MERCUSYS MC500 Review – Big Security on a Small Budget

If you’re looking to buy an affordable smart outdoor camera, you might want to check out this MERCUSYS MC500 review first.

Mercusys is a new competitor in the smart home Wi-Fi camera space. And their prices are definitely competitive. One of the new models that is available now in the Philippines is the MERCUSYS MC500 Outdoor Pan/Tilt Security Wi-Fi Camera. And TL:DR, it’s more than worth it for its price, but read the MERCUSYS MC500 review to see why.

What it comes with out of the box

Everything you need to install the MC500 is already inside the box, except maybe a screwdriver. We have the MERCUSYS MC500 itself, power adapter, mounting template sticker, mounting bracket, mounting screws, bracket screws, mounting anchors (tox), waterproof foam gasket, and of course a quick start guide.

If you plan to install it on a wall or the roof eave, you may need a drill. Or if you want to install it on a pole, you may need a strap or a hose/tube clamp. Or you can just use some good ol’ fashion zip ties.

Ease of Installation

For the seasoned DIYer, installation will be a piece of cake. It’s pretty straightforward and only the drilling part is the most of the heavy lifting. For the not so hands on though, it may be a challenge. If you do not know how to use power tools, best ask a technician or a friend for help.

Linking the device to the app is very easy and seamless though, its on-screen instructions are easy to follow.

Design and Build Quality

Aesthetically, it looks much like any pan/tilt camera on the market. However, the device feels more premium surprisingly sturdy for its price. It’s weather-resistant with an IP65 protection rating, which makes it ideal for outdoor use. I was worried that water splashes may enter the power adapter’s contact point. But the waterproof foam gasket that’s included gives me peace of mind. Even the microSD card slot is protected by a waterproof cover.

Camera Quality

Offering a 1080p resolution camera, it captures crisp and detailed footage. It would have been better if it was 2K or 4K, but that would increase its price point. Daytime image quality is sharp, with saturated colors for a vivid true-to-life image. At night, the infrared night vision does a solid job and you can clearly see objects and people.

It also supports full-color night vision with additional help from its built-in spotlights, which is a nice touch for added security and visibility.

The cameras also offer up to 9x Digital Zoom, and even zoomed in, the details are still preserved. It also supports up to 30 fps videos. This results in smoother videos which also preserves the image quality on still frames.

Pan & Tilt Functionality

One of the standout features here is its pan and tilt capability. Through the Mercusys app, you can remotely rotate the camera up to 340° horizontally and up to 90° vertically. This makes it easier to track movement or monitor larger outdoor spaces without needing multiple cameras. You can even save a viewpoint for easy panning and tilting.

It also has a patrol feature where it pans to it’s whole horizontal range. It’s not very useful though if you mounted the camera high up like I did.

Smart Features and App Experience

To manage the camera, you need to install and use the Mercusys app that’s available on iOS and Android. It lets you view real-time footage, receive motion alerts, and access playback from your phone. The setup process is incredibly simple, you just need to plug in the camera, connect it via the app, and it’ll be ready in just a couple of minutes.

With the app, you’ll also be able to make use of its smart features. This includes motion detection zones, custom alerts, and two-way audio. I’ve especially find its two-way audio coupled with its built-in spotlights very useful when communicating with a delivery person or an unexpected guest at the gate. It also has an alarm that works with the spotlight in order to deter intruders.

Performance and Reliability

During test on my MERCUSYS MC500 review, I found that the camera performed smoothly with minimal delay in live view. Motion and Person Detection was quick to trigger, and push notifications were consistent (although may be quite annoying). I also got to see it in action while raining and it seemed okay, with quality not dropping.

Storage and Connectivity

For storage, you can choose whether to use cloud storage or local storage with a microSD card. Its cloud storage, MERCUSYS Camera Care, is a subscription feature, which is actually not bad if you’re going to use the camera on your business. You can even have a free trial. But for home use, most users would go the local storage route. The device a supports microSD for up to 512GB which is more than enough for home use.

For connectivity, it does connect to your home network although only at 2.4 GHz WI-Fi. It would have been much nicer if it supported 5 GHz connection for even less live video delay. But for its price, I’m not really complaining.

Price and Availability

The MERCUSYS MC500 is easy on the wallet that most smart outdoor Wi-Fi cameras in the market. It has an official SRP of just ₱1,199. And I’m sure you can still get it at a lower price with vouchers, sales, and promos. The device is now available here in the Philippines, and can be purchase at Mercusys’ official stores in Shopee, Lazada, and select IT retail stores nationwide.

Verdict

At an affordable price point, the MERCUSYS MC500 delivers impressive value. It’s a capable outdoor camera for your home or businness, all wrapped in a weatherproof body. It definitely check all the boxes for essential features that you may need for home/business security. If you’re looking for a reliable and budget-friendly outdoor security camera, the MC500 is definitely worth considering.