Reolink RLC-810A Review: A 4K PoE Camera Worth A Buy?

Choosing an outdoor camera starts with a few practical questions like how much of the scene do you need to cover? Can you run a network cable to the spot? Is 4K detail worth having, or is it more than the job needs?

The Reolink RLC-810A is one answer to those questions and this review checks it against Reolink's own specs, so you can judge how well it answers your questions you have in mind for outdoor cameras.

What is the Reolink RLC-810A?

The Reolink RLC-810A bullet camera is a 4K/8MP UHD outdoor smart IP PoE security camera that records 3840×2160 video at 25fps through a fixed F2.0 lens, available in three focal lengths.

It draws power over a single Ethernet cable (802.3af PoE) or a DC 12V adapter, so installers can skip a separate power run wherever a PoE switch or NVR is already in place.

The camera comes with Smart Detection capabilities which can tell a person, a vehicle or an animal apart. This helps cut false alerts, such as those triggered by blowing leaves or passing shadows.

At night, 18 infrared LEDs (850nm) light the scene up to 30 m (100 ft) away in black-and-white. It carries an IP67 rating with a -10°C to 55°C (14°F to 131°F) operating range. The camera records to a microSD card of up to 512GB and streams over RTSP or RTMP to third-party software.

This is a suitable camera if 4K footage is a must. if you already have PoE cabling ready, a PoE switch or a compatible Reolink NVR, and just wants a simple outdoor camera to add, the RLC-810A can also be a great option.

However, if you need colour night vision, optical zoom or a siren, The Reolink RLC-811A could be a better option as it adds all three.

Reolink RLC-810A Lens Options

The RLC-810A security camera is sold in 3 different choice lenses, particularly 2.8mm, 4.0mm, and 6.0mm versions.

The lens is fixed, so there is no zooming in later to change the view. Choose it before you buy.

Essentially, the shorter the focal length, the wider the area you can see, but with fewer details. For a wide space, pick the RLC-810A with 2.8mm lens. Pick 4.0mm for a doorway or 6.0mm for a focused spot at a longer distance.

Video and Night Vision Quality

The RLC-810A records 4K/8MP video by day at 25fps through an F2.0 lens, which is 4X clearer than 1080p HD footage.

At night, it switches to black-and-white infrared vision. There are 18 infrared LEDs (850nm) that can cover up to 30 metres (100 ft), and with its 3D-DNR noise reduction, night footage will look sharper, and smoother.

All 3 versions of the RLC-810A specs an IR-cut filter, which blocks infrared light by day to produce more realistic colours.

Smart Detection and Alerts

With its Smart Detection capabilities, it can tell if a person, vehicle, or animal has been detected. When it spots one, the camera will send you a push notification and an email with a detection snapshot. You can also filter the video by detection mode.

The Motion Zone controls lets you choose where the camera detects movement and where it doesn't. To further decrease the risk of false alarms, you can also set sensitivity, alarm delays, and object detection size with ease via its Smart Detection settings.

Pro Tip: If you have a pet, the RLC-810A also has smart pet detection settings to help you monitor your pet more conveniently.

Power, Storage, and Connectivity

The RLC-810A needs PoE or a separate 12V adapter for power, and neither comes in the box.

The box includes the camera and a 1 m network cable, and the DC 12V/1A adapter is sold separately. The camera runs on PoE (802.3af, 48V active) or DC 12V/1A. On the DC option, power consumption is under 12W.

PoE (Power over Ethernet) lets the camera get power and send video through one network cable. The three ways to power a PoE camera is either via a PoE switch or injector, a PoE NVR or a power adapter.

Note: Most Reolink PoE cameras need an 802.3af (48V) source that supports active mode, so don't use passive PoE injectors.

The RLC-810A has an IP67 rating, meaning the camera is dustproof and it can handle water as if it's submerged 1 metre underwater for up to 30 minutes. For temperature wise, it operates from -10°C to 55°C (14°F to 131°F). But, be sure to check your local winter lows against that range before mounting the camera outdoors.

The RLC-810A takes a microSD card of up to 512GB, which is rated for 194.2 hours of recording. It is versatile enough to record 24/7, on motion or on a schedule. Video can be saved to a microSD card, a compatible Reolink NVR or an FTP server.

The RLC-810A also supports RTMP, which lets third-party software view the camera.

As part of our PoE RLC series, the RLC-810A is also ONVIF compatible. To connect it to a third-party NVR, follow our third-party NVR guide, which uses ONVIF and RTSP.

RTSP lets you watch the live feed in VLC Media Player.

Pro Tip: To find out more about RTSP address formats, check out Reolink's VLC live view guide

Installation and Setup

Installation for the Reolink RLC-810A is straightforward as it follows the standard bullet camera steps:

1. Drill the holes using the mounting template
2. Fix the mount base with the included screws.
3. Loosen the adjustment knob,
4. Set the angle
5. Turn the knob clockwise to lock the camera in place.

To set it up, simply tap the plus icon in the top right corner of the Reolink App. Then, scan the QR code on the back of the camera, or choose Manual Input and type the UID. Once that's done, you can create a login password and name the camera. The PoE camera setup guide has the full steps or you can watch the video below.

Price and Value

The Reolink RLC-810A competes on plain 4K image quality over a wired connection, not on extra features.

The Reolink RLC-810A price starts from around USD $99.99 (4.0mm version). For comparison, the RLC-811A is USD $139.99 and the RLC-510A is USD $69.99.

For the price, you get 8MP (3840×2160) video and IP67 weatherproofing. Smart Detection and microSD recording up to 512GB are also valuable capabilities that comes with it. However, you give up zoom, colour night vision and a siren in exchange for a lower price than the RLC-811A at USD $139.99.

It comes with a 2-year limited warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

How the RLC-810A Compares to Other Reolink Cameras

Of our cameras closest to the RLC-810A, the RLC-811A adds extras. The RLC-820A comes in a different size and the RLC-510A lowers the resolution.

• RLC-810A: Choose this security camera if you want 4K PoE coverage with a choice of 2.8mm, 4.0mm or 6.0mm lens, and no need for zoom, colour night vision or a siren.
• RLC-811A: Choose this security camera if you want zoom, colour night vision or a siren. It records the same 8MP (3840×2160) video.
• RLC-820A: Choose this security camera if the 4.0mm RLC-810A's specs suit you and you want a different body size. It matches on resolution, field of view and night vision. It measures Φ105×95 mm against 60 × 66 × 192 mm and comes with a 4.0mm lens only.
• RLC-510A: Choose this security camera if you are looking for a more affordable option and for a lower price and if you don't need a 4K camera. This camera drops to 5MP (2560×1920) with a fixed 4.0mm lens and an 80° horizontal view but for a reasonably lower price.

FAQs

Does the Reolink RLC-810A have colour night vision?

No. The RLC-810A's night mode is Black & White Vision. Its night vision comes from 18 infrared LEDs (850nm) with a range of 30 metres (100 ft). Our RLC-811A adds colour night vision through built-in spotlights.

What is the RLC-810A's field of view?

The RLC-810A's field of view is 101° horizontal with the 2.8mm lens. It is 87° with the 4.0mm lens and 53° with the 6.0mm lens. Vertical views are 55°, 44° and 33°. Choose 2.8mm for wide spaces or 6.0mm for long-distance watching.

Does the RLC-810A support ONVIF and RTSP?

Yes. The RLC-810A supports RTSP and RTMP, and as part of our PoE RLC series it is ONVIF compatible. For a third-party NVR, our guide uses ONVIF and RTSP.

How much power does the RLC-810A use?

Power consumption is under 12W on the DC 12V/1A option. The camera runs on PoE (802.3af, 48V active) or that DC adapter. Neither a power adapter nor a PoE injector comes in the box.

What's the difference between the RLC-810A and the RLC-820A?

The RLC-820A matches the 4.0mm RLC-810A on resolution, field of view and night vision range. It also matches on IP rating and PoE power. The two cameras have different dimensions and weight. The RLC-820A comes with a 4.0mm lens only, while the RLC-810A also comes in 2.8mm and 6.0mm.

Conclusion

The RLC-810A is a decent 4K outdoor PoE camera with additional capabilities. For the price, it's a worthy contender in the market. If you don't need zoom and colour night vision in a bullet-shaped PoE security camera with 4K resolution, the RLC-810A fits. Otherwise, the RLC-811A can serve you better with what the RLC-810A is missing.

If the size of the RLC-810A isn't the right fit, the RLC-820A could be something to consider and if you are looking for another decent camera at a lower price, the RLC-510A is something worthy to consider.

If the RLC-810A is still your pick, the lens table above can help you select and match the lens to your space. For a wider look at the category, feel free to read our 4K PoE camera buying guide.