/professional option—higher than basic 4K models but competitive given the dual-illumination and HEOP capabilities.

Customer feedback and installer notes

While individual reviews vary by installer and deployment, common themes from professional installers and end users include:

• Installers appreciate the wide field of view and the flexibility of PoE for simpler cabling in retrofit and new installations.
• Security managers report improved identification rates at night thanks to the hybrid white-light option, reducing reliance on additional scene lighting.
• IT teams note the benefit of efficient H.265+ compression for conserving network bandwidth when streaming multiple 4K cameras.
• Some users advise verifying the exact SKU before purchase (variants such as -SL, -Y change features like strobe/siren or anti-corrosion housing) and confirm local firmware/authorization requirements for Hikvision products.

Conclusion: Why choose the DS-2CD3386G3-LISUY?

The Hikvision DS-2CD3386G3-LISUY turret camera is a compelling choice for customers who need professional-grade 4K surveillance with reliable night-time colour, on-device AI and flexible deployment options. Its combination of a large sensor, fast lens, dual-illumination and HEOP-enabled analytics sets it apart from many entry-level 4K cameras. For commercial properties, parking areas, retail environments and discerning residential installations, this camera delivers the image quality and intelligence required to detect, identify and respond to incidents effectively.

When planning a deployment, consider engaging a professional installer to ensure correct mounting, power provisioning (PoE vs 12 VDC), cable protection and local regulatory compliance. Also confirm the precise model variant to match your environmental and feature needs. With those considerations in place, the DS-2CD3386G3-LISUY can be an excellent cornerstone of a modern, high-resolution surveillance system.