Introduction
Varifocal CCTV Camera CCTV systems are very useful systems that enables you to protect your property from thief, burglars and from many outsiders. There are many applications of CCTV camera, looking forward to these applications, a camera that need specializations to protect different types of area, in many environmental conditions, through many obstacles thus need to considered many parameters while choosing a camera.
There are mainly two types of CCTV cameras, Based on the place or conditions where they are installed. Typically categorized as Indoor and Outdoor cameras.
- Dome (Indoor)
- Bullet (Outdoor)
Based of the Type of lenses used
- Fixed lenses Camera (lens size- 2.8mm, 3.6mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 12mm)
- Variable/Adjustable/ Varifocal lenses Camera (lens size- 2.8mm-12mm)
What is Focal Length?
Many of you might have heard of word Focal Length, while selecting a CCTV camera for your surveillance setup. So what exactly this focal length is about, Focal length of lens is the optical distance from the point where the light meets inside the lens to the sensor of camera and it is measured in mm. You can get more detailed information about focal length of lens on Adobe.
Any camera has one main component called lenses. Lenses are the specially designed parts that used to capture images/videos and then processed to give a video stream output.
What is varifocal CCTV camera?
Varifocal camera’s are the one with adjustable focal length. varifocal camera comes with 2.8mm-12mm lens, allow user to adjust the field of view adjusting focal length so you can zoom in without cropping and disturbing image quality. You can adjust the focal length manually as well as there are many cameras that comes with motorized lens.

1. What are the different types of Varifocal CCTV cameras available for different industries?
Varifocal CCTV cameras are the one with variable lens from 2.8mm to 12mm. You can categorize them on the basis of their appearance as below.
- Varifocal Bullet camera- Good for outdoor installations, like long open passage, backyard, gardens etc.
- Varifocal Dome camera- Ideal for indoor use, like large halls, lobby, auditoriums etc.
- Eyeball- Somewhat similar to dome cameras, are able to pivot in any direction from left to right, up to down like a human eye. may be useful in congested areas.
- PTZ Camera- Widely used camera in this segment, as it provides programmed 360 degree movement with optical zoom and motorized lens. Preferred in almost all the industries, road safety applications, remote surveillance.
2. What are the benefits of using a varifocal CCTV camera with a motorized lens?
Lets have a look of number of benefits varifocal camera with motorized lens offers-
- Optical Zoom- motor allows you to adjust the lens and achieve best viewing position, angle and coverage as per application.
- Enhanced Image Quality- With optical zoom image captured are crisp and clear to see. without disturbing the pixel density.
- Motorized lens setup is preferred over manual lens movement.
- Motorized lens setup allows remote controlled operation without need of physical adjustment.
- Motorized lens gives more control over the Camera adjustment.
3. Where does the Varifocal Bullet CCTV camera come from?
Initially with Fixed lens camera can focus on a distance which is directly proportional to the lens size. Ideally every mm in lens size allow camera to see 8-10 ft distance. Adding mechanical assembly with multiple lens size to set camera can easily see further distances up to 120ft (12mm lens). Varifocal lens comes with zoom capabilities. Varifocal lens camera provides mechanical/optical zoom which is far better than digital zoom.
4. What are the key considerations for choosing the right Varifocal CCTV camera for your needs?
- To capture object from more than 50 ft distance.
- Closed area or room having walls creating blind spot when 4mm fixed lens camera is used.
- Budget- Varifocal cameras are expensive, calculate the cost and affordability while considering to use one.
- Consider application areas where long distance monitoring is required.
5. What is the benefits of using a Varifocal CCTV camera with a high-resolution image sensor?
You will get high resolution images at variable distances. Risk of pixel distortion of an image or video is negligible when zoomed.
6. Varifocal CCTV Camera Manufacturers
Below are the well known Varifocal Camera brands can be considered-
7. What are the Features of Varifocal CCTV camera equipped with?
- Sturdy design
- Smart Analytics for Intrusion detection
- HLD/WDR
- Built-in Mic
- Edge storage- Local Storage Support up to 512 GB
- IK10 Vandal proof
- IP67 Protection
- Up to 60m IR Distance
Conclusion-
Varifocal Camera is indeed expensive, but at a premium cost it provides premium image quality, long distance image capture without distorting the quality of the image. Such cameras are also equipped with smart analytics features comes with sturdy design and waterproof protection. Motorized lens allows to adjust lens to zoom-in zoom-out as per the application and requirement, best part is this operation can be performed remotely.