ACTi A713 vs ACTi A87: Specification Comparison
Both the ACTi A713 and ACTi A87 are 5MP outdoor IP dome cameras from the same manufacturer, sharing IP66/IK10 environmental ratings and PoE+ power delivery. The A713 is a fixed hemispheric (fisheye) dome designed for wide-area 360°-style coverage, while the A87 is a varifocal zoom dome intended for targeted perimeter and detail surveillance. Buyers evaluating these two are typically deciding between single-camera panoramic coverage and adjustable-focal-length directional coverage at the same resolution tier.
In This Guide
How do the imaging specs compare?
Both cameras deliver 5MP resolution, but their optical designs diverge significantly. The A713 uses a 1.1mm fixed board-mount lens with a 197° hemispheric field of view, a 1/2.7" sensor, and achieves up to 30 fps at 1920×1920 or 60 fps at 1408×1408. Its IR LEDs cover the 700–1100nm range to a maximum of 20m, with a minimum illumination of 0.01 lux (color, F2.4) or 0 lux with IR active. WDR is rated at 135dB Extreme WDR. The A87 uses a 2.8–12mm varifocal lens (4.3x optical zoom per lens spec, 3x per focal-length field), a 1/2.9" sensor, and achieves 30 fps at 2592×1944. Its adaptive IR LEDs span 700–1150nm to a maximum of 30m, with a minimum illumination of 0.15 lux (color) or 0 lux with IR active. WDR is rated at 120dB Advanced WDR.
On low-light sensitivity the A713 holds a measurable edge: 0.01 lux color versus the A87's 0.15 lux color, a 15× difference in stated minimum illumination. The A713 also carries a higher WDR rating (135dB vs 120dB), which may benefit scenes with extreme contrast such as entry points with direct sunlight. The A87 counters with a longer IR throw (30m vs 20m) and a larger maximum resolution frame (2592×1944 vs 1920×1920), giving it more pixel density when the varifocal lens is zoomed in on a defined target area. Sensor size is marginally larger on the A713 (1/2.7" vs 1/2.9").
What about installation and environment?
Both cameras share IP66 and IK10 ratings, confirming equivalent protection against dust ingress and high-impact vandal resistance. The A713 specifies an operating range of -30°C to 55°C with its heater active, and includes a built-in heater as a stated feature. The A87 is rated for -40°C to 50°C, offering a 10°C lower cold-weather threshold without mentioning a heater in the provided specs. The A87 also carries additional certifications absent from the A713: NEMA 4X, EAC, CB, and UL Listed (UL 62368-1), which may be required for certain North American or export market installations.
On power, the A713 is PoE+ (802.3at) Class 0 and also accepts DC 12V; the A87 is PoE+ (802.3at) Class 3 with a stated maximum of 30W and also accepts DC 12V. Both cameras support the same mounting options: wall, pole, pendant, corner, and rack. The A713 uses an RJ-45 pigtail connector; the A87 uses a standard RJ-45 connector with a 2m cable. The A87 is heavier at 858g (1.89lb) versus the A713 at 557.5g (1.23lb), a relevant factor for pendant and pole mounts. The A87 additionally specifies a PTZ-style adjustment range of Pan ±135°, Tilt 0°–90°, Rotation ±90°, consistent with a motorized varifocal dome form factor.
Which fits your VMS and analytics better?
The A713 supports ONVIF Profiles S, G, T, and M. The A87 supports ONVIF Profiles S, G, T, and Q, and additionally lists Pelco-D and Pelco-P protocol compatibility, broadening its integration options with legacy analog-hybrid VMS platforms. Neither camera lists a proprietary SDK or specific third-party VMS certifications beyond these protocols in the provided specs.
On edge analytics, the A87 adds People Counting to the VMD (motion detection) capability both cameras share. Audio handling differs: the A713 provides two-way audio with line-in and line-out; the A87 provides two-way audio with mic-in, line-in, and line-out, adding a microphone input. Neither camera's provided specifications list an onboard SD card or edge storage slot. The A713 specifies a 3-year warranty; no warranty term is stated in the A87's provided specifications.
Which should you choose: the A713 or the A87?
Our take: The A713 is the stronger choice when wide-area single-camera coverage, superior low-light sensitivity, or strict warranty assurance are the primary requirements; the A87 is the stronger choice when adjustable focal length, longer IR throw, broader certification compliance, or legacy VMS protocol support are decisive. Key spec deltas: the A713's minimum color illumination (0.01 lux) is 15× lower than the A87's (0.15 lux), and its WDR rating is higher (135dB vs 120dB), favoring high-contrast and near-darkness scenes. The A87's IR range is 50% longer (30m vs 20m) and it adds NEMA 4X, UL Listed, EAC, and CB certifications absent from the A713, which matters for UL-required projects or cold-climate sites down to -40°C. Buyers on Pelco-D/P legacy VMS infrastructure must choose the A87, as the A713 does not list those protocols.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | ACTi A713 | ACTi A87 |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Image Sensor Size | 1/2.7" | 1/2.9" |
| Lens / Focal Length | 1.1mm fixed, 197° hemispheric | 2.8–12mm varifocal (4.3× optical zoom) |
| Min Illumination (Color) | 0.01 lux @ F2.4 | 0.15 lux |
| Min Illumination (B/W with IR) | 0 lux | 0 lux |
| IR Range | 20m | 30m |
| WDR | 135dB Extreme WDR | 120dB Advanced WDR |
| Max Frame Rate | 30 fps @ 1920×1920; 60 fps @ 1408×1408 | 30 fps @ 2592×1944 |
| Video Compression | H.265; H.264; MJPEG | H.265; H.264 (Baseline/Main/High); MJPEG |
| IP Rating | IP66 | IP66 |
| IK / Impact Rating | IK10 | IK10 |
| Additional Enclosure Rating | — | NEMA 4X |
| Operating Temperature | -30°C to 55°C (heater active) | -40°C to 50°C |
| Power Input / PoE Class | PoE+ (802.3at) Class 0; DC 12V | PoE+ (802.3at) Class 3; DC 12V; 30W max |
| ONVIF Profiles | S, G, T, M | S, G, T, Q |
| Additional VMS Protocols | — | Pelco-D; Pelco-P |
| Edge Analytics | VMD (Motion Detection) | VMD; People Counting |
| Audio | Two-way; Line-in; Line-out | Two-way; Mic-in; Line-in; Line-out |
| Certifications | CE Class A; FCC Class A; IP66; IK10 | CE Class A; FCC Class A; EAC; CB; UL Listed (UL 62368-1); NEMA 4X; IP66; IK10 |
| Weight | 557.5g (1.23lb) | 858g (1.89lb) |
| Warranty | 3 Years | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the A713 or the A87?
The A713 is the stronger choice when wide-area single-camera coverage, superior low-light sensitivity, or strict warranty assurance are the primary requirements; the A87 is the stronger choice when adjustable focal length, longer IR throw, broader certification compliance, or legacy VMS protocol support are decisive. Key spec deltas: the A713's minimum color illumination (0.01 lux) is 15× lower than the A87's (0.15 lux), and its WDR rating is higher (135dB vs 120dB), favoring high-contrast and near-darkness scenes. The A87's IR range is 50% longer (30m vs 20m) and it adds NEMA 4X, UL Listed, EAC, and CB certifications absent from the A713, which matters for UL-required projects or cold-climate sites down to -40°C. Buyers on Pelco-D/P legacy VMS infrastructure must choose the A87, as the A713 does not list those protocols.
Is the A713 or A87 better for low-light and zero-lux performance?
Based on stated specs, the A713 has a lower minimum color illumination (0.01 lux vs 0.15 lux) and a higher WDR rating (135dB vs 120dB), giving it an advantage in near-dark color imaging. Both cameras reach 0 lux in black-and-white mode with IR active. However, the A87's IR LEDs reach 30m versus the A713's 20m, so in pitch-black scenes requiring longer IR throw, the A87 covers more distance.
Which camera is better suited for extreme cold-weather outdoor installations?
The A87 is rated to -40°C versus the A713's -30°C lower limit (with heater active), making the A87 the specified choice for harsher cold-climate deployments. The A87 also holds a NEMA 4X rating not listed for the A713, which provides additional protection against windblown dust and hose-directed water relevant in industrial outdoor environments.
Can either camera integrate with a Pelco-based VMS?
Only the A87 lists Pelco-D and Pelco-P protocol support in its provided specifications. The A713 lists ONVIF Profiles S, G, T, and M only. If your VMS relies on native Pelco protocol rather than ONVIF, the A87 is the compatible option based on the available spec data.
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