Is a 4K rear dash camera worth it?

[SafeDriveSolutions]

I wanted to start the discussion on whether or not a 4K rear camera is really worth it?

So far i have tested the Red Tiger F77 (First rear 4K dash camera) even though many others claim to be the first (you know how you are).
70 Mai T800, Viofo A229 Ultra.

I have my opinions on these 3 dash cameras but i wanted to open up the discussion and see what others think before I make a video with my findings.

Are there any other true 4K rear dash cameras that others have tested?
Is a 4K rear camera worth it?
Pros and Cons of a rear 4K dash camera?

 

[Julian23]

With European plates I do notice a difference.
The 4K will allow me to further zoom in to capture the plate where it has less lateral movement.
WIth 2.5k or 1080p rear cams, I'm not able to zoom in that far to make out the plate.
Downsides? Some of them make the image noticeable darker.
In bright areas they perform good.


You forgot the Vantrue S1 Pro Max.

 

[lufa6977]

I have not found a 4K rear camera to be that valuable. I presently have a Viofo A129 Pro 4K on the rear of my Outback. I have also had a Viofo A229 Pro 4K on the rear of the same Outback. The image quality is indeed better than 2K, but I couldn't find a significant benefit to using a front 4K on the rear, aside from the ability to use the maximum bitrate. So, I wouldn't see a strong need to add a 4K rear as a second channel. Of course, if the choice is between a dashcam package with a 4K second channel rear and a 2K option, I would opt for the 4K if the additional cost is acceptable.

What I would like to see as a rear camera is a lens that is telescopic in nature, but not quite as extreme as we see on the front cameras that are telescopic. I would prefer to have a better view of the activity inside a car behind me, to record aggressive behavior or inattentiveness.

 

[TonyM]

What I would like to see as a rear camera is a lens that is telescopic in nature, but not quite as extreme as we see on the front cameras that are telescopic. I would prefer to have a better view of the activity inside a car behind me, to record aggressive behavior or inattentiveness.

+1

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

With European plates I do notice a difference.
The 4K will allow me to further zoom in to capture the plate where it has less lateral movement.
WIth 2.5k or 1080p rear cams, I'm not able to zoom in that far to make out the plate.
Downsides? Some of them make the image noticeable darker.
In bright areas they perform good.


You forgot the Vantrue S1 Pro Max.

ohhh another one....

 

[mikek753dct]

yes, for me, especially for outside 4k camera.
take a look and come to own conclusion

 

[lufa6977]

yes, for me, especially for outside 4k camera.
take a look and come to own conclusion

Not seeing any 4K advantage there, but the ADAS is confusing. I see a car approaching from the rear, but I hear something like vehicle ahead too close. Granted, I don't own one of these, so I probably am missing something here. 🙂

 

[mikek753dct]

Not seeing any 4K advantage there, but the ADAS is confusing. I see a car approaching from the rear, but I hear something like vehicle ahead too close. Granted, I don't own one of these, so I probably am missing something here. 🙂

My point is about Video quality, ignore audio / ADAS for this case.
Have you seen any better rear cam video? what dashcam?
I replied to the Q - Is a 4K rear dash camera worth it?

 

[lufa6977]

Honestly...I did not think that 4K video was that good a quality. Maybe it is the YT rendering, or my screen. That is why I pondered what your intent was.

 

[mikek753dct]

Honestly...I did not think that 4K video was that good a quality. Maybe it is the YT rendering, or my screen. That is why I pondered what your intent was.

It could be YT that recompresses and resulting video loose details
I assume you use 4k monitor and YT is set at 4k as well
After all its what you like or don't like and if extra $$$ justifies resulting video quality.

Can you see a car at 480 video resolution? Yes
Can you recognize some details at 480 or 1080 resolution? Some in close proximity Yes
Can you see extra details or even some scratches at 4K resolution? Yes. But, do you need or care? this is subjective IMHO.

As for me that outside 4k camera that makes substantial video quality difference, the key is the outside.
I think that even 1080 , but outside camera would be better then 4k inside car camera.

 

[mentadent]

The most exciting parts usually happen in the rear cam, so yes.

 

[lufa6977]

It appears that 4K for the rear camera will be one of the indications of a top-of-the-line dashcam and will probably be a standard. Admittedly, the depth of detail is much greater with 4K, and I do enjoy the 4K rear videos over the FHD rear cameras.

I have had two incidents with hostile, aggressive drivers. One was a young female who was off the rails. Seriously, she stalked me for 3 days, at the same time every day, coming home from work. I had no idea what I had done to raise her ire, but she was clearly out to get me. She eventually caused an accident with another car; just before that, I had changed lanes and was well ahead of her. She must not have noticed it, and she wrecked someone else. I never saw her on the road again after that. I am reasonably sure she had a bad day in court.

That is why I would like a rear 4K with a telephoto that has a broader field of view than the average telephoto being used now, and brings the field in a bit closer, or a lens that is software zoom adjustable like we see on cellphones. Having the capability of showing the behaviour of the driver behind you is a bonus when you are in court. A standard lens often struggles to capture actions in the car clearly. But, all of that costs money, and I believe the $100 to $160 range is the growth market for the U.S. So, two and three-channel dashcams with 4K on two or three channels are going to be expensive.

 

[speedingcheetah]

A thing mentioned here, a zoomable camera, either a model for rear use, or front use.
Yes, a physical zoom camera would be awesome to have, as it would allow the user to adjust the level of zoom or wide angle they want.
The main issue i see with that though, is the mechanical nature of having a physical zoom. Sure, some CCTV or IP cams have it, but they are stationary cams.
The moving and bouncy nature of a dash cam, may cause damage to a mechanical zoom camera.
It could be possible, to have a camera with multiple lenes/sensors, like on most smartphones.
That would get a bit complex probably in firmware, having to set up focal length etc for each, and giving options to use what zoom level, say 0, 2x, 3x, 4x etc, depening on how many lenses/sensors they can pack in there.
Cost, going to be significant for that kinda thing, i would surmise.

As far as a 4K rear camera. I am all for it. More details the better.
I am still stuck between removing my current rear cam, a Viofo A119 Mini 2, and replacing it with the secondary Rear cam option of my new front cam, the Viofo A329S/T. Simply so that i only have one sd card/drive to grab to pull footage from when needed and only have one system to manage, not 2 independent cams.
However, the Viofo A119 Mini Pro, is a future product, and it is 4K, so that would be nice upgrade, just to swap the cams out, assuming it can still make use of the previous models mount unit for power and gps.

That being said, i find the image quality of my rear cam, to be more than good enough to excellent as it is, it even being behind a 50% tint film that is on my rear window.

 

[Augustus]

I have not found a 4K rear camera to be that valuable. I presently have a Viofo A129 Pro 4K on the rear of my Outback. I have also had a Viofo A229 Pro 4K on the rear of the same Outback. The image quality is indeed better than 2K, but I couldn't find a significant benefit to using a front 4K on the rear, aside from the ability to use the maximum bitrate. So, I wouldn't see a strong need to add a 4K rear as a second channel. Of course, if the choice is between a dashcam package with a 4K second channel rear and a 2K option, I would opt for the 4K if the additional cost is acceptable.

What I would like to see as a rear camera is a lens that is telescopic in nature, but not quite as extreme as we see on the front cameras that are telescopic. I would prefer to have a better view of the activity inside a car behind me, to record aggressive behavior or inattentiveness.

This.

I have the Vantrue E1 Pro installed as my rear camera at the moment. I was expecting more of a step up from 2.5K, but it wasn't. Can't remember where I mentioned it here on DCT, but I posted a quick comparison between the Vantrue and using the IMX675 of the Viofo A329. Sure, the licence plate capture was better with the Vantrue but only marginally.

It's nice to have extra bitrate and resolution, don't get me wrong, but it's not a night and day difference. I had the A229 Pro Telephoto in the back of my car at one stage, and that was of more utility to me a few times when I had some pesky persistent tailgaters.

 

[SafeDriveSolutions]

Great discussion and good to get everyones perspective.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Is a 4K rear camera worth it?

Viofo A229 Ultra

The most exciting parts usually happen in the rear cam, so yes.

As far as a 4K rear camera. I am all for it. More details the better.

Great discussion and good to get everyones perspective.

OK, fine I’ll take the bait. lol
Yes.
No.
It’s complicated.

3 Years, and 3 Months ago we got the original A229 Duo (IMX335).
The first 2K + 2K dash cam, (July 2022).
People asked; “Do we really need a 2K Rear Camera?”

https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/a229-duo-test-review-pp.47393/

At first I “loved” the increase in resolution from 1008p to 2K for the Rear Camera.
However, after I got deeper into testing I started to “hate” the A229 Duo Rear Camera for two reasons;
1.) Reduced Bitrate compared to the Front Camera;
Front: 29 Mbps - 1 Minute File Size 226MB
Rear: 25 Mbps - 1 Minute File Size 184MB
2.) No optional CPL Filter available

I “hated” the A229 Duo Rear Camera so much I adjusted it 180° and used it as an Interior Camera.
Of course you can’t see sh*t at night, but daytime was “amazing” compared to 1080p Interior cameras of the time.

For rear coverage I used the original A119 Mini (IMX335) 2022 mounted on the rear window because it had the capability to wear a CPL Filter, (also more Bitrate 30 Mbps).
See the side by side difference between A229 Duo Rear (No CPL) vs. A119 Mini (With CPL);

OK, back to the original question;
"Is a 4K rear camera worth it?"

Sure why not, 4K Rear Camera sounds great at first, but I have some questions.
1.) Does the Rear 4K Camera operate at the same Bitrate as the Front 4K Camera, or does it operate at a reduced Bitrate / Image Quality compared to the Front 4K Camera?
2.) Does the 4K Rear Camera have BETTER NIGHT TIME HDR PERFORMANCE than the 2K Rear Camera it “replaces”.

Do you see where I’m going with this?
If the 4K Rear Camera does not have IDENTICAL Bitrate & Image Quality as the Front Camera, and have better night time HDR performance than a 2K Rear Camera I can’t fully support this.
It’s just like the original A229 Duo (IMX335) from 2022, (two steps forward, one step back).
I want two steps forward, and none back!
I want my MTV!
How’s that for a rant?
Gimme, gimme, gimme. lol

I started my A229 Ultra Test & Review thread August 10, 2025, and my last post was August 17, 2025, (33 days ago).
I still have not posted any night time HDR performance test / comparisons yet.
That right there should tell you something.

Thread 'A229 Ultra Test & Review PP'

Aug 10, 2025

Retail test unit with serial number provided by Viofo, (thank you very much).
If you have any testing / compatibility / configuration questions or anything else just leave them below, and I’ll work them into my testing schedule.

Last month I removed (2) A229 Pro & (1) A229 Plus 3CH units from my test mule to make room for (2) A329S 3CH units, boxed them up, put away in my closet, and "emotionally" deleted their existence from my brain. Lol
Well it looks like Viofo is breathing new life into the A229 Series.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining.
Q: Do we really need 4K Rear...

• Chuck McCoy
• Replies: 2
• Forum: A229 Ultra

• 

 

[kamkar]

Smallest detail i worry about is the plates, i can not be bothered with who drove the car that tore of my wing mirror and was the person wearing his perscription glasses at the time.
I still think the rear camera are a secondary one, but i still like on there, but as a EU boy will happily make do with a good 1080p one, like i would take a system that turned to Black & white at night and did whatever but then guaranteed plate capture.

 

[DT MI]

Is a 4K rear camera worth it?

No, and neither is a front 4K for the vast majority of use cases.

 

[speedingcheetah]

No, and neither is a front 4K for the vast majority of use cases.

Hard disagree on this.
I recently went from 2K (A119 Mni 2) to 4K (A329S/T) and notice a big difference in image quality and details.
Plate captures that were not possible with the previous cam.

 

[Finnegan]

Here in my home state of Pennsylvania, front plates are not required and not provided.
License plate capture is not a deal-breaker for me. Even more so given that our USA
plates are much smaller than most others across the globe.

I still want to capture as much as I can, within limits. The power draw and heat created
by greater processing and added features will probably always be part of the consideration.