PoE is the least glamorous and most reliable way to run security cameras: one network cable carries both power and data, so there is no socket to find near the ceiling and no Wi-Fi to drop out at 2am. Below are the PoE cameras and NVRs we stock with live prices, plus four complete builds starting at HK$429.
Verdict in 30 seconds: one camera on a budget → P324 (429) plus a card. Four cameras for a shop or house → NVS4 (830) with four P320s (569 each). Number plates and faces → the 4K P330 on an NVS8.
What PoE actually fixes
- No power runs: every camera is fed by its own cable from the NVR or switch. No outdoor socket, no weatherproof junction box full of adapters.
- No Wi-Fi dependency: wired links do not care how crowded 2.4GHz is in your block.
- 100 metres per run: the Cat5e/Cat6 limit covers almost every house, shophouse and small warehouse.
- One place to review: an NVR records every camera into one timeline instead of five separate apps.
Shopping list
| Item | What it does | We stock it | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| PoE camera | Films | 16 models | Outdoor units need IP66/IP67 |
| PoE NVR or switch | Power + recording | 3 NVRs | An NVR with built-in PoE ports saves space |
| Surveillance-grade HDD | Storage | No — buy locally | 2–4TB surveillance drive, not a desktop drive |
| Cat5e / Cat6 cable | Power + data | No — buy locally | Use outdoor-rated cable for exterior runs |
| Connectors / glands | Termination | No — buy locally | Every exterior joint must be waterproof |
Four builds, with real prices
Build A — single camera: from HK$429
P324 dome (429) plus a PoE injector or PoE switch and a memory card. For one view: a back lane, a parking space, a store room door. No NVR needed.
Build B — four cameras: HK$3,106
NVS4 4-channel PoE NVR (830) with four P320 5MP cameras (569 each). The NVR powers all four directly, so no separate switch. Add your own drive.
Build C — eight channels, 4K: HK$4,174
NVS8 8-channel PoE NVR (1178) with four P330 4K cameras (749 each), leaving four ports free to expand. 4K is what you need to read a plate or a face.
Build D — EZVIZ two-camera minimum: HK$1,297
Two EZVIZ H5 PoE (399 each) with an X5S NVR (499). The cheapest way to cover two corners of a small shop.
Every PoE camera we stock
| Model | Resolution | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Reolink P324 PoE Network Camera|HK Official | — | 429 |
| Reolink P320 PoE Network Camera|HK Official | — | 569 |
| Reolink P330 800 PoE Network Camera | — | 749 |
| Reolink P334 800 PoE Network Camera | — | 729 |
| Reolink P337 PoE Network Camera|HK Official | — | 850 |
| Reolink P340 PoE Network Camera|HK Official | — | 980 |
| Reolink CX410 PoE Network Camera|HK Official | — | 799 |
| Reolink CX810 PoE Network Camera|HK Official | — | 1099 |
| Reolink RLC-81MA PoE Network Camera|HK Official | — | 874 |
| Reolink E1 Outdoor SE PoE Network Camera|HK Official | — | 899 |
| Reolink Duo 2V PoE 800 PoE Network Camera | — | 1299 |
| Reolink Duo 3 PoE Network Camera|HK Official | — | 1799 |
| Reolink TrackMix PoE Network Camera|HK Official | — | 1499 |
| EZVIZ H4 POE 3MP Smart Camera | 3MP | 399 |
| EZVIZ H5 POE 3MP Smart Camera | 3MP | 399 |
| EZVIZ H8C POE 3MP Smart Camera | 3MP | 399 |
NVRs
| Model | Channels | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Reolink NVS4-4-Channel PoE NVR PoENetwork Video Recorder | 4-channel | 830 |
| Reolink NVS8-NHD 8 PoE Network Video Recorder | — | 1178 |
| EZVIZ X5S-R100-8W NVR Smart | — | 499 |
Cabling: three mistakes people only make once
- Cutting the cable too short. Draw the route first and leave 2–3 metres spare at each end. Never run network cable in the same conduit as mains.
- Leaving exterior joints bare. An exposed RJ45 oxidises within months in humid climates. Use a gland or a junction box, and point the joint downwards.
- Sealing the NVR in a hot cupboard. Drives die early above 40°C. Ventilate the space, especially in Singapore and Australian summers.
How much drive do you need?
Rule of thumb: GB per camera per day ≈ bitrate (Mbps) × 10.8. A 4MP camera at 4Mbps is about 43GB a day. Four cameras for 30 days is roughly 5.2TB, so either fit 6TB+ or switch to motion-triggered recording, which typically cuts storage by 70–80%.
FAQ
Can I use a normal network switch?
Only if it supplies PoE. A plain switch passes data but no power, and the camera will never boot. Look for 802.3af or 802.3at on the port spec.
Do the cameras and NVR have to be the same brand?
Strongly preferable. Same-brand gear is plug and play; mixing brands needs ONVIF and usually loses the AI detection features.
Does PoE need a special cable for 240V countries?
No. The cable carries low-voltage DC, not mains. What does matter is outdoor-rated jacket for exterior runs and surge protection on long exposed runs — a strike induced on an outdoor cable is the most common way people lose an entire NVR.
Is PoE easier to ship internationally than battery cameras?
Yes. PoE cameras contain no lithium cell, so they avoid restricted-goods handling and the extra freight cost that battery products attract. That is one reason wired systems work well for overseas orders.
Shipping and warranty
Dispatched from Hong Kong: Singapore 5–9 working days, UK 6–10, Australia 7–12. Import GST/VAT is collected by the carrier where applicable. Warranty means shipping the unit back to Hong Kong, buyer pays return freight (about HK$150–350), 2–4 weeks turnaround.
Related guides
Security camera guide · Video doorbell comparison · CCTV cost for a small shop