At a Glance | |
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Product | Axis M1011-W Network camera [Website] |
Summary | Entry level wireless day network camera with strong AXIS feature set |
Pros | • Lots of features • Solid construction • Wireless connectivity |
Cons | • No night vision • No audio • Wireless is only 802.11b/g vs. n |
Introduction
I recently looked at the surveillance features of the ReadyNAS Ultra-2 NAS. With the ReadyNAS Surveillance kit were included two AXIS M1011-W network cameras. While the features of the AXIS line of cameras have been covered in-depth in the M1031-W and M1054 reviews, I wanted to look at hardware differences with the M1011-W, as well as image comparisons between the M1011-W and some of the other cameras we've reviewed.
Hardware Comparison
First, let's take a look at a table of comparisons between the three AXIS cameras we've reviewed:
M1011-W | M1031-W | M1054 | |
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Typical online price | $180 | $250 | $380 |
Processor | ARTPEC-B | ARTPEC-B | ARTPEC-3 |
RAM | 64MB | 64MB | 128MB |
Flash | 32MB | 32MB | 128MB |
Video buffer | 16 MB pre and post alarms | 16 MB pre and post alarms | 25 MB pre and post alarms |
Lens | 4.4 mm/F2.0 fixed iris | 4.4 mm/F2.0 fixed iris | 2.9 mm/F2.0 fixed iris |
Horizontal angle of view | 47deg | 47deg | 80deg |
Video compression | H.264, Motion JPEG, MPEG-4 | H.264, Motion JPEG, MPEG-4 | H.264, Motion JPEG |
Max video resolution | 640 x 480 | 640 x 480 | 1280 x 800 (1 MP) |
Frames per second | 30 (640x480) | 30 (640x480) | 30 (1280x800), 30 (HDTV 720p) |
Audio support | No | Two-way Built-in mic and speaker | Two-way Built-in mic and speaker |
Alarm in/outputs | No | No | 1/1 |
Power | DC, PoE splitter available | DC, PoE splitter available | DC, PoE IEEE 802.3af Class 2 |
Wireless | 802.11b/g | 802.11b/g | No |
Built-in PIR sensor | No | Yes | Yes |
Night Illumination LED | No | Yes | Yes |
Record to storage | FTP only | FTP only | FTP, SMB (network share) |
As you look at the specs, you can see the M1011-W has much hardware in common with the M1031-W. It sports the AXIS ARTPEC-B processor, capable of three maximum simultaneous video streams. It also has 64 MB of RAM and 32 MB of flash like the M1031-W.

Figure 1: ARTPEC-B processor of the Axis M1011-W
Also, in common with the M1031-W is the 802.11b/g wireless interface with built-in antenna, secured by WEP 64/128 bit and WPA/WAP2-PSK. Like the M1031-W, it does not support 802.11n and could present problems in a predominantly 802.11n network by slowing down faster N devices.
The M1011-W also shares the same lens, same horizontal field of view, same maximum resolution and same video compression formats as the M1031-W. What differs between the M1011-W and the M1031-W is the exclusion of audio and any night vision capabilities. With so much in common with the M1031-W, we would expect that image comparison pictures will be about the same.
Image Quality - Outdoor
The maximum resolution of the M1011-W is 640 x 480 and it will deliver that at 30 fps, which I verified within the ReadyNAS Surveillance software. Horizontal field of view is 47 degrees, which as you will see in the comparison pictures below, is the same as the M1031-W. Figure 2 is the M1011-W, while Figure 3 is the M1031-W.
Figure 2: 47° Field of View from the Axis M1011-W
Figure 3 is the M1031-W horizontal field of view.
Figure 2: 47° Field of View from the Axis M1031-W
As you can see, horizontal field of view is identical. Note that we have added a few pavers to my outdoor test bed since the M1031-W image. The M1011-W image does seem to be brighter and more vivid, although I believe that can be chalked up to being tested on different days in slightly different conditions. I no longer have the M1031-W or I could have run another comparison just to be sure.