CCTV Lens Guide
Unless selecting a vari-focal camera (with an adjustable lens) It is important to select the correct camera lens option for where the camera is to be positioned. A smaller lens will give you a wider angle but will be “zoomed out more”, while a bigger lens will narrow the angle down and “zoom in more”. See below to give you some idea on angles of Megapixel HD Cameras:
Lens in mm |
Approx Viewing Angle (degrees) |
Ideal Distance (metres) |
Typical usage/notes |
2.8 |
106 |
<6 |
For seeing as much of the immediate area as possible such as above a doorway/low down/garage soffits (edges can appear slightly warped/distorted) – clearly “zoomed out” |
3.6/4 |
83-90 |
<12 |
A great general purpose option giving great coverage still in the corner of a room or higher up on second floor soffits with less distortion – more of a natural “zoom” |
6 |
56 |
6-20 |
Narrows down the angle and zooms in to look past the immediate area a little to gain more detail – down a driveway for example from higher up |
12 |
24 |
20+ |
Zooms in significantly more to look at a gate, entrance or adjascent building |
16 |
19 |
24+ |
As above but more so |