Reolink 8MP vs 12MP Security Camera: Is Higher Resolution Worth It?

I recently put two of Reolink’s popular security cameras head-to-head to answer a question I get all the time: is it worth upgrading to a higher megapixel count for better image quality? Today I’m breaking down my side-by-side comparison of Reolink’s 8MP CX820 versus their 12MP RLC-1224A.

The Cameras I Tested

For this comparison, I used the CX820 (8MP model) and the RLC-1224A (12MP model). Both are turret-style cameras, but they have one crucial difference that affects how they perform at night.

The CX820 is what I call a full-color-only camera. It doesn’t have any infrared lights built in, so it depends entirely on ambient light or its built-in spotlights for nighttime recording. The RLC-1224A, on the other hand, gives you more flexibility with both infrared lights for traditional night vision and a built-in spotlight for full-color night recording.

To keep this comparison fair, I tested both cameras in full-color mode throughout most of my testing. But I also wanted to show you what the RLC-1224A’s infrared performance looks like, so you can see all your options.

Quick Feature Breakdown

Let me run through the key specs of each camera:

RLC-1224A (12MP)

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• 12MP sensor recording at 4512 x 2512 resolution
• 20fps recording capability
• Single 700-lumen spotlight
• Infrared night vision + spotlight options

CX820 (8MP)

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• 8MP sensor recording at 3840 x 2160 resolution
• 25fps recording capability
• Three 400-lumen spotlights

Both cameras share some common features: they use 4mm lenses, support two-way audio, accept up to 256GB microSD cards, and are ONVIF compatible.

Daytime Performance

Starting with daytime recording, I set both cameras to their highest image quality settings. The side-by-side comparison shows what you’d expect – both cameras deliver crisp, clear footage during daylight hours. The 12MP camera does capture slightly more detail when you really pixel-peep, but in practical terms, both cameras perform excellently for daytime surveillance.

Nighttime Testing

This is where things get more interesting. I tested three different nighttime scenarios:

Without Spotlights: Both cameras struggled in low-light conditions without their spotlights activated, which is expected, given that the CX820 has no infrared capability, and I was testing the RLC-1224A in full-color mode.

With Spotlights: Here’s where both cameras really shine. The CX820’s triple 400-lumen setup provides excellent illumination, while the RLC-1224A’s single 700-lumen spotlight also delivers solid performance. The lighting coverage differs slightly between the two setups, but both are effective for their intended purpose.

Infrared Mode (RLC-1224A only): I also tested the RLC-1224A’s infrared capabilities, which provide decent black-and-white night vision without relying on spotlights. This is a nice backup option that the CX820 simply doesn’t have.

My Verdict

After extensive side-by-side testing, here’s my honest take: the image quality between these cameras is remarkably similar. Yes, the 12MP sensor captures slightly more detail, but we’re talking about minimal differences that most users won’t notice in real-world scenarios.

Here’s the kicker though – that extra resolution comes with a significant storage cost. 12MP footage takes up considerably more space than 8MP, which means you’ll fill up your storage faster and potentially need to invest in larger capacity solutions.

When I factor in the storage requirements versus the marginal image quality improvement, I think most people are better off sticking with the 8MP option for now. The CX820 delivers excellent image quality while being much more storage-friendly, and honestly, 8MP is more than enough resolution for most security applications.

The one exception might be if you specifically need the RLC-1224A’s infrared capability as a backup night vision option. But if you’re primarily using spotlight mode anyway, the CX820’s triple-light setup actually gives you better illumination coverage.

Bottom Line

Unless you have specific needs that require the absolute maximum resolution or the infrared backup capability, I’d recommend saving your money and storage space by going with the 8MP CX820. It delivers 95% of the performance at a much better value proposition.

That’s my take on the 8MP versus 12MP debate. What do you think? Have you made the jump to higher resolution cameras, or are you sticking with the sweet spot of 8MP? 

Thanks for reading, and I’ll catch you in the next one!