Comparison of Multi-Face Detection Performance on Images Using Haarcascade, Dlib, and RetinaFace

Comparison of Multi-Face Detection Performance on Images Using Haarcascade, Dlib, and RetinaFace

Authors

  • Sabarudin Saputra Universitas Tadulako
  • Adi Jufriansah Universitas Gadjah Mada
  • Muhammad Amirul Mu’min Universitas Muhammadiyah Bima
  • Muhammad Akbar Universitas Tadulako
  • Deni Luvi Jayanto Universitas Tadulako
  • Ayu Hernita Universitas Tadulako

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56741/jnest.v4i03.1134

Keywords:

Multi-Face Detection, Performance Comparison, Haarcascade, Dlib, RetinaFace

Abstract

Multi-face detection presents a significant challenge in computer vision, especially in environments with limited hardware resources. This study compares the performance of three multi-face detection methods—Haarcascade, Dlib (HOG and CNN), and RetinaFace—using a subset of the WIDER FACE dataset in a CPU-only environment without GPU acceleration. The experiment was conducted in two stages using a total of 300 images from the WIDER FACE dataset, which reflect real-world variations such as pose, scale, illumination, expression, and occlusion. Performance evaluation was carried out using precision, recall, F1-score, accuracy, and processing time as metrics. The results show that RetinaFace consistently outperforms the other methods, achieving superior metrics in Recall (0.92), F1-score (0.93), and Accuracy (0.88) on Subset A, and leading across all metrics on Subset B. While Dlib-CNN demonstrates high detection performance, it suffers from very slow processing time. In contrast, Haarcascade delivers the fastest processing speed but performs poorly in terms of evaluation metrics. The experiments also reveal that RetinaFace is the most consistent and reliable method based on standard deviation values of precision (0.01), recall (0.11), F1-score (0.07), and accuracy (0.11). Overall, this study contributes valuable insights for selecting efficient face detection methods under constrained resource conditions.

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Author Biographies

Sabarudin Saputra, Universitas Tadulako

Sabarudin Saputra is a dedicated lecturer in the Informatics Engineering Program under the Department of Information Technology at Universitas Tadulako, Palu, Indonesia. With a strong passion for advancing technology, his research primarily focuses on image processing and computer vision, areas that play a crucial role in developing innovative solutions across various industries. (email: sicoccinela@gmail.com).

Adi Jufriansah, Universitas Gadjah Mada

Adi Jufriansah is a student in the Doctor of Physics Program under the Department of Physics at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. With a strong passion for advancing physics, his research focuses on image/signal processing, biometrics, image analysis, pattern recognition, and mathemtical model. Several grants have been obtained at national and international levels from the International Astronomical Union (IAU). (email: saompu@gmail.com).

Muhammad Amirul Mu’min, Universitas Muhammadiyah Bima

Muhammad Amirul Mu’min is a lecturer in the Computer Science Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Bima, Indonesia. He has a special interest in the fields of Cyber Security, Network Forensics, and Network Security which are then researched to enrich the curriculum and provide in-depth insights. (email: mhamirulmumin@gmail.com).

Muhammad Akbar, Universitas Tadulako

Muhammad Akbar is a lecturer in the Informatics Engineering Program at the Department of Information Technology, at Universitas Tadulako, Palu, Indonesia. His research interests focus on embedded systems, networking, and the Internet of Things (IoT), where he explores innovative solutions to modern technological challenges. (email: akbar.stmikhdy@gmail.com)

Deni Luvi Jayanto, Universitas Tadulako

Deni Luvi Jayanto is a dedicated lecturer in the Informatics Engineering Program under the Department of Information Technology at Universitas Tadulako, Palu, Indonesia. He has strong passion for advancing technology, his research focuses on information system, digital security and medical informatics. (email: deniluvi@untad.ac.id).

Ayu Hernita, Universitas Tadulako

Ayu Hernita is a lecturer in the Information System Program under the Department of Information Technology at Universitas Tadulako, Palu, Indonesia. Her research focuses on machine learning, deep learning, and data mining. She is actively involved in research and the development of artificial intelligence-based technologies applied in various fields such as education, healthcare, and big data analysis. (email: ayunitha@untad.ac.id).

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Published

2025-12-27

How to Cite

Saputra, S., Jufriansah, A., Mu’min, M. A., Akbar, M., Jayanto, D. L., & Hernita, A. (2025). Comparison of Multi-Face Detection Performance on Images Using Haarcascade, Dlib, and RetinaFace. Journal of Novel Engineering Science and Technology, 4(03), 134–146. https://doi.org/10.56741/jnest.v4i03.1134

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