Reolink's OMVI 3i combines a panoramic camera with 4K tracking

Reolink's OMVI 3i tries to solve a familiar outdoor-camera tradeoff with three lenses in one housing. Two fixed cameras create a 180-degree panoramic view, while a separate 8-megapixel 4K camera underneath can pan as far as 355 degrees and tilt up to 50 degrees. In TechRadar's hands-on review, that combination kept the broader scene visible while letting the reviewer tap a point in the panorama for a closer look.

The camera processes person, animal and vehicle detection on the device, with adjustable sensitivity for each category. Reolink also includes package-removal alerts, spotlights, a 110-decibel siren and two-way audio. Recordings can go to a microSD card of up to 512GB, an NVR or Reolink's optional cloud service, so the main detection and local-recording features do not depend on a subscription.

Wide coverage comes with installation tradeoffs

TechRadar found the 4K tracking view sharp and the night modes effective, but the review did not treat the three-lens design as frictionless. The bulky camera needs a secure drilled mount. The tested Wi-Fi version also needs mains power, while the separate Power over Ethernet model carries data and electricity over one cable.

The panoramic image occasionally showed stitching errors where the two upper views meet, and the motorized camera could briefly lose very fast subjects. Its broad field of view also makes careful placement and exclusion zones important when neighboring property or public walkways are nearby.