📷 PTZ Camera Zoom Distance Calculator
Calculate field of view, coverage width, and target size at any distance for PTZ surveillance cameras
| Focal Length | H. FOV (1/2.8" Sensor) | Coverage @ 50ft | Coverage @ 100ft | Coverage @ 200ft | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8mm | 90° | 100 ft | 200 ft | 400 ft | Wide area overview |
| 4mm | 72° | 72 ft | 144 ft | 288 ft | Room / yard overview |
| 6mm | 54° | 54 ft | 108 ft | 216 ft | Parking lot, lobby |
| 8mm | 40° | 37 ft | 73 ft | 146 ft | Entrance, driveway |
| 12mm | 28° | 25 ft | 50 ft | 100 ft | Hallways, perimeter |
| 25mm | 14° | 12 ft | 25 ft | 50 ft | Mid-range detail |
| 50mm | 7° | 6 ft | 12 ft | 25 ft | Long-range detail |
| 100mm | 3.5° | 3 ft | 6 ft | 12 ft | Street / property line |
| Zoom Ratio | Min Focal Length | Max Focal Length | Min H. FOV | Max H. FOV | Best Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4x | 3mm | 12mm | 28° | 90° | Small rooms, offices |
| 10x | 3mm | 30mm | 14° | 90° | Medium areas, retail |
| 18x | 4.7mm | 84mm | 6° | 72° | Parking, warehouses |
| 20x | 5mm | 100mm | 5.6° | 67° | Large sites, stadiums |
| 30x | 4.3mm | 129mm | 4.5° | 74° | City streets, borders |
| 36x | 3.4mm | 122mm | 4.8° | 87° | Highway, ports |
| 40x | 4mm | 160mm | 3.5° | 72° | Long-range perimeter |
| Resolution | Focal 6mm @ 1/2.8" | Focal 12mm @ 1/2.8" | Focal 25mm @ 1/2.8" | Focal 50mm @ 1/2.8" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 720p (1280px) | 26 ft | 51 ft | 107 ft | 213 ft |
| 1080p (1920px) | 38 ft | 77 ft | 160 ft | 320 ft |
| 4MP (2560px) | 51 ft | 102 ft | 213 ft | 427 ft |
| 4K (3840px) | 77 ft | 154 ft | 320 ft | 640 ft |
| 8K (7680px) | 154 ft | 307 ft | 640 ft | 1280 ft |
★ Identification distance assumes 25 pixels per foot minimum density on a human-sized subject (2ft wide).
PTZ cameras allow pan, tilt and zoom. Like this one can turn the camera left and right tilt it upward or down, and zoom in either way. Compared to average CCTV cameras with fixed lens, PTZ devices offer much more freedom in use.
The zoom function relies on optical zoom, which helps to reach more detailed image without lowering the overall quality. Also some models include digital zoom, that starts when one arrives at the maximum of the optical range.
PTZ Cameras: How They Pan, Tilt and Zoom
Such cameras are made from mechanical parts, like motors and other engines, that means robotic activity. They fit to twist whole 360 degrees, tilt until 90 degrees and zoom according to the kind of the model. This makes them fit for watching vast spaces, for instance big parkings, stores or halls.
One single device commonly replaces the task of several fixed cameras.
One can control a ptz camera directly by means of special software, joystick, mouse or cell. Moreover, one installs them to automatically follow set ways, where the camera itself will turn, tilt and zoom to certain places. Some models switch between preset positions and zoom automatically, when they detect movement.
Tracking of cars is another useful feature, by means of which the camera itself tracks a moving object.
The scope of zoom varies between different models. Some only reach 4x zoom, while others go until 36x or even 45x. Use this as guide: at least 3x optical zoom gives enough flexibility for basic uses. If you need too observe from afar, choose 12x until 30x or bigger.
Recall that two lenses with 10x zoom can reach different distance according to the starting focal length. For instance, a lens of 8-80 mm shows objects much more clearly than one of 3-30 mm, although both have the same 10x range.
Almost all PTZ cameras have sensors of 2 until 3 megapixels, because they depend on strong optical zoom. If your budget allows, one finds also 4K resolution. Many users like several setups instead of one ptz camera, because those are not that fast during movement.
In the time that it takes to adjust, one can lose amoment.
PTZ cameras work also in video calls. Software for such meetings means participants control the moves of a ptz camera away from the place, but the admin must first turn on such rights. Some models have built-in IR LEDs, that stay focused on the target during zoom in either way, and provide light until 100 metres.
Features like privacy masking and motion detection appear in many versions.
