Introduction to the Hikvision DS-2DE2C400IWG/W (2.8 mm) 4MP Wi‑Fi PT Camera
The Hikvision DS-2DE2C400IWG/W is a compact outdoor pan/tilt (PT) IP camera designed for wireless perimeter and site surveillance. Delivering 4 MP (2560 × 1440) resolution, EXIR night illumination to around 30 m, two‑way audio and on‑board microSD recording, this camera is aimed at small businesses, retail sites, rental properties and homeowners who want the flexibility of a wireless installation combined with professional surveillance features. With an IP66 weather rating and a wide pan/tilt range, it balances robust outdoor performance with user-friendly connectivity.
Key features at a glance
- High-resolution imaging:4 MP (2560 × 1440) with digital WDR for improved detail in varied lighting.
- Pan & tilt coverage:Pan 0°–345°, tilt 0°–80° with smooth motion and responsive tracking.
- Night vision:EXIR 2.0 infrared illumination to approximately 30 m for low‑light clarity.
- Two‑way audio:Built‑in microphone and speaker for live communication and audible alarms.
- Flexible connectivity:Wi‑Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) plus RJ45 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port; supports Hik‑Connect and ONVIF.
- Local storage:microSD slot supporting up to 512 GB for on‑board recording.
- Outdoor ready:IP66 ingress protection and operating range −30 °C to +50 °C.
Detailed specifications and benefits
Understanding the hardware and what it delivers in real deployments helps explain why the DS-2DE2C400IWG/W is a practical choice for many installations.
- Image sensor: 1/2.9" progressive scan CMOS delivering sharp 4 MP images (2560 × 1440). Benefit: more pixels than 1080p for better identification of faces and licence plates at moderate distances.
- Digital WDR: Improves detail in scenes with mixed lighting (for example, doors or windows with bright backlight).
- Compression and frame rates: Supports H.265/H.264 for bandwidth‑efficient recording; main stream up to 20 fps at full resolution and sub stream up to 25/30 fps at 720p for mobile viewing.
- Lens: 2.8 mm, F1.6 variant — provides a wide field of view (H 91°) suitable for covering broad areas like yards, storefronts or driveways.
- Pan/Tilt: Pan 0°–345° and tilt 0°–80° with pan speeds up to 25°/s and tilt up to 20°/s. Benefit: Rapid repositioning to track activity and reduce blind spots compared to fixed cameras.
- EXIR 2.0 infrared illumination up to approximately 30 m (850 nm). Benefit: Even IR distribution and improved night contrast for reliable perimeter detection after dark.
- Minimum illumination: Colour 0.01 lux (F1.6); B/W 0.005 lux; 0 lux with IR enabled.
- Two‑way audio with built‑in microphone and speaker (G.711, AAC‑LC). Benefit: Speak to visitors, deter intruders, or issue audible warnings.
- On‑board microSD support up to 512 GB for continuous or event-triggered recording — useful where network storage is impractical or as redundancy.
- Wireless: IEEE 802.11b/g/n with WPA/WPA2‑PSK. Typical wireless range is environment dependent and up to roughly 50 m in open space. An Ethernet port (RJ45 10/100 Mbps) is also available when wired connections are preferred.
- Protocol support: ONVIF and Hik‑Connect make integration with NVRs, VMS and mobile apps straightforward.
- Power: 12 V DC with a maximum consumption of approximately 10 W. Ensure a suitable outdoor power supply and correct sealing of connectors to maintain IP66 protection.
- Mechanical: Compact dimensions (approx. 163.9 × 185.8 × 131.9 mm) and weight ~565 g make it easy to mount on walls or soffits.
- Environmental: Rated IP66 for dust and water jets; operating temperature −30 °C to +50 °C.
Use cases and scenarios where the camera excels
The DS-2DE2C400IWG/W fits numerous scenarios where a combination of PT coverage, wireless connectivity and local recording is desirable:
- Small retail storefronts:Cover front entrances, sidewalks and parking areas without routing PoE cabling. Two‑way audio is useful for greeting customers or warning loiterers.
- Residential perimeter security:Monitor driveways, yards and gates. The pan/tilt function reduces the number of cameras needed to cover a property.
- Remote or temporary sites:Construction sites, seasonal stalls or rental properties where a wireless, quick‑deploy camera is preferable to running network cables.
- Outbuildings and secondary entrances:Where power is available but running Ethernet is difficult—use Wi‑Fi for data and microSD for local retention.
- Low‑light, wide‑area monitoring:EXIR 2.0 and 4 MP resolution improve night recognition at medium distances around entrances and perimeters.
Comparisons with similar products in the market
When evaluating the DS-2DE2C400IWG/W, consider how it stacks up against both wired PoE PT cameras and other wireless/consumer camera offerings.
- Pros: Wireless installation flexibility removes the need for data cabling and can reduce installation time and cost in many scenarios. Built‑in microSD recording provides local redundancy if network connectivity is interrupted.
- Cons: PoE cameras can rely on a single cable for power and data and typically offer more stable bandwidth and centralised power management. For mission‑critical deployments, PoE with UPS/trunked networks is often preferred.
- Pros: The Hikvision unit provides higher resolution (4 MP) and EXIR night illumination with a more professional feature set (ONVIF, H.265, digital WDR, Hik‑Connect). It is built for outdoor conditions (IP66) and offers stronger integration options for business use.
- Cons: Consumer brands may offer simpler setup, lower cost and cloud subscription options; however, they frequently lack ONVIF support, robust IR performance or the same level of mechanical PT control.
- Pros: Mains‑powered Wi‑Fi allows continuous operation without the maintenance overhead of recharging batteries or managing solar panels. It typically permits higher frame rates and continuous recording to large microSD cards.
- Cons: 4G/solar units can operate where no local network exists and may be preferable for very remote sites despite higher running costs or lower image performance.
Customer testimonials and typical feedback
Actual customer reviews for specific SKUs vary by region and firmware. Below are representative impressions based on early user feedback and common themes observed with similar Hikvision Wi‑Fi PT cameras.
- "Great image for the price — clearer than my old 1080p camera and the pan/tilt covers my driveway well." — small retail owner (representative comment)
- "Night vision is surprisingly good at 30 m for a camera this size; the two‑way audio helped deter a trespassing incident." — residential user (representative comment)
- "Setup on Wi‑Fi was straightforward, and the microSD recording is handy if my internet drops, though I prefer PoE for critical sites." — facilities manager (representative comment)
These representative comments reflect frequent strengths — image quality, flexible installation and night performance — as well as typical trade‑offs, such as preferring wired PoE for guaranteed bandwidth in enterprise environments.
Conclusion: Why the DS-2DE2C400IWG/W is a strong choice
The Hikvision DS-2DE2C400IWG/W (2.8 mm) balances practicality, performance and affordability. Its 4 MP resolution, EXIR night illumination, wide pan/tilt coverage and two‑way audio make it well suited to small businesses, homeowners and rental or temporary sites where wireless installation is preferred. On‑board microSD storage and support for H.265 compression provide efficient, local recording options, while IP66 ingress protection ensures reliable outdoor operation.
For buyers seeking an outdoor PT camera that avoids the complexity of PoE cabling yet still offers professional features and integration (ONVIF, Hik‑Connect), the DS-2DE2C400IWG/W is a compelling option at a suggested price point that competes well with both consumer and entry‑level professional cameras. Confirm regional compliance, firmware variants and the precise SKU before purchase, and consider wired PoE alternatives if centralised power and guaranteed bandwidth are priorities.
At a glance: if you want wide coverage, good night performance and the convenience of Wi‑Fi with local recording, the DS-2DE2C400IWG/W deserves consideration.
