REOLINK RLC-820A 4K PoE Dome Security Camera: features and specs

The REOLINK RLC-820A is a wired dome security camera for outdoor use. It records in 4K (8MP), gets both power and network over a single Ethernet cable, and can tell people and vehicles from other motion. Here is what the specs mean and what to plan for.

What 4K means for a camera

At 4K, or 8MP, the picture holds more detail than 1080p. REOLINK says it is 1.6 times clearer than 5MP and four times clearer than 1080p. More detail can help when you want to make out a face or a number plate in playback or zoom in on a distant spot. Higher-resolution video needs more storage space and network bandwidth, so plan for that. The camera also records ambient sound.

Power over Ethernet

PoE lets one network cable carry both data and power. REOLINK describes plug-and-play setup using a single cable. You will need a PoE source, either a PoE switch, a PoE injector or an NVR with PoE ports, and the cable run needs to reach the camera location. A wired connection is typically more stable than WiFi.

Person and vehicle detection

The camera analyses video on the device to separate people and vehicles from other movement. REOLINK says this helps cut unnecessary alerts, such as those caused by leaves or small animals. No detection system is perfect, so you may still tune the sensitivity and zones in the app.

Night vision

REOLINK lists infrared night vision out to 100 ft (about 30 m). Infrared night footage is normally black and white, and real-world range depends on the scene and on nearby surfaces that reflect light.

Recording options

Footage can be recorded continuously, when motion is detected or during a schedule. It can be saved to a microSD card (the feature list gives up to 256 GB, and a card is not included), a REOLINK NVR or an FTP server. Alerts arrive as push notifications or emails, and you can watch live view and play back clips in the REOLINK app or client software. The listing also mentions timelapse and smart home compatibility; check which systems are supported.

Size

The camera measures about 5.5 inches (14 cm) on each side and weighs 1.3 lb (about 0.6 kg).

What to check before you buy

• PoE source: make sure you have a PoE switch, injector or NVR.
• Cabling: plan the Ethernet run from the router or switch to the mounting spot, including drilling and weatherproofing.
• Storage: get a suitable microSD card or an NVR if you want a long recording history.
• Privacy rules: check local rules on filming public areas and neighbours' property.
• Mounting: confirm the mounting position gives the field of view you want.
• Smart home: check the exact assistants or systems supported.

The short version

• Wired 4K (8MP) outdoor dome camera, model RLC-820A.
• Single-cable PoE power and network.
• On-device person and vehicle detection, with push and email alerts.
• Records to microSD, NVR or FTP.

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