The Zmodo EZCam Pro 1080p Wireless Camera is the second model we have reviewed from this company. We had previously reviewed a Zmodo HD Wireless Bullet Camera which we found to be a middle of the road camera.
We were surprised by the number of higher end features included with the Zmodo EZCam Pro. Coupled with the 1080p lens and newly rolled out cloud plan, we were hopeful. Fortunately, we were happy with the outcome of our testing.
Software
You can access the Zmodo EZCam Pro with the Zmodo iOS or Android app. There is a desktop app accessed from the Zmodo user portal.
Setup was easy. No problems. It’s all done through the app. Keep in mind this is a 2.4 GHz camera so be sure to avoid te 5 GHz network during setup.
The app isn’t the best out there, but it’s certainly not the worst. It takes some getting used to, especially if you have multiple cameras.
Motion event alerts are supported. The Zmodo EZCam Pro supports a single motion detection area. This is appreciated as it’s often found only on higher end cameras, and in some cases (Nest for example), you need to pay a monthly subscription fee to use this feature. Motion detection areas are used to limit detection to a smaller area of the room. This can be a huge help in reducing false motion alerts. This feature is often used to only look at areas above the height of a wandering pet or to eliminate tree branches that could be moved by wind or rain.
Strangely missing are motion sensitivity settings. Many competing home security cameras allow the user to increase or decrease motion sensitivity. This can sometimes help to reduce false motion alerts from trivial events. Absence of this feature means alerts for anything that moves.
The Zmodo EZCam Pro allows the night vision to be turned on or off or set to turn on automatically. A night vision sensitivity setting of low, normal and high is provided to regulate the night vision sensitivity. Unsure of how handy this will be as it’s an unusual customization setting. Can’t recall seeing that on other cameras.
The camera supports manual modes for home / away / sleep / awake to govern device sharing, notifications and camera on / off mode. It’s not triggered by location or time of day. You tape the mode setting in the app. If using this feature, it means logging into the app and manually tapping the mode you wish the cameras to be enter.
HD video is 1920 x 1080 and you can set the video to a lower quality if necessary. There are settings to adjust the frame rate from 10 frames per second up to 25. Might as well use the highest if the connectivity and bandwidth are good.
Zmodo recently rolled out their cloud plans. A free 36-hour plan is included and pictures and videos can be downloaded to your device while they are active in the cloud. Paid plans can extend the retention period up to 30 days.
Hardware
That’s the Zmodo EZCam Pro in the photo that accompanies this article. It’s an unusual shape measuring 2.95″ x 2.61″ x 4.17″ and weighing in at a little over 4 ounces. Constructed of mostly plastic with a metal base, it looks relatively sturdy.
This is an indoor camera. Trying to use this outdoors will potentially ruin the insides fairly quickly as the back has a series of open slots.
The video during the day is clear at 1080p at up to 25 frames per second. A decent 120 degree field of view is sufficient to capture most of the action when the camera is positioned in the corned of a room.
The Zmodo EZCam Pro has IR lights for night vision and the manufacturer states they are effective up to 26 feet.
Two-way sound is supported via an integrated speaker and microphone. The speaker is located on the back of the camera. A two-way conversation is a little challenging because of the lag but it wasn’t too bad.
There is a bright blue status light on the front of the camera which strangely cannot be turned off. Kind of gives away the presence of the camera when in a dark room. A small piece of Duct Tape can remedy that issue if necessary. The light is handy for the initial setup. After that, it’s generally not needed.
The camera is powered by a micro USB, but it comes with a very short cable measuring about 5 feet. Most cameras come with a 10 foot cable. If your close to the outlet, this won’t be an issue. Further than 5 feet, you must add a longer cable.
There is no on-board storage with the Zmodo HD Wireless Bullet Outdoor Camera which means all of your history must be accessed via their cloud service.
Connectivity
The Zmodo EZCam Pro connects to your wireless router at 2.4GHz using 802.11 b/g. The 5 GHz band is unsupported.
Mounts
The Zmodo EZCam Pro is attached to a metal stand which typically sits atop a shelf or table. There are three holes molded into the base with rubber plugs. The rubber plugs can be removed and included screws with anchors deployed to mount the camera to a wall or ceiling. The lack of a standard 1/4″ – 20 threaded tripod mounting hole limits the selection of alternative mounts.
Fun and Different
Like other Zmodo cameras, there is a greater emphasis on sharing live video. They make it quite easy to share the live video steam with others.
Summary
The Zmodo EZCam Pro 1080p Wireless Camera is one that we can recommend for those looking for an easy quick setup on a 1080p WiFi camera. No hiccups in our tests with an included entry level cloud plan and higher end features which make this a good pickup. The free 36 hour cloud should be good enough for most users but if more is needed, the camera can be supplemented with a paid plan.
Quick Specs:
| Video Quality | Field of View | Cloud Support | SD Support | Night Vision | Mobile/Web App | Alerts | Outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 x 1080 | 120 Degrees | Yes | No | Yes | Yes/Yes | Yes | No |
Manufacturer Link: Zmodo