ACTi B26 vs Geovision BX3400V-501U: Specification Comparison
Both the ACTi B26 and the Geovision BX3400V-501U are 3MP box-form IP cameras powered over PoE with 12V DC backup support, making them plausible cross-shop candidates for fixed-position surveillance deployments. The ACTi B26 is a long-range zoom box with a 36x optical zoom lens and an extensive feature set, while the Geovision BX3400V-501U is a short-range varifocal box camera with a 2.8–6mm manual varifocal lens. This comparison evaluates imaging capability, installation requirements, and integration fit based solely on published specifications.
In This Guide
How do the imaging specs compare?
Both cameras output at 3MP, but the lens systems are in entirely different classes. The ACTi B26 carries a 4.6–165.6mm motorized lens delivering 36x optical zoom, rated for 30fps at both 2048×1536 and 1920×1080. Its 1/2.8" sensor achieves minimum illumination of 0.003 lux in color and 0.002 lux in B/W at F1.55, with an IR cut filter and 700–1100nm spectral sensitivity for day/night transitions. The Geovision BX3400V-501U uses a varifocal 2.8–6mm lens — a 2.1x manual zoom range — with no minimum illumination figure, no IR specification, and no frame rate data published in the available specs.
WDR is listed for both cameras, but specificity differs significantly. The ACTi B26 specifies Extreme WDR at 145dB — a quantified figure directly useful for scene planning in backlit or high-contrast environments. The Geovision BX3400V-501U lists 'WDR' with no dB rating provided in the available specifications. The B26 also documents H.265 Adaptive Stream compression alongside H.264 and MJPEG; the BX3400V-501U specifies H.264 only. No sensor size, sensor type, or low-light performance data is available for the Geovision unit.
What about installation and environment?
The ACTi B26 carries an IP66 ingress protection rating, confirming dust-tight and rain-jet resistance, and is rated for operation from -20°C to 50°C (-4°F to 122°F). It accepts PoE+ (802.3at, Class 3) or 12V DC and weighs 811g (1.79 lb). Supported mount types are listed as Pole, Corner, and Rack. The Geovision BX3400V-501U specifies Wall and Ceiling mounting, accepts PoE and 12V DC, but has no IP rating, no IK rating, no operating temperature range, and no weight listed in the available specifications. For outdoor or temperature-extreme deployments, the absence of environmental ratings on the BX3400V-501U means suitability cannot be confirmed from spec data alone.
The B26's PoE+ Class 3 designation (802.3at) is consistent with the higher power draw expected from a motorized 36x zoom mechanism. The BX3400V-501U's PoE standard and class are not specified beyond 'PoE,' meaning switch compatibility cannot be assessed without contacting the manufacturer. Both cameras use a standard RJ-45 Ethernet connection; only the B26 documents this explicitly.
Which fits your VMS and analytics better?
The ACTi B26 is ONVIF Profile S, G, T, and M compliant and is documented as compatible with Milestone and Axis Camera Station VMS platforms in addition to general ONVIF endpoints. It supports two-way audio (line-in and line-out). Edge analytics include Video Motion Detection, People Counting, and Smoke Detection. PTZ control is via Visca, Pelco-D, Pelco-P, and ACTi URL commands. The Geovision BX3400V-501U lists ONVIF compliance with no profile designations specified, no audio capability, no edge analytics, and no PTZ protocol data in the available specifications.
Neither camera's onboard storage capability (SD card slot) is confirmed in the provided specifications for either unit, so edge recording cannot be compared. The B26 holds CE Class B, FCC Class B, and Taiwan IoT Cybersecurity Certification (TAICS Level 1, TCA Level 2) approvals, with a documented 3-year warranty. No certification, compliance marks, or warranty data are available for the Geovision BX3400V-501U from the supplied spec sheet.
Which should you choose: the B26 or the BX3400V-501U?
Our take: The B26 is the stronger choice when long-range identification, outdoor durability, or VMS analytics are project requirements. Spec delta is substantial: the B26 delivers a 36x optical zoom (4.6–165.6mm) versus the BX3400V-501U's 2.8–6mm varifocal range — a fundamentally different application envelope. The B26's 145dB quantified Extreme WDR and 0.003 lux minimum illumination provide concrete scene-planning data; the BX3400V-501U lists no comparable low-light or WDR figures. The B26 is rated IP66 and -20°C to 50°C for outdoor use; the BX3400V-501U carries no published IP or temperature rating, making outdoor suitability unverifiable from available data. The BX3400V-501U may be adequate for controlled indoor scenes where a short varifocal range suffices and analytics, audio, and environmental hardening are not required — but buyers cannot confirm that from the published specifications without additional data from the manufacturer.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | ACTi B26 | Geovision BX3400V-501U |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 3MP | 3MP |
| Image Sensor Size | 1/2.8" | — |
| Lens / Focal Length | 4.6–165.6mm (36x optical zoom) | Varifocal 2.8–6mm |
| Min Illumination | 0.003 lux color / 0.002 lux B/W @ F1.55 | — |
| IR / Night Vision | IR; 700–1100nm sensitivity; IR cut filter | — |
| WDR | Extreme WDR 145dB | WDR (no dB rating specified) |
| Max Frame Rate | 30fps @ 2048×1536; 30fps @ 1920×1080 | — |
| Video Compression | H.265 Adaptive Stream; H.264; MJPEG | H.264 |
| ONVIF | Profile S, G, T, M | ONVIF (profiles not specified) |
| Edge Analytics | VMD; People Counting; Smoke Detection | — |
| Audio | Two-way (line-in, line-out) | — |
| IP Rating | IP66 | — |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to 50°C (-4°F to 122°F) | — |
| Power Input / PoE Class | PoE+ 802.3at Class 3; 12V DC | PoE (class unspecified); 12V DC |
| Mount Types | Pole; Corner; Rack | Wall; Ceiling |
| Weight | 811g (1.79 lb) | — |
| Certifications | CE Class B; FCC Class B; TAICS Level 1; TCA Level 2 | — |
| Warranty | 3 Years | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the B26 or the BX3400V-501U?
The B26 is the stronger choice when long-range identification, outdoor durability, or VMS analytics are project requirements. Spec delta is substantial: the B26 delivers a 36x optical zoom (4.6–165.6mm) versus the BX3400V-501U's 2.8–6mm varifocal range — a fundamentally different application envelope. The B26's 145dB quantified Extreme WDR and 0.003 lux minimum illumination provide concrete scene-planning data; the BX3400V-501U lists no comparable low-light or WDR figures. The B26 is rated IP66 and -20°C to 50°C for outdoor use; the BX3400V-501U carries no published IP or temperature rating, making outdoor suitability unverifiable from available data. The BX3400V-501U may be adequate for controlled indoor scenes where a short varifocal range suffices and analytics, audio, and environmental hardening are not required — but buyers cannot confirm that from the published specifications without additional data from the manufacturer.
Is the B26 or BX3400V-501U better for low-light performance?
Based on available specifications, only the ACTi B26 publishes low-light data: 0.003 lux in color and 0.002 lux in B/W at F1.55, with an IR cut filter and 700–1100nm IR sensitivity. The Geovision BX3400V-501U provides no minimum illumination figure and no IR specification in its published specs, so a direct comparison cannot be made from spec data alone.
Can either camera be mounted outdoors?
The ACTi B26 is rated IP66 and operates from -20°C to 50°C, confirming dust-tight and rain-jet resistance for outdoor installation. The Geovision BX3400V-501U has no IP rating or operating temperature range published in the available specifications, so outdoor suitability cannot be confirmed from spec data without consulting Geovision directly.
Which camera supports more VMS platforms and edge analytics?
The ACTi B26 documents ONVIF Profile S, G, T, and M compliance plus named compatibility with Milestone and Axis Camera Station, and includes edge analytics for Video Motion Detection, People Counting, and Smoke Detection, plus two-way audio. The Geovision BX3400V-501U lists ONVIF compliance with no profile designations and no edge analytics or audio listed in the available specifications.
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