REOLINK 12MP PoE IP Camera Outdoor, 97° Wide Angle Dome Security Camera for Home Surveillance, Human/Vehicle/Pet Detection, 700lm Color Night Vision, 2 Way Talk, Up to 256GB microSD Card, RLC-1224A

This is an updated review after using the RLC-1224A for about 2 weeks now.For the record, I have purchased many Reolink cameras, mostly POE's in the past with very nice results and never hesitate to purchase their newer models. Being involved a lot nature protection, I do use some of the Reolink cameras purchased for monitoring wildlife.I purchased this specific high resolution model (RLC-1224A) so that I can get good quality close-up videos of some birds frequenting a wildlife watering hole and also record closeup views of some recently hatched burrowing owl nestlings.I ended up installing this camera closely to the to record some burrowing owl nestlings and have really been impressed.The quality of this camera has been outstanding. Colors rendered by the RLC-1224A are incredible.Attached a clip of an unretouched picture from the RLC-1224a. While my main "subjects" are these cute little owlets, being curious creatures, once in a while they do wander up very close to the camera. This is the only moment I loose some of the 12MP high quality resolution I was looking for. But besides that small issue, I would not hesitate to again buy this particular model camera.My next camera from Reolink (already ordered) will be a RLC-811A, which has an auto-focus feature.SoSo if you need close up pictures/videos, try another model!!!

Overall been really impressed with the resolution, infrared, and spot light of this camera. Easy to install. I have this mounted on the wall. Lots of adjustment in the turret(tilt/spin)

I purchased the REOLINK 12MP PoE IP Camera for its high-resolution promise and smart home compatibility, and it truly delivers. The image quality is sharp, capturing fine details even in wide 97° views, making it perfect for monitoring larger outdoor spaces. Installation was effortless, and pairing it with my network was smooth, thanks to its strong RTSP support. What really stood out was how well it works with Home Assistant, allowing for seamless smart home automation. However, the exposed lens can be a hassle to clean if it collects dust or water spots, and the user interface feels a bit clunky, which might slow down first-time users. Despite these quirks, the camera offers excellent value for anyone serious about home security.Pros:- Razor-sharp image quality that captures every detail- Plug-and-play setup that makes installation a breeze- Seamless pairing with networks and smart home systems- Strong RTSP support for flexible streaming options- Hassle-free integration with Home Assistant for smart automationCons:- Lens cleaning is a challenge if dust or debris settles- Clunky GUI that could frustrate less tech-savvy users

I purchased three of these cameras and an NVR to create a simple network of security footage to cover my driveway / side of house. I did the entire project myself without the need of a professional (I am handy though). Overall, these are a good solution for the average homeowner.Pros - Great image quality for the price. The camera's also have a fairly wide viewing angle. When recording on "High", you can zoom in and read a license plate, see a face (pretty good), etc. Note that this model in particular does not have optical zoom. They sell some that do and they might be clearer when zoomed in.Installation was simple and the cameras were automatically detected by the NVR, without needing to use QR codes and bluetooth standing outside near the camera. The settings are fairly straight forward and there are a lot of options for users to tweak.The camera can distinguish between a car and a person and a pet. I disabled pet, to prevent a random rabbit or racoon from setting them off, but the camera easily tells me if it detected a person or a vehicle. You can record 24/7 or just motion.The app for playback is not insanely intuitive, but it's good enough. You can find the footage you are looking for. On a computer, you can filter by motion types. So if you're looking for people only, it will give you a little mark at the timestamp where a person was detected.Cons - The biggest con (for me) is there is a poor landscape mode on an iPad. This m,ay be minor for most users, but for my use case, we have an iPad mounted in the hallway that we use to control all the smart home stuff. It's landscape. Because the Reolink app is awkward in landscape, it's awkward on that device. Should you hold the device in Portrait, it's fine.Sometimes on playback, the video is chopping. But it's important to note that the RECORDING ITSELF IS NOT choppy. Just playback on a phone. You can download the clip to your device and it's smooth as butter. Or, watch it on a laptop and it will be better as well using the Reolink Desktop Client.The cables do have a nice interface for connecting to cat6 outdoors, but there are a few extra dongles there for external power (optional) and something else. It's not super clean looking if you have that cable outside your home. You can ziptie it together and it's fine. For one of my cameras, I was able to drill a 3/4" hole straight through the Hardy Board and all the connections were made in the attic. VERY clean look.Sometimes there is a SLIGHT lag when viewing livestream (maybe 3 seconds). I use this now in my office to monitor a door with a bell, so we notice the delay in that instance. For security around the home, you'd never notice.In summary, I am happy with this system. The POE is nice. Setup is easy and features are packed. The cameras record in good quality and I think it will meet my needs as a homeowner / end user perfectly. Price was reasonable for the quality. Recommended.