i-PRO S4556LA vs i-PRO S4556LMA: Specification Comparison
Both the i-PRO WV-S4556LA and WV-S4556LMA are 5MP outdoor fisheye dome IP cameras from i-PRO, sharing the same sensor class, lens geometry, IR range, and AI analytics engine. They are directly cross-shoppable by integrators evaluating single-point 360-degree coverage for outdoor perimeters. The key differentiators lie in network connector type, railway compliance certifications, alarm action granularity, and minor finish material callouts — not in imaging performance, which is virtually identical across both units.
In This Guide
How do the imaging specs compare?
Both cameras use an approximately 1/3-type 5MP CMOS sensor, a 0.84 mm fixed focal length lens at f/2.4 aperture, and deliver a 186° horizontal by 186° angular field of view. Minimum illumination is identical at 0.15 lx (color) and 0.02 lx (B&W), and both support ICR-based auto color/B&W switching. Maximum dynamic range is 120 dB on both units (Super Dynamic On, level 31), and both run on an Ambarella CV22 SoC at 30 fps. IR illumination reaches 14 m (45 ft) on both models.
Detection coverage at a 3 m mounting height is also identical: Detect 38 m, Observe 13.2 m. The S4556LA spec sheet lists Recognize at 4.3 m; the S4556LMA spec sheet lists Recognize at 4.1 m — a 0.2 m difference that may reflect rounding or measurement methodology and is unlikely to be operationally significant. Both cameras resolve 2192×2192 (ceiling) and 1600×1200 (wall) and support three digital zoom steps (1×, 2×, 4×). Image compensation features — adaptive black stretch, BLC, fog compensation, HLC, DNR — are equivalent across both models.
What about installation and environment?
Environmental protection is identical: IP66 (IEC 60529), Type 4X (UL 50), NEMA 4X, IK10 (IEC 62262, 50 J shock), and wind resistance up to 40 m/s (~89 mph). Operating temperature range is −40°C to +60°C on both, with 10–100% humidity (no condensation) and a Rosahl anti-condensation element in both units. Power input is DC 12V / PoE 802.3af on both, with both rated at approximately 12.4–12.5 W; both are listed as PoE Class 0.
The single installation differentiator is the network connector: the S4556LA ships with an RJ45 connector, while the S4556LMA ships with an M12 connector. M12 is the standard industrial/rail-hardened bayonet connector required in transportation, rolling stock, and harsh-vibration environments. Consistent with this, the S4556LMA is certified to EN45545 (rail fire/smoke) in addition to EN50155-TX, whereas the S4556LA carries only EN50155-TX. Weight with attachment plate is approximately 870 g on both. Both list aluminum, stainless steel, and polycarbonate construction; the S4556LA spec also references die-cast aluminum explicitly.
Which fits your VMS and analytics better?
Both cameras are ONVIF Profile G/M/S/T compliant, support up to 14 concurrent users, and are compatible with iOS and Android mobile clients. AI analytics are identical in scope: AI-VMD, AI People Counting for 360° fisheye, AI Privacy Guard for 360° fisheye, and AI Scene Change Detection. Standard VMD covers 4 areas; SCD covers 1 area. Both support microSD on-board edge storage. Audio compression is equivalent: G.726 (ADPCM) 16/32 kbps, G.711 64 kbps. Audio I/O connectors are 3.5 mm stereo mini jack on both, though the S4556LMA spec explicitly states 2 kΩ input impedance and −20 dBV output level, which the S4556LA spec does not enumerate.
One functional alarm-action difference is present: the S4556LMA spec lists SD recording as an alarm action alongside email, HTTP, and TCP notification; the S4556LA spec lists only email, HTTP, and TCP — SD recording as an alarm action is not stated in the provided S4556LA spec. AI Sound Classification on the S4556LA explicitly enumerates four event classes (gunshot, yell, vehicle horn, glass break); the S4556LMA spec lists 'AI Sound Classification' without enumerating specific classes in the provided data. Both carry a 5-year warranty.
Which should you choose: the S4556LA or the S4556LMA?
Our take: The S4556LMA is the stronger choice when the deployment requires an M12 industrial network connector, EN45545 railway fire-safety certification, or explicit SD-card alarm-action recording — all of which are present in the S4556LMA spec but absent from the S4556LA spec. Conversely, the S4556LA is the appropriate selection for conventional IT infrastructure using standard RJ45 patch cabling and where the enumerated AI Sound Classification event classes (gunshot, yell, vehicle horn, glass break) must be contractually documented at spec time. In pure imaging terms — 5MP sensor, 0.84 mm f/2.4 lens, 14 m IR, 120 dB WDR, 186° FOV, 30 fps, −40°C to +60°C, IP66/IK10 — both cameras are equivalent. Platform qualifier: specify the S4556LMA for transportation, rail, or any environment mandating M12 termination; specify the S4556LA for standard commercial and enterprise LAN installations.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Spec-for-spec, from manufacturer data.
| Specification | i-PRO S4556LA | i-PRO S4556LMA |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 5MP | 5MP |
| Image Sensor | Approx. 1/3-type 5MP CMOS | Approx. 1/3-type 5MP CMOS |
| System on Chip (SoC) | Ambarella CV22 | Ambarella CV22 |
| Focal Length / Aperture | 0.84 mm / f/2.4 | 0.84 mm / f/2.4 |
| Field of View | 186° H × 186° V | 186° H × 186° V |
| Min. Illumination | 0.15 lx (Color), 0.02 lx (B&W) | 0.15 lx (Color), 0.02 lx (B&W) |
| IR Range | 14 m (45 ft) | 14 m (45 ft) |
| Dynamic Range (WDR) | Max. 120 dB | Max. 120 dB |
| Max Frame Rate | 30 fps | 30 fps |
| Video Compression | H.265, H.264, JPEG | H.265, H.264, JPEG |
| Network Connector | RJ45 | M12 |
| Power Input / PoE Standard | DC 12V / PoE 802.3af, ~12.4–12.5 W | DC 12V / PoE 802.3af (IEEE 802.3af), ~12.5 W |
| IP / Environmental Rating | IP66, NEMA 4X, Type 4X | IP66, NEMA 4X, Type 4X |
| Impact / Vandal Rating | IK10 (50 J, IEC 62262) | IK10 (50 J, IEC 62262) |
| Railway Certification | EN50155-TX | EN45545, EN50155-TX |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +60°C | -40°C to +60°C |
| Alarm Actions | Email, HTTP, TCP notification | Email, HTTP, TCP notification, SD recording |
| AI Sound Classification Events | Gunshot, Yell, Vehicle horn, Glass break | AI Sound Classification (specific classes not enumerated in provided spec) |
| ONVIF Profiles | G / M / S / T | G / M / S / T |
| Edge Storage | microSD | microSD |
| Audio I/O | 3.5 mm stereo mini jack in/out | 3.5 mm stereo mini jack in (2 kΩ) / out (600 Ω, -20 dBV) |
| Weight (with plate) | Approx. 870 g | Approx. 870 g |
| Warranty | 5-Year | 5-Year |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should you choose: the S4556LA or the S4556LMA?
The S4556LMA is the stronger choice when the deployment requires an M12 industrial network connector, EN45545 railway fire-safety certification, or explicit SD-card alarm-action recording — all of which are present in the S4556LMA spec but absent from the S4556LA spec. Conversely, the S4556LA is the appropriate selection for conventional IT infrastructure using standard RJ45 patch cabling and where the enumerated AI Sound Classification event classes (gunshot, yell, vehicle horn, glass break) must be contractually documented at spec time. In pure imaging terms — 5MP sensor, 0.84 mm f/2.4 lens, 14 m IR, 120 dB WDR, 186° FOV, 30 fps, −40°C to +60°C, IP66/IK10 — both cameras are equivalent. Platform qualifier: specify the S4556LMA for transportation, rail, or any environment mandating M12 termination; specify the S4556LA for standard commercial and enterprise LAN installations.
Is the S4556LA or S4556LMA better for low-light performance?
Neither has an advantage based on provided specs. Both cameras share the same 1/3-type 5MP CMOS sensor, the same minimum illumination figures (0.15 lx color / 0.02 lx B&W), the same 14 m IR range, and the same Ambarella CV22 SoC. Low-light performance is equivalent between the two models.
What is the practical difference between the RJ45 on the S4556LA and the M12 on the S4556LMA?
The S4556LA uses a standard RJ45 Ethernet connector, which is compatible with conventional Cat5e/Cat6 infrastructure and off-the-shelf PoE switches. The S4556LMA uses an M12 connector — a locking bayonet-style industrial connector that resists vibration, moisture ingress, and mechanical stress, making it mandatory for rail, transit, and heavy-industrial environments where RJ45 connections can loosen or fail.
Do both cameras support on-board SD card recording triggered by alarms?
The S4556LMA spec explicitly lists SD recording as an alarm action. The S4556LA spec, as provided, lists email, HTTP, and TCP notification as alarm actions but does not explicitly list SD recording as an alarm action — though both cameras list microSD as a supported storage medium. Installers requiring alarm-triggered SD recording should verify the S4556LA firmware capabilities directly with i-PRO before specifying it for that use case.
Get a Second Opinion on Your Camera Choice
Share your site layout, coverage goals, and budget. Our team will validate the camera selection, flag anything we would change, and recommend products that match the use case.