1. Strictly Verify Waterproof Rating and Sealing Performance

• Core Indicator: Prioritize products with a waterproof rating of IP68 or higher (IP68 means it can be immersed in 1.5 meters of water for a long time and is dustproof). For deep-sea or high-pressure environments, additionally confirm the "underwater working depth" parameter (e.g., 10 meters, 50 meters).
• Identification Method: Check the waterproof certification documents (such as IEC certification from the International Electrotechnical Commission) in the product manual; inspect whether there are uniform waterproof rubber rings at the seams of the camera body, and whether the lens glass is seamlessly attached to the body to prevent water damage due to poor sealing.

2. Evaluate Imaging Clarity and Image Quality Performance Adapted to Scenarios

• Resolution and Pixels: For aquaculture scenarios where clear observation of fish and shrimp status is required, it is recommended to choose cameras with 2 million pixels (1080P) or higher. If detailed monitoring is needed (e.g., fry growth, disease investigation), you can upgrade to 4 million pixels (2K). Avoid only focusing on the "pixel value"; instead, conduct actual tests to check if there is no motion blur or noise in dynamic images.
• Night Vision and Fill Light Capability: Underwater light is weak, so pay attention to infrared fill light or white light fill light functions. The infrared fill light distance is recommended to be ≥10 meters (suitable for night scenarios without light sources, with black-and-white images), and white light fill light is suitable for scenarios requiring color images (e.g., turbid water during the day). Test whether the fill light is uniform to avoid local overexposure or whitening of the image.
• Low-Light Performance: Choose products with a "minimum illumination ≤ 0.01Lux (F1.2)" (the lower the Lux value, the clearer the imaging in low light), ensuring clear images can still be captured in deep water or cloudy environments.

3. Inspect Material Durability and Corrosion Resistance

• Camera Body Material: For freshwater aquaculture, 304 stainless steel or reinforced engineering plastics (e.g., ABS+PC) can be used; for seawater aquaculture, priority must be given to 316L stainless steel or titanium alloy materials (seawater has high salt content, and ordinary stainless steel is prone to corrosion, so material test reports need to be confirmed).
• Lens Protection: The lens should be made of scratch-resistant sapphire glass or high-strength optical glass to prevent lens scratches caused by collisions with underwater debris, which would affect image quality.

4. Test Functional Adaptability and Operational Convenience

• Transmission Stability: Select the transmission method according to the aquaculture scale. For small-scale aquaculture, WiFi or 4G wireless transmission can be chosen (it is necessary to confirm the underwater signal penetration ability to avoid frequent disconnection); for large-scale or deep-sea aquaculture, POE wired transmission is recommended (power supply and data transmission via network cable, with stronger stability, suitable for long-distance monitoring).
• Practicality of Additional Functions:
  • If dynamic monitoring is required, confirm whether "motion detection alarm" is supported (e.g., pushing reminders when fish and shrimp gather abnormally);
  • If long-term recording is needed, check whether local storage (SD card) or cloud storage is supported, and whether the storage format is compatible with common players;
  • Test the response speed of mobile phone remote control functions (e.g., adjusting the angle, switching fill light modes) to avoid operational delays.

5. Verify Adaptability to Low-Temperature and High-Pressure Environments

• Underwater temperature fluctuates greatly (e.g., freshwater freezing in winter, low temperature in deep seas). Confirm the camera's "operating temperature range" (recommended -20℃~60℃) to prevent lens fogging and circuit failures caused by low temperatures;
• For high-pressure environments (e.g., deep-water aquaculture), check whether the product has passed the "water pressure test certification" to ensure the camera body will not deform due to pressure, which would affect sealing.

6. Check Brand Qualifications and User Reputation

• Prioritize products with clear production qualifications and good brand reputation (e.g., check for ISO9001 quality certification and aquaculture equipment industry certification), and avoid purchasing "three-no products" (no brand, no manual, no after-sales service);
• Refer to real reviews from other aquaculture farmers, focusing on "long-term use stability" (e.g., whether it still works without failure after more than 1 year of use) and "after-sales response speed" (e.g., the duration of fault repair).

7. Compare Cost-Effectiveness and Avoid "Low-Price Traps"

• Do not blindly pursue low prices: Some low-cost cameras may have problems such as "false waterproof rating marking" and "cutting corners on materials" despite their low initial cost, leading to higher maintenance or replacement costs later;
• Reasonable Budget Range: The price of entry-level models for freshwater aquaculture (1080P, IP68, 304 stainless steel) is usually 200-800 RMB, and the price of professional models for seawater aquaculture (2K, 316L stainless steel, high-pressure adaptation) is mostly 800-2000 RMB. You can choose products in the corresponding price range according to the aquaculture scale and monitoring needs.

8. Confirm After-Sales Support and Technical Assistance

• Request a warranty service of at least 1 year, and clarify the warranty scope (e.g., whether water damage is covered, how to charge for man-made damage);
• Confirm whether the brand provides technical support (e.g., installation guidance, fault diagnosis) to avoid the camera being unable to work normally due to lack of assistance.

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