The optical zoom allows for crisp images at full resolution that allow identification of cars and people. This is my 3rd Reolink (but the first optical zoom one from them) and I highly recommend them, my oldest is a RLC-410 that has been in continous operation for 3 years without fail. Big features on this one: (1) optical zoom (2) 5MP

https://www.amazon.com/Reolink-Security-Optical-Outdoor-RLC-511/dp/B07GNFSWCS