The Reolink RLC-511W and Reolink RLC-511WA cameras are two top-performing cameras from Reolink, and this review is aimed at explaining our findings about these cameras.
In recent years, technology has immensely revolutionized the world, from smartphones to electric vehicles and so much more, these things have made our lives easy. The latest upgrades in technology such as IP cameras and other IoT-based products have also helped people make their homes safer and more secure.
The Reolink RLC-511W and Reolink RLC-511WA are among popular cameras that help provide security. Both of them are phenomenal devices and have remarkable features. The issue is some people get confused as to which of them to go for.
As mentioned in the introduction, we will talk all about the Reolink RLC-511W and Reolink RLC-511WA cameras with the aim of providing guidance to enable you make an informed decision.
Let’s get in.
Reolink RLC-511W Review
This section will cover the features and overview of the Reolink RLC-511W camera.
(1) Camera lens and video
One of the remarkable features of the Reolink RLC-511W camera is its motorized lens. It is an automatic focus, 2.7mm-12mm lens. With this high-quality motorized lens, you can adjust the camera’s view remotely (on the desktop application and mobile application) without physically adjusting the camera.
Also, you can perfectly adjust the camera’s field of view for a better and more targeted view with the integrated lens providing a wide viewing angle in the range of 31°-90°. All these help you better protect your facility and give you a clear picture of any intruder.
The Reolink RLC-511W camera is a 5-Megapixels High Definition (HD) camera with a 2560×1920 resolution. This resolution is 2.5 times better than the traditional 1080p cameras, 1.4 times better than 1440p, and greater than 4MP 2560×1520. This stunning resolution provides you with perfect picture and video quality.
In addition to this, with the camera’s 5-Megapixels High Definition resolution, you can notice even the slightest details in real-time, which may not be possible in cameras such as 2K or 1080p.
Furthermore, the motorized lens of the Reolink RLC-511W does not lose focus easily as the lens is an autofocus f/1.6. It is able to provide up to 4x zooming without compromising the picture or video quality.
(2) WI-FI and networking
The Reolink RLC-511W camera is mainly designed as a wireless IP camera but it can also be connected via LAN (Local Area Network) as it comes with an Ethernet port. With regards to the wireless functionality of this camera, it comes with two integrated antennas (2T2R MIMO). These antennas enable high-efficiency wireless signals, and the camera can function on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.
The Dual-band Wi-Fi technology allows you to choose your desired frequency channel and benefit from it. For example, the 2.4 GHz signals have a wider coverage range, while 5 GHz signals are more powerful and have a shorter coverage range.
Hence, if the distance between your Wi-Fi router and the Reolink RLC-511W is a bit longer, you can use the camera’s 2.4 GHz channel, and if it’s not that far, you can use the 5 GHz channel. The camera’s signals can reach extended levels (164 feet). The overall data signals are clear and consist of reduced bit errors. This means that the video feedback that you receive is perfectly in sync real-time and lag-free. All these give you a better viewing experience from your camera. Also, the camera’s 2T2R MIMO antennas use far less power compared to traditional antennas as well.
(3) Day/Night functionality
The Reolink RLC-511W camera supports day/night mode, which means it captures and records videos in high resolution at both night and day. The camera has 24 integrated IR LEDs with a daylight sensor, and automatically switches between day and night.
Simply put, the camera’s daylight sensor senses natural light in the daytime and turns OFF its IR LEDs. At night time, the daylight sensor senses the absence of natural light and turns ON the IR LEDs.
In addition to this, the IR LEDs have a range of up to 100 feet. This means the camera can capture images and record videos from a 100 feet distance at night time. It is worth mentioning that with the Reolink RLC-511W, you get remarkable images and videos of day and night time.
In addition to these, the Reolink RLC-511W’s motion detection feature enables you to select a motion detection area and grey it out. This is helpful when you do not want certain areas of view to be captured by the camera.
(4) Audio
The Reolink RLC-511W camera has an integrated microphone embedded in it. This means that your recordings consist of sound. However, you must know that the audio capability of this camera is not two-way. Meaning, you will hear sound from your recordings and live viewing but you can’t speak through the camera.
(5) Outdoor capability
Another great feature of the Reolink RLC-511W camera is the fact that it is IP66 waterproof. Being IP66-rated, the camera can withstand harsh weather conditions like heavy drops of rain, snowfall, and so on. The level 66 ingress protection built into it ensures that the camera works efficiently in the harshest environment. As an outdoor camera, it will function even better as an indoor camera.
How does the Reolink RLC-511W camera make things easy for users?
Below are some benefits of the Reolink RLC-511W camera that has attracted users.
Multiple Recording options – The camera has two recording options namely, motion-based recording and continuous recording. The camera only records when it senses some motion when set to motion-based recording. For example, a person walking, a dog running, or fluttering leaves.
However, if you want to record irrespective of motion, you can select the continuous recording option. Both modes have different benefits. For example, the 24/7 monitoring option in traffic-driven places is more beneficial, while in places with fewer people, motion-based recording is more beneficial.
Mobile App and Desktop client availability – The Reolink RLC-511W camera can be monitored with both Reolink’s mobile app and the desktop client. These can be downloaded here.
Easy playback – Saved videos are easy to access and play with different viewing options like 5MP, Balanced, and Fluent.
Memory can be increased – One of the best benefits of buying this camera is that it supports SD card recording. You can install an SD card of up to 128GB that can record and save videos worth 97.1 hours.
Convenient vertical and horizontal viewing angle – The camera supports a vertical angle between 24°-67° and horizontally, it supports 31°-90°.
Multiple users – 20 people can use the camera at once. All you need to do is to create an account on the Reolink client or mobile application and add more users.
What makes the Reolink RLC-511W unique?
The Reolink RLC-511W is built strong and has a captivating appearance when mounted. It weighs 750g which is light enough to make installation very easy. In addition to these, the camera’s stunning high-definition picture and video quality, ingress protection, and auto-focus technology amongst all its other features mentioned above make it stand out amongst its competitors.
Tabular Representation of the Reolink RLC-511W features
Reolink RLC-511WA Review
The Reolink RLC-511WA camera is an improved version of the Reolink RLC-511W with added features and improved functionality. Now in this section, we will cover the features of the Reolink RLC-511WA camera.
(1) Camera lens and video
The Reolink RLC-511WA is a 5-Megapixels, High Definition (HD) camera, designed with a resolution of 2560 x 1920, and runs smoothly at 20 frames per second. Its lens is a 2.7mm-13.5mm, F(1.6-3.3) with infrared LEDs. The camera’s view horizontally is from 27 degrees to 96 degrees, and vertically from 21 degrees to 69 degrees. Thus, providing a wide viewing angle and elevation. The image sensor of the Reolink RLC-511WA camera is a 1/27, with a zooming capability of 5 times. With the Reolink mobile app and desktop client applications, you can adjust the camera’s view remotely and locally without physically adjusting the camera.
(2) WI-FI and networking
The Reolink RLC-511WA is designed also to be a wireless IP camera just like the Reolink RLC-511W but it is built with a LAN port to enable you to connect it via an Ethernet cable. The camera is designed with two integrated antennas (2T2R MIMO) for high-efficiency reception and operates on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.
(3) Day/Night functionality
The Reolink RLC-511WA has exceptional day and night image/video quality. Just like its predecessor, the camera has four infrared LEDs and is able to detect motion at night up to 30 meters. The camera’s image quality in black-and-white is also remarkable.
Furthermore, the camera is designed with powerful spotlights that come ON automatically or manually based on your settings, to reveal and capture any movement. Along with this feature is a siren which also can be activated automatically or manually.
(4) Audio
The Reolink RLC-511WA is built with improved audio functionality, this time a two-way audio capability. This means a microphone and loudspeaker are built into it. The microphone allows for sound in your recordings and enables you to hear sound on your live view. The loudspeaker provides audio through the camera and also enables the siren.
(5) Outdoor capability
The Reolink RLC-511WA is primarily an outdoor camera and IP66 waterproof. It is able to withstand the harshest outdoor weather conditions and perform optimally.
(6) Smart humans and vehicle detection capability
One of the best and most remarkable features making this camera stand out is its ability to distinguish humans and vehicles in its motion detection. This feature was built into the Reolink RLC-511WA to accurately decipher human motion from object motion and eliminate false motion detection. In addition to these, you have the ability to select a motion detection area and grey it out. This is helpful when you do not want certain areas of view to be captured.
(7) Time-lapse
This is another beautiful feature of this camera as it enables easy capturing of long-term events like the growing of a plant. Not many cameras out there are able to perform this function accurately, but this camera does this effectively.
NOTE: When connected to a Network Video Recording System (NVR) this function is unavailable.
(8) More recording options
The Reolink RLC-511WA has more recording options. In addition to an SD card option (maximum of 256GB), you can connect this camera to a Reolink NVR or other NVRs that are compatible.
(9) Google Assistant
The Reolink RLC-511WA comes with a Google Assistant feature and can be connected to Google Home following the steps below;
How does the RLC-511WA camera make things easy for users?
Like the Reolink RLC-511W, the RLC-511WA provides the following benefits:
(i) Multiple recording options
(ii) Mobile App and desktop client functionality
(iii) Easy playback
(iv) Increased memory card capacity
(v) Broader vertical and horizontal viewing angle
(vi) Multiple user sessions
(vii) Smart human and vehicle motion detection
(viii) Time-lapse
(ix) Two-way-audio
(x) Google Assistant
What makes the RLC-511WA camera unique?
The uniqueness of the Reolink RLC-511WA camera is in its ability to distinguish between human and object-type motion. In addition to these, the camera’s beautiful high-definition picture and video quality and minimalist design make it unique.
Tabular Representation of the RLC-511WA features
Cons of the Reolink RLC-511W and Reolink RLC-511WA
| Reolink RLC-511W | Reolink RLC-511WA |
| No Two-Way-Audio | – |
Conclusion
The Reolink RLC-511W or RLC511WA, Which is better?
This is the question that tends to get intending buyers confused in deciding between these two cameras since both of them have ideal specifications.
If you want to reduce the number of false alarms, then you can opt for the Reolink RLC-511WA camera. But if you want to fulfill just the basic and important requirements of an outdoor IP camera, then go with the Reolink RLC-511W.
You may want to see our review of the Reolink RLC-810A versus the Reolink RLC-811A.
Excellent! Just what I have been looking for. No other article out there has captured and delivered dependable information like this.
In the pattern of illumination using the IR nighttime mode, I have observed that the 511W has a wide pattern, enhanced by the higher number of IR LEDs compared with the 511WA. The result is an evenly-lit field of view even at the camera’s widest lens setting. There are fewer IR LEDs on the 511WA, and this may create a “spotlight” syndrome, where only the center of the field of view is adequately lit when the camera lens is at its widest.