Security Camera Lenses
Choosing the proper security camera lens is vital to building a surveillance system that records clean and crisp video of the correct-sized area or location. In the CCTV world, lenses range from 1.4mm to 100mm+ and can be used to monitor anything from a small closet to a lighthouse off the banks of the East Coast. We have provided several tools below to assist in your surveillance camera lens selection, and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
 Megapixel Starting at $47.95 |  Varifocal Auto Iris Starting at $27.95 |  Varifocal Manual Iris Starting at $16.95 |
 Monofocal Manual Iris Starting at $7.95 |
The chart below is for 1/3-inch format cameras.
For example, with a 1/3-inch format camera viewing a target area 10 feet away will provide the following target sizes:
2.8mm = 12.9 feet X 17.1 feet
4.0mm = 9.0 feet X 12.0 feet
6.0mm = 6.0 feet X 8.0 feet
8.0mm = 4.5 feet X 6.0 feet
12.0mm = 3.0 feet X 4.0 feet
The chart can also be used in reverse. By knowing the object distance and the required target area, you can determine what lens is required.
For example, using the chart for a 1/3-inch format camera viewing an object distance of 50 feet and a target area of 15 feet by 20 feet:
Scan down the "50 feet" column to the stated target size; scan left to see that a 12mm lens is required for that application.
| Detailed Lens Chart | ||||||
| 5 feet | 10 feet | 25 feet | 50 feet | 75 feet | 100 feet | |
| 2.8mm | 6.4 X 8.6 | 12.9 X 17.1 | 32.1 X 42.9 | 64.3 X 85.7 | 96.4 X 128.6 | 128.6 X 171.4 |
| 4.0mm | 4.5 X 6.0 | 9.0 X 12.0 | 22.5 X 30.0 | 45.0 X 60.0 | 67.5 X 90.0 | 90.0 X 120.0 |
| 6.0mm | 3.0 X 4.0 | 6.0 X 8.0 | 15.0 X 20.0 | 30.0 X 40.0 | 45.0 X 60.0 | 60.0 X 80.0 |
| 8.0mm | 2.3 X 3.0 | 4.5 X 6.0 | 11.3 X 15.0 | 22.5 X 30.0 | 33.8 X 45.0 | 45.0 X 60.0 |
| 12.0mm | 1.5 X 2.0 | 3.0 X 4.0 | 7.5 X 10.0 | 15.0 X 20.0 | 22.5 X 30.0 | 30.0 X 40.0 |
| 16.0mm | 1.1 X 1.5 | 2.3 X 3.0 | 5.6 X 7.5 | 11.3 X 15.0 | 16.9 X 22.5 | 22.5 X 30.0 |
| 25.0mm | 0.7 X 1.0 | 1.4 X 1.9 | 3.6 X 4.8 | 7.2 X 9.6 | 10.8 X 14.4 | 14.4 X 19.2 |
| 50.0mm | 0.4 X 0.5 | 0.7 X 1.0 | 1.8 X 2.4 | 3.6 X 4.8 | 5.4 X 7.2 | 7.2 X 9.6 |
| 75.0mm | 0.2 X 0.3 | 0.5 X 0.6 | 1.2 X 1.6 | 2.4 X 3.2 | 3.6 X 4.8 | 4.8 X 6.4 |