Tapo C200 is the latest affordable WiFi security camera from TP-Link with pan and tilt function and a great app experience.



This is a summarized version of the review, you can see my blog here for more photos.

Specs:

Video Resolution	1080p 15fps (H.264)
Wall Mount	Yes
Night Vision	IR flood light up to 30 ft
Audio	Microphone and Speaker
WiFi Specs	802.11n 2.4Ghz up to 150Mbps

Image Sensor: 1/2.9“
Lens: F/NO: 2.4; Focal Length: 4mm
Night Vision: 850 nm IR LED up to 30 ft
View Range: 360° horizontal, 114° vertical

Price: RM169

Unboxing and Accessories


The camera come with a simple box with a power adapter. The power cable is really long at 3m.
It is possible to wall mount the WiFi camera with 2 screws.


The MicroSD card slot and reset button is under the camera lens. You need to move the lens to see them.

Tapo Camera App Features

The app is easy to use and have all the features labeled clearly.

You can click the record or snapshot button and it will be saved to your phone immediately.


There are plenty of options available to configure. The firmware update can be managed from the Tapo Camera app as well.

It has a power LED which can be disabled if you prefer a more discrete look


You can even have a voice call with the camera or use the push to talk feature. The speaker and microphone is really loud and clear in my testing.


Of course, there is the pan and tilt control from the app. You can even mark position and get the camera to move to the location on one click.

The pan and tilt is very smooth and not jerky unlike some cheaper camera.

This post has been edited by blacktubi: Oct 7 2019, 01:33 PM

Video Recording Feature


The Tapo C200 can be configured to have continuous recording or only record a video when it detects a motion. It is very simply to setup using the scheduling function.

You can choose which zones you want the motion detection to function. The detection is sensitive in our testing and it seems to be able to differentiate between action motion and lighting changed.

Motion Alert

When a motion is detected, it will send a notification to your phone. The notification can be disabled.

Playback Function

The playback feature is also really good as it shows you in a timeline format and only highlight the time where motion is detection.

Playback is really smooth and download speed is decent.

This post has been edited by blacktubi: Oct 7 2019, 01:19 PM

Video Quality:


I attached a short clip above for you to judge the quality. The 4mm lens do provide a rather big field of view.

The 1080p image is sharp and good enough for surveillance purpose. However, the fps is capped at 15fps likely for storage, I think it can be higher but 15fps is okay just not great.

Night vision is amazing with the 2 high power IR LED on the camera, you can override the night vision if you want it.

Like all IP camera, there will be a small 1-2 seconds delay depending on your WiFi signal strength and network configuration.


Closing Thoughts

The image is great, I think it's slightly greater than Xiaomi 260. The app is also really easy to setup and works really well. However, it doesn't support object tracking function and that's something I hope that will arrive as a firmware update in the future.

This post has been edited by blacktubi: Oct 7 2019, 05:23 PM

Better than Xiaomi's Mijia 360 h265 1080p 20fps?

I no longer have the Xiaomi to compare side by side but it feels sharper IMO. But, it loses out on fps.

But, one thing for sure is it is definitely better than the Xiaofang.

I edited the original review to reflect this claim.

This post has been edited by blacktubi: Oct 7 2019, 05:28 PM

Alright thanks

What's the difference when compared to the other TP-Link cameras with similar feature such as the NC450? It's even cheaper than the NC260 which can't pan & tilt so I'm kinda confused on what's making this one so cheap.

1. Can you put it outdoor?
2. whats the maximum capacity for the sd card supported?

Are you still using, how's the cloud service? Easy to connect or like xiaomi hard to connect when outside?

The NC450 and NC260 is the old lineup

Tapo is TP-Link new smart home brand.

1) Indoor only
2) Up to 128GB

So far it is pretty reliable. I am using TIME and it works all the time on Celcom.

I have existing TP link cameras (NC220 & 250). Will the C200 be able to be monitored and configured using the existing TP-Link app? I don't want to have to use separate apps...

Got the camera, easy to connect but doesn't seem to have cloud storage to store the clips when motion detected.

Yes it doesn’t come with cloud storage. Only local storage for now.

But you can review recorded footage from the app.

Hi let say there is robber in the house and he stole the camera while robbing the house.

Will we be able to retrieve the footage? Since there is no cloud storage, all the images will be gone once he turn off the camera?

Not possible to retrieve the footage if the camera is stolen as the footage is only stored locally.

This is probably a downside of the Tapo C200 but at the same time, this is probably better in terms of privacy.

Thanks for the info.

Hi,
Can save the video recording to NAS ?

Today flash sale at lazada for only rm100

Can this camera automatically pans around on its own? Or need to press the control on the app? Thanks

This one oddly similar to the IMILAB/Xiaomi. Is it OEM?

Right now it can perform auto panning and TP-Link says they are working on a firmware update for auto tracking in the future.

The design really reminds me of Xiaomi's but the image quality feels different.

the IMILAB/Xiaomi cant pan on its own

I just checked my detailed review on my site, not sure if that's what you mean.

https://www.blacktubi.com/review/tp-link-tapo-c200/

IMO, I think the mark position feature is great as it lets you to quickly pan to a certain spot on a click of a button.



This post has been edited by blacktubi: Mar 9 2020, 09:15 AM

hmmm....cruise seems to be the correct term
like my dafang, it can cruise on its own - meaning pan around on its own left and right like scanning for things
my imilab/xiaomi can pan around only if you use the app and tekan the button,
the dafang also have 4 stop points which you can designate so when you view it, it only pans to these 4 points which is like the tplink marked position i guess

This post has been edited by idoblu: Mar 9 2020, 09:20 AM

the weird thing is that the IMILAB/Xiaomi 360 camera has motion tracking. Once it detected a moving object, it will follow it on its own and yet it doesnt have auto panning. That means its only looking at one direction until it detects something

Interesting difference here. TP-Link told me they will be adding the auto tracking function but not really sure how it works yet.

Hi TS, currently I'm using Xiaofang and the Mi Hone app always disconnected from the cam then need to restart the cam to get it connected.

Since you have used Xiaomi and this now, may I know is the app for this better than Mi Home?

Thanks

I happened to have both the Mi and C200, I’ve found the Tapo to be much more reliable than the xiaofang as it connects faster and up until now I’ve never had a problem like xiaofang that needs to be restarted for it to work again. It is much more reliable than Mi Home in my opinion.

Edit: There is a auto restart function for the Tapo where we can set a time for the camera to restart by its own.

This post has been edited by tzeyong123: Mar 20 2020, 08:57 PM

Thanks for the info.

May I know do you know whether the C200 can save the video to external harddisk connected to the wifi router, or to the NAS?

No it is not possible to save the footage in other directory. Only the built-in MicroSD.

I believe currently only true high end surveillance system got such capabilities.

Hi TS. I own two of these cam now. Do you notice similar problem where in the playback timeline? Sometime it leave a gap where I’m sure there is motion at that time and it should be recording. And even weirder there is one time I already view the playback, and we I open the app again the playback at same time is missing.

I don’t know whether because memory full but if memory full it should erase older playback first right? But this one older playback still available, middle playback only gone. Can share your experience?

Is there a way to clear the timeline playback? I deleted the SD recording but even after reboot the timeline playback still there

Hopefully this Tapo more reliable than xiaomi xiaofang.

My xiaofang always need to be restarted for its to be working.

Last day its no functional at all. Popup come out of both my cameras saying "Use only in mainland China" rendering its useless junk...

I’ve been using it for a really long time

I not sure which cloud service TP-Link uses but it’s really reliable and smooth.

Can the tapo run on a power bank ?

*Edit*
Dont think so, just found out it run on 9v.
Adapter Output 9.0V/0.6A

This post has been edited by ShadowR1: Oct 9 2020, 03:16 PM

Hi, all. Can more than one user access this camera at the same time ? I am working abroad, hope can look after my parents at home. I mean, can my parents and me use the footage at the same time? When they're not at home, me and my parents can access the camera.

Yes, TP-Link added the device sharing feature few month back.

How many person max ?

i cannot connect to my deco m4, is there anything did i didnt disable?

I am currently dilemma between TapoC200 and Xiaomi Mijia PTZ.
Which one is more recommended? I barely can see any difference between these two.

Camera quality is more or less the same.

But, Tapo cloud service is much faster than Xiaomi Mijia. Based on my analysis, they use Amazon AWS Singapore region for my camera purchased in Malaysia.

I also prefer the Tapo app for their simplicity. I find the Mi Home app is really bloated.

Tapo drawback is only local storage is it?
Xiaomi same also? Or can retrieve from cloud?

i wonder what is the different between c200 and tc70?
looks exactly the same on spec sheet.

https://www.tp-link.com/my/home-networking/...ud-camera/tc70/

They are being sold as the same thing by some sellers on Lazada but there's some difference in the firmware.

Personally I prefer the TC70 that I bought later (cheaper as well) because it doesn't prompt me to upgrade to cloud recording every now and then. TC200 and TC210 all have this annoying cloud upgrade advertisement and pop up occasionally when running tapo app.

Refer to the screenshot for the difference in settings. See which you prefer. Quality difference is nil between T70 and T200. T210 has a lot of sharpening which made it's image looks worse at times.


T200


T70

This post has been edited by andrekua2: Aug 24 2021, 09:15 AM

thanks for reply, it helped.
just ordered my tc70.

This is a great product. i been using it.

Hi guys, sorry to dig out old thread. but lately i am having issue Tapo C200 not recognize my microSD, it worked when i first time bought it and one week later it not detected. had followed TP link advice to turn off camera and re-insert the SD card few times but no luck. does anyone has this problem? been googled and few users has this issue.

The MicroSD card is damaged. For stability purpose, the camera wouldn’t want to use it.

That’s why I recommend using high endurance MicroSD card. Normal MicroSD is not suitable for frequent rewrite.

May i know what is the recommended Micro SD? i was using Sandisk ultra A1 Class 10, 64GB, based on TPLink recommendation. worst part is, it only lasted a week.

Try using Sandisk High Endurance MicroSD, I just bought one for my new TPLink camera yesterday

Recently have a chance to play with DAHUA IMOU Ranger 2MP, pretty impressive.

Will take a look on this, thanks for the input!

Oh i see, will add to consideration. I've been looking other brand as well, it comes down to imou ranger 2C or ezviz c6n.

How is it?

1. GUI
2. Camera recording quality

It impress me in all aspect.
Ease of installation, use.
Recording quality is good on 2mp, cant imagine the quality on a 4mp model.
Viewing on mobile and pc is a breeze.
Pan tilt angle is good ... no optic zoom tho.

hi all, can share how much is the cloud subscription for Tapo? i tried to find online but so far only managed to find the price in AUD/NZD. TIA

I just bought Tapo C210 and sd Card.
I have been trying to use the sd card, but it keep failing the Format.

Can anyone help to identify the potential problem?






Thank you!

There are a ton of fake MicroSD card in the market and you might accidentally got one.

i a whole tapo system running but the build in speakers on all the models i have is really low is there a way to modified to a loud siren? or is there a add on wireless siren from tplink( like D-Link DCH-Z510) to pair with it when the build in alarms goes off and triggered a loud horn to go off as well?

This post has been edited by Hwoarang45: Jan 16 2023, 01:21 PM

after watching ur review i regret buying ezviz

why?

TAPO seems nicer

Tapo app is better than Ezviz in my opinion

User-interface is better and slightly faster at loading the CCTV stream

While that depends on network conditions but generally my Tapo cam is faster to load and receiving motion detected notification is almost instant

does anyone monitor the poser usage of the camera
notice that my electricity bill went up more than RM60 after using the camera
monitor for 2 months
now switch off to see any reduction

The camera's power consumption is 5.4W which equates to less than 4kWh per month. For convenience, we will use 4kWh as calculation.

If your TNB tariff is 21.80 sen/kWh, that's less than RM1 per month.

Might as well check on your air-conditioner since this month is warmer.

Hello. Thinking buying CCTV.
Evziz better or Tapo?
Evziz 4MP or Tapo 4MP?
2MP, 3MP, 4MP very different?

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This post has been edited by alpha: Oct 30 2024, 07:22 PM