Street Guardian SG9665GC vs SGZC12SG ( Panorama G ). Evening & Night.

niko

Well-Known Member
Retailer
Joined
May 1, 2013
Messages
10,668
Reaction score
6,561
Location
Dublin
Country
Ireland
Dash Cam
Street Guardian UK / EU / EEA Distributor
I have decided to compare two Street Guardian dashcams which are using same Sony Exmor IMX322 CMOS sensor. Both have same bit-rate 15Mbps and both are based on Supercaps ( Capacitors ).

Please Note Firmware version below. Developers may release new firmware in future with different video performance.

Top: Street Guardian SG9665GC ( FW: SG20150210.002 )
Bottom: Panorama G / Street Guardian SGZC12SG. ( FW: v1.01.02 )





Individual videos.

Street Guardian SG9665GC





Panorama G / Street Guardian SGZC12SG





Conclusion.

SGZC12SG ( Panorama G ) has a little bit more yellow colours at night than SG9665GC ( natural colours ), however Panorama G has wider lens, which captures more side objects, but front objects are a little bit further than on SG9665GC. So, here is situation where need to decide on compromises depending on what are buyers priorities.
Overall both dashcams are doing good job from point of night- or day ( evening ) video performance, details readings etc.

Raw / Original video files can be downloaded from HERE.
 
It looks to me as though the Panorama G has a bit more flare around point light sources than the 9665. It could be that the lens may be a bit dirty causing this. 9665 also has a bit more contrast making it look sharper.
 
It looks to me as though the Panorama G has a bit more flare around point light sources than the 9665. It could be that the lens may be a bit dirty causing this. 9665 also has a bit more contrast making it look sharper.
Dashcams lens are clean, however a little flare maybe due to my car windshield has small scratches from stones and also might be due to differen lens type / brand and FOV. With wider FOV comes slightly more flare, however can record more side objects. About contrast I agree with you.
If to be a very picky going "frame by frame" then can find pros and cons for each model, but nothing seriouse that could affect main purpose of dashcam, - reding surrounding details.
For me is important to bring real life test results AS IS with raw / original video files download, so every one can decide whats best for him ( her ).
 
I had considered the flare may be caused by wider FOV but it's not that much wider (based on my photography experience). Likely is the difference in lens.
 
GC is Off to a good start for sure, more tuning to come as well.


SGZC12SG (aka Panorama G)
-can pre-buffer motion detection events
-can be aimed left/right
-easy to use touch screen
-full size SD instead of microSD
-super wide angle
-average Audio quality
-built in GPS

SG9665GC
-quick pause/start motion detection
-medium wide lens
-Fantastic audio
-Extra compact glass hugging design
-external GPS
 
Last edited:
I want one (actually two). Of course if a SG7A50xxx capacitor version with 2nd remote cam comes out then all bets are off. :D

Excuse any typos as I'm doing this on my phone with Tapatalk.
 
Last edited:
Thanks Niko for putting this together, I know it's very time consuming

No probl.
It's takes a lot of time, but it's easiest way to "explain" people what is what even without using words.
Each person eyes and perception maybe a different, so real life tests along with raw / original files from different scenes is best way to give an "explanation" on particular dashcameras performance.

P.S. to readers, - with newer firmware updates video results may change for both dashcams.
 
hmm, I just bought the SGZC12SG here is the video -------->

I did notice it was yellow and had a lot of grain at night, but is this normal? is there anyway I can reduce the "yellowish" night color?
 
The latest firmware was tuned to add more visible details over natural color. This may change again in future re-tuned firmwares but no ETA
 
Well that round of raw footage DL made a dent in my C: :D

I am wondering, if niko havent been cleaning his window proberly when he try new gear out, if he have a accident will he stick to the window if he hit it.
 
Well that round of raw footage DL made a dent in my C: :D

I am wondering, if niko havent been cleaning his window proberly when he try new gear out, if he have a accident will he stick to the window if he hit it.
Windshield is cleaned as mentioned earlier, but of course depending on weather condition which may change during day it can get dirty layer, however before each drive I do clean as much as I can. Also it has a lot of tiny scratches and in some night scenes, depending on how light reflects, we can see "sparks" from windshield sufrace.
I am not trying to perfecting a test to ideal "lab conditions". Those are real life scenes ( slightly scratched windshield, etc ) as they would happen in average Joe life.
 
Last edited:
I think Brian means you may stick to your windscreen if you had an accident due to all the glue like these guys in Velcro suits ;)


VW glass is soft though mate - I've cleaned mine with everything I can think of and finished off with Bar Keepers Friend and winter sun just shows every imperfection right up. My car does have 150k miles now so new glass would be the biggest upgrade I could think of - still weighing up the options at the min.
 
yep :D i can just imagine paramedics asking for solvents and a sissor to free niko from his windscreen :p

I use window cleaner and a cotton rag for my inside windows, and thats far from ideal it seem.
Must be this dashcam stuff that do it, cuz i never notised dirty windows before, and i assume it was worse when i was smoking god know what while driving.
Now i dont smoke and it seem like my windows are dirtier then ever before.
 
I think Brian means you may stick to your windscreen if you had an accident due to all the glue like these guys in Velcro suits ;)


VW glass is soft though mate - I've cleaned mine with everything I can think of and finished off with Bar Keepers Friend and winter sun just shows every imperfection right up. My car does have 150k miles now so new glass would be the biggest upgrade I could think of - still weighing up the options at the min.


OK, now I got the point @kamkar1 "if niko havent been cleaning his window proberly when he try new gear out, if he have a accident will he stick to the window if he hit it". I am still "slow" from morning, need to go and have a cup of coffee ;)

Yeah, VW is a great reliable car ( a work-horse ), but some things like windshield could be better quality. Mine is only 40K miles and already need a widshield replacement from stone-chips. Previous owner probably didnt take care of wipers. I changed to new more expensive ones last year and using additional windshield washing liquid, not just pure water, it still doesnt give a picture perfect result, which is not main goal, because in every day life there is no perfect scenes.

The only thing I am start thinking if checking "frame by frame" night scenes, then on Pano G I can see street-lights "sparks" from stone-chips on windshield, but SG9665GC does not show those "sparks". Could it be because of Pano G have a wide FOV lens and is not as close to windshield as SG9665GC ?
 
yep :D i can just imagine paramedics asking for solvents and a sissor to free niko from his windscreen :p

I use window cleaner and a cotton rag for my inside windows, and thats far from ideal it seem.
Must be this dashcam stuff that do it, cuz i never notised dirty windows before, and i assume it was worse when i was smoking god know what while driving.
Now i dont smoke and it seem like my windows are dirtier then ever before.


tell me about it @"I use window cleaner and a cotton rag for my inside windows".

If someone would ask me: what is the most hardest part in dashcam system installation / preparation, - for me is cleaning to best possible conditions a front- and especially a rear INNER windows of the car. I can spend half an hour using different special cleaners, but when driving into the direct sun, only then can start seeing some little imperfections from my cleaning, then again trying to clean, then again see imperfections and so on, - it's a nightmare to me. I do not smoke in car and try to clean 1-2 time per month inner front and rear windows, but it still not enough. But thats the real life scenes from average Joe everyday life ;)
 
Yeah exactly mate, I think the fact the SG camera is so close to the glass means a lot of the glass imperfections are out of focus so not as visible - I get the problem really badly with my Gs and the standard mounts and the X2 as well.

I'm uploading a video to show how bad mine has got now - it's been cleaned inside and out with Meguiars Clarity Glass, then isopropyl alcohol, and then on the outside I gave it a good scrubbing with Bar Keeper's Friend (it cuts through a lot of the film you get on the outside of the windshield) and then repeated the Meguiars and isopropyl alcohol mixture.

I cleaned the windscreen wipers down with cotton buds and IPA again and it's a right old mess to be honest!

It didn't help the windscreen washer stuff I was using (Prestone I think) caused a hazing - I've swapped over to the Quantum stuff you can get from VW TPS agents (not sure if you get them over there) but it's like the dangy little parts department at the back of the nice fancy VW garages that do trade pricing and you can get 5l for £4 and it's what the dealers tend to use!

http://quantum.thetradepartsspecialists.co.uk/products/screen-wash-de-icer/

I'm just uploading a video but you can see the wiper blade marks big time here - definitely time for a new screen:
Frame 2015.02.21 15-11-40 (0-03-16.300).jpg
 
Yeah exactly mate, I think the fact the SG camera is so close to the glass means a lot of the glass imperfections are out of focus so not as visible - I get the problem really badly with my Gs and the standard mounts and the X2 as well.

I'm uploading a video to show how bad mine has got now - it's been cleaned inside and out with Meguiars Clarity Glass, then isopropyl alcohol, and then on the outside I gave it a good scrubbing with Bar Keeper's Friend (it cuts through a lot of the film you get on the outside of the windshield) and then repeated the Meguiars and isopropyl alcohol mixture.

I cleaned the windscreen wipers down with cotton buds and IPA again and it's a right old mess to be honest!

It didn't help the windscreen washer stuff I was using (Prestone I think) caused a hazing - I've swapped over to the Quantum stuff you can get from VW TPS agents (not sure if you get them over there) but it's like the dangy little parts department at the back of the nice fancy VW garages that do trade pricing and you can get 5l for £4 and it's what the dealers tend to use!

http://quantum.thetradepartsspecialists.co.uk/products/screen-wash-de-icer/

I'm just uploading a video but you can see the wiper blade marks big time here - definitely time for a new screen:
View attachment 11307


This is the "perfect picture" to show combination of lens flare and stone-chips windshield in a bad direct sun scenario. Bookmarked ! ;)
 
You can have the video too mate ;)


Can't wait for some new glass!
 
Back
Top