Camera-equipped smart locks combine keyless entry with a view of the doorstep. The right choice depends on door compatibility, video storage, access methods, privacy requirements, and how the lock will be managed. The eufy Video Smart Lock E330, eufy Video Smart Lock S330, eufy FamiLock S3 Max, and Lockly Vision Elite offer different combinations of camera features and entry options.

This comparison is based on documented product features rather than hands-on testing. Specifications, included accessories, subscription terms, and compatibility can vary by model version or package, so confirm the manufacturer’s current documentation before buying.

Which Smart Locks with Cameras Are Worth Comparing?

For an approved deadbolt replacement, these models are worth comparing according to the feature that matters most:

Model	Main reason to consider it	Important consideration
eufy Video Smart Lock E330	2K camera, fingerprint entry, direct Wi-Fi, and built-in local video storage	Check how its countdown-based auto-lock behaves in your door setup
eufy Video Smart Lock S330	2K camera and included chime with expandable storage	The microSD card is purchased separately
eufy FamiLock S3 Max	Palm-vein recognition, 2K HDR video, and a four-inch interior display	Backup AAA power disables camera and palm-recognition functions
Lockly Vision Elite	Video intercom, fingerprint entry, and offline guest codes	More monthly Offline Access Codes may require a subscription

Start with your most important requirement instead of choosing the model with the longest feature list. A resident may want to view visitors without opening a phone app, while a rental host may prioritize issuing and revoking guest codes. Eliminate models that do not meet your needs or cannot be installed under the property’s rules.

Four Camera-Equipped Smart Locks Compared

eufy Video Smart Lock E330: Built-In Local Video Storage

The E330 combines a fingerprint reader, a 2K camera, and a video doorbell. It supports app control, keypad entry, physical keys, and supported voice assistants, with direct Wi-Fi connectivity. Recorded video is stored in its built-in 8GB eMMC storage, which may appeal to buyers who prefer not to plan around a separate storage card.

Pay attention to its countdown-based auto-lock feature. A timer should not be treated as proof that the door has physically closed. Test what happens when someone pauses in the doorway or leaves the door ajar, and explain the observed behavior in resident or guest instructions.

Review the cloud settings as well. Optional features such as cloud backup or thumbnail notifications may send video or thumbnails to the cloud. Built-in local storage does not necessarily mean every enabled feature operates entirely locally.

eufy Video Smart Lock S330: Chime-Based Expandable Storage

The S330 combines fingerprint access, a 2K camera, and a video doorbell. Its included chime supports expandable video storage with a microSD card up to 128GB; the card is sold separately. App control, keypad access, physical keys, and supported voice assistants provide alternatives to fingerprint entry.

Consider this model if the included chime and expandable storage fit your setup better than built-in storage. Before purchasing, choose a practical location for the chime and include the memory card in your budget. Make sure people responsible for cleaning or maintenance know not to unplug security accessories without checking first.

The main difference between the S330 and E330 is their storage arrangement, not simply camera quality. Decide where you want recordings stored and how much additional equipment you are willing to maintain. Then verify the exact storage and connectivity requirements for the package you plan to buy.

eufy FamiLock S3 Max: Interior Display and Palm Recognition

The FamiLock S3 Max combines palm-vein unlocking, a four-inch interior display, a 2K HDR camera, and a video doorbell. The screen can be useful for residents who want to check the doorstep without opening an app. Eufy also lists Matter and Apple Home support, alongside integration with its own ecosystem.

Understand the dual-power arrangement before installation. The rechargeable battery is supported by AAA backup batteries, but backup operation disables the camera and palm recognition while password entry remains available. Treat backup power as a way to preserve basic access, not full-featured operation.

Check smart-home integration details before choosing a hub setup. Manufacturer documentation identifies restrictions involving simultaneous HomeBase 3 and external ecosystem gateway connections. Confirm the exact configuration you intend to use and whether it supports lock control, camera viewing, and the other features you need.

Lockly Vision Elite: Guest Access and Offline Codes

Lockly Vision Elite combines a camera and video intercom with fingerprint entry and a keypad. The package includes a Vision Connect Hub, two rechargeable batteries, and solar-assisted charging. Its Offline Access Codes can provide single-use or time-limited guest entry without requiring guests to download an app, including when the lock is offline.

Check the access-management terms carefully. Lockly has listed three free Offline Access Codes per month, with a subscription required for more. Because subscription terms can change, confirm the current allowance before relying on the lock for frequent guest turnovers.

Solar assistance should also be assessed at the actual doorway. An interior corridor is very different from a sunlit exterior entrance. Continue to check battery status and test the backup entry method rather than assuming solar assistance removes the need for battery maintenance.

Can Renters Install a Smart Lock with a Camera?

Renters should first confirm that the lease, property manager, and building rules permit both the lock replacement and the camera placement. Request written approval that identifies the proposed model, installation method, and arrangements for authorized property access. Permission to install a smart lock does not automatically cover video or audio recording.

Explain whether the exterior hardware will change, whether drilling is required, who will keep the original lock, and how the door will be restored at move-out. Include the product dimensions and installation guide so the property manager can assess the actual device.

Before buying, confirm the following:

• Hardware changes: Obtain approval for replacing the deadbolt, altering the strike plate, or adding holes.
• Authorized access: Agree on how management can obtain access when permitted and necessary.
• Camera coverage: Check whether the view includes neighboring doors, shared corridors, or other sensitive areas.
• Installation responsibility: Establish who installs, inspects, and maintains the hardware.
• Move-out arrangements: Decide whether the lock stays, transfers to management, or is removed.

For unusual door assemblies, ask the building manager to consult an appropriate installer or door specialist. Do not modify a shared-entry, fire-rated, or unfamiliar locking system based only on a consumer installation video. If approval is not granted, do not proceed with the installation.

A separate lock-and-camera arrangement may be an option when exterior lock hardware must remain unchanged. It is a different setup from an integrated video lock and still requires approval for the camera and its mounting method. Assess each component independently.

Check Door Compatibility and Camera Position

Start with the installation drawings, not promotional photos. For example, Lockly specifies door-thickness, bore-hole, and backset requirements for Vision Elite. Compare those measurements with the actual door, and check the full interior and exterior dimensions for clearance around handles, trim, and nearby surfaces.

Before ordering, work through these checks:

1. Identify the existing lock. Photograph both sides of the door and the door edge to distinguish a conventional deadbolt from an unfamiliar assembly.
2. Measure the opening. Record door thickness, backset, and bore dimensions, then compare them with the selected model’s installation guide.
3. Check operating clearance. Look for handles, storm doors, trim, or walls that could interfere with the lock body.
4. Check door movement. Note any rubbing, sagging, or need to push the door into alignment before the existing bolt turns.
5. Review the camera view. Consider lens height, the visitor’s approach, and neighboring areas before approving installation.

An integrated camera may not capture the same view as a separately positioned doorbell. Eufy warns that a storm door in front of the FamiLock S3 Max may block its view. Assess the complete entrance, including secondary doors and screens, rather than checking only the mounting dimensions.

During the return period, arrange a realistic acceptance test. Have someone approach from normal directions, stand close to the door, and place a package where deliveries usually land. Repeat the test after dark and review the recording, not just the live preview. Confirm that the installed camera answers your actual questions about visitors and deliveries.

Privacy and Account Security

A camera-equipped lock needs a recording policy as well as an access policy. Decide who may view live video, who may retrieve clips, and how long recordings will be retained. In a managed rental, make these responsibilities clear before handing over the app or administrator account.

Airbnb’s camera policy restricts cameras that monitor a home’s interior, subject to the platform’s stated exceptions, and requires disclosure of qualifying exterior cameras, including cameras monitoring an apartment-building hallway. Hosts must also comply with applicable laws; platform permission is not a substitute for checking local requirements. Review Airbnb’s current policy before listing a property.

For a vacation rental, disclose the outward-facing camera clearly in the listing and follow the platform’s current disclosure requirements. Do not position the device to monitor interior living areas or spaces where guests have a greater expectation of privacy.

Protect the connected account as carefully as the physical key. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission recommends using unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication where available, keeping device and app software updated, and securing the home network. Review the camera’s security and encryption information, and consider a separate network for connected cameras.

Use individual permissions wherever the system supports them. Avoid sharing one administrator login among residents, cleaners, and contractors, and review access when someone’s role ends. Separate access administration from routine video viewing unless the same person genuinely needs both.

How Should Landlords Evaluate Smart Locks for Rental Properties?

Choose around the access workflow: who needs entry, when authorization begins and ends, and who responds if something fails. Evaluate the handover process before deciding that a camera or biometric feature justifies the purchase.

Make Guest Entry Simple and Revocable

Build a test scenario around a late arrival. The guest should receive understandable instructions, have a working credential, and know whom to contact if access fails. Avoid making a personal phone, app installation, or biometric enrollment the only practical way to enter.

Ask the manufacturer to demonstrate the exact code workflow you need. Clarify whether credentials can be scheduled, how they are revoked, which functions work offline, and whether additional allowances require payment. Lockly’s distinction between included Offline Access Codes and subscription-expanded allowances illustrates why a feature name alone is not enough.

Separate guest, cleaner, contractor, and owner access where supported. After checkout or a contractor’s final visit, verify that the appropriate credential has been removed or expired. Document the process so another manager can follow it without guessing which code belongs to whom.

Test Outages and Backup Entry

Ask what remains functional when the internet fails, when the rechargeable battery is removed, and when all available batteries are depleted. These are different failure scenarios. Use the selected model’s manual to design a safe test, and keep a working backup entry method available throughout.

The FamiLock S3 Max illustrates why these scenarios should be distinguished: its backup batteries preserve password access while disabling camera and palm-recognition functions. Lockly separately documents offline guest-code capabilities. Neither feature means every function will work during every outage.

For each property, document a fallback plan:

• Who receives low-battery or fault alerts and checks them during absences.
• Who holds the backup key and how authorized occupants can obtain help.
• Who can attend the property if remote troubleshooting fails.
• How staff verify a guest’s identity before providing replacement access.
• How the lock is checked after a battery change, reset, or network update.

Assign Maintenance Responsibility

Assign one person primary responsibility for each lock, with a named backup. During routine property visits, review battery status, inspect the lens, test door operation, and check that guest instructions match the installed settings. Record completed checks where the next responsible person can find them.

Include the lock in move-in, checkout, and management-transfer checklists. When a property changes hands, plan for administrator access, stored credentials, recordings, and any required reset instead of simply handing over the physical keys.

Compare Total Ownership Costs

Compare the complete setup rather than the lock’s purchase price alone. Include any required hub or chime, storage media, approved installation, backup power arrangements, and subscription fees for the workflow you intend to use.

Storage is one useful point of comparison. The E330 has built-in local storage, while the S330 uses its included chime with a separately purchased microSD card. Lockly’s access-management allowances introduce a different potential recurring cost. Verify the current package and terms rather than treating “local storage” or “guest access” as identical across products.

For smart-home integration, request a feature-by-feature check. Confirm whether the intended setup supports remote locking, code administration, live video, recordings, and visitor notifications. Documented connection restrictions are a reason to verify the proposed configuration, not just the ecosystem name on the box.

For multiple units, pilot the setup on one approved door before standardizing. Test installation, guest entry, credential removal, battery maintenance, and administrator transfer. Use the pilot to identify training or support gaps before deploying the same configuration across more properties.

How to Choose the Right Smart Lock with a Camera

The right choice starts with an approved, compatible door and a clear operating plan. The eufy E330 is worth considering for built-in storage, the S330 for its chime-based storage arrangement, the FamiLock S3 Max for its interior display and palm recognition, and Lockly Vision Elite for its documented guest-access options.

Before purchasing, complete three checks: secure installation approval, confirm the camera view, and document the backup entry procedure. Compare storage, access methods, compatibility, privacy, maintenance, and ongoing costs alongside camera resolution and unlocking features.

Sources to Check Before Publishing

Use direct links to the relevant official sources rather than plain-text domain mentions:

• eufy official product pages and support documentation for the E330, S330, and FamiLock S3 Max.
• Lockly’s official Vision Elite product page, support documentation, and current subscription terms.
• Airbnb’s current policy on security cameras and other recording devices.
• The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s guidance on securing connected devices and home networks.

Product specifications, policies, and subscription terms can change. Verify each claim against the current source before publishing.