The SoloCam E30 came out in 2024 as the more affordable version of the S340. Identical PTZ, an even bigger battery, but a single 2K sensor and a separate solar panel instead of an integrated one. If you don't need the dual lens, it's the rational choice: the same eufy experience at half the price.
Category: 2K wireless outdoor camera with 360 PTZ, AI tracking and solar panel
Test period: running for several months on the garden side of the house
Review summary (if you're in a hurry):
- What it is: a 2K (2304×1296) wireless outdoor camera with 360° PTZ + 70° tilt, AI tracking, a 10,000 mAh battery, a separate solar panel and BionicMind via HomeBase 3
- Who it's for: anyone who wants the PTZ + solar of the eufy ecosystem at half the price of the S340 and is happy with a single 2K lens instead of a dual 3K
How it differs from the SoloCam S340
The most common question is "why should I buy the E30 rather than the S340?" The answer: two things. The E30 has a single lens (2K wide-angle, ~150° FOV) instead of two, and it has a removable solar panel (connected by cable) rather than one built into the body. The rest is almost identical: 360° PTZ, an even bigger battery (10,000 mAh against 9,000), AI tracking, HomeBase 3 compatibility with BionicMind.
An important note: the E30 is 2K, not 4K, despite some incorrect marketing claims still floating around. The sensor is a 2K (2304×1296) with an f/1.6 aperture, clearly stated on eufy's product page. If you're coming from the S340, the drop in resolution is noticeable in digital zoom, less so in the wide view.
Setup and installation
The E30 installs exactly like every SoloCam. Open the box and inside you'll find the camera, the separate solar panel (with ~2.5 m of USB-C cable), a universal mounting bracket and the screws. The bracket goes on the wall, the camera clips onto it, and the solar panel is mounted wherever it gets sun (even 2 metres away). Pairing is done in the app via QR code, you connect to the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, then insert a microSD card if you want standalone storage (eufy recommends at least 32 GB; up to 128 GB is supported), or connect the HomeBase 3 and use centralised storage.
Total installation time: 25-30 minutes. The part that needs some thought is the solar panel: look for a south or south-east spot that gets at least 2-3 hours of direct sun a day. If it's badly placed, the battery will drain over time.
Image quality and night vision
The 2K f/1.6 sensor is excellent for the category: in full daylight, details are sharp and colours natural. The 150° FOV wide-angle offers more angular coverage than the S340 (135° wide), useful in narrow gardens or for covering wide corners. The zoom is digital only, so above 2× the quality visibly degrades. For zooming in on distant details, the S340 with its optical telephoto remains superior.
Night vision: IR up to about 8 metres (black and white), white spotlight for colour night vision up to about 5-6 metres. Good but not exceptional.
Battery and battery life: 10,000 mAh is a lot
The 10,000 mAh battery is one of the largest in the entire solar PTZ category. In my setup (15-20 triggers a day, a few manual live views), in spring/summer the battery always stays above 95%. In winter (in Tuscany, with the sun lower and the days short), it hovers between 70% and 90%. I've never had to take it down and recharge it over USB. For anyone living where winter sun is scarce, the combination of 10,000 mAh and a separate solar panel (which you can put wherever it catches the most sun) is more forgiving than the S340, whose panel is fixed to the body.
AI and tracking
The AI PTZ tracking is the same firmware family as the S340: the camera follows the subject with its motorised head and applies digital zoom during the chase. On-device person/vehicle detection; animals are a little less consistent. Add the HomeBase 3 and BionicMind face recognition is activated: the E30 supports familiar face matching like the other recent cameras in the ecosystem.
The wake-up time from deep sleep is around 1-2 seconds: with quick triggers (for example a person crossing the frame fast) the first frame may be missed. This isn't specific to the E30 but common to all battery-powered PTZ cameras on the market.
Storage
The standalone E30 requires a microSD card for local storage (not supplied): Class 10 or above, at least 32 GB, is recommended. Without a microSD card and without a HomeBase 3, clips are lost after the push notification is sent. For serious use, factor the cost of the microSD card into the total cost of ownership: a branded 64 GB card costs €10-15.
Cui prodest: the E30 instead of the S340?
The E30 makes sense if: your mounting spot doesn't get enough sun for the S340 with its fixed panel (here the flexibility of the removable panel wins), or if you don't need the telephoto lens (in small gardens or courtyards where everything is within 5 metres). The S340 makes sense if: you want serious zoom on distant details, or if you prefer an all-in-one unit without the extra panel cable.
Comparison with the competition
| Product | Resolution | PTZ | Battery | Solar panel | Standalone storage | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eufy SoloCam E30 | 2K single | 360° + 70° tilt | 10000 mAh | Separate, removable | microSD (not included) | ~€130 |
| eufy SoloCam S340 | 3K wide + 2K tele | 360° + 70° tilt | 9000 mAh | Built into the body | 8 GB internal eMMC | ~€180 |
| Reolink Argus PT Ultra | 4K single | 355° + 140° tilt | 8000 mAh | Separate (included) | microSD | ~€200 |
Full specifications
| Resolution | 2K (2304×1296), F1.6 |
|---|---|
| Field of view | ~150° wide-angle |
| PTZ | 360° pan + 70° tilt |
| Night vision | IR up to ~8 m + colour night spotlight up to ~5-6 m |
| Power | 10,000 mAh battery + removable solar panel (USB-C) |
| Connectivity | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi; HomeBase 3 compatible |
| Storage | microSD up to 128 GB (not included); or HomeBase 3 storage |
| AI | Person/vehicle detection, motion tracking; BionicMind with HomeBase 3 |
| Compatibility | Alexa, Google Assistant; NO HomeKit |
| Weather resistance | IP65 |
| Audio | 2-way with noise cancellation |
| SKU model | T8171121 |
| Dimensions / weight | 120 × 90 × 90 mm · ~600 g |
Frequently asked questions
Is the SoloCam E30 really 4K? No. It is 2K (2304×1296), not 4K. Some inaccurate marketing claims have caused confusion. The official eufy product page clearly states 2K. For native 4K, look at other eufy series.
Can I use it without a microSD card? Yes, but clips aren't saved locally and are lost after the notification. For serious use, put in a 32-64 GB microSD card, or connect a HomeBase 3.
How much sun does the panel need? 2-3 hours of direct sun a day keep the 10,000 mAh battery practically always charged. With less sun, the charge drops but it stays operational even in winter (with some margin).
Is it compatible with HomeKit? No. Only Alexa and Google Assistant. For native HomeKit, look at the Indoor Cam E220 or the eufyCam 2C.
Is the jump to the S340 worth it? Only if you really need the optical telephoto for zooming in on distant details (>5 m) or want an all-in-one device with an integrated panel. Otherwise the E30 is the sweet spot for quality and price.
Does it work with the original HomeBase (HomeBase 2)? No. The E30 requires the HomeBase 3 (S380) for centralised storage and BionicMind. It is not backward compatible with HomeBase 2.
More eufy reviews on SpazioITech: eufy SoloCam S340 · eufy Video Doorbell E340 · eufy HomeBase 3 · eufy Floodlight Cam E340 · eufy SoloCam S230 · eufy Indoor Cam E220 · eufy Indoor Cam C210 · eufy Indoor Cam C120 · eufy Wall Light Cam S100 · eufyCam 2C.
eufy SoloCam E30
Translated from the Italian original. Read in Italian
