If there’s one smart camera manufacturer that totally deserves our attention, it’s Wyze. They’ve introduced some of the handiest cameras that increase safety and security without breaking the bank.
Case in point: the Cam Pan 1080p and the Cam 1080p HD. Both are fantastic smart cameras that are compact enough to fit almost anywhere. Though identical in almost every aspect, there are a couple of minor differences that buyers need to be aware of. Read our comparison of the Wyze Cam Pan and the Wyze Cam below.
15 FPS
Cam Pan and Cam
Although both of these cameras are “smart” in every way, one area where they could definitely use some improvement, especially considering their high-definition cameras, is their FPS.
At most, they both record at only 15 FPS which, as anyone who’s ever seen old choppy videos will already know, is a real pain to look at. That’s not to say that these cameras area bad, but considering other smart camera models from other brands can record at 25 or even 30 FPS, Wyze’s cameras could use some upgrading.
Night Vision
Cam Pan
If you’re in need of a night vision camera to monitor your baby or child, you’ll be glad to learn that both of these Wyze cameras have night vision mode. The Cam Pan can see up to 30 feet away with its six infrared LEDs, giving you a clear view of what’s nighttime shenanigans your baby is up to in their crib.
Pan
As for the Cam’s night vision, it’s supported by four infrared LEDs. There’s a noticeable difference between the two picture-quality wise – this one being slightly worse than the Cam Pan’s. You’ll still be able to see up to 30 feet from the camera’s lens.
Conclusion
You know what they say: less is more, but this is not the case with the Cam Pan’s night vision. The addition of two extra infrared LEDs gives you a better picture of what’s going on at night compared to the four-LED setup of the Cam.
Two-Way Audio
Cam Pan and Cam
But showing you what’s going on isn’t what the Cam Pan and Cam are all about. If you’re out of the house and would like to communicate with your child, babysitter, or racoon wandering into your home, you can make use of these cameras’ microphones and speakers. The audio quality is, in our opinion, far from being “crisp” but it gets the job done.
Motion and Sound Sensors
Cam Pan and Cam
If you’re asleep or out of town, these cameras’ motion sensors will capture footage of any suspicious movement in front of the lens or loud noises that occurs within the vicinity.
Upon detecting movement or sound, these cameras will instantly start up and begin recording, revealing the source of the disturbance. Hopefully, nothing sinister is going on, but with these sensors constantly picking up motion and sounds, you’ll be glad to have the extra safety insurance.
Customizable Motion Zones
Cam Pan and Cam
One of the handiest features of the Cam Pan and Cam is their programmable motion zones. By customizing which part of a room to monitor for movement, you can rest assured that your child won’t go climbing out of the window or fall from their bed undetected.
Real-time notifications through your smartphone will alert you when the camera recording activity in these customizable motion zones.
microSD and Cloud Storage
Cam Pan and Cam
One thing we absolutely love about these Wyze cameras is storage options. First, you can place a FAT32 microSD into the camera (8, 16, or 32 GB) into the camera to save your recordings.
But if you need more space that a 32-GB microSD can’t provide, Wyze gives you a free 14-day trial of their cloud storage to keep all of your footage without it getting lost. After the grace period, you only have to pay a $1.49 monthly subscription fee to gain access to their unlimited cloud storage.
FOV
Cam Pan
Another point of difference between the Cam Pan and the Pan is its field of view (FOV) or how wide of an angle you can see from the camera’s lens. The Cam Pan has a 120° FOV at any given time with a 93° vertical FOV. It’s also able to rotate up to 360° to show you every corner of a room in just three seconds.
Cam
The Cam, as the simpler model of the two, only shows up to 110° diagonally. Furthermore, you’ll have to twist and turn the camera around to get it at the right vertical and horizontal alignment to fit everything into the camera’s lens.
Conclusion
A wider FOV means a better viewing angle from virtually anywhere you place the smart camera. It also requires less turning and adjusting to get desired angle. Best of all, you can control where the Cam Pan is pointed thanks to its rotating base.
Size and Installation
Cam Pan
The Cam Pan is slightly larger than the original Cam, measuring in at 2.4 x 2.4 x 5 inches. Needless to say, it’s extremely compact and will sit nicely on any flat surface you have in your home.
Installing this smart camera is a straightforward process involving plugging the unit into a wall outlet using the included USB cord and AC adapter, downloading the smartphone app, and starting the camera up.
Cam
The Cam is a 2.2 x 2 x 2-inch camera that is attached to a square base which sticks to any surface – horizontal or vertical – using a sticky pad. Just place the sticky pad underneath the square base and mount it to any surface you wish.
Similarly, you’ll need to plug the unit in with the power cord and AC adapter and download the app to get everything set up.
Conclusion
Installation-wise, there’s really no difference between the two, though you’ll definitely find different features available for each camera in the smartphone app. In terms of size, they are both small enough to place anywhere in a room without causing a sight for sore eyes.
Wyze 1080p vs. 1080p HD – The Better Option?
After reviewing the two Wyze smart cameras, we can conclude that the Cam Pan 1080p is the better of the two by quite a wide margin. Firstly, it has better night vision, better viewing angle through the lens, and it can swivel up to 360° to allow you to see everything in a room.
In terms of usefulness, they’re both equally great – you get the same storage options, similar video quality, and motion and sound sensors that keep you in the loop regardless of where you are in the world.
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