Farmstream 360 Camera — Biggest Update Yet for 2026

What's New: The Three Big Upgrades

We've been listening to customer feedback and working on these improvements for months. The 2026 Farmstream 360 keeps everything you already rely on — 355° pan, 90° tilt, auto-tracking, 80m night vision, two-way audio, smart alerts, and plug-and-play setup — but adds three meaningful upgrades that make a real difference in the field:

• 4K resolution (8MP) — up from 5MP. A big jump in image quality, especially when zoomed in or reviewing recordings.
• 36× optical zoom — up from 30×. View objects over 250m away in clear HD without losing image quality.
• Smart vehicle detection — a brand-new feature. The camera now detects and alerts you to vehicles alongside people, with auto-tracking for both.

All three upgrades come at no extra cost compared to the previous model. The Farmstream 360 starts at £299 for the WiFi/PoE model, or £349 for the 4G version — available with 64GB or 256GB storage.

4K Resolution (8MP): See More, Miss Less

The jump from 5MP to 8MP (4K) isn't just a spec sheet improvement — it's a genuine step change in image quality that you'll notice immediately.

What does 4K actually mean for a farm camera?

4K resolution captures roughly 60% more detail than the previous 5MP sensor. In practical terms, that means noticeably sharper and clearer footage — whether you're checking on livestock from your phone, keeping an eye on the yard overnight, or reviewing recorded footage after an incident. The extra detail is especially apparent when you're zoomed in or playing back recordings, where the higher resolution gives you a much clearer picture of what's happening.

The upgraded 8MP SONY image sensor streams at 5MP 20fps for smooth, responsive live viewing through the CamHipro app, while recording at full 4K resolution to the on-board SD card — so you always have the highest-quality footage stored locally when you need it most.

36× Optical Zoom: Objects Over 250m Away

The Farmstream 360's optical zoom has been upgraded from 30× to 36×, with a new 4.7–94mm lens. That's a meaningful improvement for anyone who needs to see what's happening at the far end of a field, across a yard, or along a track.

Why optical zoom matters more than digital zoom:

Optical zoom uses the lens itself to magnify the image, so you maintain full image quality at every zoom level. Digital zoom just crops and enlarges the existing image — which means you lose detail fast. At 36× optical, you can view objects over 250 metres away and still get a clear, sharp picture.

Practical uses for 36× zoom on a farm or rural property:

• Livestock monitoring: Check on animals in distant fields or large paddocks — all from your phone.
• Security: See vehicles and people approaching your property long before they reach the yard, from a single elevated camera position.
• Perimeter coverage: One camera with 36× zoom can effectively replace several fixed cameras by covering a much larger area with detail.
• Fence lines and boundaries: Check for damage, fallen posts, or signs of trespass without leaving the house.

Vehicle Detection: Know Who's Driving Onto Your Land

This is a completely new feature for the Farmstream 360 — and one our customers have been asking for.

Previously, the camera's smart detection could identify and track human movement. The 2026 update adds vehicle detection, meaning the camera can now distinguish between people, vehicles, and other sources of movement (such as animals or wind-blown objects).

Why vehicle detection matters for farms and rural properties:

Rural crime often involves vehicles — whether it's a van pulling up to steal tools from an outbuilding, a pickup loading livestock in the early hours, or an unfamiliar car cruising down a private track. With vehicle detection, you get a targeted alert the moment a vehicle enters the camera's view, rather than having to sift through general motion alerts.

• Overnight alerts: Set the camera to alert you to any vehicle movement on your property between certain hours — when legitimate traffic is unlikely.
• Auto-tracking: The camera automatically follows a vehicle as it moves through the frame, keeping it in shot and recording its path across your property.
• Smarter filtering: Distinguish between vehicles and people, reducing false alerts from animals, livestock, or weather while making sure you never miss a genuine intrusion.
• Evidence capture: Combined with 4K resolution and 36× zoom, vehicle detection helps you capture much sharper, more detailed footage of activity on your property — exactly the kind of evidence police and insurers need.

Vehicle detection works alongside the existing human detection and auto-tracking — giving you a much more complete picture of activity on your land.

Vehicle detection in action — screenshots from the CamHipro app showing the Farmstream 360's smart tracking.

Old vs New: How the Specs Compare

Here's a side-by-side comparison of what's changed — and what's stayed the same:

Who Benefits Most from the Upgrades?

Livestock Farmers

If you use the Farmstream 360 for lambing, calving, or general livestock monitoring, the 4K resolution and improved zoom make a real difference. You can check on animals in more detail from your phone — spotting early signs of difficulty during lambing season or monitoring feeding behaviour across a larger area. The 36× zoom means you can cover a bigger field or paddock from a single camera position and still see individual animals clearly.

Security-Conscious Landowners

For anyone using the Farmstream 360 to protect property, equipment, or land, the addition of vehicle detection is a significant upgrade. You'll now receive targeted alerts when a vehicle enters your property — not just when a person is detected. Combined with 4K resolution and 36× zoom, you get much sharper, more detailed footage that's more useful for police and insurance purposes.

Equine & Smallholders

The improved resolution is ideal for monitoring horses, particularly overnight or during foaling. The higher detail helps you spot subtle changes in behaviour or posture that might indicate colic, injury, or the early stages of foaling — all without disturbing the animal by visiting the stable.

Rural Businesses & Yards

If you run a yard, workshop, or rural business, vehicle detection gives you a clear record of who's coming and going. Set the camera to auto-track vehicles through your yard, and the 4K footage gives you evidence-quality recordings if anything goes missing.

Everything Else You Already Love

The 2026 update builds on everything that's made the Farmstream 360 our most popular camera. These features are all unchanged:

• 355° pan and 90° tilt: Full remote control from your phone — scan the entire yard, field, or shed from a single camera position.
• Auto-tracking: Now covers both humans and vehicles. The camera automatically follows movement across the frame and keeps the subject in shot.
• 80m infrared night vision: Clear footage after dark, when most rural crime occurs and when livestock monitoring matters most.
• Two-way audio: Built-in mic and external speaker let you listen and talk through the camera — challenge trespassers or communicate with workers on site.
• Smart push alerts: Get notified on your phone the moment motion is detected, with separate settings for human and vehicle detection.
• 24/7 recording: Continuous recording to the on-board SD card (64GB or 256GB). Recorded footage uses zero 4G data — data is only consumed when you view live or recorded footage through the app.
• Multi-user access: Unlimited devices can connect to a single camera. Share access with family, farm workers, or security teams.
• IP66 weatherproofing: Built for the harshest UK conditions. Operating range from -40°C to +65°C.
• ONVIF & Hikvision Protocol support: Compatible with third-party NVR and recording systems if you need to integrate with an existing setup.
• Plug-and-play setup: Mount it, plug it in, scan the QR code in the free CamHipro app, and you're live. No IT knowledge or specialist installer required.

Connectivity: WiFi, 4G, PoE

The Farmstream 360 is available in two connectivity options to suit your location:

WiFi / PoE (Hardwired) — £299

If you have good WiFi where you want to place the camera, or you can run an Ethernet cable, the WiFi/PoE model gives you a reliable connection with no ongoing data costs. We recommend a minimum upload speed of 6 Mbps at the camera location — you can test this by standing where the camera will go and running a speed test on your phone while connected to your WiFi.

PoE (Power over Ethernet) is particularly useful for barn, shed, and outbuilding installations — a single Cat5 cable delivers both power and internet to the camera, which means one cable does everything.

4G (No WiFi Needed) — £349

If you don't have WiFi at the camera location, the 4G model (£349) has a built-in eSIM that auto-connects to the strongest network in your area — EE, Vodafone, Three, or O2. This makes it ideal for remote fields, distant outbuildings, gate entrances, and anywhere WiFi doesn't reach. The camera is also fully unlocked, so you can use your own SIM if you prefer.

Recording 24/7 to the SD card uses zero 4G data. Data is only consumed when you view live or recorded footage through the CamHipro app. Farmstream streaming plans start from £7.50/month or £60/year.

FAQs

What's new with the Farmstream 360 for 2026?

Three major upgrades: 4K resolution (8MP) up from 5MP, 36× optical zoom up from 30×, and brand-new smart vehicle detection alongside the existing human detection and auto-tracking. The WiFi/PoE model remains £299 and the 4G model is £349.

What's the difference between 5MP and 4K (8MP) on a farm camera?

4K (8MP) provides roughly 60% more detail than 5MP. In practice, this means noticeably sharper and clearer footage — whether you're checking on livestock, monitoring your yard, or reviewing recordings after an incident. The extra detail is especially apparent when zoomed in.

How does vehicle detection work?

The camera uses smart detection to distinguish vehicles from people and other movement. You can set it to alert you when a vehicle enters a monitored area — ideal for tracking unauthorised access to farms, yards, or rural properties, particularly overnight. The camera also auto-tracks vehicles as they move through the frame.

What does 36× optical zoom mean in real terms?

36× optical zoom lets you view objects over 250 metres away in clear HD. Unlike digital zoom, optical zoom maintains full image quality — so you get a sharp, detailed picture even at long range.

Has the price changed?

No. The Farmstream 360 WiFi/PoE model is still £299, and the 4G model is £349 — both unchanged despite the significant spec upgrades. Both are available with 64GB or 256GB storage options.

Do I need WiFi?

No. The 4G model (£349) has a built-in eSIM that auto-connects to the strongest network in your area — EE, Vodafone, Three, or O2. If you have WiFi or can run an Ethernet cable, the WiFi/PoE model (£299) is also available with no ongoing data costs.

Can I power the Farmstream 360 with solar?

Yes. Farmstream offers two dedicated solar kits for the 360: a self-contained IP66-rated solar kit and a roof-mounted 115W solar kit. The camera can also run from a 12V leisure battery or mains power.

How much storage does the camera have?

The camera comes with either a 64GB or 256GB SD card. A 64GB card holds approximately 1 week of continuous 24/7 recording; 256GB holds approximately 4 weeks. Once full, the oldest footage is automatically overwritten.

Can multiple people view the same camera?

Yes. There's no limit on the number of devices that can connect to a single Farmstream 360 camera. Each person just needs the free CamHipro app and the camera's login details.