Reolink CX810 vs RLC-811A
These cameras solve different image problems. CX810 is built around full-color low-light capture with a large sensor and F1.0 aperture. RLC-811A is built around framing flexibility with a motorized 2.7–13.5mm lens and 5× optical zoom.
| Feature | CX810 | RLC-811A |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 3840×2160, 8MP | 3840×2160, 8MP |
| Primary advantage | 1/1.8" sensor + F1.0 ColorX low-light design | 5× optical zoom |
| Lens | 4mm fixed | 2.7–13.5mm motorized |
| Horizontal FOV | 93.2° | 105°–31° |
| Main-stream ceiling | Up to 8192 Kbps documented | Varies by configuration; size storage from actual configured bitrate |
| Power | 802.3af PoE / 12V DC | 802.3af PoE / 12V DC |
| Local storage | microSD / NVR workflows | microSD / NVR / FTP |
| RTSP / ONVIF | Supported in Reolink wired-camera workflow | Supported |
Choose CX810 when light is the limiting factor
The CX810 uses a 1/1.8-inch sensor and an F1.0 lens. Reolink's current specification page documents 4K at up to 25 fps and a 93.2° horizontal view. The reason to buy it is not more pixels than a normal 4K camera; it is the optical design intended to preserve color and usable detail in low ambient light.
This makes sense for entrances, driveways and parking areas where there is some ambient light and color context matters. Clothing color, vehicle color and scene context can be more useful than a monochrome IR image when the subject is already large enough in the frame.
Choose RLC-811A when distance is the limiting factor
The RLC-811A's motorized lens can narrow from a wide 105° view to about 31°. That changes how many pixels land on a distant gate, doorway or driveway lane. If the target occupies too few pixels in a wide image, better low-light sensitivity cannot recover identification detail that was never captured spatially.
That makes the 811A the stronger choice for known evidence zones where you can zoom in after mounting and lock the composition around the target area.
Night performance still depends on motion
Low-light color and optical zoom do not remove the shutter-speed tradeoff. A scene can look bright in a still frame while a moving face or vehicle remains blurred. Test the actual subject speed and nighttime lighting rather than judging only from a static live view.
Storage and network impact
Both are 4K PoE cameras, so retention depends heavily on configured bitrate and recording mode. CX810's current documentation lists an 8 Mbps maximum main-stream bitrate. Use the actual bitrate from your camera rather than a generic “4K” assumption when sizing an NVR.
Use the Storage Calculator and Bandwidth Calculator before choosing recorder capacity.
Official reference: Reolink CX810 specifications. Use the Coverage & Focal Length Calculator to determine which limitation matters more.