ACTi E96 vs i-PRO S4556LMA: Specification Comparison
Both the ACTi E96 and i-PRO WV-S4556LMA are 5MP single-sensor fisheye dome cameras designed for 360-degree or wide-angle coverage from a single mounting point. A buyer choosing between them is weighing a compact, cost-oriented indoor-only fisheye against a ruggedized, AI-capable outdoor fisheye with IR illumination. The comparison spans imaging performance, environmental durability, and analytics depth — three dimensions where the two cameras diverge significantly despite sharing resolution class and fisheye form factor.
In This Guide
How do the imaging specs compare?
Both cameras deliver 5MP resolution through a fixed fisheye lens, but their imaging capabilities differ substantially. The i-PRO WV-S4556LMA specifies a 1/3-type 5MP CMOS sensor with a minimum illumination of 0.15 lx in color and 0.02 lx in black-and-white, a maximum dynamic range of 120 dB (Super Dynamic On, level 31), and a 14-meter IR LED array with auto color/BW switching via ICR. Its focal length is 0.84 mm at f/2.4, covering 186° horizontally and vertically. The ACTi E96 specifies DNR (digital noise reduction) as its low-light technology with no IR LEDs; minimum illumination and WDR figures are not provided in the supplied specifications.
For frame rate, the i-PRO specifies 30 fps; the ACTi E96 does not list a frame rate in the provided specs. The i-PRO's shutter range runs from 16/30s to 1/10000s with Wide Dynamic Range adjustable in 32 levels. The E96's fixed fisheye lens covers 170–190° per its product description, marginally narrower than the i-PRO's specified 186° field of view. In sum, the i-PRO provides a substantially more detailed imaging specification; the ACTi E96's sensor parameters, WDR, and frame rate are not stated in the provided data.
What about installation and environment?
The environmental profiles of these two cameras are categorically different. The i-PRO WV-S4556LMA carries IP66, NEMA 4X, and IK10 ratings, an operating temperature range of -40°C to +60°C, wind resistance up to 40 m/s (~89 mph), a Rosahl anti-condensation element, and EN45545/EN50155 railway compliance. Its housing is aluminum die cast with stainless steel and polycarbonate elements, weighing approximately 870 g with the attachment plate. It is explicitly rated for outdoor deployment. The ACTi E96 is specified as an indoor-only camera; no IP rating, IK rating, or operating temperature range is provided in the supplied specifications.
On power, both cameras draw from PoE 802.3af. The i-PRO specifies PoE Class 0 (up to 12.5W) and also accepts DC 12V at 1.03A. The ACTi E96 is rated at approximately 13W maximum under 802.3af. Both are therefore compatible with a standard 802.3af switch port. The i-PRO uses an M12 connector for its network interface; the E96's connector type is not specified. Mounting options for both include ceiling and wall; the i-PRO additionally lists rack as a mount type in the provided spec data.
Which fits your VMS and analytics better?
The i-PRO WV-S4556LMA supports ONVIF Profiles G, M, S, and T, H.265/H.264 with CBR/VBR and unicast/multicast, GOP control, Auto VIQS smart coding, and up to 14 concurrent users. Its edge analytics include AI-VMD, AI People Counting (360-degree fisheye), AI Privacy Guard (360-degree fisheye), AI Scene Change Detection, and AI Sound Classification. It provides 3 alarm inputs, 1 alarm output, 1 AUX output, audio input/output via 3.5mm jacks, on-board microSD storage, and privacy zone masking for up to 8 zones. The ACTi E96 is described as ONVIF-compatible; specific ONVIF profile support, supported codec set, edge analytics capabilities, audio support, and on-board storage are not stated in the supplied specifications.
For VMS integration, the i-PRO's multi-profile ONVIF support (G/M/S/T) offers broader compatibility with enterprise VMS platforms that leverage Profile G for edge recording or Profile M for metadata. The E96's ONVIF compatibility is noted but unspecified by profile. Buyers whose VMS workflows depend on edge AI analytics, audio detection, or on-board failover recording will find those capabilities documented on the i-PRO; the E96's spec sheet does not address them.
Which should you choose: the E96 or the S4556LMA?
Our take: The i-PRO WV-S4556LMA is the stronger choice when the installation site is outdoors, requires IR night vision, or demands verified edge AI analytics. The spec delta across three critical dimensions is significant: the i-PRO specifies IR illumination to 14 m and a minimum illumination of 0.02 lx (B&W), whereas the E96 carries no IR LEDs and no stated minimum illumination figure. The i-PRO is rated IP66 / IK10 / -40°C to +60°C for outdoor and harsh-environment use; the E96 has no stated IP, IK, or temperature rating and is classified indoor-only. The i-PRO documents ONVIF Profiles G, M, S, and T plus AI-VMD, People Counting, and Privacy Guard; the E96's analytics and ONVIF profile support are not specified. The ACTi E96 may be appropriate for a cost-sensitive, well-lit indoor deployment where a standard 802.3af fisheye is sufficient and extended analytics are not required, but installers cannot confirm that from the provided specifications alone.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | ACTi E96 | i-PRO S4556LMA |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 5MP | 5MP |
| Image Sensor | Not specified | Approx. 1/3-type 5MP CMOS |
| Lens / Focal Length | Fixed fisheye (focal length not specified) | Fixed fisheye, 0.84 mm, f/2.4 |
| Field of View | 170–190° (per product description) | 186° horizontal and vertical |
| Minimum Illumination | Not specified | 0.15 lx (Color), 0.02 lx (B&W) |
| IR Illumination | None (no IR LEDs) | 14 m (45 ft), auto ICR |
| Wide Dynamic Range | Not specified | Max. 120 dB (Super Dynamic On, level 31) |
| Max Frame Rate | Not specified | 30 fps |
| Video Compression | Not specified | H.265, H.264 (CBR/VBR, unicast/multicast) |
| IP Rating | Not specified (indoor only) | IP66, NEMA 4X |
| IK / Impact Rating | Not specified | IK10 (50 J, IEC 60068-2-75 / IEC 62262) |
| Operating Temperature | Not specified | -40°C to +60°C |
| Power Input / PoE | PoE 802.3af (~13W max) | PoE 802.3af (Class 0, 12.5W) or DC 12V 1.03A |
| ONVIF Profile Support | ONVIF-compatible (profile not specified) | Profiles G, M, S, T |
| Edge AI Analytics | Not specified | AI-VMD, AI People Counting, AI Privacy Guard, AI Scene Change Detection, AI Sound Classification |
| Audio | Not specified | 3.5mm audio input and output |
| On-Board Storage | Not specified | microSD |
| Warranty | Not specified | 5-Year Warranty |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the E96 or the S4556LMA?
The i-PRO WV-S4556LMA is the stronger choice when the installation site is outdoors, requires IR night vision, or demands verified edge AI analytics. The spec delta across three critical dimensions is significant: the i-PRO specifies IR illumination to 14 m and a minimum illumination of 0.02 lx (B&W), whereas the E96 carries no IR LEDs and no stated minimum illumination figure. The i-PRO is rated IP66 / IK10 / -40°C to +60°C for outdoor and harsh-environment use; the E96 has no stated IP, IK, or temperature rating and is classified indoor-only. The i-PRO documents ONVIF Profiles G, M, S, and T plus AI-VMD, People Counting, and Privacy Guard; the E96's analytics and ONVIF profile support are not specified. The ACTi E96 may be appropriate for a cost-sensitive, well-lit indoor deployment where a standard 802.3af fisheye is sufficient and extended analytics are not required, but installers cannot confirm that from the provided specifications alone.
Is the E96 or WV-S4556LMA better for low-light or nighttime use?
The i-PRO WV-S4556LMA is the only one of the two with documented low-light capability: it specifies 0.15 lx minimum illumination in color, 0.02 lx in black-and-white, and built-in IR LEDs rated to 14 m (45 ft) with automatic ICR switching. The ACTi E96 lists DNR as its only low-light feature and specifies no minimum illumination value or IR LEDs. For any application requiring night vision or dim-environment performance, the i-PRO is the only option with stated specifications to evaluate.
Can the ACTi E96 be installed outdoors?
Based on the provided specifications, no. The E96 is described as an indoor camera, and no IP ingress protection rating, IK impact rating, or outdoor operating temperature range is listed. The i-PRO WV-S4556LMA, by contrast, is rated IP66 (dust-tight, water-jet resistant), NEMA 4X, IK10 (50 J impact), and operates from -40°C to +60°C, making it suitable for outdoor perimeter deployment.
Do both cameras support ONVIF and standard VMS integration?
Both cameras are described as ONVIF-compatible. However, the i-PRO WV-S4556LMA specifies ONVIF Profiles G, M, S, and T, which enables edge recording (Profile G) and metadata/analytics streaming (Profile M) on compatible VMS platforms. The ACTi E96's ONVIF profile support is not specified in the provided data. Installers targeting a specific VMS should verify the E96's supported ONVIF profiles directly with ACTi before assuming full feature compatibility.
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