ACTi A313 vs i-PRO U1542LA: Specification Comparison
Both the ACTi A313 and i-PRO WV-U1542LA are 4MP fixed outdoor bullet IP cameras sharing the same resolution class, H.265/H.264/MJPEG compression, ONVIF compliance, and PoE power — making them genuine cross-shop candidates for perimeter and entry-point surveillance. The comparison spans imaging capability, environmental hardening, installation flexibility, and VMS/analytics integration, drawing exclusively from the published specifications of each model.
In This Guide
How do the imaging specs compare?
Both cameras output 4MP (2688×1520) at 30fps on a 1/2.7-inch CMOS sensor. The ACTi A313 ships with a fixed 2.8mm lens, giving a single wide-angle perspective with no optical adjustment. The i-PRO WV-U1542LA offers a motorized varifocal lens spanning 2.9–7.3mm (2.5× optical zoom), enabling remote focus and zoom adjustment from wide (103° H) to tele (44° H) without physically accessing the camera — a material advantage for installations where scene framing needs to be tuned post-mount. i-PRO also publishes DORI distances: detect range reaches 126.7m on tele, observe 50.7m, recognize 25.3m, and identify 12.7m at tele focal length; ACTi does not publish DORI figures.
Low-light performance favors the A313 substantially. ACTi specifies 0.003 lux in color and 0 lux (IR on) in B/W, supported by three 850nm IR LEDs with a 65m working distance. The i-PRO WV-U1542LA specifies 0.3 lux color and 0.12 lux B/W, with IR rated at 20m — one-third the IR throw of the A313. WDR is another meaningful gap: the A313 claims 150dB Extreme WDR; the i-PRO specifies a maximum 102dB Super Dynamic range (at level 31). Buyers in high-contrast or near-zero-light environments will find the A313's numbers stronger on paper, while buyers needing flexible scene framing will lean toward the i-PRO's motorized zoom.
What about installation and environment?
The A313 carries IP68 (full submersion) and IK10 impact ratings, operates from -40°C to 60°C, and weighs 490g. The i-PRO WV-U1542LA is rated IP66/NEMA 4X (powerful water jets, no submersion) and IK10, operates from -30°C to +50°C, and weighs 860g — nearly double. The A313's IP68 and wider thermal envelope (-40°C floor vs. -30°C) give it an edge in extreme cold or flood-prone mounting positions such as underground conduit entries, drainage areas, or arctic climates.
Power inputs differ in class: the A313 spec sheet lists PoE++ (802.3bt) Class 3 and DC 12V as inputs, though the same spec also references IEEE 802.3af — buyers should verify the actual consumed wattage against their switch budget. The i-PRO WV-U1542LA is explicitly rated PoE IEEE 802.3af at 7.2W (Class 0 per the listed spec), a standard midspan or switch port. The i-PRO also adds a Temish anti-condensation element and wind resistance rated to 40m/s (~89mph), specs not published for the A313. Mounting configurations: the A313 supports pole, wall, and board mount via accessories; the i-PRO documents ±180° pan / 0–100° tilt for ceiling and ±100° horizontal/vertical for wall mounting, with a larger aluminum die-cast housing.
Which fits your VMS and analytics better?
The A313 is ONVIF Profile S, G, T, and M compliant and is listed as compatible with Milestone, Axis Camera Station, and Genetec by name. It includes a deep-learning processing unit (DLPU) supporting face detection and people counting in addition to VMD — edge analytics not available on the i-PRO WV-U1542LA, which lists only VMD (4 areas) and Scene Change Detection. The i-PRO is ONVIF Profile G, S, and T compliant (Profile M not listed), supports up to 14 simultaneous users, and publishes a broader protocol stack including IPv6, MQTT, LLDP, SNMPv1/v2/v3, and DiffServ — relevant for enterprise IT environments with network management requirements.
On-board storage: the i-PRO WV-U1542LA accepts microSDXC up to 512GB and microSDHC up to 32GB. The A313 spec sheet does not list an SD card slot or local storage capability. Audio: the i-PRO spec lists an audio input field (though the value is '—' for audio I/O terminals in the cable section and audio compression is listed as '—'); the A313 spec does not mention audio. Both cameras support HTTPS, 802.1X, and device-level security. The A313 holds a UL Taiwan IoT Cybersecurity Certification; the i-PRO lists UL (UL60950-1), c-UL, CE, and IEC60950-1 safety certifications plus FCC/ICES/EN EMC marks. Warranty: ACTi states 3 years; i-PRO states 5 years.
Which should you choose: the A313 or the U1542LA?
Our take: The A313 is the stronger choice when low-light performance, extreme environmental hardening, and edge analytics are the primary requirements. It delivers 0.003 lux color sensitivity versus 0.3 lux on the WV-U1542LA — a 100× difference — and 65m IR range against the i-PRO's 20m, and its IP68/−40°C ratings exceed the i-PRO's IP66/−30°C envelope for submersion-risk or arctic deployments. Its DLPU adds face detection and people counting that the i-PRO does not offer at the edge. Conversely, the WV-U1542LA is the stronger choice when scene flexibility, platform integration breadth, or long-term support matter: the 2.9–7.3mm motorized varifocal lens allows remote framing without ladder access, onboard microSDXC storage up to 512GB enables edge recording without an NVR, and the 5-year warranty outpaces ACTi's 3-year term. Choose the A313 for fixed wide-angle, harsh-environment, or analytics-at-the-edge deployments; choose the WV-U1542LA where adjustable focal length and longer warranty coverage drive the decision.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | ACTi A313 | i-PRO U1542LA |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 4MP (2688×1520) | 4MP (2688×1520) |
| Max Frame Rate | 30fps @ 2688×1520 | 30fps @ 2688×1520 |
| Image Sensor | 1/2.7" CMOS | Approx. 1/2.7" type CMOS |
| Lens / Focal Length | 2.8mm fixed | 2.9–7.3mm motorized varifocal (2.5× zoom) |
| Min Illumination (Color / B&W) | 0.003 lux / 0 lux (IR on) | 0.3 lux / 0.12 lux |
| IR Range | 65m (850nm, 3× LED) | 20m |
| WDR | 150dB (Extreme WDR) | Max. 102dB (Super Dynamic, Level 31) |
| Video Compression | H.265, H.264, MJPEG | H.265, H.264, MJPEG |
| ONVIF Profiles | S, G, T, M | G, S, T |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP66, NEMA 4X, Type 4X |
| IK / Impact Rating | IK10 | IK10 |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +60°C | -30°C to +50°C |
| Power Input / PoE | PoE++ (802.3bt) Class 3; DC 12V | PoE IEEE 802.3af, 7.2W (Class 0 per spec) |
| Edge Storage | — | microSDXC up to 512GB, microSDHC up to 32GB |
| Edge Analytics | Face detection, people counting (DLPU), VMD | VMD (4 areas), Scene Change Detection |
| Weight | 490g (1.08 lb) | 860g (1.90 lb) |
| Warranty | 3 years | 5 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the A313 or the U1542LA?
The A313 is the stronger choice when low-light performance, extreme environmental hardening, and edge analytics are the primary requirements. It delivers 0.003 lux color sensitivity versus 0.3 lux on the WV-U1542LA — a 100× difference — and 65m IR range against the i-PRO's 20m, and its IP68/−40°C ratings exceed the i-PRO's IP66/−30°C envelope for submersion-risk or arctic deployments. Its DLPU adds face detection and people counting that the i-PRO does not offer at the edge. Conversely, the WV-U1542LA is the stronger choice when scene flexibility, platform integration breadth, or long-term support matter: the 2.9–7.3mm motorized varifocal lens allows remote framing without ladder access, onboard microSDXC storage up to 512GB enables edge recording without an NVR, and the 5-year warranty outpaces ACTi's 3-year term. Choose the A313 for fixed wide-angle, harsh-environment, or analytics-at-the-edge deployments; choose the WV-U1542LA where adjustable focal length and longer warranty coverage drive the decision.
Is the A313 or WV-U1542LA better for low-light and night coverage?
The A313 is substantially better on both metrics in its published specs. It reaches 0.003 lux in color and 0 lux (IR on) in B/W, with IR illuminators rated to 65m. The WV-U1542LA specifies 0.3 lux color and 0.12 lux B/W with IR rated at 20m — one-third the range. If the scene is unlit or relies heavily on IR, the A313's numbers are meaningfully stronger.
Which camera is easier to aim and focus after installation?
The WV-U1542LA wins on this point. Its motorized varifocal lens (2.9–7.3mm, 2.5× optical zoom) allows remote zoom and autofocus adjustment from the VMS or browser interface without physically touching the camera. The A313 uses a fixed 2.8mm board-mount lens — once installed, the field of view cannot be adjusted without replacing the lens or repositioning the camera.
Does either camera support on-board recording without an NVR?
Yes — the i-PRO WV-U1542LA supports microSDXC cards up to 512GB and microSDHC up to 32GB for local edge recording. The ACTi A313 spec sheet does not list an SD card slot or any local storage option, so it requires a connected NVR or VMS recorder for continuous recording.
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