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Is that dash cam really 4K?
Updated
Often, no. A true 4K picture has about 8 million pixels. Many "4K" dash cams use a 5 megapixel sensor and stretch the image. That is called upscaling. It makes bigger files, not more detail.
How to check
- Find the sensor name in the listing. Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 is a 5MP sensor. It is a very good one, but its native size is about 2.5K.
- Look for the word "upscaled" or "interpolated". The ROVE R2-4K Dual listing says upscaled in plain words, which we respect.
- No sensor named at all? Assume it is not true 4K.
What matters more than 4K
- Night video. Most crashes you will want on video happen in poor light. A good sensor and HDR beat raw pixel count. That is why our top pick, the VIOFO A229 Plus, records 2K.
- Rear camera quality. Being hit from behind is common. Many kits pair a sharp front camera with a weak rear one.
- Reading plates. No dash cam reads every plate. Speed, glare and distance beat resolution. Say the plate out loud after a crash. The microphone will record it.