Hikvision DS-2CE12HFT-F28 ColorVu TVI Camera 5MP, 2.8mm, 40m supplemental light

Model: DS-2CE12HFT-F28

Who This Is For

For property owners and installers who need full-colour night footage without relying on existing ambient lighting, the Hikvision DS-2CE12HFT-F28 is a 5MP ColorVu TVI camera built around a fixed 2.8mm lens and integrated 40-metre white light illuminator. This is not an infrared camera - it outputs colour images around the clock, making it directly suited to driveways, side gates, car parks, and entry paths where identifying clothing colour, vehicle colour, or facial features at night matters. The 2.8mm wide-angle field of view at 99.7° horizontal covers broad areas from a single mounting point, and the IP67 rating handles exposed outdoor positions without issue. It connects into any existing TVI-compatible DVR, making it a straightforward upgrade or addition to analogue HD systems already on site. The full 360° pan and 90° tilt adjustment at the mount means positioning can be dialled in precisely after installation.

What This Camera Actually Does

Who Buys This Model

• Residential installers upgrading analogue systems: Existing coaxial cabling stays in place - the DS-2CE12HFT-F28 replaces lower-resolution TVI cameras at the camera end only, delivering 5MP colour night imaging without touching the DVR or cable runs.
• Small business owners monitoring entry points after hours: The 40-metre white light range and colour-at-night output means usable footage of anyone approaching a shopfront, roller door, or service entry in complete darkness, with clothing and vehicle colour retained.
• Property managers at rental sites or strata: The IP67 housing and -40°C to 60°C operating range suits exposed outdoor positions. The wide 99.7° horizontal field of view from the 2.8mm lens covers car park entries and shared access paths from a single mounting point.
• Installers specifying for high-contrast outdoor scenes: Driveways, gate entries, and covered parking areas with mixed direct sunlight and shadow benefit from the 130 dB WDR, which keeps both bright and dark zones in the same frame readable without blown-out highlights.

Honest Assessment

The DS-2CE12HFT-F28 does one thing particularly well: it produces colour footage in darkness using its white light illuminator rather than switching to monochrome like an IR camera. For any installation where post-incident review depends on identifying clothing colour, vehicle colour, or distinguishing individuals, that is a practical advantage over standard IR models at the same resolution. The 5MP sensor and 130 dB WDR add useful headroom for high-contrast scenes. The fixed 2.8mm lens suits wide coverage from close-to-mid range positions - eaves, gate pillars, and entry overhangs. This camera will not suit installations requiring covert operation, since the white light is visible when active. It also will not replace an IR camera where the illuminator light itself is not acceptable to neighbours or building management. Available through Security Australia, it is a TVI camera only - buyers running IP/PoE NVR infrastructure should look at the equivalent IP-based ColorVu models instead.

Before You Buy

Quick Fit Check

• Good match if: You are running an existing TVI DVR system and want to upgrade individual camera positions to 5MP colour-at-night without rewiring - the DS-2CE12HFT-F28 connects directly to existing coaxial runs.
• Good match if: Your coverage area is a wide entry point, driveway, or car park lane within 10-15 metres of the camera - the 99.7° horizontal FOV and 5MP resolution provide broad coverage with enough detail for review.
• You may need a different model if: Your system is IP/PoE-based using an NVR - this camera outputs TVI only and will not connect to a network video recorder. An equivalent IP-based colour camera from the Hikvision range would be more suitable for that infrastructure.

Key Features & Technical Specifications

Real-World Scenarios

How It Compares

• Choose this if: You are running a TVI DVR and want 5MP colour-at-night performance using existing coaxial cable infrastructure - no network switch, no PoE, no IP configuration required.
• You may need a different model if: Your recorder is an IP NVR or your site runs PoE cabling - this camera outputs TVI only and will not communicate with network-based infrastructure. An equivalent IP-based colour camera would suit that system type and is available on the Security Australia site.
• Pairs well with: A TVI-compatible DVR with at least 5MP channel support - confirm recorder firmware supports 5MP TVI input before purchasing, particularly on older Hikvision or third-party DVR units.

Common Questions

1. Does this camera record colour footage at night or does it switch to black-and-white?

   It records colour footage at night - it does not switch to black-and-white. The DS-2CE12HFT-F28 uses ColorVu technology with a built-in white light illuminator that activates in low light. The sensor operates down to 0.0005 Lux at F1.0, and the white light reaches 40 metres, meaning colour information is captured throughout the night rather than only during daylight hours.

2. Will this camera work with my existing TVI DVR?

   Yes, provided your DVR supports TVI input at 5MP resolution. The DS-2CE12HFT-F28 connects via coaxial cable to any TVI-compatible recorder. The important check is that your specific DVR model supports 5MP TVI channels - some older units cap out at 1080p or 4MP depending on firmware version. Check your recorder's channel specification before purchasing.

3. Is the white light visible to people in the scene?

   Yes, it is visible. Unlike infrared illumination which is invisible to the human eye, the white light on this camera produces a visible glow when active. It illuminates the scene in the same way a low-power floodlight would. This is a practical consideration for neighbour-facing positions or installations where a visible light at night is not acceptable.

4. What does the 130 dB WDR rating mean in a real installation?

   It means the camera can handle scenes where the brightness range between the darkest and lightest areas is extremely wide. In practical terms: a covered car park entry with bright outdoor daylight behind a subject, a shopfront door with direct sun glare, or a gate with a backlit sky. At 130 dB, both the bright and dark portions of the frame remain readable without the bright areas washing out to white.

5. Does the 2.8mm lens suit identifying people and vehicles at the full 40-metre white light range?

   Not reliably for identification at 40 metres. The 2.8mm lens produces a 99.7° horizontal field of view, which is wide - subjects at 40 metres occupy a relatively small portion of the 5MP frame. The 40-metre white light range describes illumination coverage, not identification distance. For identification purposes with this lens, plan for subjects to be within approximately 8-12 metres. If you need identification capability at longer distances, a narrower fixed lens or a varifocal camera would be more suitable.

6. Does this camera support PoE or does it need a separate power supply?

   No, it does not support PoE. This is a TVI analogue camera that connects via coaxial cable. Power is supplied separately via a 12V DC connection. There is no PoE compatibility - PoE applies to IP network cameras only. Budget for a separate power run or local power supply at each camera position.

7. What is the confirmed operating temperature range and does it suit Australian outdoor conditions?

   The confirmed operating range is -40°C to 60°C. For Australian outdoor environments including tropical north Queensland, desert regions, and coastal sites, this range covers typical ambient and radiant heat conditions without additional thermal protection. The IP67 rating also confirms dust and water resistance, which is relevant for coastal salt air and outback particulate environments.

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