Reolink RLC-823A Review - 4K IP Camera that has Pan, Tilt, Zoom, Spotlights and Motion Tracking

Today, we are going to review the Reolink RLC 823A. This is an IP PoE wired NVR camera that hasd Pan, Tilt and Optical Zoom 5x Features and also have spotlights and has motion tracking. Now, you will be tracked and recorded in 4K resolution. We will check out its features, do the unboxing, install, and set it up using my NVR and I'll show you the video and audio quality, motion tracking capabilities of this PTZ camera from Reolink.
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Reolink RLC-823A IP PoE NVR Camera - geni.us/RLC-823A
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Features
02:29 Unboxing
03:25 Installation
04:29 Setup
04:57 Settings in the App
08:08 Video Quality Daytime
09:17 Night Video Quality
11:14 Other Testing
13:59 Final Thoughts
#lifehackster #reolinkcameras #reolink823A
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[@LifeHackster]

There is a bug that I haven’t tested and was brought to my attention that during motion tracking, the camera doesn’t tilt. It will only pan. This is a software bug that Reolink should be fixing soon.

[@johnlarkin5183]

I have not tried it, but on their website the new firmware does fix this issue.

[@Pro1er]

There is a new firmware version that provides vertical tracking but see my comments below regarding FPS before updating the firmware.

[@scottfarcus1515]

The new firmware only partially fixes this issue. They are still working on a fix that will allow it to tilt all the way while tracking.

[@shl4998]

I have installed the new software. Now the camera tilt all the way while tracking

[@FN57owner]

I have this camera, but haven't seen the updated firmware that includes tilt when tracking could someone post a link to download.

[@rickpoeling6831]

Your videos are by far the best. Great job showing the video quality and functionality of the camera day and night and with multiple distances and activity.

[@mugg1841]

Glad you made this video. Been checking this out on their website and your review helped confirm that I want this.

[@jacobfoster3663]

Thank you for the review, been waiting for this camera review for a long time, awesome work!!

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks.

[@jbgood7694]

This is an excellent review. the most helpful part was when you showed the license plate at different distance’s.

[@osbjmg]

Very comprehensive, you even did a two person tracking -- something I was wondering about. Thank you! One thing I would love is if I can send alerts to my google nest devices in addition / instead of my phone. I will look into doing something with IFTTT maybe.

[@scottthomas133]

EXCELLENT VIDEO, just purchased the system and 3 PTZ cameras, love it so far, but just trying to learn it.. THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO

[@pinoysouljah77]

Thank you for the great review... you've gained a follower!

[@rodrobinson6111]

Thanks for the review. Will be an item I purchase in the future. Keep the videos coming.

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks.

[@paulczeresko6644]

Great job with the review, as always. As you mentioned, it is not discrete but I live out in the country so this is a perk for me. Very helpful, thank you.

[@AzKaraokeVic]

A really great and thorough review. Thanks.

[@gilfish7220]

Your review is phenomenal thank you

[@Rcschim]

Solid test man, thanks a lot!

[@onepanther69]

Great review, thanks, you made my decision for me

[@firstlast1732]

Love the loud sound to alert people

[@Heshhion]

Great review, thank you!

[@casafix3017]

thank you for the review. very helpful. I'm going to add one to my Reolink system.

[@LifeHackster]

You are welcome.

[@MrFreeze79]

excellent review. I'm buying this !!!!

[@antonymcneillis]

Some really useful installation tips. 🙏

[@travis8404]

just ordered one ,great info ,thanks ,new to the security camera set up , seems a little intimidating with all the options will take some time to dial it all in ,looking forward to playing with it , thanks.

[@ronm6585]

Seems to be a good camera. Thanks for the great review.

[@LifeHackster]

You are welcome.

[@paulmiyagishima7655]

Greetings from Torrance! This is a very cool camera. Video quality is superb out to 50 feet and the spot lights are very bright. In the right location this would be perfect. But you are right about not putting it in front of your house. Your neighbors would be a little creeped out. Thanks again for another awesome review! Great work!

[@LifeHackster]

Thank you. Reolink even with their WiFi cameras always have good video quality.

[@jos3064]

Is it possible to disable the lights completely? I am thinking about placing one of these in front my home. And also does it make a loud noise when panning and tilting? Thanks.

[@thomas.valbusa]

Molto bravo per aver messo la traduzione in italiano!!! Grandissimo

[@claytonbigsby942]

Nice job on the review

[@aidaperez88888]

Great review. I wonder what ur neighbors say when u test the sirens on cameras😜thanks for all ur reviews!

[@nestoraoc32]

Great Video! Thanks!

[@denveronly]

ive tested this camera and for me it works amazing, super picture quality and fast moving.

[@Savsal12]

How did you install it? I just got mine and the camera is in the way of my screw driver

[@larsvaneynde4281]

@@Savsal12 it's actually explained in this video. See 3:48.

[@AlexRocks24-7]

Amazing review 👍👌💯 Many thanks for taking the time for making this review. I'm sold 🙂 . Amazing quality 👌

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks for watching.

[@picolocell350]

Many thank's ! From France

[@LitOBOo]

Thank you for taking the time and making this video. Excellent job! You have test pretty much all the camera that’s out there on the market. Out of all of them, which is your favorite?

[@LifeHackster]

I still like and have been using my old ring floodlight cam…it is pretty reliable.

[@Savsal12]

Really? Ring flood light camera? Why?

[@victorvek5227]

If Reolink silences the motor noise, offers tunable lighting like the Eufy floodlight cam 2 pro, and improves the two-way audio quality - no one else will be close. Until then, there are enough cons for Ring, Reolink, and Eufy for me to keep watching these videos waiting for “the one” to come out!

[@wrzl1675]

Wow, that’s a nice security camera. You’re right about the fact that it’s an in your face, I’m recording everything. Lol. Installation is going to be pretty involved too but I’m still going to look into buying a couple of these.

[@David-lb4te]

Good review. I have just installed this camera to replace an 5k fixed POE. The focus is slow during the day, but at night if the camera is zoomed in, it usually does not lock at all. The focus aimlessly drifts from one focal limit to the other in search of the optimum. Otherwise, the camera is good.

[@LifeHackster]

Yes, especially if it in auto and in color at night even with the spotlights on..the focusing drifts..and BW, it is a bit better.

[@compaholic83]

@@LifeHackster Great review. Is there a way to set the focus manually for when its on patrol/auto follow? Or for each of the preset spots? Or at least give the focus a range so its not constantly hunting

[@ruudwilschut9095]

I've seen more of your videos, but this one has by far the best color image quality at night. Looking at the roofs of the houses in the background and the sky and clouds and there is no noise at all. The image looks so nice and clean! Reolink now has a nice offer on this camera, so I think I'll buy it. I currently have a 1080p Kami Outdoor IP camera with terrible image quality and Kami has added advertisements with sound in the app before you can view your footage. This is their way of forcing you into a subscription.

[@jamescrandall1175]

Great channel. How loud are the motors in the unit outside if you are standing next to it? Thinking of buying this but no idea how loud it is when it turns and if it would draw attention or not.

[@amkviray]

Nice review kabayan. Love your channel.

[@LifeHackster]

Thank you.

[@dirkstoffberg8123]

Thank you for the great reviews, always very well presented. I had an issue with the 2 way audio on all 3 of my RLC 823A cameras, waiting for the 16X as a replacement, any idea on when they will have stock for market?

[@BlenderRookie]

I use an FTP server for all my reolink cams. The SD card records motion in the best quality and the FTP records in standard quality 24/7 on a 60 day archive rotation. The person, car and BETA pet detection on the rlc-810a really impressed me. Even the person and car detection on the rlc-510a is pretty good. I likely will be getting the 823a to replace my argus eco solar powered wifi cam I have at my front entrance way. Basically me watching this video is research. I was just going to get the I think it was the 812a because it has color night with spotlights and two way audio, but now I am thinking this one because it being a PTZ with motion tracking will cover a blindspot.

[@andrewgrantlee2646]

Great review! I'm currently looking for a 4K PTZ camera to replace a fixed 4MP fixed camera. I like the idea of the spotlights but I have a couple questions about the camera: 1) That chirping noise when the camera moves. Is this the motor itself or an option that can be turned off? I'd like to silently track subjects. 2) Can the spotlight be set to come on only when a subject is within a user-defined distance? I'd like to have the spotlight activate only when a subject is on my property, not on the sidewalk. 3) I use Dahua cameras and NVR now. Does this camera have perimeter protection/trip lined that can be set on the camera itself? I find having events is the most efficient way to review footage later. Thanks again!

[@markh8921]

I definitely like this reolink..

[@dns16372]

Question: Thanks for your work and videos. I ordered the RLC-823A but I really like Rich Notifications. What brand offers this feature?

[@ninerangel49]

The notification time and clarity is outstanding! I currently have Eufy 2c, c24, and 2k doorbell. And it's gone downhill over the last 2 months. Notifications are awful and a lot of missed motion detections. Thinking of switching to reolink!

[@brittgayle467]

I’ve noticed the issue with missed motion detections with Eufy as well!

[@jcm9698]

I think that's an inherit problem with wi-fi cameras compared to wired.

[@jonk8600]

@@jcm9698 It happens even to the indoor 2k plugged in within my mostly enclosed porch recording 24/7. It has to be restarted weekly or is looses detection. It's defintinely a Eufy issue as I have it too. Suprisingly the cameras just recording events (Floodlight 2 pro and an S40 battery) do a good joband don't have the issue.

[@CrimtideStreams]

Very nice, but what do we do with the ground wire? Did I miss that in your video? You mentioned it going over the cables but not sure I heard you say what to do with it.. or if it needs to even be used for POE application.

[@Joe-yj3ko]

Have you done a review of the RLC 842A yet? Thinking about getting one and was wondering what you thought about it. Thanks

[@davest123va]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet but it now has Pet tracking as well. Works perfectly with my cat running around the back yard!

[@gtj2020]

Hi and thanks for review. Will this camera work offgrid without internet? Thanks

[@josephbodi9363]

Great video, this is what I am looking for. However, I noticed in the specs the camera only goes to -10C. I live in Canada and most of our winter is below -10C. Is there a work around or another camera option that will go to at least -20C?

[@amjainyt]

Hi thanks so much for your review. Please tell which camera is good with recording License plates.

[@boojackson7133]

Motion tracking is really good

[@zaidaperez1]

Thanks for the video I was wondering what kind of nvr are you using or did you just update your firmware?

[@bogosiphuti9975]

Great review. Was wondering what if you have more than 1 camera same brand, does the App allows you to operate them once?

[@PeterKnagge]

A few questions: Is there a solar wireless version? Can you link two or more cameras together? How well does it work in stormy weather? False alarms?

[@RayMondElec]

Hi thanks for doing the video. If one can get a full colour video at night, then why would one want to use the infa red leds? Also is the recording at night in colour 4K? . A video to compare this camera with hikvision colorvue PTZ at 4K would be great please Thanks

[@william84p]

Man I love your reviews I wish I would've stumbled on your channel before buying my ring doorbell and the Xfinity cameras thur wifi... A quick question I want to get maybe 2 more cameras for the outside of my home but as alot of ppl have heard there's scumbags out there with wifi jammers now. What do you recommend to go against the wifi jammers for security cameras

[@rudyvargas2846]

Out of all the cameras from realink this camera even with the other 3 comparison cameras you did on the 5mp,8mp and 12mp which do you think would be the best Benefit?

[@toolsmadness7060]

Hello, you can tell me what wifi extender you use for your exterior cameras. Thank for your answer.

[@thehashslingingslasher19]

nice review, you should get a roof soft washing!

[@ROBERT-ml7ml]

Will you doba review on the new reolink 16x camera thats coming out next month?

[@wizkid1]

Any products from other companies that you would recommend with the same feature set?

[@johnszatkowski6898]

Hey LifeHackster! Another great review. I'm sure you are aware that Wyze is dumping the V1 Cams and I'm pretty pissed about that as I have several. I'm sure the V1 Pan cams will be next shortly as well. This led me to do some searching for replacements. Well I discovered SwitchBot now sells a fixed CAM for $29 on Amazon. I went ahead and bought one and it's actually pretty good. The night vision is on par with the Wyze V1 CAM but with WAY less false alarms as Wyze. Also, the playback is WAY easier to view/download and storage is free. I'm going to replace my Wyze V1's with Switchbot's for now as they are inexpensive. The only downside to SwitchBot is you need to buy a hub to be able to view cameras from the internet ($49). A consideration for sure but I use a bunch of SwitchBot products including their temp/humidity sensors and switches which also work well. If you have time it would be nice to see you do a review of the SwitchBot lineup. These work great with Smartthings and Alexa as I have and old 1947 (slightly updated) home with no ground wires on many switches and these products work nice for my situation. Please consider my request. THANKS!

[@LifeHackster]

Actually I didn’t know. Thanks for the heads up. I have to check out the switch not. Thanks.

[@AALT]

Well done with the review of the RLC-823A. I will like to know how to connect this PTZ to a Lorex NVR. Thanks

[@abowden5079]

Great vid, Thank you for the review on this, and for the dedication in setting up and testing it with the bad weather youve been having too. This Confirmed its one of, if not the best retail (excluding commercial i guess) ptz cameras on the market hands down and i will buy it as soon as it comes back in stock. If reolink gave you affiliate links for discounts that would be cool . 1 thing i do Wish the autotracking could pan slowly with target instead of the on/off nature to its panning at full speed but thats very minor, no big deal. Thx again

[@LifeHackster]

You are welcome.

[@Senorlatulla]

They are 200 at Amazon now if you haven't bought already

[@mrhuron303]

Great review as always.I have a question I hope anyone with a Reolink POE camera can answer. I currently have battery cameras purchased years ago that can easily arm/disarm via an Alexa routine, & usually arm when leaving home and at night. I am interested in the POEs as backup for better resolution & consistent monitoring property and street. Using the Reolink app how do you handle full time monitoring without getting bombarded with alerts, & still get alerts that require immediate attention, especially when you are active around your property everyday?

[@LifeHackster]

There is an option of the app where you can group cameras (they call it scenes) so that you can disable or enable motion alerts on your cameras as a group. And you will have this shortcut on top of the app.

[@ManTimeT.V.]

Hey Hackster! How are you? Can this camera be used with just a 256GB memory card and then plugged in to a 120 volt power supply outlet? Instead of running it to an NVR and a modem.

[@DStealth7]

This is an excellent review. Thanks @LifeHackster! The Reolink PTZ that I purchased in 2020 just crapped out on me and am trying to decide between this model and the 16X model. The mic is a major upgrade for me since the 2020 didn't have that feature. Motion tracking is a plus, but not sure if it's needed especially if I use preprogramed presets nor the spotlight since I don't want to anger the neighbors.

[@josephpuchel6497]

Hello What did you decide to do ? I’m thinking about this one POE. Thank you

[@DStealth7]

@@josephpuchel6497 I ended up going with the RLC-823A with the 5X optical zoom because it has a wider view. The only complaint I have is that I can't get the motion tracking to work. IDK if it's because I have an older NVR, the video quality is great otherwise.

[@ruudje2777]

With this camera I think you can set the zone where you want it to detect motion and then turn on the lights. Then your neighbors won't be bothered by it, right?

[@pewpewi]

Kick assss video man. Just a quick one, when it is on patrolling mode and it detects a person does it follow the person, and then go back to patrolling as soon as the detection passed?

[@alanheuson7100]

Does this come with a glass cover to keep out the elements from the weather?

[@zhiz0zhiz]

Is it possible to automatically turn on optical zoom when motion detection and tracking is on?

[@deannemorris9934]

Can you tell me the difference between this one and the Trackmix POE please? I may need to have a camera on four areas of my house.Thanks Kenny

[@bobsmith5134]

nice ptz...just wish they were available ffs been waiting for months to restock

[@garylambert6650]

Nice review, can you compare Reolink RLC-823A vs eufy floodlight Cam 2 Pro

[@irshaadkhan4448]

Would you do a review of the reolink rlc 823a 16x optical zoom?

[@netman88]

Great video, does the video recording make a sound of the camera moving?

[@LifeHackster]

Yes... and it is loud and annoying.

[@robertcasey7312]

Angle adapters are a must for power drivers. Lost count how many times it solved my problem.

[@motaza5164]

Can it auto focus when it start following the moving object? So it could for example spot a car plate?

[@daliborbenic6287]

Thank you for good video...like

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks.

[@go5582]

Hi handsome. I really enjoyed this videos.hiw do feel about hikivision g2 color vu 2022 bullet cameras? Will you be testing hikivision for night recording? What camera would be better than this reviewed camera?

[@agray8109]

Timely video! I've been looking at this on their site and based on your review, I think I'll do this on the side of the house where it's dark. P.S. What is that drill attachment you used for the tight space? I need one of those!!

[@LifeHackster]

It is a right angle attachment like this dewalt one.. I couldn’t find the black and decker one which I have -> amzn.to/3gqGZ7K

[@agray8109]

@@LifeHackster Thanks! Stay warm and hopefully no broken pipes with the thaw.

[@swiftaudi]

What’s your choice for outdoor cameras that work with apple HomeKit? I’m currently using the Logitech circle view and the quality isn’t really good at all but I’m thinking this is a limitation of HomeKit not allowing higher quality imaging and I can’t figure out why they wouldn’t. My guess is we are 10 years away from having Wi-Fi cameras that work as well as Poe cameras.

[@LifeHackster]

I’m not a homekit user so I really can’t say but I know eufy cameras or some of its models and also Arlos are homekit compatible.

[@leonfisher]

Great review. One of my concerns with an PTZ in the outdoors is how sealed the rotating part is to the elements. How do you feel this camera would do in a windy / dusty environment?

[@LifeHackster]

The last several days have been windy and cold. No issues that I noticed. It should be ok.

[@johnlarkin5183]

@@LifeHackster I have owned this camera over 5 months and live in St. Paul. Not sure what it would be like with a lot of dust, but it handles cold and wind fine.

[@Chieftain357]

@@johnlarkin5183 Does it work in weather colder than 14F?

[@MythicRealTrap]

02:10 so what happens when it use all the SD card? Does it not record or it auto deletes the old footage to make room to the new one? Thank you

[@LifeHackster]

Loops records…new footage records over old footage.

[@markd.songsandstuff7728]

Thanks LIfeHackster, another good review. Go to a hardware store, buy a 6" extension for your drill bits. The frame won't be as much in the way to screw it in. I've had an 823A in front yard above my garage for about two months. The neighbors like that I have it because they don't have any security cams. I like Reolink. I like the 823A. It's the best PTZ cam in its price range IMO. A new firmware version does have both pan/tilt auto tracking and pet detection, but it's got problems with vehicle tilt tracking, fails sometimes. Reolink is aware of this and are working to improve the firmware. Don't expect the 823A to follow a car traveling fast past your house. If the street is close to your house all brand PTZ cams I know of can only track a car about 10-15 mph. Faster and a car will just fly by, tracking can't keep up. If you have a long driveway and the street/road is farther away, a car can be tracked at faster speeds. I don't use the vehicle auto tracking, don't want it, turned it off. I don't care to watch lots of motion clips of cars several houses past my home. I have person tracking on and it works great horizonal/vertical with people walking past my house on the sidewalk. Also, at night it takes a second for the cam to switch from IR black/white to color when the spotlight comes on when it senses motion so there's a bit of out of focus for a moment. The zoom works good, it's just 5x so it won't be as good as a $500+ PTZ with 20x zoom. I set the guard point in the middle of my property so after it tracks someone it goes back to guard point. Some think it's better to have two or three cams covering everything rather than just one PTZ. I agree. A PTZ might miss something out of frame as it follows a person/car. So I have other cams covering my front. Reolink is coming out with a doorbell cam in the Spring.

[@LifeHackster]

I actually have an extension too somewhere but I thought of the angled adapter first..:) thanks for the tip and further information. I think it is still better to have multiple static cameras.

[@KurtDRummel]

Just purchased three of these. Two of the RLC 823A's and the 5mp WIFI variant. I have been having issues with the cameras reverting back to a lesser resolution constantly. I will go in either the windows client or the mobile client and make the appropriate changes but the camera will not retain the settings. I have been in contact with Reolink and they weren't much help. They just suggested the obvious to reboot and reset the cameras and try to reinstall the client. There's definitely a bug somewhere and i'm on the verge of returning the cameras due to it.

[@Hardeba]

Nice

[@blkrazorback1970]

Can these cams record to Qnap Nas??? Also what you recommend for low profile on from of house with same features?

[@byungwoo1003]

Is this working with Amcrest NVR as well?

[@Sebastian-bm3hl]

Hi, just purchased the Reolink system. My Nvr system is model RLN16-410. It came with 8 cameras that work fine. Just purchased the RLC823A because of the auto tracking. Upgraded Nvr, camera and app and still don’t have the option you have on your app, I have an iPhone. What’s wrong? Thank you!!

[@craigo9101]

Brother I appreciate your in depth review of this camera. Im sold. I was going to install the swan system that I would've bought from a big box store. No technical support from that store for sure. Although this camera has that annoying whine in the motor I can deal with it. The clarity of this camera is top notch and I would need less cameras to cover my property. I have an Arlo wireless system now and its terrible. So again, thanks. Do you recommend a good residential REOLINK NVR. I may only need 3 of these cameras and I'm looking at the reolink 4K NVR RLN8-410. Any help will be appreciated

[@martinwolf2619]

Thanks for another great review. I have the impression that a moving object during the night cannot be identified at all because of the unsteady panning and slow exposure adjustment of the camera. What do you think?

[@LifeHackster]

Moving object plus moving camera especially at night will cause more blur than just a static camera.

[@martinwolf2619]

@@LifeHackster thanks a lot. Nevertheless interesting camera.

[@natephillips2025]

I love reolink!!! They need to do doorbells! Whole smart system..

[@Pro1er]

A Reolink doorbell camera is in the works...and it will be POE!

[@onyekaanyaora2556]

If the intend using this camera in a commercial surveillance setup, due to the limitation of cat6 to go beyond 100m run ,can I transmit via fibre cable and have optical digital converters at camera and NVR position?

[@KingTrump2024]

How long is the warranty? The PTZ cams have motor issues with constant movement .

[@kristinecca]

I want to ask you, how come I do not have the "Trigger audio alarm" or the "Spotlight "at the top nor the "Talk" button at the bottom? I just got the gear today so I should have the latest app. Please let me know if you can. Thanks.

[@digisound1902]

Great video, Can you hear the camera moving sound (when in close range)?

[@victorvek5227]

There are videos on KZbin where passersby stop and remark on how they hear it from the sidewalk!

[@ericglenntering2485]

Compare to eufy floodlight cam? Which is better? Cheers

[@clemenslangle880]

Is there a way to stream over rtsp - because they say that they support the rtsp standard...

[@abowden5079]

9:02 when you say 'zoomed in' do you mean Digitally zoomed in or you used the Optical Zoom for the zoomed in snip of the numberplate?

[@LifeHackster]

Digitally zoomed in…this camera and any camera that has optical zoom doesn’t zoom optically when it senses motion. It is because of the lag time of the focus.

[@MaartenOosterbaan]

Can u set it in a way that it won’t go into a certain area? Like a part of the 360 cirkel its not allowed to go to?

[@mugg1841]

I’m trying to install this on my REOLINK NVR now and I don’t have the option on top for the siren and spotlight. Any idea why? I have the PTZ features only on bottom

[@billlangdoc913]

LifeHackster- Would you prefer this motion tracking and zoom camera or a Riolink’s duo camera? I’m looking for cameras for my front and back yard. I live in an area that’s not too busy. Thanks

[@LifeHackster]

2 cameras or the duo would be better. Motion blur especially at night is accentuated by the camera moving also.