When most people think of dashcams, they imagine wide-angle lenses capturing general road views. But what if your dashcam could zoom in and clearly capture license plates—even from 20 meters away?
That's exactly what the VIOFO RTC420 Telephoto Camera is designed to do. As our first telephoto dashcam, it redefines clarity and precision by combining 4x optical zoom, the Sony STARVIS 2 sensor, and advanced HDR technology to capture details that a traditional dashcam might miss. It’s the best dashcam for capturing clear license plates and perfectly complements a wide-angle lens.
Let’s dive into why the telephoto dashcam RTC420 is the best dashcam for license plate capture.
Why Does the Telephoto Dashcam Stand Out?
4x Optical Zoom for Precise Capture
Equipped with an advanced 4x optical zoom, the RTC420 telephoto camera is designed to focus on the details that matter most. While it has a narrower field of view compared to wide-angle lenses, it shines when clarity is critical—capturing distant license plates, road signs, and vehicles with impressive clarity.
Need proof? It can clearly capture license plates from 20 meters away even in motion—something standard dashcams often miss.
Cutting-Edge Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 Sensor
The Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 1/2.8'' 5MP image sensor reduces motion blur during fast movement and minimizes image noise, delivering smooth, sharp footage in all lighting conditions.
With 2.5 times the dynamic range of a similar-sized STARVIS pixel in a single exposure, it captures high-contrast scenes with remarkable clarity—day or night.
Stunning 2K Resolution
The RTC420 telephoto camera captures crisp, high-definition 2K footage with exceptional clarity, including essential distant details such as license plates, road signs, or even scenic views with minimal distortion.
Excellent HDR Capability
With High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, the RTC420 balances bright highlights and deep shadows to prevent overexposure. This ensures clear, accurate captures of license plates and other key details even when you're on the move.
At night, HDR becomes even more useful. It effectively reduces glare from headlights and enhances visibility of reflective license plates, delivering sharper, more reliable footage in low-light conditions.
Moreover, HDR can be toggled on or off to suit different driving environments, giving you full control over performance.
The Perfect Partner to Your Front Camera
The RTC420 telephoto camera is designed to perfectly complement your wide-angle front camera, expanding your field of view while adding powerful zoom capabilities. It captures detailed 2K footage of distant objects like license plates that a standard wide-angle lens might miss.
That’s why we launched the A329T Dashcam, available in four flexible options:
▪️ A329T 3CH: 4K front + 2K rear + 2K telephoto camera
▪️ A329T 2CH: 4K front + 2K telephoto camera
▪️ A329TW 3CH: 4K front + 2K waterproof rear + 2K telephoto camera
▪️ A329TC 3CH: 4K front + 2K fisheye cabin camera + 2K telephoto camera
Choose the setup that best fits your driving style and security needs.
Why Do You Need the Telephoto Dashcam?
Standard dashcams often struggle to capture details beyond the near surroundings—license plates and road signs in the distance often appear blurry.
That’s where VIOFO’s telephoto dashcam comes in. Engineered to go beyond typical coverage, the RTC420 is built for long-range clarity. It combines a 4x optical zoom, a Sony STARVIS 2 sensor, and advanced HDR technology to deliver sharp, distortion-free 2K footage, even in low-light conditions.
Unlike traditional cameras that often blur scenes, the RTC420 brings faraway objects like license plates into sharp focus, making it your most reliable camera for capturing critical evidence on the road.
If clarity from a distance matters to you, the A329T is the dashcam you’ve been waiting for.
Capture Crystal-Clear License Plates From a Distance (Daytime)
In North America, license plates are generally smaller than those in Europe, which makes the telephoto camera even more useful in this region. You'll be amazed at how clearly distant license plates can be captured.
(Telephoto Camera—Las Vegas Road Test)
Reflective License Plates? Capture Everything Clearly, Even at Night
With HDR enabled, the telephoto camera balances extreme contrasts at night and prevents overexposure, making it easy to capture reflective plates clearly under headlights.
(Telephoto camera view at night)
What the Experts Say: Real Review from Vortex Radar
Vortex Radar, a trusted YouTube channel with over 152,000 followers, is known for its in-depth, professional reviews of radar detectors, laser jammers, and dash cameras.
Here’s what he had to say about the A329T Telephoto Dashcam:
▪️ "The telephoto camera allows you to capture those additional smaller details like license plates better, which a traditional wide-angle lens might miss."
▪️ "The telephoto camera can better capture a smaller license plate compared to a wide-angle camera."
▪️ "The telephoto camera also helps deal with motion blur. It may be the only camera that is able to capture a license plate clearly when the lighting starts to dip."
(Better details)
(Less motion blur)
More review details from Vortex Radar: Viofo A329T Review: Best Dashcam for License Plates
Final Thoughts
One of the greatest advantages of a telephoto dashcam is its ability to capture what standard wide-angle cameras often can't—license plates and critical details at a distance, with perfect clarity.
Ready to experience the difference for yourself?
Mount the RTC420 telephoto camera on your windshield and drive with confidence. With its 4x optical zoom, Sony STARVIS 2 sensor, and 2K resolution, it brings distant objects into sharp focus—so you never miss a moment that matters.
Learn More Details about the A329T Series: