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5MP VS. 4K Security Camera: What You Need to Know

When it comes to security cameras, 5MP and 4K cameras are both standouts. With their remarkable resolution and image quality, both offer unrivaled surveillance capabilities. In this article, we’ll explore the features, benefits, and ideal use cases of each of these high-definition cameras . Whether your security needs are for your home or your business, this guide will help you make an informed decision.

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5MP means a camera makes pictures from about 5 megapixels. A megapixel is one million pixels. A pixel is one tiny dot of the picture. More pixels mean more detail.

For example, Reolink's 5MP RLC-510A records 2560 x 1920 pixels. That is about 4.9 million. Zoom in on a recording and the picture turns blocky at some point. More pixels push that point further away, so small things such as a face or a license plate stay readable for longer.

4K refers to a specific resolution standard that's also known as Ultra HD or UHD. It means a picture 3840 pixels wide and 2160 pixels tall. Reolink's 4K cameras are 8MP.

A 3840 x 2160 picture has 8.3 million pixels, about 1.7 times as many as a 5MP camera. So a 5MP camera is not 4K . The extra pixels help most when you watch a wide area, an open outdoor space or something far from the camera.

5MP vs. 4K: Comparison Table

Choosing Between 5MP And 4K Security Cameras

Which Security Camera Is Best For You?

Recommendations For Reolink 4K And 5MP Security Cameras & Systems

Additional Comparison: 720p vs 1080P vs 2K vs 5MP vs 8MP

Beyond 5MP and 4K: 16MP and 18MP Security Cameras

Unveiling Reolink 4K WiFi 6 Security Solution

Exploring 4K Resolution Comparisons

The key difference between 4K resolution and 5MP lies in their pixel count. 4K offers approximately 8.3 megapixels (3840 x 2160 pixels) and 5MP provides about 5 megapixels (2560 x 1920 pixels). Across the width of the picture, 4K has 1.5 times as many pixels. The table below sums up the gap.

The chart below provides an at-a-glance summary of the differences between 5MP and 4K:

Criteria 5MP 4K

Resolution 2560 x 1920 3840 x 2160

Pixel Count About 4.9 million pixels About 8.3 million pixels

Aspect Ratio 4:3 16:9

PPF (scene 40 feet wide) 64 96

PPF stands for pixels per foot. It counts how many pixels land on each foot of the scene. To work it out, divide the camera's horizontal pixels by the width of the scene in feet.

The 2014 edition of IEC 62676-4, a standard for video surveillance, gives two common targets. About 40 PPF is the level to recognize someone you already know. About 80 PPF is the level to identify a stranger. In a scene 40 feet wide, the 5MP camera gives 64 PPF and the 4K camera gives 96 PPF. So the 5MP camera clears the recognition level and the 4K camera clears the identification level. Real footage also depends on light, motion and compression, so treat PPF as a guide.

When choosing between 5MP and 4K security cameras , the following five elements are the most important.

Bandwidth is the amount of data a camera sends across your network every second. Think of it like water flowing through a pipe. Higher-quality video needs more data, which can use more network capacity and storage space.

Many buyers assume a 5MP security camera will use far less bandwidth than a 4K model, but that isn't always the case. For example, Reolink's 5MP RLC-510A and 4K RLC-810A both default to a main-stream bitrate of roughly 6 Mbps. In the real-world, a single 4K camera may not place a noticeably heavier load on your network than a comparable 5MP camera.

The reason is video compression. The RLC-810A uses H.265, while the RLC-510A uses H.264. As explained in Reolink's guide to H.264 vs. H.265 , H.265 stores video more efficiently, allowing higher-resolution footage without a proportional increase in bandwidth or storage requirements.

For most people, the practical takeaway is simple. If your network can comfortably handle a 5MP camera, it can usually handle a 4K camera as well. The bigger consideration is whether you need the extra image detail that 4K provides for identifying faces, license plates, or distant objects.

The price range depends on the extra features as much as on the resolution. The 4K camera costs more than the 5MP one in both matched pairs below. The 4K RLC-810A PoE camera costs more than the 5MP RLC-510A . The 4K E1 Outdoor Pro Wi-Fi pan-tilt camera costs more than the 5MP E1 Outdoor .

As you can see, pan and tilt capabilities, Wi-Fi type and additional features such as spotlights can add to the price at either resolution.

Storage capacity

The storage required for 4K and 5MP security cameras depends on factors such as bitrate, resolution, fps, and more. Bitrate matters most because it is the amount of data written every second.

Pro Tip : To find the storage used each minute, multiply the bitrate in Mbps by 60 seconds. Then divide by 8, because 8 bits make one byte.

Here are some rough examples:

For 5MP cameras:

Generally, a 5MP camera's mainstream bitrate is 6 Mbps and its substream bitrate is 2 Mbps. To calculate:

Storage usage per minute (mainstream) = 6 Mbps x 60 seconds / 8 bits = 45 Mbps

Storage usage per minute (substream) = 2 Mbps × 60 seconds / 8 bits = 15 Mbps

For 4K cameras:

4K camera's mainstream bitrate is 8 Mbps and its substream bitrate is 2 Mbps. To calculate:

Storage usage per minute (mainstream) = 8 Mbps × 60 seconds / 8 bits = 60 Mbps

At 45 MB per minute, one camera writes about 63 GB a day when it records non-stop on the main stream. A 2 TB drive holds about 32 days of that. Four cameras share the drive, so it holds about 8 days. Reolink's recording time guide has a table for other drive sizes and bitrates. A higher bitrate gives a better picture and uses more storage. At 8 Mbps the same sum gives about 60 MB per minute.

Field of view is how much of the scene the camera sees, measured in degrees. 4K cameras tend to provide a significantly wider field of view with its high resolution, wide-angle lenses, and millions of pixels captured in a single image. If you were to capture the same, wide coverage area with a 5MP camera, you'd very likely see blurry edges. Physical features, license plates, and other important details would also not be identifiable.

Night vision range comes from the camera's infrared lights, not from its resolution. Infrared is light your eyes cannot see, so the picture is black and white. For Reolink cameras such as the 5MP RLC-510A and 4K RLC-810A, they can both reach 100 ft in the dark.

Resolution can also change how much detail the picture holds at that range. If you need to have color night vision, security cameras with spotlights are the safest bet. From Reolink, the 5MP E1 Outdoor or the 4K RLC-810WA are great options.

Alternatively, Reolink ColorX cameras are designed to produce full-color night vision in extremely low-light conditions without relying on a spotlight. This makes them a strong choice for homeowners who want color footage while keeping outdoor areas dark and unobtrusive. In locations with ambient lighting from streetlights, porch lights, or nearby buildings, Reolink's ColorX cameras can often maintain color video throughout the night.

In general, spotlight cameras are the better option for areas that become completely dark, while ColorX cameras excel in environments with at least some available ambient light.

When considering a 4K camera or a 5MP camera, your specific needs will determine which is right for you.

When to choose a 5MP security camera?

Choose a 5MP camera when it sits close to what it watches. Front doors, driveways, shop counters and small yards are good examples. In a scene 40 feet wide, a 5MP camera gives 64 PPF, above the level used to recognize someone you know. A narrower scene gives more. The 5MP RLC-510A also costs less than the 4K RLC-810A.

Watch this video captured by the Reolink 5MP camera to see its resolution：

When to choose a 4K security camera?

Choose a 4K security camera when the scene is wide or the subject is far away. In a scene 40 feet wide, a 4K camera gives 96 PPF, above the level used to identify a stranger. More pixels also let you zoom into a recording and keep more detail. That suits warehouses and parking lots. It also suits large yards, construction sites and long corridors.

Watch this video captured by the Reolink 4K high resolution camera :

Note : If you are interested in 4K CCTV cameras, check out our comprehensive guide on 4K security camera to get more information!

Now that we have discussed the advantages and considerations of both 4K and 5MP security cameras, let's delve into some specific recommendations. You can make a more informed decision regarding which camera is best suited for your needs.

Best smart 5MP PoE camera - RLC 520A

Attributes Specifications

Resolution 5MP (2560 × 1920)

Video format H.265 and H.264

Field of view Horizontal 80°, vertical 48° (4.0 mm lens)

Night vision Infrared (black and white) up to 100 ft (30 m)

Smart detection Person, vehicle and motion detection

Audio Built-in microphone and audio recording

Power PoE (IEEE 802.3af) or 12 V DC, under 12 W

Connection 10/100 Mbps Ethernet (RJ45)

Storage microSD card up to 512 GB

Weather rating IP66

Operating temperature 14°F to 131°F (-10°C to 55°C)

Size and weight Φ4.13 × 3.74 in (Φ105 × 95 mm), 1.03 lb (467.5 g)

The RLC-520A is a 5MP PoE camera. It records 2560 x 1920 pixels and sees 100 ft in the dark with infrared. Smart detection tells people and vehicles apart from other motion, so alerts focus on what matters. PoE means one Ethernet cable carries both power and data, which keeps installation simple.

PoE IP Camera with Person/Vehicle Detection

5MP Super HD; Smart Motion Detection, Outdoor/Indoor Protection; 100ft Night Vision; Audio Recording; Time Lapse, Remote Access & Control.

Best dual-lens solar 4K camera - OMVI 2i Ultra

Resolution Wide lens: 4K 8MP (3840 × 2160) at 15 fps. Pan-tilt lens: 5MP (2880 × 1616) at 15 fps

Field of view Wide lens: horizontal 110°, vertical 58°, diagonal 133°. Pan-tilt lens: horizontal 52°, vertical 28°, diagonal 59°

Night vision Two modes on both lenses. Color night vision with 2 spotlights (6500K) and infrared black and white with 2 LEDs (850nm). Both reach 33 ft (10 m)

Pan and tilt Pan-tilt lens: pan 355°, tilt 55°

Auto tracking Yes, on the pan-tilt lens, with SyncTrack

Smart detection Person, vehicle and animal detection. A PIR sensor reaches 33 ft (10 m) across 110° on the wide lens and 49 ft (15 m) across 52° on the pan-tilt lens

Audio Two-way audio

Power 10,000 mAh detachable battery, charged by the included 6W solar panel or by USB-C. Reolink rates it at up to 6 months on one charge. Battery life varies with settings, use and temperature

Connection Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)

Storage microSD card up to 512 GB, or cloud storage

Weather rating IP65

Operating temperature -4°F to 131°F (-20°C to 55°C)

Size and weight 7.09 × 6.61 × 3.90 in (180 × 168 × 99 mm), 2.23 lb (1010 g) with bracket

The OMVI 2i Ultra puts both resolutions from this article in one camera. A 4K fixed lens watches a wide 110° view. A 5MP pan-tilt lens pans 355° and tilts 55°. With SyncTrack, the pan-tilt lens keeps following a moving subject, even after it leaves the wide lens's view.

A detachable 10,000 mAh battery powers it, and the 6W solar panel in the box keeps it charged. Reolink rates the battery at up to 6 months on one charge. That makes it a good fit for places where running a cable is hard, such as a barn, a long driveway or a far corner of a yard.

4K + 3K Dual-Lens PT & Bullet Wireless Security Camera

4K + 3K Dual-Lens with 360° Full Coverage

SolarEase Endless Solar Power

SyncTrack with Auto-Framing & Auto-Tracking

AI Detection for Person, Vehicle & Animal

Local Storage Up to 512GB microSD Card

Best outdoor auto-track 4K WiFi camera- Argus PT Ultra

Resolution 4K 8MP (3840 × 2160) at 15 fps

Video format H.265

Field of view Horizontal 90°, vertical 47°, diagonal 110°

Night vision Two modes. Color night vision with 2 spotlights (2.4 W, 6500K). Infrared black and white with 2 LEDs (850nm), up to 33 ft (10 m)

Pan and tilt Pan 355°, tilt 140°

Auto tracking Yes

Smart detection Person, vehicle and pet detection. A PIR sensor, which picks up the heat people and animals give off, reaches up to 33 ft (10 m) across 120°

Power 21.6 Wh rechargeable battery, charged through USB-C or the Reolink Solar Panel 2. Battery life varies with settings, use and temperature

Connection Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax

Storage microSD card up to 512 GB, or Reolink Cloud in selected countries

Size and weight Φ3.86 × 4.80 in (Φ98 × 122 mm), 1.06 lb (481 g) with battery

The Argus PT Ultra is a 4K Wi-Fi pan-tilt camera that runs on a rechargeable battery. The Reolink Solar Panel 2 can keep it charged. It pans 355° and tilts 140°, and auto-tracking follows a moving subject. It has color night vision with spotlights, infrared night vision up to 33 ft and an IP65 weather rating.

4k 100% Wire-Free PT Camera

4K 8MP Ultra HD; 5GHz/2.4GHz WiFi; Rechargeable Battery & Solar Powered; 355° Pan & 140° Tilt; IP65 Certified Weatherproof; Clear Night Vision; 2-Way Audio; 122° Wide Viewing Angle.

Best 4K PoE security camera system- RLK8-800B4

In the box Four 4K bullet cameras and an 8-channel NVR with a 2 TB hard drive

Camera resolution 4K 8MP (3840 × 2160) at 20 fps

Camera video format H.264 and H.265

Camera field of view Horizontal 87°, vertical 44°

Camera night vision Infrared up to 100 ft (30 m)

Camera smart detection Person, vehicle and motion detection

Camera audio Built-in microphone and audio recording

Camera power PoE (IEEE 802.3af) or 12 V DC, under 12 W

Camera weather rating IP67

Camera operating temperature 14°F to 131°F (-10°C to 55°C)

Camera size and weight Φ2.60 × 7.56 in (Φ66 × 192 mm), 1.07 lb (485 g)

NVR cameras Up to 12 IP cameras, with a maximum of 8 wired

NVR PoE ports 8 PoE ports, up to 25 W each (IEEE 802.3af/at)

NVR storage 2 TB hard drive included, up to 16 TB (8 TB per drive at most)

The RLK8-800B4 is a 4K PoE security system . The box holds four 4K bullet cameras and an 8-channel NVR with a 2 TB hard drive. An NVR is a small box that records video from your cameras. It has eight PoE ports, so you can add four more PoE cameras later.

Each camera sees 100 ft in the dark with infrared. If all four record non-stop on the main stream, the included 2 TB drive holds about 8 days. The NVR supports up to 16 TB of storage.

4K 8-Channel PoE Security System

4 pcs 4K Ultra HD Security Cameras; 2TB HDD 8-Channel NVR for 24/7 Recording; Person/Vehicle Detection; Plug & Play; 2 Network Solutions.

The chart below provides comparisons of other resolutions.

Resolution Pixels Name Aspect ratio PPF (scene 40 feet wide)

720p/1MP 1280 x 720 HD 16:9 32

1080p/2MP 1920 x 1080 2K full HD 16:9 48

2K/4MP 2560 x 1440 2K Super HD 16:9 64

5MP 2560 x 1920 2K+ 4:3 64

8MP 3840 x 2160 4K 16:9 96

A 5MP camera has about 1.3 times the pixels of a 2K (4MP) camera. A 4K camera has more than twice as many. For more on this pair, see 5MP vs. 2K .

16MP security camera: Reolink Duo 3 PoE

Some cameras go past 4K by joining the views of two or more lenses into one picture.

Reolink's Duo 3 PoE has two lenses. It records 7680 x 2160 pixels, which Reolink calls 16MP. The two views join into one 180° picture. It needs only one Ethernet cable for power and data, because it uses PoE. You can watch it from anywhere in the Reolink App or Client.

Groundbreaking 16MP Dual-Lens PoE Camera

16MP UHD, Dual-Lens, Motion Track, 180° Wide Viewing Angle, Power over Ethernet, Color Night Vision.

18MP security camera: Reolink OMVI 3i PoE

The Reolink OMVI 3i PoE has three lenses and adds up to 18MP. Two fixed lenses join into one 180° view of 10MP. A third pan-tilt lens records 4K close-ups and can track a moving subject. With SyncTrack, the full scene and the tracked close-up show on one screen. The camera also supports local AI detection, local AI video search and microSD cards up to 512 GB.

All-in-one Triple-Lens 180° Panoramic Pan-Tilt Security Camera

10MP Dual-Lens 180° View, 4K 360° Full Coverage, SyncTrack with auto framing & auto tracking, Local Storage (No Monthly Fees), Local AI Video Search.

Reolink also makes 4K cameras with Wi-Fi 6 . Wi-Fi 6 has a feature called OFDMA, short for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access. OFDMA lets devices share a Wi-Fi channel, which raises network efficiency and lowers latency. Latency is the delay between something happening and you seeing it.

Here are some products from this lineup:

Reolink E1 Outdoor Pro : A 4K 8MP Wi-Fi 6 camera that pans, tilts and zooms 3× optically. It follows moving subjects with auto-tracking. It has color night vision and an IP65 weather rating.

4K WiFi PTZ Camera with Auto-Tracking

4K 8MP Super HD, Smart Person/Vehicle Alerts, 355° Pan & 50° Tilt & 3X Optical Zoom, Auto Tracking, Color Night Vision.

Reolink RLC-810WA : A fixed 4K 8MP camera with dual-band Wi-Fi 6. It has color night vision with a spotlight and an IP67 weather rating. You can watch it live from anywhere with an internet connection.

4K WiFi 6 Surveillance Camera

4K 8MP Ultra HD, Dual-Band WiFi 6, Color Night Vision, IP67 Waterproof, Smart Detection, Two-Way Audio, Built-in Siren.

Reolink RLK12-800WB4 : A kit with a Wi-Fi 6 NVR and four 4K Wi-Fi 6 cameras. The NVR has a 2 TB hard drive.

4K Security Kit with Next-Gen WiFi 6

4 pcs 4K Ultra HD Security Cameras; Dual-Band WiFi 6; 2TB HDD 12-Channel NVR for 24/7 Recording; Peron/Vehicle/Animal Detection; IP67 Weatherproof.

When it comes to choosing the right resolution for your display or camera, it's essential to understand the differences between various 4K options. These links provide valuable insights into different 4K resolution comparisons:

4K vs. 8K : A detailed breakdown of the distinctions between 4K and 8K resolutions.

4K vs. 2K : Explore the pros and cons of 2K and 4K resolutions for your specific needs.

4K vs. 5K : Learn about the nuances between 4K and 5K resolutions and when each might be ideal.

4K vs. 5MP : Discover the differences between 5MP and 4K resolutions in security camera systems.

4K vs. 2160p : Delve into the relationship between 2160p and 4K resolutions for video content.

4K vs. Blu-ray : Understand how 4K compares to Blu-ray in terms of video quality.

4K Resolution Explained : Get a clear explanation of the pixel count in 4K resolution.

These resources will help you make an informed decision when selecting the 4K resolution that suits your specific requirements.

1. Is 4K better than 5MP?

4K is generally considered better than 5MP in terms of video or image quality, but factors including color accuracy, dynamic range, contrast, and overall image processing are also important.

2. How many MP does a 4K camera have?

Multiplying the horizontal and vertical pixel counts gives you total pixel count, so the calculation would be:

3840 pixels × 2160 pixels = 8,294,400 pixels

Divide the total pixel count by 1 million to get the megapixel count of 8.29 megapixels.

3. Is 5MP considered high resolution?

For a security camera, 5MP is a solid middle resolution. It sits above 1080p (2MP) and 2K (4MP) and below 4K (8MP). In a scene 40 feet wide it gives 64 PPF, above the level used to recognize someone you know.

For photos, 5MP gives a small image. A 12MP photo has more than twice as many pixels.

4. Is 5MP the same as 1080p?

No. 1080P is 1920 x 1080 pixels, which is about 2MP. A 5MP camera has about 2.4 times as many pixels, so it holds more detail.

When deciding between a 5MP or 4K security camera, choose wisely and invest in the one that matches your needs and provides the detail and image quality necessary to protect your property and assets.

If you have other questions or comments regarding 5MP or 4K security cameras, leave your comment below!

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Yucy, as a proficient editor in Reolink, specializes in the field of home security. Her expertise lies in providing insightful information regarding the latest advancements in security systems, surveillance technologies, and safety measures. Comment and discuss with her！