The Wyze Cam Pan V3 camera is here. This article compares this camera with the Wyze Cam Pan V2.
Smart home security can be pretty pricey, with prices ranging as high as hundreds of dollars. Fortunately, Wyze is one of those brands saving the average user with high-value, low-cost security cameras. The Wyze Cam Pan V3 and Wyze Cam Pan V2 cameras show up in this regard.
The Wyze Cam Pan V3 is the brand’s third version in the Pan and Tilt series, while the Wyze Cam Pan V2 is the second version. In case you’re wondering how both cameras stack up against each other, join in as we explore what sets them apart, and guide you as you decide on which option fits your home security arsenal the best.
Let’s get started.
Overview of the Wyze Cam Pan V3
The Wyze Cam Pan v3 is designed with a compact and stylish cube-like shape. The camera lens is present in the top part of the cube and connected to a swivel base below. This design not only looks sleek and modern, but it also provides more flexibility when it comes to placement options. Whether you want to put it on a bookshelf or a windowsill, the cube shape of this camera is a great fit for any space. Again, you can choose to mount the camera upside down or right side up. So, if you’re looking for a camera that not only looks great but also offers more flexibility, the Wyze Cam Pan v3 meets this requirement.
The Wyze Cam Pan V3 is a 1080p resolution camera with 8x zoom, and a 1/29” CMOS sensor. It is capable of 360° rotation, 180° tilt, and a speed of 110° per second. It has a 120° diagonal field of view, a daytime video FPS of 20, and at nighttime, it is 15 FPS. The camera features 4 infrared LEDs (850 nm) for night vision but doesn’t have spotlights. You have two-way audio (with noise and Echo cancellation) as well as local storage (256GB) with the camera.
The Wyze Cam Pan v3 takes things up a notch with weather resistance. Its operating temperature is between -20°C and 50°C. With an IP65 rating, this camera can handle rain, snow, and dust while performing optimally. This makes it perfect for outdoor use in addition to its indoor capabilities. This is a big change from the Wyze Cam Pan v2, which was only tailored for indoor use.
Overview of the Wyze Cam Pan V2
Beginning with the design, the Wyze Cam Pan V2 has a tall and slender form, with its lens placed on top and a rotating base below. This allows for 360-degree rotation, but this design may not be suitable for every placement scenario. The Wyze Can Pan V2 is an indoor-only camera.
This camera is also a 1080p resolution camera with 8x zoom, and a 1/29” Starlight CMOS sensor. It is also capable of 360° rotation, but at 93° tilt, and a speed of 110° per second. Similar to the Wyze Cam Pan V3, it has a 120° diagonal field of view, a daytime video FPS of 20, and 15 FPS at nighttime. The camera features 6 infrared LEDs (940 nm) for night vision and has no spotlights. You have two-way audio as well as local storage (256GB) with the camera.
Differences between both cameras
(1) Tilt Range
From their physical appearances, both cameras have different designs that fit different placement scenarios. With regards to tilting, the Wyze Cam Pan V3 has a significant advantage over the Wyze Cam Pan V2. The Wyze Cam Pan V3’s top module is capable of 180 degrees vertical tilting, providing a much wider range of tilt coverage compared to the Wyze Cam Pan V2, which only has a coverage of 93 degrees. This additional tilt range means that the Wyze Cam Pan V3 can cover a wider area of your view, giving you a more comprehensive view.
Also, the Wyze Cam Pan V3’s ability to tilt straight downwards and upwards is an important feature that sets it apart from the Wyze Cam Pan V2. This feature enables Privacy Mode. With this, you can hide the camera lens and keep your room or viewing location private by turning the lens into the base. In contrast with the Wyze Cam Pan V2, the only way to enjoy privacy is keeping the camera away from areas you don’t want it to view. So, overall, if you’re looking for a home security camera that provides a wider range of tilt coverage and offers privacy, the Wyze Cam Pan V3 is the better choice.
(2) Noise Levels
The Wyze Cam Pan V3 is an improvement to the Wyze Cam Pan V2 in the area of noise levels. As with most cameras designed with Pan and Tilt functions, some noise is inevitable. The Wyze Cam Pan V3 is much quieter compared to the Wyze Cam Pan V2. This reduced noise level makes using the V3 a much more pleasant experience for end-users particularly when used indoors.
With a quieter camera, you can feel more at ease knowing that your security camera won’t disturb you when you’re trying to relax in your home.
(3) Weather Resistance
The Wyze Cam Pan V3 obviously edges the V2 in this area as the latter is an indoor-only camera, while the former is both an indoor and outdoor camera.
Let’s see the similarities between both cameras.
Similarities between the Wyze Cam Pan V3 and Wyze Cam Pan V2
Pan/Tilt/Zoom
A key similarity between the Wyze Cam Pan V2 and Wyze Cam Pan V3 is that both offer pan, tilt, and zoom capabilities. This means that you can control either camera to move and capture a wider view. With the ability to pan and tilt the camera, you can cover more areas in your home and keep an eye on things even when you’re not there. The zoom feature allows you to zoom in on specific areas for a closer look.
This feature is incredibly beneficial if you want a comprehensive view of your home. With these capabilities, you can have a clear view of your entire surveillance, including hard-to-see areas, without having to physically be there. This is especially useful if you have a large home, multiple rooms, or want to keep an eye on your kids or pets while you’re away.
Night Vision
Another aspect where the Wyze Cam Pan V2 and Wyze Cam Pan V3 are alike is in their color night vision capabilities. Both cameras offer color night vision in low-light conditions, providing end-users with clear and vibrant images.
Having a high-quality color night vision feature is extremely beneficial for home security. With this, you’ll be able to see all important details accurately. You won’t miss any important detail such as the color of a person’s clothes or face. This information can be crucial when it comes to identifying an intruder.
So, whether you’re keeping an eye on your home during the day or at night, the Wyze Cam Pan V2 or Wyze Cam Pan V3’s color night vision feature will provide you with the information you need to stay safe and secure in your home. Similarly, both the Wyze Cam Pan V2 and V3 use invisible infrared lights. With traditional infrared night vision cameras, the LEDs can be quite bright and noticeable.
This is where the invisible infrared LEDs on the Wyze Cam Pan V2 and Wyze Cam Pan V3 come in handy. These lights are hidden, making them virtually undetectable to the naked eye. This means that you won’t be bothered by bright lights shining out of your camera at night. Furthermore, the use of invisible infrared LEDs has some other benefits like providing a more discreet way of recording at night, allowing you to monitor your home without attracting attention. Again, it also helps to preserve your privacy since the lights are not easily noticeable.
Smoke and CO Alerts
These cameras like other Wyze cameras also have the ability to detect smoke and CO levels in your home. With this feature, whenever your smoke or fire alarm goes off, the Wyze Cam Pan V3 and Wyze Cam Pan V2 can pick up this sound and alert you with a push notification and a video clip. With these, you’ll be able to take action before a fire or CO poisoning becomes more serious. This gives you peace of mind knowing that you’ll be alerted in case of any emergency.
Motion Detection & Sound Detection
As expected of versatile security cameras, the Wyze Cam Pan V3 and Wyze Cam Pan V2 have got you covered with motion and sound detection.
They can perform Motion Tracking and Tagging, as well as differentiate between people, packages, and pets. This feature is fully available on the Wyze Cam Subscription Plans and is perfect for those who want to get the entire features of motion detection.
With a person, package, and pet detection, you’ll receive notifications when there is any movement in your home of these types, making it easy to know what’s going on when you’re not there. Whether it’s a delivery person dropping off a package or your pet playing in the living room, you’ll always be in the know.
1080p Full HD Resolution
The Wyze Cam Pan V2 and V3 have 1080p Full HD resolution, giving you crystal-clear images of your home. With this resolution, you’ll be able to see everything clearly, from the colors of your walls to the facial features of a person in your home.
Continuous 24/7 Recording via Micro SD Card
Whether you’re looking for a little extra peace of mind or just want to make sure you don’t miss a single moment, the ability to store recordings locally can be incredibly valuable. With both the Wyze Cam Pan V2 and V3, you have the option to add a micro SD card for continuous 24/7 recording. This way, you don’t have to rely on the cloud and you can keep all your footage in one place. Plus, with a micro SD card, you can store as much footage as you need and it won’t impact the performance of the camera. You’ll particularly love this feature if you don’t want to rely solely on cloud storage for your footage.
Two-Way Audio Communication
Another similarity between the Wyze Cam Pan V2 and Wyze Cam Pan V3 is that they both offer two-way audio communication. This means you can talk to anyone who’s in the room with the camera, right from your phone. This can be incredibly useful if you want to check in on your family while you’re away, or if you need to give someone a quick heads-up while you’re out of the house.
With two-way audio, you have the ability to communicate with anyone who’s within earshot of the camera. This makes it easier to stay connected and in the know, even when you’re away from home. So if you’re looking for a way to stay connected to your loved ones, both the Wyze Cam Pan V2 and Wyze Cam Pan V3 offer this feature.
Amazon Alexa and Google Home Compatibility
Finally, both the Wyze Cam Pan V2 and Wyze Cam Pan V3 are compatible with Alexa and Google Home. This means you can control your camera and view your footage using voice commands. Whether you’re in the kitchen and want to see what’s happening in the living room, or you’re in bed and want to make sure everything is okay before you fall asleep, voice control can be a real game-changer.
This feature is especially useful for those who are always on the go and need to check in on their home quickly and easily. With voice control, you can do so without having to take out your phone and fumble around with an app. So if you want to make the most of your Wyze Cam Pan V2 or V3 with regards to voice controls, they are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
Closing Thoughts
Let’s face it, both the Wyze Cam Pan V3 and Wyze Cam Pan V2 are great options. With their very cheap price, you get to enjoy excellent night vision, Pan, Tilt, and Zoom. That’s not all, the smoke alerting also gives you an extra layer of security. Not to mention their motion detection and full HD resolutions. These are features you want in a security camera.
Either camera is recommended, but with the Wyze Cam Pan V3, you get the added flexibility of outdoor usage, especially with the IP65 weather rating. You’ll also get to enjoy lesser noise, and a wider tilt range. All these features combined with lower pricing make the Wyze Cam Pan V3 the obvious superior choice.
You may want to see our review of the Wyze Cam V3 Pro or the Wyze Cam OG versus the OG Telephoto.