ACTi A86 vs ACTi Z715: Specification Comparison
Both the ACTi A86 and ACTi Z715 are 5MP outdoor IP dome cameras powered by 802.3af PoE, positioned for perimeter and area surveillance. While they share a resolution class and outdoor rating, they diverge sharply in lens type, field of view, analytics depth, and form factor. This comparison examines imaging performance, installation requirements, and integration capabilities to help installers and IT buyers determine which unit fits a given deployment scenario.
In This Guide
How do the imaging specs compare?
The A86 delivers 5MP at 2592×1944 on a 1/2.8" sensor with a 2.7–13.5mm motorized varifocal lens providing 5× optical zoom, yielding adjustable fields of view suited to corridors, entries, or perimeter standoff distances. Minimum illumination is specified at 0.018 lux in color mode and 0 lux with IR active; IR range reaches 30m via adaptive IR LEDs. WDR is rated at 125dB (Extreme WDR), making it well-suited for high-contrast backlit scenes such as doorways and loading docks. Maximum frame rate is 30fps. The Z715 is also rated 5MP but its sensor size is not specified in the provided data. It uses a fixed 2.8mm f/1.6 lens delivering a 112.9° wide field of view — no optical zoom capability. Minimum illumination, IR range, and WDR dB value are absent from the Z715 specs; WDR is listed only as 'WDR' without a decibel figure.
On low-light performance, the A86 provides a quantified 0.018 lux floor plus a documented 30m IR throw, while the Z715's f/1.6 aperture suggests competitive low-light sensitivity but no lux floor or IR distance figure is available in the provided specifications to confirm this. Buyers requiring verified low-light numbers or long IR throw should note this data gap for the Z715.
What about installation and environment?
The A86 carries IP66 and IK10 ratings with a documented operating range of −40°C to +50°C (−40°F to +122°F), making it viable for extreme-cold environments such as northern outdoor deployments. Its dome housing measures 139.38mm × 129.75mm (Ø × H). Power input is DC 12V or PoE Class 3 (IEEE 802.3af) at 13W, with a pigtail RJ-45 connector on a 2m cable. Mounting options include wall, pole, pendant, corner, and rack. The Z715 is rated IP67 (submersion-resistant, one step above the A86's IP66 splash resistance) and IK10. Operating temperature range and physical dimensions are not specified in the provided Z715 data. Power is 802.3af PoE; wattage and connector type are not specified. The Z715's mini dome form factor implies a lower profile and smaller footprint than the A86, but exact dimensions are absent.
For installations in areas with standing water or occasional submersion risk (e.g., ground-level mounting in flood-prone zones), the Z715's IP67 rating provides a marginal environmental advantage. For extreme cold or documented temperature range requirements, the A86's −40°C lower bound is the only confirmed figure; the Z715's cold-weather capability cannot be assessed from available specs.
Which fits your VMS and analytics better?
The A86 is ONVIF-certified to Profiles S, G, T, and Q — four profiles covering streaming, recording, metadata/analytics, and device discovery. It includes built-in edge analytics: Video Motion Detection, People Counting, and Smoke Detection. Audio support is two-way with mic-in, line-in, and line-out connections. On-board storage is not mentioned in the provided specs. Compression supports H.265, H.264, and MJPEG.
The Z715 specifies ONVIF compliance without profile enumeration in the provided data, so the exact profile depth (S/G/T/Q) is unconfirmed. Edge analytics are not listed in the provided Z715 specs. Audio is limited to a built-in microphone — receive only, no two-way capability. Notably, the Z715 includes a microSD card slot for on-board edge storage, which the A86 does not list. Compression covers H.265 and H.264; MJPEG is absent from the Z715 spec sheet.
Which should you choose: the A86 or the Z715?
Our take: The A86 is the stronger choice when optical zoom coverage, quantified low-light performance, advanced edge analytics, or verified extreme-temperature operation are required. Concretely: the A86's 5× motorized zoom (2.7–13.5mm) versus the Z715's fixed 2.8mm lens allows a single camera to cover variable standoff distances without repositioning; its WDR is rated at 125dB versus an unquantified 'WDR' on the Z715; and its ONVIF compliance extends to Profiles S, G, T, and Q versus unspecified profiles on the Z715. The Z715 holds a narrow advantage in two areas: its IP67 rating edges out the A86's IP66 for submersion resistance, and it adds a microSD edge-storage slot absent from the A86 spec sheet. Select the Z715 for compact, wide-angle fixed-scene coverage where local storage redundancy matters and zoom is unnecessary; select the A86 for variable-distance, analytics-heavy, or harsh-temperature deployments.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | ACTi A86 | ACTi Z715 |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 5MP (2592×1944) | 5MP |
| Image Sensor Size | 1/2.8" | — |
| Lens / Focal Length | 2.7–13.5mm motorized (5× optical zoom) | 2.8mm fixed, f/1.6 |
| Field of View | — | 112.9° |
| Min. Illumination | 0.018 lux (color); 0 lux (IR on) | — |
| IR Range | 30m | — |
| WDR | 125dB (Extreme WDR) | WDR (dB not specified) |
| Max Frame Rate | 30fps | — |
| Video Compression | H.265; H.264; MJPEG | H.265; H.264 |
| IP Rating | IP66 | IP67 |
| IK / Impact Rating | IK10 | IK10 |
| Operating Temperature | −40°C to +50°C | — |
| Power Input / PoE Class | PoE Class 3 (802.3af); DC 12V — 13W | PoE (802.3af) — wattage not specified |
| ONVIF Profiles | S, G, T, Q | Yes (profiles not specified) |
| Edge Analytics | VMD; People Counting; Smoke Detection | — |
| Audio | Two-way (mic-in, line-in, line-out) | Built-in microphone (receive only) |
| Edge Storage | — | MicroSD card slot |
| Form Factor | Dome (Ø139.38mm × H129.75mm) | Mini Dome (dimensions not specified) |
| Certifications | CE Class A; FCC Class A; EAC; IP66; IK10 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the A86 or the Z715?
The A86 is the stronger choice when optical zoom coverage, quantified low-light performance, advanced edge analytics, or verified extreme-temperature operation are required. Concretely: the A86's 5× motorized zoom (2.7–13.5mm) versus the Z715's fixed 2.8mm lens allows a single camera to cover variable standoff distances without repositioning; its WDR is rated at 125dB versus an unquantified 'WDR' on the Z715; and its ONVIF compliance extends to Profiles S, G, T, and Q versus unspecified profiles on the Z715. The Z715 holds a narrow advantage in two areas: its IP67 rating edges out the A86's IP66 for submersion resistance, and it adds a microSD edge-storage slot absent from the A86 spec sheet. Select the Z715 for compact, wide-angle fixed-scene coverage where local storage redundancy matters and zoom is unnecessary; select the A86 for variable-distance, analytics-heavy, or harsh-temperature deployments.
Is the A86 or Z715 better for low-light and night performance?
Based on available specs, the A86 is better documented for low-light use: it lists a 0.018 lux minimum illumination in color mode, 0 lux with IR active, and a 30m adaptive IR range. The Z715's f/1.6 lens aperture may support strong low-light sensitivity, but no lux floor or IR distance figure is provided in its specifications, so a direct numerical comparison cannot be made.
Can either camera record locally without a NVR?
Only the Z715 lists a microSD card slot for on-board edge storage in the provided specifications. The A86 does not include a local storage option in its spec sheet, making the Z715 the only confirmed choice if NVR-independent local recording is required.
Which camera is easier to integrate with a third-party VMS?
The A86 is confirmed ONVIF Profiles S, G, T, and Q — the broadest interoperability profile set, covering streaming, recording, metadata, and discovery. The Z715 lists ONVIF compliance but specific profile support is not enumerated in the provided specs. Installers who require a confirmed multi-profile ONVIF implementation should verify Z715 profile support directly with ACTi before specifying it for a mixed-VMS environment.
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