With the EZVIZ CB8 Lite 4G, EZVIZ is launching a surveillance camera on the market that is designed to be particularly flexible thanks to its motorized pan and tilt technology, wireless battery operation and optional solar power supply. At the same time, the Hikvision subsidiary promises improved AI detection, strong 2K+ image quality and a smart app connection. But how does the camera really perform in everyday use? We’ll tell you in the EZVIZ CB8 Lite 4G test.
Technical data
| Model | EZVIZ CB8 Lite 4G Kit |
| Dimensions and weight | 157.3 × 102.3 × 147.8 mm and 640 g |
| Camera | – Image sensor: 1/3″ 4-megapixel progressive scan – Lens: 4mm@ F1.6 – Night vision in black and white or color – Night vision range: 15 m |
| Viewing angle | – Horizontal: 75° – Vertical: 40° – Diagonal: 90° – PTZ viewing angle: 340° (pan), 80° (tilt) |
| Resistance | – Weather resistance: IP65 certification – Operating temperature: -20 °C to 50 °C |
| Video and audio | – Max. Resolution: 4MP (2K+) – Frame rate: 15fps – Compression: H.265 / H.264 – Bit rate: Ultra-HD; Full HD; Hi-Def; Adaptive bit rate – Audio bit rate: Self-adaptive – Max. Bit rate: 4 Mbps – Two-way audio |
| Motion detection | – AI-based person detection – AI-based vehicle detection |
| security | 64/128-bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK |
| Memory | – Local storage: MicroSD (max. 512 GB) – Cloud storage: EZVIZ CloudPlay |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6 + 4G |
| Battery | – 5,200 mAh – 15 days runtime in AOV mode – 1 year runtime in AOV mode with solar panel |
| Price | € 149.99 * |
Scope of delivery
- EZVIZ CB8 Lite camera
- Solar panel
- Mounting plate with bracket
- Drilling template
- Screws and dowels
- USB-C charging cable
- Quick start guide
EZVIZ CB8 Lite 4G kit test: design and workmanship
The EZVIZ CB8 Lite comes in a solidly manufactured housing that looks high-quality despite the use of plastic. The color combination of white and black is impressive and ensures that you can mount the surveillance camera quite prominently on your house wall.
This is important for all those who want a camera to have a deterrent effect. The IP65 certification promises robustness and weather resistance. This provides protection against water and dust damage. EZVIZ specifies an operating temperature range of -20 °C to +50 °C.
With its dimensions of 157.3 × 102.3 × 147.8 mm and a weight of 640 g, the CB8 Lite is pleasingly light. In addition to the high quality of workmanship, the smooth-running pan and tilt mechanism is also striking. This promises precise adjustment to the desired viewing angle. The design itself is typical.
The camera consists of a practical wall bracket and the swiveling camera unit. While the main body itself can be rotated horizontally by 340°, the black camera module can be moved vertically by 80°. In the kit model we tested, the camera comes with a 5W solar module. This also makes a high-quality impression.
Alternatively, you can also connect other solar panels from EZVIZ with a suitable USB-C connection to the CB8 Lite. There is a button on the right-hand side of the housing that you can use to pair the camera with the app, among other things. There are also slots for a SIM card and microSD card. To access these, however, you have to pull out a screwdriver. This is a little awkward, but also provides protection.
EZVIZ CB8 Lite 4G kit test: commissioning and installation
Setting up the EZVIZ camera is quick and straightforward – even for non-experts. This is not least due to the included Quick Start Guide. Although it lives up to its name and is quite concise, it is easy to understand and guides the user through the setup process. Installation is also quick and easy. The prerequisite is, of course, that you know how to use a drill, plugs, screws and a hammer.
Wiring with an active power connection is of course not necessary thanks to the rechargeable battery. This gives you additional flexibility when looking for a suitable location. As soon as you switch on the camera for the first time, it performs a type of calibration. This automatically tests the PTZ function, i.e. the panning and tilting of the camera. Once the camera has been switched on for the first time, you can pair it via the EZVIZ app.
This also worked quickly and reliably in the test. The EZVIZ app is again a matter of taste. The setting options are extensive and are almost on a par with competitor models. However, I personally missed the option of setting blind areas to ensure data protection-compliant operation.
However, this is a problem that many surveillance cameras with PTZ feature have. So make sure that the camera is aligned so that no neighboring property or the public area can be seen. On top of that, I’m not the biggest fan of the look and feel of the software.
EZVIZ CB8 Lite 4G Kit Test: Technology
In terms of technology, the EZVIZ CB8 Lite offers good features. For the camera, EZVIZ relies on a 1/3-inch, 4-megapixel CMOS sensor, which enables a maximum resolution of 2560 × 1440 (2K+). An f/1.6 aperture is used for the 4 mm lens. EZVIZ specifies a total diagonal field of view of 90° (horizontal 75°, vertical 40°).
Thanks to the motorized PTZ function, however, the comparatively limited field of view can be easily compensated for. The camera can be conveniently panned 340° horizontally and tilted 80° vertically, providing a 360° all-round view. Video is recorded at up to 15 fps and a maximum bit rate of 4 Mbps. You can choose between H.265 or H.264 video compression. The built-in IR LEDs enable black and white night vision with a range of up to 15 m.
Thanks to the integrated spotlight, colorful night shots are also possible. A stable wireless internet connection is provided by WiFi6. Here, EZVIZ promises a data transfer rate of up to 114 Mbps. In the test, there were occasional stutters via WiFi. However, the big advantage of the 4G model is that the camera also works without a WiFi network within range. Instead, a SIM card can simply be inserted here. This provides even more flexibility for the installation location.
EZVIZ relies on a total battery capacity of 5,200 mAh. According to the manufacturer, this should ensure a runtime of up to 108 days in normal mode. If you use the AOV mode (always-on video), you get just under 15 days. Thanks to the solar module, however, the battery life should be significantly longer. If that’s not enough, you can use the USB-C charging cable to help. EZVIZ then estimates just under 90 minutes for a full battery charge.
EZVIZ CB8 Lite 4G Kit test: Camera with AI features
The EZVIZ CB8 Lite offers a 2K+ resolution. In daylight, this ensures sharp, detailed and colorful images that are really impressive. The PTZ feature also pays off in practice. This allows you to precisely control the alignment via the app. The camera reacts pleasingly quickly. As soon as night falls, the EZVIZ switches to one of the two optional night modes.
On the one hand, you can use classic IR night vision, which creates black and white images. With a range of almost 15 meters, the range of the IR sensors is impressive. The same applies to the images themselves, which are also pleasingly sharp. Alternatively, you also have the option of color night vision. However, the camera must switch on its integrated spotlights for this.
The color images at night are of course not as detailed as in daylight, but are perfectly adequate for use as a surveillance camera. What bothers me personally about the color night vision is the need for permanent lighting. I would find it better if the night vision worked in black and white by default based on the IR sensors and switched on the spotlight and thus the color night vision when motion was detected.
This actually works well with “intelligent night vision”. Unfortunately, the lighting also switches on when you switch to the live view. What is really intelligent are the AI features of the CB8 Lite. The camera can not only recognize movements. It can also specifically filter out the movements of people and vehicles. This works surprisingly reliably in practice. In my test, there was not even a false alarm due to other movements.
It also offers automatic tracking. As soon as the camera recognizes a person, it automatically pans along and keeps the object in its field of vision. Unfortunately, I sometimes found the responsiveness of the motion detection a little too slow. In the test, it sometimes took a few seconds for the camera to start tracking.
EZVIZ CB8 Lite 4G Kit test: Video memory
You are not tied to the EZVIZ Cloud when it comes to video storage. You can use a microSD card with a size of up to 512 GB as local storage. This allows you to keep and watch your recordings away from the cloud.
EZVIZ CB8 Lite 4G Kit test: everyday experience
I tried out the EZVIZ for a week and it left a positive overall impression. In particular, the combination of PTZ and the possibility of continuous video recording thanks to AOV definitely pays off in practice. The 360° mobility ensures that the CB8 Lite can theoretically replace several static cameras. The only annoying thing is that you have to check the orientation of the camera at all times in order to ensure operation in accordance with data protection regulations.
The solar panel solution also makes operation largely maintenance-free if the sun is well aligned. This makes the camera ideal for vacation homes, rental properties or as a temporary installation. The intercom function is also impressive. Both the transmitter and receiver offer sufficiently good quality.
I find the automatic voice messages that can be played as a result of motion detection practical. The Active Defense System, consisting of a loud siren and flashing light, also provides security. This effectively deters uninvited guests. What I don’t like is the lack of support for other systems such as ONVIF. But at least there is support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Conclusion
In the test, the EZVIZ CB8 Lite 4G presents itself as an extremely flexible and solid surveillance camera that is particularly versatile thanks to its motorized PTZ control, battery operation and optional solar panel. Image quality, AI detection and reliable person and vehicle differentiation are just as impressive in everyday use as the long range of the IR night vision and the stable 4G option, which enables use even without Wi-Fi.
Strengths such as the simple installation, the good app connection, the high-quality solar panel and the option of local storage without a cloud subscription make the CB8 Lite an attractive solution for users who are looking for largely self-sufficient and uncomplicated all-round surveillance. Minor weaknesses such as the sometimes sluggish motion detection, the limited field of view, the permanently required illumination of the colored night vision and the lack of ONVIF support tarnish the overall picture somewhat, but are largely offset by the overall performance.
PRO
CONTRA Flexible 4G surveillance camera with good image quality, reliable AI and strong battery/solo operation. Weaknesses in the app, data protection functions and compatibility.
EZVOZ CB8 Lite 4G Kit
Design and processing
Camera quality
Ease of use
Equipment
Price-performance ratio
91/100
