ACTi B26 vs Geovision BX3400V-401U: Specification Comparison
Both the ACTi B26 and Geovision BX3400V-401U are 3MP box-form IP cameras aimed at installers needing a fixed, wired surveillance unit for indoor or outdoor deployments. The comparison pits ACTi's optically zooming, analytics-rich PoE+ camera against Geovision's varifocal, entry-level PoE box camera. The key divergences lie in lens range, low-light capability, compression efficiency, edge analytics, and environmental hardening — all of which affect total cost of ownership and site suitability.
In This Guide
How do the imaging specs compare?
Both cameras deliver 3MP resolution, but their imaging systems diverge significantly at the lens level. The ACTi B26 carries a motorized 4.6–165.6 mm board-mount lens providing 36x optical zoom, enabling forensic-detail capture at distances exceeding 100 meters without pixel interpolation. It is paired with a 1/2.8" sensor capable of 30 fps at both 2048×1536 and 1920×1080. The Geovision BX3400V-401U uses a varifocal 3–10.5 mm lens — a 3.5x manual range suited for close- to mid-range fixed framing. Geovision's sensor size and maximum frame rate are not specified in the provided data.
In low-light and high-contrast conditions the gap widens further. The B26 lists a minimum illumination of 0.003 lux in color mode and 0.002 lux in B/W mode (both at F1.55), plus an IR cut filter with sensitivity from 700–1100 nm. It also carries 145 dB Extreme WDR. The BX3400V-401U specifies WDR but does not quantify the dB rating, and neither minimum illumination nor IR capability is listed in the provided specifications.
What about installation and environment?
The ACTi B26 is rated IP66 (dust-tight, protected against powerful water jets) and operates from -20°C to 50°C (-4°F to 122°F), making it suitable for exposed outdoor mounting. It accepts DC 12V or PoE Class 3 (IEEE 802.3af/802.3at) power. Listed mount types are pole, corner, and rack. Weight is 811 g (1.788 lb). An IK impact rating is not provided in the supplied specs.
The Geovision BX3400V-401U lists ceiling and wall mount types and accepts PoE power, but its IP rating, IK rating, operating temperature range, weight, and exact PoE class are not specified in the provided data. Buyers requiring confirmed outdoor weatherproofing or a validated temperature envelope cannot verify those figures from the supplied specifications.
Which fits your VMS and analytics better?
The ACTi B26 is ONVIF Profile S, G, T, and M compliant, and lists explicit compatibility with Milestone and Axis Camera Station VMS platforms in addition to generic ONVIF systems. It includes two-way audio (line-in, line-out) and supports H.265 Adaptive Stream, H.264 (Baseline/Main/High), and MJPEG compression. On-board edge analytics include Video Motion Detection, People Counting, and Smoke Detection. PTZ control is available via Visca, Pelco-D, Pelco-P, and ACTi URL commands. GPS position is supported via manual setting.
The Geovision BX3400V-401U is listed as ONVIF-compatible but specific ONVIF profile support (S, G, T, M) is not confirmed in the supplied data. Compression is listed as H.264 only; H.265 support is not specified. Edge analytics, audio capability, and on-board storage are not listed in the provided specifications.
Which should you choose: the B26 or the BX3400V-401U?
Our take: The B26 is the stronger choice when long-range coverage, verified outdoor hardening, or edge analytics are required. On lens reach alone, the B26's 36x optical zoom (4.6–165.6 mm) versus the BX3400V-401U's 3–10.5 mm varifocal represents a fundamentally different deployment envelope. On low light, the B26's specified 0.003 lux color minimum illumination and 145 dB Extreme WDR contrast with the BX3400V-401U's unquantified WDR and absent IR/illumination figures. On integration, the B26's confirmed ONVIF Profiles S/G/T/M and named VMS compatibility (Milestone, Axis Camera Station) plus H.265, two-way audio, and three on-board analytics exceed what the BX3400V-401U's specs can substantiate. The BX3400V-401U may suit cost-sensitive indoor fixed-framing installations where a short varifocal range is sufficient and environment specs are not critical — but buyers cannot confirm that from the supplied data alone.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | ACTi B26 | Geovision BX3400V-401U |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 3 MP | 3 MP |
| Image Sensor Size | 1/2.8" | — |
| Lens / Focal Length | 4.6–165.6 mm (36x optical zoom) | Varifocal 3–10.5 mm |
| Min Illumination | 0.003 lux (color) / 0.002 lux (B/W) @ F1.55 | — |
| IR / Night Vision | IR cut filter; 700–1100 nm sensitivity | — |
| WDR | 145 dB Extreme WDR | WDR (dB not specified) |
| Max Frame Rate | 30 fps @ 2048×1536; 30 fps @ 1920×1080 | — |
| Video Compression | H.265 Adaptive Stream; H.264 (B/M/H); MJPEG | H.264 |
| ONVIF | Profile S, G, T, M | ONVIF-compatible (profiles not specified) |
| IP Rating | IP66 | — |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to 50°C (-4°F to 122°F) | — |
| Power Input / PoE Class | DC 12V; PoE Class 3 (IEEE 802.3af/at) | PoE (class not specified) |
| Audio | Two-way (line-in, line-out) | — |
| Edge Analytics | VMD; People Counting; Smoke Detection | — |
| Mount Types | Pole; Corner; Rack | Ceiling; Wall |
| Weight | 811 g (1.788 lb) | — |
| Warranty | 3 Years | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the B26 or the BX3400V-401U?
The B26 is the stronger choice when long-range coverage, verified outdoor hardening, or edge analytics are required. On lens reach alone, the B26's 36x optical zoom (4.6–165.6 mm) versus the BX3400V-401U's 3–10.5 mm varifocal represents a fundamentally different deployment envelope. On low light, the B26's specified 0.003 lux color minimum illumination and 145 dB Extreme WDR contrast with the BX3400V-401U's unquantified WDR and absent IR/illumination figures. On integration, the B26's confirmed ONVIF Profiles S/G/T/M and named VMS compatibility (Milestone, Axis Camera Station) plus H.265, two-way audio, and three on-board analytics exceed what the BX3400V-401U's specs can substantiate. The BX3400V-401U may suit cost-sensitive indoor fixed-framing installations where a short varifocal range is sufficient and environment specs are not critical — but buyers cannot confirm that from the supplied data alone.
Is the B26 or BX3400V-401U better for low-light or night-time surveillance?
Based on the provided specifications, the ACTi B26 has a documented minimum illumination of 0.003 lux (color) / 0.002 lux (B/W) at F1.55, an IR cut filter with 700–1100 nm sensitivity, and 145 dB Extreme WDR. The Geovision BX3400V-401U lists WDR support but does not specify a dB rating, minimum illumination value, or IR capability in the supplied specs, so a direct low-light comparison cannot be made.
Can either camera work with my existing Milestone or Axis Camera Station VMS?
The ACTi B26 explicitly lists compatibility with Milestone and Axis Camera Station, in addition to ONVIF Profiles S, G, T, and M. The Geovision BX3400V-401U is described as ONVIF-compatible but specific profile support and named VMS integrations are not listed in the provided specifications.
Which camera is rated for outdoor installation?
The ACTi B26 carries an IP66 rating and an operating temperature range of -20°C to 50°C, confirming suitability for exposed outdoor use. The Geovision BX3400V-401U does not include an IP rating or operating temperature range in the provided specifications, so outdoor suitability cannot be confirmed from the supplied data.
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