Bosch FLEXIDOME 3100i IR 5MP vs. 2MP: Which One Should You Choose?

The Bosch FLEXIDOME 3100i IR security camera model has two versions: NDE-3703-AL 5MP and NDE-3702-AL 2MP.

When it comes to cameras, it is generally believed that the higher the megapixels, the better the resolution, right?

No doubt the NDE-3703-AL 5MP model captures much more image information, but it does not mean it’s the better choice for every installation, and I’m going to tell you the reason in this article.

But before that, it’s interesting to know that both NDE-3703-AL 5MP and NDE-3702-AL 2MP share almost the same features.

 

5MP and 2MP share largely the same features

The 5MP model is not completely different from the 2MP or automatically give you more camera platform, they both have the following specs.

• Motorized 3.3-2(0.2 mm varifocal lenses
• Built-in 30-meter IR illumination
• 120 dB HDR
• IVA Pro Buildings analytics
• H.264, H.265/HEVC, and MJPEG
• Bosch Intelligent Streaming
• Up to 30 fps
• MicroSD edge recording
• ONVIF Profile S, G, M, and T
• IP66 weather protection
• IK10 impact protection
• Bosch Secure Element/TPM security features

 

Both Cameras use the same flexible 3.3-10.2 mm lens

Both models have a motorised 3.3-10.2 mm varifocal lens. At 3.3 mm maximum range, you get a relatively wide view while at 10.2 mm, the view becomes much narrower and concentrates the image on a smaller area.

That flexibility is important because surveillance is not just about resolution.

A wide view lets you cover more ground, but a person farther away will occupy fewer pixels. A narrower view covers less area but gives you more detail on a specific target.

Having both models sharing the same lens is another point you might just need 2MP and not 5MP.

Also, how and where your security camera is mounted, its lens adjustment can make a big difference irrespective of the model you’re using. In fact, it’s as important as the megapixel rating in most cases

For example, if you poorly position your 5MP security camera, it can produce lower-quality footage than a properly positioned 2MP camera.

A 2MP camera is not a lesser option

The NDE-3702-AL 2MP still makes plenty of sense when you want to monitor a smaller area.

For example, if you need a security camera for let’s say a doorway, hallway, entrance, or any location where people normally pass relatively close to the camera, 1080p offers all the detail you need, hence 2MP is good.

It also produces less image data, which can help when bandwidth and storage are limited.

So while 5MP technically provides more image information, more pixels aren’t always worth paying for if the scene doesn’t need them.

 

The 2MP version has better published low-light sensitivity

This is one area where the 5MP model doesn’t win.

Bosch rates the 2MP camera at 0.06 lux in colour and 0.016 lux in monochrome, compared with 0.14 lux in colour and 0.03 lux in monochrome for the 5MP model.

Both cameras, however, can reach 0 lux with their built-in IR illumination, which is rated up to 30 meters (98 feet).

Both also offer 120 dB HDR for difficult scenes containing both bright and dark areas.

Therefore, you can not assume that a higher megapixel count automatically means better performance in every lighting condition.

 

Storage and Bandwidth

This is where the 2MP camera can become more attractive.

A 5MP image contains considerably more information, as I said, so when you record at comparable settings, it requires more bandwidth and storage.

And the actual difference depends on resolution, frame rate, bitrate, scene activity, retention time, and recording mode.

Both cameras support H.265 and Bosch Intelligent Streaming, which can reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted and stored.

A quiet hallway and a busy parking lot will never produce the same storage requirements, so it’s better to calculate your recording needs before deciding which model to go for.

 

How is the 5MP model better?

The NDE-3703-AL 5MP records at up to 2,592 × 1,944 pixels, while the NDE-3702-AL 2MP records at 1,920 × 1,080.

That gives the 5MP model more than twice as many pixels to work with.

That extra resolution matters when the camera captures things that are relatively farther from it or when your recorded footage may need to be cropped and checked later.

For example, if a person or vehicle is near the far end of your parking lot, the 5MP camera gives you more original image information to work with when you zoom into the recording.

Bosch’s DORI figures show the practical difference. At the 10.2 mm end of the lens, the 5MP model has an Identify distance of up to 19 meters, compared with 14 meters for the 2MP version.

Also, 5MP maximum Detect distance is 193 meters compared to 2MP’s 138 meters.

 

Where does the 5MP version make the most sense?

I’d lean toward the NDE-3703-AL 5MP when:

• I need my camera to cover a large area.
• The subjects are relatively far away from where the camera is mounted
• I need to be able to identify everything in the footage
• I may have to crop or examine recordings later.
• I want more flexibility for future use
• I have a network and storage system that’s good enough to handle large amounts of data.

Basically, 5MP may be a better option for places such as parking lots, building perimeters, loading areas, driveways, large entrances, and other scenes where important subjects may appear relatively small in the frame.

 

Where does the 2MP version make the most sense?

I’d lean toward the NDE-3702-AL 2MP when

• The scene is small or controlled.
• The subjects are usually close to the camera.
• 1080p provides enough detail.
• My storage or/and bandwidth are limited.
• My budget is tight.
• Maximum resolution is not my priority

 

Conclusion

If budget isn’t an issue for you, I’d advise you to go for the Bosch FLEXIDOME 3100i IR 5MP NDE-3703-AL security camera for a new commercial installation.

The extra resolution gives you more information to work with, and Bosch’s DORI figures show a measurable advantage in detection, recognition, and identification distances.

If you’re covering a small doorway, I’d advise you to go for Bosch FLEXIDOME 3100i IR NDE-3702-AL 2MP, it’s perfect enough.

In the end, camera placement, lens selection, lighting, target distance, recording settings, and storage capacity matter just as much as the megapixel count.

The best choice is the one that puts enough useful pixels on the part of the scene you actually care about.