Panasonic WV-SF438 and WV-SW458 360° security cameras

Panasonic Business Systems Group has launched its first 360° dome network security cameras. The WV-SF438 and the vandal-resistant WV-SW458 are suitable for retail environments, shopping malls and for security on transport such as trains.

Elegant and compact for inconspicuous installation, both cameras continuously observe a 360° field of view, a capability that brings substantial advantages in preventing people or objects from evading the camera. The all-round view also means that one camera can cover an area that normally would require multiple conventional cameras to survey, resulting in substantial cost savings, especially when rolling out across multiple locations.

Several different viewing and monitor modes for both the WV-SF438 and the WV-SW458 allow security personnel to observe an entire space, as if they are physically in the room. When the camera is installed on the ceiling, the entire area under and around the camera is displayed as two 180° panoramic images. If the camera is installed on a wall, the 180° area in front of the camera is displayed as one panoramic image. This eliminates the blind spots that normally occur at the left and right sides of the image when using a regular 104° horizontal wide-angle camera. In addition, a Quad PTZ Mode allows four images in all directions from the camera installed to be displayed on the one screen, with an easy-to-view entire 360° fisheye image at the side of the display.

In addition, the WV-SW458 has a vandal-resistant mechanism to maximise reliability in higher crime areas. The WV-SW458 is also IP66 rated for water and dust resistance, can operate at extreme temperatures between -40 and +50° and is approved up to the EN 50155 standard for safe use on trains.

Smart features are incorporated into both models, such as the ability to detect the position of a human face for clear facial images and a function that corrects illumination difference in images, making it easier to see objects in more natural conditions. Both cameras also feature a single 3 MP sensor that captures full HD images in 1080p resolution with Super Dynamic and Adaptive Black Stretch technologies that deliver a 128x wider dynamic range compared to conventional cameras.

Both the WV-SF 438 and the WV-SW458 feature built-in image and distortion correction, so images captured by the fisheye lens are converted to display images for each of the modes using correction on the camera unit. This reduces the burden placed on the monitoring PC or recorder and enables smoother image monitoring.

A built-in microphone in the WV-SF438 allows sounds occurring in the camera area to be monitored and recorded together with the images, plus two-way communication can be achieved on both models by connecting a speaker with built-in amplifier to the camera connection terminal and a microphone to the computer. This is practical, for example, when communicating between a head office and individual stores.

The WV-SF438 and the WV-SW458 can both be monitored from a smartphone or tablet computer, as the image is optimised for the screen size, making it possible to monitor an area even while away or in transit. A built-in SD memory card slot also enables recording of camera images directly to a card instead of via the network. The card slot also enables image recording when an alarm is detected, and recording of images if a network error occurs or if images cannot be transmitted to the recorder for any reason.

Additionally, the small form factor of both models is suitable for ceiling, wall or desktop installation in tight spaces where conventional multisensor panoramic cameras can’t fit.