Dahua vs Hikvision: How They Compare and What Changed in India

Two giants from Hangzhou

Hikvision and Dahua are both headquartered in Hangzhou, China, and are among the largest video surveillance manufacturers in the world. For years they dominated the Indian market at every price point, and many existing systems in Bangalore use one or the other. Their products are similar in scope; the differences are in naming, software and how they are sold.

Side by side

Both offer entry, mainstream and premium tiers, PTZ and panoramic cameras, and NVRs from 4 to 128 or more channels.

Image and features

In practice, comparable models from the two brands perform similarly. Differences show up in specific models — WDR at a given entrance, colour performance in a dark lane, analytics accuracy — rather than in the brand as a whole. Installers often prefer one or the other based on familiarity with the NVR software and app.

NVRs

• Both offer compact PoE NVRs for homes and shops.
• Both offer AI NVRs that add human and vehicle detection to ordinary cameras.
• Both offer large recorders with RAID for enterprise sites.
• Mixing brands works through ONVIF, with limited AI events.

What India’s rules mean

Since 2024, network cameras must pass security testing and be registered model by model before sale in India. The rules do not name any brand. However, press reports in April 2026 said network cameras from Chinese manufacturers such as Hikvision and Dahua were in practice not receiving certification. Analog cameras are exempt from the security testing. For any new IP camera purchase, ask for proof of certification of the exact model.

Consumer cameras: Ezviz and Imou

Both companies also sell consumer Wi-Fi cameras under separate brands: Ezviz is associated with Hikvision and Imou with Dahua. These are network cameras too, so the same certification rules apply to them. Check certification of the exact model before buying, and secure the app account with a strong password and two-factor login.

If you already have Dahua or Hikvision

• Your existing system can continue to be used.
• Update firmware and change default passwords; both brands have published security updates over the years.
• Avoid port forwarding; use the official app service or a VPN.
• Put cameras on a separate network.
• Plan expansions with certified models, and check ONVIF compatibility if mixing brands.

Alternatives made in India

Buyers moving away from either brand typically consider CP Plus, PRAMA, Honeywell and Matrix, which manufacture in India and offer certified IP models with similar AI and night features.

An example

A warehouse in Hoskote with 24 Dahua cameras wanted to add 12 more for a new shed. Rather than replacing everything, the new shed got certified made-in-India IP cameras on their own NVR, both systems were added to one VMS client for the security cabin, and the old system was secured with updated firmware and a separate VLAN. The older cameras will be replaced as they fail.

Our position

SightShield does not sell Dahua. We support existing Hikvision systems and quote only IP models whose certification we can confirm.

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