Hikvision vs Dahua vs HiLook

The three brands

Hikvision and Dahua are Chinese companies and two of the largest security camera makers in the world. HiLook is Hikvision’s lower cost brand. Many cameras sold under other names are built on hardware from these makers too.

Picture

At the same price and resolution, Hikvision and Dahua are evenly matched. Both offer excellent 4K cameras and both offer basic budget models. Comparing a top Dahua camera with a cheap Hikvision one, or the other way round, tells you nothing about the brands. Compare models.

HiLook keeps the picture quality of Hikvision’s mainstream sensors but drops some features. For a simple home system, it is often good value.

Night vision

Traditional infrared night vision gives a black and white picture. Both brands now sell cameras that keep colour at night. Hikvision’s range is ColorVu and Dahua’s is Full-color. They use a wide aperture lens, a sensitive sensor and a soft white light, and colour makes it far easier to describe a person’s clothes or a car.

Smart detection

Hikvision AcuSense and Dahua WizSense both tell people and vehicles apart from other movement. That stops alerts from trees, rain, insects and animals. These features work best when the cameras and recorder are the same brand.

Deterrence cameras

Both brands make cameras with strobe lights, a siren and a speaker. Dahua markets its range as TiOC. Hikvision builds deterrence into some ColorVu and AcuSense models. Both do the job well on a driveway or shed.

Apps

Hikvision uses Hik-Connect, and Dahua uses DMSS. Both handle live view, playback, alerts and exporting clips. We set up the app that matches your system and show you how it works.

Security concerns

The United States and some other governments have restricted Hikvision and Dahua equipment in government and defence settings, and in 2023 Australian federal agencies removed some of these cameras from government sites. That matters for government sites and some businesses with specific obligations.

For homes and most small businesses, the larger risk with any brand is poor setup: default passwords, outdated firmware and router ports opened for remote access. We change every password, update firmware and set up remote viewing without open ports, no matter the brand.

Our take

Choose the camera for the position and the budget, not the logo. Our quotes list exact model numbers, so you can look up every camera before you agree to anything.

Questions people ask

Is HiLook just a cheap Hikvision?

HiLook is Hikvision's budget brand. It uses Hikvision technology in simpler models with fewer features, at a lower price.

Which brand has the best night vision?

Both Hikvision and Dahua make excellent colour night vision cameras, called ColorVu and Full-color. The specific model matters more than the brand.

Can you install a different brand?

Yes. If you prefer to avoid these brands, tell us and we will quote an alternative.