Remote zoom and focus enable you to make small adjustments to your field of view post-installation. For example, if snow makes an area too bright which blurs your image, you can adjust this using P-iris.

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When you’re adjusting the varifocal field of view, you can manually set the viewing angle and depth of field. This enables you to monitor a specific of interest area within a scene.

Their relative simplicity, competitive price and choice of models make fixed view cameras popular for homes and small businesses. For general surveillance, they’re usually very effective.

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In short, fixed lens cameras give a specific field of view, while the viewing angle of a varifocal is set during installation. The moving parts and lens adjustment required for varifocals increase the price of a camera.

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With a varifocal camera, you adjust the lens to focus on the area of interest. This, therefore, allows you to utilise the full resolution of the camera, producing a high-quality image.

These cameras come with a pre-configured lens which gives you a fixed field of view. With few moving parts, fixed-view cameras provide a simple set-up.

If your use of a system changes over time, then a varifocal camera can adapt to your business needs. For example, if you start off needing an overview, then later wish to focus on a specific area, you can do so with an adjustment.

Axis P1455-LE 3mm-9mm, 37° to 114° horizontal field of view or 11mm-29mm, 11° to 29° horizontal field of view

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If you're trying to do the same with a static camera you need to use the digital zoom, however the image quality may be reduced. This is because digital zoom enlarges the original image, using less pixels to give you the view you require.

The lack of moving parts makes the installation easy. There’s no need to adjust the focal length or angle of view, just point the camera in the right direction and away you go.

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Due to their lack of moving parts fixed view cameras are the most cost-effective on the market. We currently offer a  number of models for around £150 (exc. VAT).

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Varifocal IP cameras have a to and from range, most typically covering somewhere between 2.8 and 12mm. For long-distance surveillance like licence plate recognition cameras a range of 5 to 60mm is common.

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There you have it! You should now know that the lens is the difference between fixed and varifocal cameras. As well as knowing that fixed are useful for budget-conscious installations which require an overview. For sites requiring precise monitoring, a varifocal would be a better choice.

It can be difficult to envision the exact field of view you require in a site. This is what makes a varifocal ideal – you can adjust the lens to get the desired view.

The key benefit to a varifocal camera is the flexibility this gives you during installation. They allow you to adjust the lens between the top and bottom limits of its view angle. This flexibility does come with an increase in cost.

With an adjustable lens, varifocal cameras allow you to adjust until you have the perfect field of view. Unlike pan tilt zoom models, this adaptability is used for installation only. Once your field of view is set, it stays the same, until it is adjusted - manually (as in the video below) or automatically by the camera.

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AC power supply, Vlock or Gold adapter, DMX 512 splitter cable in&out, foldable Snapgrid, removable barn doors, cordura case, hard case

AC power supply, Vlock or Gold adapter, DMX 512 splitter cable in&out, foldable Snapgrid, removable barn doors, cordura case, hard case

If you’re looking for general surveillance, fixed-view models are perfect. You choose a camera which will give you the closest match to the scene you want to monitor, mount it and that’s it.

For example, if your camera is mounted at a distance from your subject, a fixed lens may include unnecessary detail. By adjusting the lens, varifocal cameras ensure your field of view only includes the subject you’re interested in.

One of the most frequent questions we get asked is the reason some cameras are priced differently to others. There’s often a variety of reasons, but one of the main culprits is the lens.