Reolink Argus 4 Pro: A Top-Tier Dual Lens Camera with True Color Night Vision

Reolink has recently expanded its Argus range with the introduction of the Argus 4 Pro, incorporating advanced dual-lens technology and the new ColorX night vision technology. As a long-time user of Reolink's dual-lens cameras, such as the Reolink Duo Floodlight and Reolink Duo 3, I was keen to test the Argus 4 Pro in my garden, comparing it side-by-side with my Eufy Security S300. My primary interest was in evaluating how the battery life holds up with all the advanced technology embedded in this new flagship model.

The Argus 4 Pro features the ColorX 1/1.8" Image Sensor, which was first introduced in the Reolink CX410, allowing the camera to produce true color night footage without the need for LED spotlights. This sensor improvement likely contributes to better battery efficiency, as it does not rely on additional lighting to capture clear night-time videos. The camera is supplied with a screw mount, strap, and screws for flexible installation, though it is relatively large for a battery-powered device due to its dual-lens design. The aesthetic of the Argus 4 Pro is more pleasing than the Reolink Duo 3, resembling a robot head with dual lenses as eyes and LED spotlights positioned around them for instances when the ColorX technology cannot fully capture color footage in very low light.

Setting up the Argus 4 Pro follows the same straightforward process as other Reolink cameras: power it up, add the camera through the Reolink app, and follow the on-screen instructions. A notable feature of this model is its compatibility with Wi-Fi 6 and support for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, the latter offering faster streaming despite its shorter range.

One of the standout advantages of Reolink products is their flexible storage options without forcing users into monthly subscriptions. The Argus 4 Pro supports microSD cards up to 128GB, and the Reolink Home Hub Series can handle up to 6TB, including RTSP support. Additionally, the camera offers setup options for email alerts and uploads via FTP. Reolink also provides cloud storage plans: a basic free plan with seven-day storage for one device, a £3.49 monthly plan for 30 days of storage for up to five cameras, and a £6.89 monthly plan for up to ten cameras.

The Argus 4 Pro utilizes two 4MP lenses angled away from each other, stitching the images together to produce an ultra-wide-angle 180° view with a 5120×1440 resolution. This design offers superior clarity compared to wider single-lens cameras, which often disperse pixels over a larger area. Video is recorded at 15fps, with a 45-second clip consuming 16MB of storage. The video quality during daylight is impressive, which is standard for most modern cameras, but the Argus 4 Pro excels in its ability to produce true color night footage.

The camera's 1/1.8" CMOS sensor, with an aperture of F=1.0, captures significantly more light than competing models, allowing it to maintain color footage in low-light conditions without needing infrared lights or spotlights. This results in superior night-time footage quality compared to black-and-white images typically produced by other cameras. Additionally, the absence of active LEDs reduces glare issues.

The Argus 4 Pro is equipped with a 180° ultra-wide Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor for broad coverage. For instance, placing the camera on a fence facing a garden gate allows it to detect motion at the front door and along the driveway, effectively performing the role of multiple cameras. The camera also features advanced AI object detection to identify humans, vehicles, and animals while minimizing false triggers from environmental factors like wind or rain. However, it lacks face detection capabilities found in some other brands like Netatmo, Aqara, and Eufy. Despite this, the motion detection performance is commendable, though not quite on par with Eufy cameras.

Battery life was a concern given the dual-lens design, but the Argus 4 Pro proves efficient, likely due to the ColorX technology that conserves power by avoiding the use of infrared lights. Reolink claims a 30% longer battery life in night conditions compared to other 4K IR cameras. In my three-week usage, the camera's battery was about 25%, suggesting around a month of charge. While not exceptional compared to some models like Eufy, which can last for months, it is comparable to other brands that typically need charging every six weeks. The addition of Reolink’s Solar Panel, which provides up to 6W output, offers a practical and eco-friendly solution for extending battery life. In my initial tests during sunny days, the battery consistently remained at 100%, indicating that solar power could significantly reduce the need for manual charging, especially in sunnier climates.

Overall, the Argus 4 Pro is a substantial upgrade within Reolink’s product lineup, offering advanced features like true color night vision, dual-lens ultra-wide-angle coverage, and efficient battery use. Its flexible storage options and compatibility with Wi-Fi 6 further enhance its appeal. While the battery life may not rival that of some long-lasting models, the integration with solar panels provides a viable solution for those seeking a low-maintenance, powerful security camera for varied environments.