Reviewing the New AI PTZ Industrial Camera: A Major Upgrade with Smarts and Strength

When it comes to security cameras, there's “good enough” — and then there’s next-level. Today, we’re talking about a product that squarely lands in that next-level category: the new AI PTZ Industrial camera from UniFi.

If you’ve followed my content, you’ll know I’ve had the original G4 PTZ Industrial installed on our DPC Technology building since 2020. That camera has been my daily driver, and even after five years in the Florida sun, it’s still holding strong. But now, the AI PTZ Industrial has arrived, and it's brought some seriously powerful features with it.

First Impressions: Same Shape, Smarter Brain

At first glance, the new AI PTZ looks identical to the G4 model — same rock-solid build quality, same rugged design, and same easy-to-use mounting system. But it comes with some notable extras right in the box, including a:

• Desktop stand (perfect for test environments)
• Robust pole mount with versatile brackets

These are simple but valuable additions for anyone planning flexible installs.

Hardware Review: Still a Tank

The camera's design remains industrial grade. It’s heavy, with excellent weatherproofing (IP66), and installs solidly with a clever safety lanyard system — a real help when mounting on ladders.

Though the design hasn’t changed much, the internals have: an upgraded processor enables onboard AI processing, which unlocks powerful features without the need for external AI keys.

AI Features That Deliver

Now let's get into the exciting stuff — AI features that work right out of the box:

• Face and license plate recognition (no AI key needed)
• Smart tracking and auto-zoom on people
• Presets and patrol modes for dynamic area coverage
• Custom automations using Protects Alarm Manager

In my tests, this camera is a license plate detection powerhouse. I was able to zoom in and clearly read plates across a parking lot — we're talking 300–400 yards out, with crystal-clear optical zoom. Combine that with automated tracking and the ability to respond to triggers from other cameras, and you’ve got a surveillance system that’s as smart as it is strong.

Real-World Use: Intelligent Coverage with Less Hardware

Using the Alarm Manager, you can automate camera movements based on motion, line crossing, loitering, or even other cameras’ triggers. That means your AI PTZ can “rest” in a license plate monitoring position, then instantly rotate and track a person when another camera detects them.

This drastically reduces the number of cameras needed to cover large areas — a huge plus for industrial and commercial installations.

G4 vs AI PTZ: What’s New?

While both cameras offer great optics and solid performance, here are the main upgrades in the AI model:

Feature	G4 PTZ Industrial	AI PTZ Industrial
AI Built-In	Requires AI Key	Native AI Processing
Max Frame Rate	24 FPS	30 FPS
License Plate Recognition	AI Key Required	Built-In
Price at Launch	$1,800	$1,299
IR Night Vision	98 ft	126 ft

Who Is It For?

This is a commercial-grade product, no doubt about it. Its large presence might not suit residential settings (unless you're cool with your neighbors thinking you work for the CIA). But for:

• Office buildings
• Warehouses
• Retail centers
• Parking lots
• Farms and long-range perimeter installs

Final Thoughts

UniFi has taken a proven form factor and supercharged it with AI, better image processing, and smarter integration with Protect. It’s not a revolution, but it’s a smart, forward-thinking refresh — and at a more affordable price than its predecessor.

If you're already invested in UniFi’s ecosystem, this camera is a no-brainer. And even if you’re not, this just might be the one that convinces you to start.

Check out the full install and test video here 

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