Bosch NDE-5704-AL vs Bosch NDE-8704-R: Specification Comparison
Both the Bosch NDE-5704-AL and NDE-8704-R are 8MP (3840×2160) outdoor varifocal dome cameras aimed at commercial and industrial surveillance installers. They share the same resolution class, dome form factor, H.265/H.264/MJPEG compression, 30 fps frame rate, and NDAA compliance. The comparison centers on sensor size and low-light performance, impact and temperature ratings, and the depth of built-in video analytics — factors that meaningfully differentiate these two models for a spec-driven buyer.
In This Guide
How do the imaging specs compare?
The NDE-8704-R carries a larger 1/1.8" CMOS sensor versus the NDE-5704-AL's 1/2.8" CMOS. That difference is directly reflected in minimum illumination: the NDE-8704-R reaches 0.036 lux color / 0.0054 lux B/W, while the NDE-5704-AL is rated at 0.065 lux color / 0.02 lux B/W — meaning the NDE-8704-R captures usable color and B/W images at light levels roughly 1.8× and 3.7× dimmer, respectively.
Both cameras deliver 120 dB Wide Dynamic Range and a varifocal lens, though the zoom ranges differ: the NDE-5704-AL covers 3.2–10.5 mm and the NDE-8704-R covers 3.9–10 mm. The NDE-5704-AL specifies an IR illumination wavelength of 850 nm with a stated range of 40 m; the NDE-8704-R lists integrated IR night vision but the specific IR range in meters is not provided in the supplied specifications. Both support Day/Night operation.
What about installation and environment?
Impact protection is a clear differentiator: the NDE-8704-R is rated IK11, one grade above the NDE-5704-AL's IK10. Both carry an IP66 environmental rating for dust-tight, jet-water-resistant outdoor use. The NDE-8704-R also has a broader operating temperature range of -50 °C to +60 °C (-58 °F to +140 °F) compared to the NDE-5704-AL's -40 °C to +55 °C (-40 °F to +131 °F) — a meaningful difference for arctic or high-heat deployments.
Both cameras are powered via PoE+ (802.3at). The NDE-5704-AL weighs 620 g and ships with a cable box for surface mount; mounting options listed include wall, ceiling, pole, pendant, corner, and rack. The NDE-8704-R is heavier at 2.30 kg with dimensions of 175 mm × 148 mm (Ø × H); its listed mount options are wall, ceiling, pole, pendant, and rack — corner mount is not listed in the supplied specs for the NDE-8704-R.
Which fits your VMS and analytics better?
Both cameras are ONVIF-compliant and support 4-stream multi-streaming, local microSD/SDHC/SDXC storage, built-in audio input, and alarm I/O. The NDE-8704-R additionally specifies ONVIF Profile T, TLS 1.2, AES-256, and AES-128 encryption in the supplied specs — encryption protocol detail is not listed for the NDE-5704-AL. The NDE-8704-R also notes Auto-MDIX on its shielded RJ45 port; the NDE-5704-AL specifies a 10/100 Base-T auto-sensing, half/full-duplex interface.
Analytics capability is where the two cameras diverge most sharply. The NDE-5704-AL lists video analytics and audio analytics. The NDE-8704-R lists IVA Pro Buildings, IVA Pro Perimeter, and IVA Pro Privacy — named Bosch rule-set packages — and also specifies a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DLPU) on board. If your deployment requires named perimeter or privacy-masking analytics at the edge without a separate server license, the NDE-8704-R's stated analytics stack is materially more capable based on the provided specifications. The NDE-5704-AL supports Bosch Cloud; cloud support for the NDE-8704-R is also listed as supported.
Which should you choose: the NDE-5704-AL or the NDE-8704-R?
Our take: The NDE-8704-R is the stronger choice when low-light performance, extreme-temperature resilience, and named deep-learning edge analytics are the primary requirements. Its 1/1.8" sensor achieves 0.036 lux color versus the NDE-5704-AL's 0.065 lux — a 1.8× sensitivity advantage — and 0.0054 lux B/W versus 0.02 lux, a 3.7× advantage in near-darkness. Its IK11 impact rating exceeds the NDE-5704-AL's IK10, and its -50 °C to +60 °C operating range is 10 °C wider on both ends. It also ships with on-board DLPU and named IVA Pro analytics suites. The NDE-5704-AL is a credible alternative where a specified 40 m IR range, lighter weight (620 g vs 2.30 kg), corner-mount compatibility, and a tighter lens wide-end (3.2 mm vs 3.9 mm) better match the installation. Budget and platform licensing should be verified directly with Bosch, as pricing is not reflected in these specifications.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | Bosch NDE-5704-AL | Bosch NDE-8704-R |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 8MP (3840 × 2160) | 8MP (3840 × 2160) |
| Image Sensor | 1/2.8" CMOS | 1/1.8" CMOS |
| Lens / Focal Length | Varifocal 3.2–10.5 mm | Varifocal 3.9–10 mm |
| Min. Illumination (Color) | 0.065 lux | 0.036 lux |
| Min. Illumination (B/W) | 0.02 lux | 0.0054 lux |
| IR Range | 40 m (850 nm) | Integrated IR; range not specified |
| Wide Dynamic Range | 120 dB | 120 dB |
| Max Frame Rate | 30 fps @ 8MP | 30 fps @ 8MP |
| Video Compression | H.265, H.264, MJPEG | H.265, H.264, MJPEG |
| IP Rating | IP66 | IP66 |
| IK / Impact Rating | IK10 | IK11 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +55 °C (-40 °F to +131 °F) | -50 °C to +60 °C (-58 °F to +140 °F) |
| Power Input / PoE Class | PoE+ (802.3at) | PoE+ (802.3at) |
| Edge Storage | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | microSD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Audio | Two-way; built-in mic | Microphone supported |
| Edge Analytics | Video analytics, audio analytics | IVA Pro Buildings, IVA Pro Perimeter, IVA Pro Privacy; DLPU |
| ONVIF | Yes | Yes (Profile T) |
| Encryption | Not specified | TLS 1.2, AES-256, AES-128 |
| Weight | 620 g (1.4 lb) | 2.30 kg |
| Dimensions | Not specified | 175 mm × 148 mm (Ø × H) |
| NDAA Compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | Manufacturer Warranty | Manufacturer Warranty |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the NDE-5704-AL or the NDE-8704-R?
The NDE-8704-R is the stronger choice when low-light performance, extreme-temperature resilience, and named deep-learning edge analytics are the primary requirements. Its 1/1.8" sensor achieves 0.036 lux color versus the NDE-5704-AL's 0.065 lux — a 1.8× sensitivity advantage — and 0.0054 lux B/W versus 0.02 lux, a 3.7× advantage in near-darkness. Its IK11 impact rating exceeds the NDE-5704-AL's IK10, and its -50 °C to +60 °C operating range is 10 °C wider on both ends. It also ships with on-board DLPU and named IVA Pro analytics suites. The NDE-5704-AL is a credible alternative where a specified 40 m IR range, lighter weight (620 g vs 2.30 kg), corner-mount compatibility, and a tighter lens wide-end (3.2 mm vs 3.9 mm) better match the installation. Budget and platform licensing should be verified directly with Bosch, as pricing is not reflected in these specifications.
Is the NDE-5704-AL or NDE-8704-R better for low-light surveillance?
Based on the supplied specifications, the NDE-8704-R is the lower-light performer. Its minimum illumination is 0.036 lux color / 0.0054 lux B/W, compared to 0.065 lux color / 0.02 lux B/W for the NDE-5704-AL. The NDE-8704-R's larger 1/1.8" sensor (vs 1/2.8") accounts for this difference.
Which camera is tougher — the NDE-5704-AL or the NDE-8704-R?
The NDE-8704-R is rated IK11 for impact protection; the NDE-5704-AL is rated IK10. Both are rated IP66 for weather resistance. The NDE-8704-R also operates across a wider temperature range (-50 °C to +60 °C) compared to the NDE-5704-AL (-40 °C to +55 °C), making it better suited to extreme-environment deployments.
Do both cameras support edge video analytics without a separate server?
Both cameras list on-board analytics in the supplied specifications, but at different levels. The NDE-5704-AL lists video analytics and audio analytics. The NDE-8704-R lists specific IVA Pro packages — IVA Pro Buildings, IVA Pro Perimeter, and IVA Pro Privacy — and includes a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DLPU). Licensing and VMS compatibility should be confirmed with Bosch before specifying either model.
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