ACTi A86 vs ACTi A87: Specification Comparison
The ACTi A86 and A87 are both 5 MP outdoor zoom dome cameras from ACTi, sharing the same resolution class, dome form factor, and outdoor-rated housing. Both are positioned for perimeter and entry-point surveillance with motorized/varifocal zoom lenses, IR night vision, and ONVIF compliance. Buyers evaluating either model are typically selecting a ruggedized zoom dome for a similar deployment tier, making a direct specification comparison meaningful for installers and procurement teams.
In This Guide
How do the imaging specs compare?
Both cameras deliver 5 MP resolution at 2592×1944 and 30 fps, with H.265/H.264/MJPEG compression and IR night vision rated to 30 m. The A86 uses a 1/2.8" sensor and achieves a minimum illumination of 0.018 lux in color mode, dropping to 0 lux with IR active. Its lens spans 2.7–13.5 mm with 5× optical zoom. The A87 uses a slightly smaller 1/2.9" sensor and has a higher minimum illumination of 0.15 lux in color mode (0 lux in B/W with IR on), with a 2.8–12 mm varifocal lens specified as 3× optical zoom in one field and 4.3× in another—a discrepancy in the provided specs that buyers should verify with ACTi directly.
WDR performance differs: the A86 is rated at 125 dB (Extreme WDR), while the A87 is rated at 120 dB (Advanced WDR). The A86's lower minimum illumination figure and wider WDR rating indicate an edge in low-light and high-contrast imaging on paper. The A87's IR LED is specified with a wavelength range of 700–1150 nm; no equivalent wavelength figure is provided for the A86.
What about installation and environment?
Both cameras carry IP66 and IK10 ratings and share an identical operating temperature range of −40°C to +50°C (−40°F to +122°F). Both support the same mount types: wall, pole, pendant, corner, and rack, and ship with a 2 m cable tail. The A86 uses an RJ-45 pigtail connector; the A87 uses a standard RJ-45 connector. The A86 dimensions are 139.38 mm × 129.75 mm; no dimensional spec is provided for the A87. The A87 weight is 858 g (1.892 lb); no weight is provided for the A86.
Power input is a key differentiator. The A86 draws a maximum of 13 W and is powered by PoE 802.3af (Class 3), a standard supported by virtually all managed PoE switches. The A87 is listed as PoE+ (802.3at) in its power-class field and carries a maximum wattage of 30 W—requiring an 802.3at-capable switch port. Note that the A87's Power_Supply field also references 802.3af, which conflicts with the 30 W figure; installers should verify the actual PoE standard requirement with ACTi before specifying switch infrastructure. The A87 also adds NEMA 4X and UL Listed (UL 62368-1) certifications not present on the A86, which may be required for certain North American or industrial-site compliance specifications.
Which fits your VMS and analytics better?
Both cameras are ONVIF Profile S, G, T, and Q compliant, providing broad VMS compatibility. The A87 additionally supports Pelco-D and Pelco-P protocols, which expands compatibility with legacy Pelco-based video management infrastructure—a meaningful differentiator for retrofit installations. The A87 also includes a manual GPS position setting field; no GPS capability is listed for the A86.
Edge analytics differ: the A86 includes Video Motion Detection, People Counting, and Smoke Detection. The A87 lists only VMD and People Counting—Smoke Detection is not specified. Both cameras support two-way audio with mic-in, line-in, and line-out. Neither camera lists onboard edge storage (SD card) capability in the provided specifications; buyers requiring local recording should verify SD card support directly with ACTi for both models. The A87 lists PTZ range values (Pan ±135°, Tilt 0°–90°, Rotation ±90°), which appear to describe physical adjustment range rather than motorized PTZ movement, consistent with its dome form factor.
Which should you choose: the A86 or the A87?
Our take: The A86 is the stronger choice when imaging performance, power-budget efficiency, and analytics depth are the primary decision drivers. Its 125 dB Extreme WDR outrates the A87's 120 dB Advanced WDR, its minimum color illumination of 0.018 lux is significantly lower than the A87's 0.15 lux, and it adds Smoke Detection analytics absent from the A87—all on a 13 W 802.3af PoE budget that avoids the switch-upgrade costs the A87's 30 W draw may require. The A87, however, is the better fit for sites requiring NEMA 4X enclosure ratings, UL 62368-1 listing, or Pelco-D/Pelco-P VMS protocol compatibility—certifications and protocols the A86 does not carry. Buyers on legacy Pelco infrastructure or projects with North American code requirements specifying NEMA 4X or UL listing should select the A87 despite its higher power demand.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | ACTi A86 | ACTi A87 |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 5 MP (2592×1944) | 5 MP (2592×1944) |
| Image Sensor Size | 1/2.8" | 1/2.9" |
| Lens / Focal Length | 2.7–13.5 mm, 5× optical zoom | 2.8–12 mm, 3× optical zoom (4.3× per alternate spec field) |
| Min. Illumination (Color) | 0.018 lux | 0.15 lux |
| Min. Illumination (IR On) | 0 lux | 0 lux (B/W) |
| IR Range | 30 m | 30 m |
| WDR | 125 dB (Extreme WDR) | 120 dB (Advanced WDR) |
| Max Frame Rate | 30 fps | 30 fps |
| Video Compression | H.265; H.264; MJPEG | H.265; H.264 (Baseline/Main/High); MJPEG |
| IP Rating | IP66 | IP66 |
| IK / Impact Rating | IK10 | IK10 |
| NEMA Rating | — | NEMA 4X |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +50°C | -40°C to +50°C |
| Power Input / PoE Class | PoE 802.3af Class 3; 13 W max | PoE+ 802.3at Class 3 listed; 30 W max (802.3af also referenced — verify with ACTi) |
| ONVIF / VMS Protocols | ONVIF Profile S, G, T, Q | ONVIF Profile S, G, T, Q; Pelco-D; Pelco-P |
| Edge Analytics | VMD; People Counting; Smoke Detection | VMD; People Counting |
| Audio | Two-way (Mic-in, Line-in, Line-out) | Two-way (Mic-in, Line-in, Line-out) |
| Certifications | CE Class A; FCC Class A; EAC | CE Class A; FCC Class A; EAC; CB; UL Listed (UL 62368-1); NEMA 4X |
| Dimensions (Ø × H) | 139.38 mm × 129.75 mm | — |
| Weight | — | 858 g (1.892 lb) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the A86 or the A87?
The A86 is the stronger choice when imaging performance, power-budget efficiency, and analytics depth are the primary decision drivers. Its 125 dB Extreme WDR outrates the A87's 120 dB Advanced WDR, its minimum color illumination of 0.018 lux is significantly lower than the A87's 0.15 lux, and it adds Smoke Detection analytics absent from the A87—all on a 13 W 802.3af PoE budget that avoids the switch-upgrade costs the A87's 30 W draw may require. The A87, however, is the better fit for sites requiring NEMA 4X enclosure ratings, UL 62368-1 listing, or Pelco-D/Pelco-P VMS protocol compatibility—certifications and protocols the A86 does not carry. Buyers on legacy Pelco infrastructure or projects with North American code requirements specifying NEMA 4X or UL listing should select the A87 despite its higher power demand.
Is the A86 or A87 better for low-light performance?
Based on the provided specifications, the A86 has an advantage in low-light color imaging, with a minimum illumination of 0.018 lux versus the A87's 0.15 lux. Both cameras reach 0 lux with IR active, and both have a 30 m IR range. The A86's larger 1/2.8" sensor (vs. the A87's 1/2.9") and higher WDR rating (125 dB vs. 120 dB) further support its low-light edge on paper; real-world performance should be validated with ACTi application engineering.
Can the A87 work with my existing Pelco VMS?
Yes, per the provided specifications. The A87 lists Pelco-D and Pelco-P protocol support in addition to ONVIF Profile S, G, T, and Q. The A86 lists only ONVIF profiles and does not include Pelco-D or Pelco-P compatibility in its specifications, making the A87 the documented choice for Pelco-based video management systems.
Do I need a PoE+ switch for the A87?
The A87's specifications list PoE+ (802.3at) as its power class and show a maximum wattage of 30 W, which exceeds the 15.4 W ceiling of standard 802.3af. However, the same product's Power_Supply field also references IEEE 802.3af, which is inconsistent. Installers should confirm the actual PoE standard requirement directly with ACTi before specifying switch infrastructure. The A86, by contrast, is consistently documented at 802.3af Class 3 with a 13 W maximum, compatible with standard PoE switches.
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