Introduction
When looking at the specs on paper, the Dahua WizSense 6MP turret camera range can be incredibly confusing. You have three cameras that look almost identical, all offering 6MP resolution and AI features, yet the price and application vary significantly.
We are comparing three heavy-hitters in the Aussie security market:
- The Essential: DH-IPC-HDW3666EMP-S-AUS
- The Hybrid: DH-IPC-HDW3667EM-S-IL-ANZ
- The Defender: DH-IPC-HDW3649H-AS-PV-ANZ
Are you looking for discrete monitoring down a side fence, wide coverage for a backyard, or active protection for your front driveway? This guide breaks down the technical differences to help you pick the right tool for the job.
Quick Comparison: Key Specifications
Let's look at the raw numbers. While they share the same brain (WizSense AI), their optical performance is very different.
| Feature | HDW3666EMP-S-AUS (Essential) | HDW3667EM-S-IL-ANZ (Hybrid) | HDW3649H-AS-PV-ANZ (Active Defence) | What it means |
| Max Resolution | 3072 × 2048 | 3288 × 1850 | 3200 × 1800 | Image Detail. Higher pixels mean clearer images when zooming in. |
| Aperture | F1.4 | F1.4 | F1.0 (Super Aperture) | Light Intake. Lower F-number lets in more light for brighter night video. |
| Min. Illumination | 0.005 lux | 0.005 lux | 0.003 lux | Darkness Sensitivity. Lower Lux value means better visibility in pitch-black conditions. |
| Field of View | 97° | 110° (Ultra-Wide) | 97° |
Coverage Width. Higher degrees mean a wider view and fewer blind spots. |
| Night Vision | IR Only (50m) | Smart Dual Light (30m) | Smart Dual Light (30m) | Visibility Strategy. Determines if you see in Color or Black & White at night. |
| Active Deterrence | No | Warm Light Warning | Red & Blue Strobes + Siren | Deterrence Crime Prevention. Does the camera just watch the crime, or try to stop it? |
| Audio | Built-in Mic (One-way) | Built-in Mic (One-way) | Dual Mic + Speaker (Two-way) | Communication. "One-way" only records sound; "Two-way" lets you talk back. |
Quick Review
DH-IPC-HDW3666EMP-S-AUS: The Long-Range Specialist. Best for discreet monitoring of fences or driveways. It prioritizes a massive 50m IR range over active features.
DH-IPC-HDW3667EM-S-IL-ANZ: The Wide-Angle All-Rounder. Best for open areas like front yards. Features the widest 110° field of view and Smart Dual Light to capture color evidence when motion is detected.
DH-IPC-HDW3649H-AS-PV-ANZ: The Crime Stopper. Best for high-risk zones. Boasts superior F1.0 night vision and Active Deterrence to physically scare off intruders.
Core Technology Breakdown: Dahua 3666 vs 3667 vs 3649
Night Vision Logic: IR, Smart Dual Light, or Full Colour?
The primary technical differentiator is the optical path and illumination strategy.
- DH-IPC-HDW3666EMP-S-AUS (Long-Range IR): Utilises high-power Infrared LEDs with a 50m throw. The F1.4 aperture provides excellent sharpness, but the camera is restricted to Black & White imaging in low light to maintain signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
- DH-IPC-HDW3667EM-S-IL-ANZ (Smart Dual Light): Combines IR with Warm Light LEDs. The system remains in stealthy IR mode until the AI algorithm classifies a human or vehicle. It then triggers the 30m warm light illuminator, instantly switching the sensor to colour mode to capture chromatic evidence, such as clothes color.
- DH-IPC-HDW3649H-AS-PV-ANZ (F1.0 + Active): The engineering standout. It features an F1.0 Super Aperture, which allows approximately 2.5x more light to hit the sensor compared to F1.4. This enables the camera to maintain full-colour imaging in conditions as low as 0.003 lux often without needing auxiliary lighting.
Field of View Comparison: 97° vs. 110°
While all use a 2.8mm lens, the sensor crop dictates the view.
- DH-IPC-HDW3667EM-S-IL-ANZ (Ultra-Wide): Utilises a wider effective pixel count ($3288$ horizontal pixels). This 16:9 optimized sensor crop delivers a massive 110° Horizontal Field of View, reducing blind spots in wide areas.
- DH-IPC-HDW3666EMP-S-AUS and DH-IPC-HDW3649H-AS-PV-ANZ (Standard): Offer a 97° Horizontal Field of View. The 3666 uses a taller 3:2 aspect ratio ($3072 \times 2048$), providing greater vertical coverage, ideal for monitoring objects closer to the mounting point.
Active Deterrence & Audio
Passive Evidence Collection (HDW3666EMP-S-AUS & HDW3667EM-S-IL-ANZ)
The 3666 and 3667 are designed for silent observation.
- The Hardware: Both feature a Built-in High-Sensitivity Mic. This ensures clear, synchronized audio recording without consuming massive bandwidth.
- The Limitation: These are "Ears Only" devices. You can record arguments, glass breaking, or engine noises for evidence, but you cannot speak through the camera to warn an intruder.
The "Soft" Deterrent (HDW3667EM-S-IL-ANZ Only)
The 3667 adds a layer of psychological deterrence via its Smart Dual Light system.
- How it works: When a human or vehicle is detected, the camera switches from invisible IR to a bright Warm LED.
- The Effect: This sudden "spotlight effect" removes the intruder's cover of darkness. In residential scenarios, this signals detection immediately, often causing the subject to retreat before they reach the door.
The "TiOC" Active Defence System (HDW3649H-AS-PV-ANZ Only)
The 3649 is a true TiOC (Three-in-One Camera) engineered for active intervention. It includes five pro-level hardware upgrades:
- Red & Blue Strobes: Unlike standard white lights, these colours trigger an immediate "emergency" psychological response associated with police, creating a stronger flight instinct.
- Dual-Mic Array: Instead of a single mic, it uses two microphones with interference cancellation. This eliminates wind noise and feedback, ensuring your voice is crystal clear during Two-way Talk.
- Custom Voice Alarms: You are not limited to a generic siren. You can upload custom files to play specific warnings like "Private Property, Police have been notified."
The AI Engine: SMD 4.0 & Quick Pick
Dahua has standardized the computational power across these models. All three run Smart Motion Detection 4.0 on the edge. This deep-learning algorithm filters pixel-based motion noise, such as leaves, rain, shadows, and only triggers events for specific object classifications: Human and Motor Vehicle. This drastically reduces false positives in NVR logs.
Image Processing: AI SSA (Scene Self-adaptation)
To handle high-contrast Australian environments, all three units feature AI SSA. Unlike standard WDR which is a static setting, AI SSA dynamically analyses the histogram of the video feed. It automatically adjusts exposure, backlight compensation, and defogging parameters in real-time to ensure target visibility during harsh midday sun or backlit scenarios.
Weather Resistance
Every unit carries an IP67 protection rating. They are fully dust-tight and capable of withstanding water immersion, making them equally capable in harsh outdoor environments.
Scenario Adaptation: Performance in Different Environments
In security system design, there is no such thing as the “best” camera—only the most suitable camera for each specific location.
Based on the technical features of DH-IPC-HDW3666EMP-S-AUS, DH-IPC-HDW3667EM-S-IL-ANZ and DH-IPC-HDW3649H-AS-PV-ANZ, the following recommendations match each model to different segmented scenarios.
Residential Scenarios
| Scenario | User Pain / Need | Recommended Model | Technical Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side yard / Narrow corridor | Very dark & narrow, don’t want visible light at night | 3666EMP-S-AUS | 50m IR: strong for narrow areas; invisible IR light, no disturbance |
| Wide backyard / Play area | Large area, want full coverage, light only when needed | 3667EM-S-IL-ANZ | 110° ultra-wide; smart dual light: hidden normally, warms when motion detected |
| Private garage / Parking | Cars outside, prevent break-ins at night | 3649H-AS-PV-ANZ | Audio-visual deterrence: red-blue flash and voice warning; F1.0 night view: see plates & faces in dark |
| Villa front door / Porch | Deliveries, need remote talk | 3649H-AS-PV-ANZ | Two-way audio; F1.0 large aperture for clear close-up at porch |
| Apartment hallway / Entrance | Record visitors without disturbing neighbors | 3666EMP-S-AUS | Low-profile, IR only, non-intrusive lighting |
Commercial & Public Scenarios
| Scene / Location | Pain Point / Requirement | Recommended Model | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Store Lobby | Cover entire square store with few cameras | 3667EM-S-IL-ANZ | Wide-angle 110° FOV, corner installation |
| Warehouse Perimeter | Prevent night intrusions along long walls | 3666EMP-S-AUS | 50m IR, vertical FOV captures climbing |
| No-Parking / Fire Lane | Stop illegal parking | 3649H-AS-PV-ANZ | Vehicle detection and voice alert |
| Garbage / Delivery Area | Identify night trash dumpers | 3667EM-S-IL-ANZ | Full-color, lights activate on approach |
| High-Risk Area | Block all unauthorized entry | 3649H-AS-PV-ANZ | Strobe and siren for immediate deterrence |
FAQ
Q: Do these cameras require a separate power point nearby?
A: No. All three models support PoE (Power over Ethernet). This means you only need to run a single Ethernet cable from your PoE NVR or Switch to the camera. This single cable carries both the video data and the power.
Q: Can I talk through the camera to a visitor?
A: It depends on the model.
- HDW3649H-AS-PV-ANZ: Yes. It has a built-in speaker and microphone for Two-Way Talk.
- HDW3666EMP-S-AUS & HDW3667EM-S-IL-ANZ: No. These models have a built-in microphone for recording audio only (listen-only). You can hear what is happening, but you cannot speak back.
Q: The 3667 and 3649 have white lights. Can I turn them off?
A: Yes. Both models allow you to adjust the illumination settings via the mobile app or NVR.
- You can set them to "IR Mode" to keep the white light off permanently (black and white night vision).
- You can set them to "Smart Illumination" so the white light only turns on when a person is detected, acting as a security spotlight.
Q: Which mobile app do I use to view these cameras?
A: All three cameras are fully compatible with the official Dahua DMSS App (available on iOS and Android). You can view live video, playback footage, and receive instant push notifications when motion is detected.
Q: Can these cameras be installed on a vertical wall?
A: Yes. These "Turret" (or Eyeball) style cameras feature a 3-Axis adjustment design. This allows the lens to be rotated and angled perfectly whether the camera is mounted flat on a ceiling or vertically on a wall.
Information regarding these three products is sourced from the official DH-IPC-HDW3666EMP-S-AUS, DH-IPC-HDW3667EM-S-IL-ANZ and DH-IPC-HDW3649H-AS-PV-ANZ. For more technical details, please click.
Are you ready to upgrade your home security? Visit SMarket and contact us now. We can check your conditions and recommend the perfect mix of cameras for your property.