ACTi A810 vs ACTi A86: Specification Comparison
Both the ACTi A810 and ACTi A86 are 5MP outdoor zoom dome cameras sharing the same resolution class, lens range, and PoE power standard — products a security integrator or IT buyer would legitimately cross-shop for perimeter or entry-point coverage. This comparison examines where the two models diverge across imaging performance, environmental and installation requirements, and platform integration, drawing exclusively from the published specifications provided for each unit.
In This Guide
How do the imaging specs compare?
Both cameras deliver 5MP resolution at 30 fps and use a 2.7–13.5 mm motorized 5x optical zoom lens, making their coverage geometry identical. The A810 houses its sensor in a 1/2.7" format, while the A86 uses a slightly smaller 1/2.8" sensor; all else equal, the marginally larger sensor in the A810 has a modest light-collection advantage. Minimum illumination is listed as 0.018 lux (color) and 0 lux (IR on) for both models, so neither separates itself on that published figure. The A86 specifies its full pixel array as 2592×1944, whereas the A810 spec does not list the pixel-array dimensions explicitly.
WDR performance is the clearest imaging differentiator: the A810 is rated at 150 dB Extreme WDR versus 125 dB Extreme WDR on the A86 — a 25 dB advantage for the A810 in scenes with simultaneous deep shadow and bright highlights. IR range is the opposite story: the A86 provides 30 m of adaptive IR reach, compared with 15 m on the A810, giving the A86 twice the usable zero-lux range. The A810 specifies both a B/W illumination floor of 0 lux with IR active and separate color/B&W lux values (Color: 0.018 lux at 30 IRE; B/W: 0 lux IR on), while the A86 lists 0.018 lux color and 0 lux IR on without a separate B/W IRE figure.
What about installation and environment?
Both cameras carry IP66 ingress protection and IK10 impact resistance, so neither offers a housing advantage for outdoor vandal-prone deployments. Power requirements are identical: DC 12V or PoE IEEE 802.3af Class 3, with the A86 explicitly stating 13 W consumption — the A810 spec notes Class 3 (under 13 W) but does not provide a watt figure, so exact switch-budget planning favors the A86's published number.
Operating temperature is a meaningful differentiator for cold-climate installations: the A86 is rated from −40°C to +50°C (−40°F to +122°F), while the A810's lower limit is −30°C (−22°F). For sites in northern climates or unheated enclosures, the A86's extra 10°C of cold tolerance may be decisive. Mounting options differ slightly: the A810 supports Wall, Pendant, and Rack; the A86 adds Pole and Corner mounts, giving installers more bracket flexibility in the field. The A86 also publishes physical dimensions (Ø 139.38 mm × H 129.75 mm / 5.48" × 5.10"), while the A810 does not include dimensions in the provided spec set. The A86 uses an RJ-45 pigtail connector on a 2 m cable; the A810 uses a standard RJ-45 port, which may affect weatherproofing approach at the junction.
Which fits your VMS and analytics better?
ONVIF compliance is nearly equivalent: both support Profile S, G, T, and Q. The A810 additionally lists ONVIF Profile M — a profile that includes metadata streaming for analytics events — which the A86 does not specify. On the analytics side, the A810 is listed with Deep Learning (DLPU) and VMD, indicating hardware-accelerated inference on-board. The A86 lists VMD, People Counting, and Smoke Detection, but does not specify a DLPU; integrators requiring deep-learning edge inference should verify the A86's processing architecture against the manufacturer's documentation before specifying.
Audio support exists on both cameras with two-way capability. The A810 specifies line-in and line-out. The A86 specifies Mic-in, Line-in, and Line-out — offering an additional microphone input that the A810 does not list, which can simplify wiring when a local microphone is preferred over an amplified line source. Neither product's provided spec set includes an on-board SD card or edge storage specification, so local recording capability should be confirmed directly with ACTi before deployment in bandwidth-constrained or NVR-failover scenarios. Certifications for the A86 are explicitly listed (CE Class A, FCC Class A, EAC); the A810 spec does not include a certifications field in the data provided.
Which should you choose: the A810 or the A86?
Our take: The A810 is the stronger choice when scene contrast is the primary challenge — its 150 dB WDR rating outperforms the A86's 125 dB by 25 dB, and its DLPU-backed deep learning analytics and ONVIF Profile M support give it an edge on intelligent edge processing and metadata-rich VMS integration. Conversely, the A86 is the better fit for long-range zero-lux perimeters and cold-climate sites: it delivers 30 m of IR reach versus 15 m on the A810, operates down to −40°C versus −30°C, and adds Pole and Corner mount options not listed for the A810. The A86 also explicitly publishes its 13 W consumption figure and physical dimensions, simplifying infrastructure planning. Choose the A810 for high-contrast, analytics-driven deployments on modern Profile M VMSs; choose the A86 for extended IR range, extreme cold, or flexible bracket mounting requirements.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | ACTi A810 | ACTi A86 |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 5 MP | 5 MP (2592×1944) |
| Image Sensor Size | 1/2.7" | 1/2.8" |
| Lens / Focal Length | 2.7–13.5 mm (5x optical zoom) | 2.7–13.5 mm (5x optical zoom) |
| Min Illumination | Color: 0.018 lux (30 IRE); B/W: 0 lux (IR on) | 0.018 lux (color); 0 lux (IR on) |
| IR Range | 15 m | 30 m |
| WDR | Extreme WDR (150 dB) | Extreme WDR (125 dB) |
| Max Frame Rate | 30 fps @ 5 MP | 30 fps |
| Video Compression | H.265; H.264; MJPEG | H.265; H.264; MJPEG |
| IP Rating | IP66 | IP66 |
| IK / Impact Rating | IK10 | IK10 |
| Operating Temperature | -30°C to +50°C (-22°F to +122°F) | -40°C to +50°C (-40°F to +122°F) |
| Power Input / PoE Class | DC 12V or PoE 802.3af Class 3 (under 13 W) | DC 12V or PoE 802.3af Class 3 (13 W) |
| ONVIF Profiles | S, G, Q, T, M | S, G, T, Q |
| Edge Analytics | Deep Learning (DLPU); VMD | VMD; People Counting; Smoke Detection |
| Audio | Two-way (line-in, line-out) | Two-way (Mic-in, Line-in, Line-out) |
| Mount Types | Wall; Pendant; Rack | Wall; Pole; Pendant; Corner; Rack |
| Connector | RJ-45 | RJ-45 pigtail (2 m cable) |
| Dimensions | — | Ø 139.38 mm × H 129.75 mm (5.48" × 5.10") |
| Certifications | — | CE Class A; FCC Class A; EAC |
| Warranty | 3 Year(s) | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the A810 or the A86?
The A810 is the stronger choice when scene contrast is the primary challenge — its 150 dB WDR rating outperforms the A86's 125 dB by 25 dB, and its DLPU-backed deep learning analytics and ONVIF Profile M support give it an edge on intelligent edge processing and metadata-rich VMS integration. Conversely, the A86 is the better fit for long-range zero-lux perimeters and cold-climate sites: it delivers 30 m of IR reach versus 15 m on the A810, operates down to −40°C versus −30°C, and adds Pole and Corner mount options not listed for the A810. The A86 also explicitly publishes its 13 W consumption figure and physical dimensions, simplifying infrastructure planning. Choose the A810 for high-contrast, analytics-driven deployments on modern Profile M VMSs; choose the A86 for extended IR range, extreme cold, or flexible bracket mounting requirements.
Is the A810 or A86 better for low-light performance?
Both cameras share the same published minimum illumination figure of 0.018 lux in color and 0 lux with IR active, so neither is spec-documented as more sensitive than the other at the sensor level. However, the A86 provides 30 m of adaptive IR range versus 15 m on the A810, meaning the A86 can illuminate and capture usable footage at twice the distance in zero-lux conditions. For close-range zero-lux needs the cameras are equivalent on paper; for longer dark corridors or perimeter runs, the A86's IR reach is the practical advantage.
Can either camera operate in extreme cold, such as a northern outdoor installation in winter?
The A86 is rated to −40°C (−40°F) at its lower operating limit, while the A810 bottoms out at −30°C (−22°F). For installations in regions where ambient temperatures regularly fall below −30°C — unheated parking structures, northern-latitude perimeter fencing, or outdoor kiosks — the A86 is the specified choice. Both cameras share the same +50°C upper limit.
Which camera is better suited to a VMS platform that uses ONVIF analytics metadata?
The A810 lists ONVIF Profile M compliance, which is the profile specifically designed to carry analytics metadata (object classification, bounding boxes, event streams) from camera to VMS. The A86's provided specs list Profiles S, G, T, and Q but do not include Profile M. If your VMS leverages Profile M for deep-learning event data, the A810 is the documented choice; the A86's Profile M support should be verified directly with ACTi before specifying it in a metadata-dependent architecture.
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