Buyer's guide

The best NDAA-compliant PTZ camera for a business

Updated November 2026 · Prices update live from silarius.com

For most businesses the best NDAA-compliant PTZ camera is the Silarius SIL-PTZ5MPX30AI: 5MP, 30x optical zoom, AI detection and a built-in mic for $499.99. For the longest range, or to record straight to the cloud with no recorder, pick a Silarius X PTZ: the SIL-XPTZ5MP30X (5MP, 30x) or the SIL-XPTZ8MP40X (8MP, 40x).

The best Silarius PTZ camera for each job

Best for Model Resolution Optical zoom Type Price
Best value for most sites SIL-PTZ5MPX30AI 5MP 30x 4.5" speed dome, AI detection, built-in mic, ONVIF $499.99
Large high-speed dome SIL-PTZ5MPX22 5MP 22x 7" high-speed dome $599.99
Long range, records straight to the cloud SIL-XPTZ5MP30X 5MP 30x 7" Silarius X, starlight, laser illumination $1,399.99
Longest zoom, 4K detail SIL-XPTZ8MP40X 8MP (4K) 40x 7" Silarius X, starlight, IR $1,899.99
Indoor and ceilings, on a budget SIL-DPTZ5MPX12 5MP 12x (5-60mm) Auto-focus dome PTZ $299.99
Compact PTZ with bracket SIL-DPTZ5MPX4 5MP 4x Dome PTZ, bracket included $299.99
Fixed bullet look with zoom SIL-B5MPPTZ10 5MP 10x Bullet PTZ $399.99

All Silarius PTZ cameras are NDAA compliant, have a 3-year Silarius warranty and ship free in the US.

Best valueSilarius SIL-PTZ5MPX30AI

5MP, 30x zoom, AI, built-in mic

$499.99
View product
Long rangeSilarius SIL-XPTZ5MP30X

5MP, 30x, starlight laser, cloud-direct

$1,399.99
View product
Longest zoomSilarius SIL-XPTZ8MP40X

8MP (4K), 40x, starlight IR

$1,899.99
View product
Indoor budgetSilarius SIL-DPTZ5MPX12

5MP, 12x, auto focus

$299.99
View product

What NDAA compliant means for a PTZ camera

Section 889 of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act bars US federal agencies and their contractors from using video surveillance equipment made by Hytera, Hikvision or Dahua for public safety, government facility security, critical infrastructure and other national security purposes [1]. The FCC lists the same equipment on its Covered List [2]. Schools, cities and companies with federal contracts often ask for NDAA-compliant cameras for this reason. Silarius cameras and recorders are NDAA compliant.

How to choose a PTZ camera

1. Zoom

Optical zoom decides how far away you can still see faces and plates. 12x suits a room or a small lot, 22x to 30x a large lot or yard, 40x the longest views. Digital zoom only enlarges pixels and does not add detail.

2. Night vision

Starlight sensors keep color in low light. The Silarius X PTZs add laser (SIL-XPTZ5MP30X) or IR (SIL-XPTZ8MP40X) illumination for full darkness.

3. Recorder or cloud

Silarius X PTZs record straight to Silarius Cloud with no recorder or gateway. Other Silarius PTZs record to a Silarius NVR, which connects to the cloud through a Silarius Gateway.

4. Mounting and control

Plan the mount with the camera: the SIL-CBX22 is the ceiling bracket for the SIL-PTZ5MPX22. Guards who steer cameras all day use the SIL-CONT3DHD joystick controller. Check the power requirement on the product page before you pick a PoE switch port.

How this compares

Across about 560 PTZ camera listings on silarius.com, the median price is about $2,990. Silarius business PTZ cameras start at $299.99. See what security hardware costs in 2026.

Want us to pick for you? Our team builds the camera list for your site and replies fast, usually within minutes.

Sources

  1. FAR 52.204-25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment, acquisition.gov, checked November 2026. acquisition.gov/far/52.204-25
  2. FCC Covered List, fcc.gov, checked November 2026. fcc.gov/supplychain/coveredlist

Questions

What is the best NDAA compliant PTZ camera for a business?

For most sites, the Silarius SIL-PTZ5MPX30AI: 5MP, 30x optical zoom, AI detection and a built-in mic for $499.99. For the longest range pick the Silarius X SIL-XPTZ8MP40X (8MP, 40x).

Which Silarius PTZ records to the cloud without a recorder?

The Silarius X PTZs, SIL-XPTZ5MP30X and SIL-XPTZ8MP40X, connect straight to Silarius Cloud with no recorder or gateway.

Can a PTZ camera replace several fixed cameras?

Often, yes, on large open areas such as parking lots and yards. A PTZ only looks one way at a time, so keep fixed cameras on doors and registers.

Do I need a joystick to control a PTZ camera?

No. You can steer it from the app or recorder. A joystick such as the SIL-CONT3DHD helps when someone controls cameras all day.

Are Silarius PTZ cameras NDAA compliant?

Yes. Silarius cameras and recorders are NDAA compliant.

What warranty do Silarius PTZ cameras have?

Every Silarius camera and recorder has a 3-year full Silarius warranty (solar products have their own terms).

Do Silarius PTZ cameras ship free?

Yes. Every Silarius-brand product ships free in the US, at any order size.