I tested the new EufyCam S3 Pro and can't go back to grainy night vision

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ZDNET's key takeaways

The EufyCam S3 Pro is available separately for $220 or in a two-pack with the HomeBase 3 for $550.This EufyCam is an excellent 4K outdoor security camera that delivers on its night vision promises, features no monthly fees, and has dual motion detection to reduce false alerts.The biggest downside is that the EufyCam S3 Pro is expensive at $220 each, especially when you bundle it with a HomeBase 3 to get local storage, and that resolution drops to 1080p with HomeKit.

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Eufy Security just launched a new security camera as a successor to the EufyCam S330, and it is a monumental upgrade to the best security cameras I've tested. The new EufyCam S3 Pro has one huge advantage over other high-end security cameras: Eufy's MaxColor Vision.

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Rather than being the name of a 1980s TV channel, MaxColor Vision captures detailed images, even at night. This technology produces night vision footage that looks like daytime with stunning clarity.

The EufyCam S3 Pro also has a pair of spotlights in case you need extra light to capture more detail in low-light conditions. These spotlights weren't always necessary but could be helpful in certain situations.

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As soon as I set up my new EufyCam S3 Pro, I installed them in place of my older S330 solar-powered cameras, which will now get a new home surveilling the sides of my house. The difference in the footage was immediately glaring. The new EufyCam S3 performs stunningly during the night, even in my backyard, which has zero lights on overnight. 

The EufyCam offers striking color images with night vision using artificial intelligence (AI) that enhances and sharpens image quality by processing the image. Hardware also plays a key role -- aside from being a 4K-resolution camera, the EufyCam S3 Pro features an aperture of f/1.0 and a 1/1.8" sensor for increased light sensitivity.

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Setting the technology up with HomeKit was a bit disconcerting. The image quality drops to 1080p in HomeKit, which can be a letdown if you've paid for a 4K device. 

Because you're using Apple's HomeKit Secure Video (HSV), the footage is stored on your iCloud, not the HomeBase 3. This setup requires an iCloud subscription, which ranges from $1 to $10 monthly for plans from 50GB to 2TB. Apple's HSV features end-to-end encryption, staying true to Apple's commitment to user privacy.

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After trying the camera with HomeKit, I kept the device with the rest of our Eufy security cameras and alarm system in the HomeBase 3 hub with an external HDD. This keeps footage local, as the cameras connect to the HomeBase, and all the video is stored on the hub.

The EufyCam S3 Pro has a large solar panel on the top, which Eufy has improved since the EufyCam S330. The technology, called SolarPlus 2.0, offers up to 365 days of battery life through the 13,000mAh battery. The company claims just one hour a day of direct sunlight can keep it running without you having to intervene to charge it. 

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My older S330 security cameras, which feature SolarPlus 1.0, were installed on my north-facing driveway and south-facing backyard. While I have to charge the driveway camera every six months or so, I never have to charge the backyard camera since it gets direct sunlight.

As a result, I recommend installing these cameras where they can get at least one hour of sunlight a day year-round, though it can be under partial shade, as just 2,500lx initiates charging. If you can't get this sunlight, you'll need to take the cameras down to charge them at home.

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Like other cameras, the EufyCam S3 Pro features two-way talk, customizable motion detection zones, weather resistance, and face, human, pet, and vehicle detection. 

Facial recognition is one of my favorite features of the HomeBase 3. When the cameras capture footage, the Eufy Security app can tell you which people were seen, let you add them as people you know, and give them names. Once you've named a family member, your notifications will say who was seen when the camera captures them again. 

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The EufyCam S3 Pro is not prone to false alerts. Its alerts are accurate when motion is detected, but it can see so well that I've had to remove the street about 200 feet away from its motion detection zone so it doesn't send an alert with every car that passes by.

ZDNET's buying advice

The new EufyCam S3 Pro captures impressive footage, no matter the light conditions. I'd recommend the device to anyone looking for a security camera for dark areas, especially when you need a lot of detail, like by a side door or your driveway.

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Aside from extraordinary night vision capabilities, the bundled EufyCam S3 Pro 2-pack and HomeBase 3 package, though expensive, is good enough to function as a full security system. The HomeBase 3 sounds a siren when the system is armed and movement is detected and works as a hub for all Eufy Security devices. The hub's capabilities also mean you can store your videos locally and never have to worry about monthly fees for cloud storage.