Choose the Reolink RLC-811A if you can run an Ethernet cable and want 24/7 recording. Choose the Argus 4 Pro if you need a wide 180-degree view with no power cable and motion-triggered clips are enough. The key difference is recording: the RLC-811A can record continuously, and the Argus 4 Pro records only on motion, even when it’s plugged into USB-C power.
This comparison is based on Reolink’s published specifications. Nobody tested either camera for this page.
Side by side
| Item | RLC-811A | Argus 4 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Power | PoE (IEEE 802.3af) or 12V DC | 5,000 mAh battery; USB-C or Reolink Solar Panel 2 charging |
| Connection | Wired Ethernet | Wi-Fi 6, 2.4 and 5 GHz |
| Resolution | 4K, 8 MP (3840 × 2160) | 4K panoramic (5120 × 1440) from two stitched lenses |
| View | 105° to 31° horizontal, 5× optical zoom | 180° horizontal |
| Recording | Motion (default), scheduled or 24/7 | Motion only |
| Night | Infrared up to 30 meters; color with spotlights | Color night vision; five built-in spotlights |
| Local storage | microSD up to 512 GB | microSD up to 512 GB or Reolink Home Hub |
| Other | IP67; person, vehicle and animal detection; two-way audio | PIR-triggered recording for battery life |
RLC-811A: wired and zoomable
The RLC-811A suits a fixed view where you want continuous footage, such as a driveway, a gate or a side yard. The motorized 5× zoom lets you narrow the frame after mounting, but you still get only one field of view at a time: zoom in for detail and you lose the wide overview. It doesn’t pan or tilt.
Plan the cable route and a PoE switch or injector before you mount it. In an outage, both the camera and any recorder stop unless they’re on backup power.
Argus 4 Pro: wide view, no cable
The Argus 4 Pro covers a wide area from one mount and needs no wiring. Reolink says plugging it into USB-C power “delivers continuous power but does not enable continuous 24/7 recording.” If you need footage from before motion is detected, or of slow activity a PIR sensor may miss, this model can’t provide it. The panorama also spreads its pixels across 180 degrees, so check whether a face is identifiable at the distance you care about.
Storage and setup
Both cameras record locally, and Reolink says its cloud subscription is optional , so you don’t need one to keep footage. A card inside the camera is lost if someone steals the camera, so consider a Reolink hub or recorder for important views. After mounting, export a test clip, check the detection zones at night, and update the firmware.
Reolink doorbells
Reolink also sells three doorbells, and power decides which one fits. Its doorbell overview and Battery Video Doorbell 2nd Gen FAQ list:
| Model | Power | Mechanical chime | 24/7 recording |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Doorbell PoE | PoE (IEEE 802.3af) or 12–24V AC / 24V DC | No; Reolink wireless chimes only | Yes |
| Video Doorbell WiFi | 12–24V AC / 24V DC; existing doorbell wiring required | No; Reolink wireless chimes only | Yes |
| Battery Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) | Battery, or wired 16–24V AC / 24V DC | Yes, when hardwired | Wired mode only, used standalone; motion events only with an NVR or Home Hub |
Despite its name, the WiFi model is not a battery doorbell. The 2nd Gen takes a microSD card up to 512 GB and doesn’t work with Reolink’s older Chime V1 or V2.
Verdict
Buy the RLC-811A when you can run a cable and want continuous recording with adjustable framing. Buy the Argus 4 Pro when a wide, wire-free view and event clips meet the need. For visitors at the front door, pick one of the doorbells above by power source and chime instead of a general security camera.