Comparison of Advantages and Disadvantages between Dashcams and In-Car Cameras

Can an in-car camera replace a dashcam?

Firstly, dashcams, often referred to as the "black box" for cars, can comprehensively record the driving behavior of a vehicle. Some dashcams come with GPS functionality to record driving routes, and they support features such as video output, loop recording, and motion detection. They can also be easily installed and effectively capture the front conditions of the vehicle.

On the other hand, in-car cameras are typically designed for monitoring the interior of the vehicle, commonly seen on public buses to prevent theft and other incidents. In-car cameras can support multiple cameras as part of a system, providing comprehensive monitoring of the vehicle's interior. However, installing cameras inside the vehicle raises concerns about personal privacy.

Secondly, in-car cameras usually operate within a temperature range of 0 to 50°C, as they are used inside the vehicle. In contrast, dashcams in private cars must withstand temperatures above 50°C during the summer, making them more resilient to high temperatures than in-car cameras.

Thirdly, in-car cameras typically use either a hard drive or an SD card for storage. While SD cards have better shock resistance, they have smaller storage capacity and higher maintenance costs. Regular hard drives usually support up to 300GB and can be used continuously for a month. In comparison, dashcams use memory cards ranging from 8GB to 32GB, providing affordable storage options.

Fourthly, in terms of installation, installing in-car cameras can be more complicated. The installation cost includes the main unit, camera, hard drive, materials, and installation fees. In contrast, dashcams are relatively simple to install, and users can easily set them up on their own.

Fifthly, 24-hour monitoring with in-car cameras is not practical. Many car owners find that dashcam batteries may not last long but consider using in-car cameras. However, in-car cameras consume significantly more power than dashcams. Prolonged use may lead to the possible deterioration of the car's battery. In contrast, dashcams achieve 24-hour monitoring with just a portable power source.