CCTV Lens Selection & Field of View Calculator
Calculate CCTV lens focal length recommendations (2.8mm, 4mm, 6mm, 12mm), field of view coverage width, and DORI pixel density per target distance.
Input Parameters
Calculation Results
- Target Subject Distance
- 8 Meters
- Camera Sensor Resolution
- 1080p
- Recommended Lens Focal Length
- 4 mm
- Recommended Lens Type & Profile
- 4 mm (Standard Angle ~80°)
- Horizontal Field of View (HFoV)
- 80 °
- Scene Coverage Width at Target
- 13.2 Meters
- Pixel Density at Target (PPM)
- 145 px/m
- Achieved DORI Classification
- Recognition (125+ PPM - Recognized Known Person)
- Camera Visual Capability Analysis
- Balanced wide overview and facial detail at medium distances between 6 and 12 meters.
Use 24/7 CMR surveillance drives in NVRs and solid bare copper Cat6 for PoE runs exceeding 50 meters.
| DORI Level | Min Density | Max Distance | Visual Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detection | 25 px/m | 46.5 Meters | Detect human presence in the scene (25 PPM) |
| Observation | 62 px/m | 18.8 Meters | Observe clothing details and activities (62 PPM) |
| Recognition | 125 px/m | 9.3 Meters | Recognize whether the individual is someone known (125 PPM) |
| Identification | 250 px/m | 4.7 Meters | Positive facial identification beyond legal doubt (250 PPM) |
Ringkasan Kalkulasi Lensa & Standar DORI CCTV – InfraCalc.web.id Jarak Target : 8 meter (Lebar Pandang FoV: ±13.2 m) Resolusi Sensor: 2 MP (1080p Full HD - 1920×1080) Rekomendasi : Lensa 4 mm (Standard Angle ~80°) Kerapatan Piksel: ~145 PPM (Recognition (125+ PPM - Mengenali Orang Dikenal)) Catatan DORI : Seimbang antara lebar area dan detail wajah pada jarak menengah 6–12 meter. Batas DORI EN 62676-4: - Deteksi (25 PPM) : s/d 46.5 meter - Observasi (62 PPM) : s/d 18.8 meter - Pengenalan (125 PPM) : s/d 9.3 meter - Identifikasi (250 PPM): s/d 4.7 meter
Technical Accuracy Note: Calculation results are engineering estimates based on standard RFC/IEEE/ITU-T models. Actual field performance may vary due to protocol overhead, hardware specifications, and environmental factors.
How to Use This Tool
- Enter the estimated distance between the camera position and the primary target object in meters.
- Select your intended camera sensor resolution (such as 1080p Full HD, 4MP 2K QHD, or 4K 8MP).
- Review the recommended lens focal length (2.8mm, 4mm, 6mm, or 12mm), scene coverage width in meters, and DORI level.
Worked Example: Cashier Counter / Retail Room (4m Distance, 1080p)
Worked example: A target object at 8 meters on a 1080P sensor produces a recommendation for a 4 mm (Standard Angle ~80°). At this range, horizontal scene width spans ±13.2 meters with an effective density of ~145 PPM (Recognition (125+ PPM - Recognized Known Person)). Maximum range for positive identification (250 PPM) reaches 4.7 meters.
- Target Object Distance
- 4 Meters
- Camera Sensor Resolution
- 2 MP (1080p Full HD - 1920×1080)
- Target Subject Distance
- 4 Meters
- Camera Sensor Resolution
- 1080p
- Recommended Lens Focal Length
- 2.8 mm
- Recommended Lens Type & Profile
- 2.8 mm (Ultra Wide ~103°)
- Horizontal Field of View (HFoV)
- 103 °
- Scene Coverage Width at Target
- 9.6 Meters
- Pixel Density at Target (PPM)
- 200 px/m
- Achieved DORI Classification
- Recognition (125+ PPM - Recognized Known Person)
- Camera Visual Capability Analysis
- Ideal for wide rooms/cashier/parking. Crisp facial identification up to ±4-5 meters.
- Material Requirement Summary (Copy-Ready)
- Ringkasan Kalkulasi Lensa & Standar DORI CCTV – InfraCalc.web.id Jarak Target : 4 meter (Lebar Pandang FoV: ±9.6 m) Resolusi Sensor: 2 MP (1080p Full HD - 1920×1080) Rekomendasi : Lensa 2.8 mm (Ultra Wide ~103°) Kerapatan Piksel: ~200 PPM (Recognition (125+ PPM - Mengenali Orang Dikenal)) Catatan DORI : Cocok untuk pantau ruangan luas/kasir/parkir dekat. Identifikasi wajah tajam hingga ±4-5 meter. Batas DORI EN 62676-4: - Deteksi (25 PPM) : s/d 32 meter - Observasi (62 PPM) : s/d 12.9 meter - Pengenalan (125 PPM) : s/d 6.4 meter - Identifikasi (250 PPM): s/d 3.2 meter
| DORI Level | Min Density | Max Distance | Visual Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detection | 25 px/m | 32 Meters | Detect human presence in the scene (25 PPM) |
| Observation | 62 px/m | 12.9 Meters | Observe clothing details and activities (62 PPM) |
| Recognition | 125 px/m | 6.4 Meters | Recognize whether the individual is someone known (125 PPM) |
| Identification | 250 px/m | 3.2 Meters | Positive facial identification beyond legal doubt (250 PPM) |
Core Concept & Engineering Notes
How It Was Calculated (Formulas & Steps)
Mathematical Formulas
- Object Distance <= 6 m: Recommended Lens 2.8 mm (Ultra Wide ~103°, Scene Width = Dist × 2.4)
- Object Distance 6–12 m: Recommended Lens 4.0 mm (Standard Angle ~80°, Scene Width = Dist × 1.65)
- Object Distance 12–20 m: Recommended Lens 6.0 mm (Narrow Focus ~50°, Scene Width = Dist × 0.90)
- Object Distance > 20 m: Recommended Lens 12 mm / Varifocal (~25°, Scene Width = Dist × 0.45)
- Pixel Density (PPM) = Sensor Horizontal Pixels / Scene Coverage Width (m)
- DORI Distance Reach (m) = Sensor Pixels / (Threshold PPM × Lens Width Factor)
Step-by-Step Calculation
- 1. Target Distance: 8 meters -> Evaluated heuristic focal length brackets (<=6m: 2.8mm, <=12m: 4mm, <=20m: 6mm, >20m: 12mm)
- 2. Selected Lens: 4 mm (Standard Angle ~80°) with ~80° Horizontal Field of View (FoV)
- 3. Scene Width at Target: 8 m × 1.65 width factor = ±13.2 meters
- 4. Pixel Density: 1920 horizontal pixels / 13.2 m = 145 PPM [Recognition (125+ PPM - Recognized Known Person)]
- 5. EN 62676-4 DORI Maximum Reach for 2 MP (1080p Full HD - 1920×1080):
- - Identification (250 PPM): 4.7 m
- - Recognition (125 PPM): 9.3 m
- - Observation (62 PPM): 18.8 m
- - Detection (25 PPM): 46.5 m
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the primary operational difference between 2.8 mm and 4 mm CCTV lenses?
A 2.8 mm lens provides a wide ~103° FoV capturing expansive indoor areas, but subjects appear further away with reduced facial detail. A 4 mm lens offers an ~80° FoV with roughly 1.4x optical magnification, rendering human facial features at 6–10 meters significantly sharper and easier to identify.
When should I choose a varifocal or motorized zoom lens instead of a fixed lens?
Varifocal optics (such as 2.8–12 mm) are strongly recommended when precise target distances cannot be confirmed during preliminary surveys, or on perimeter gate poles where security personnel need to tune optical zoom and focal depth directly from the NVR interface without physical ladder access.
Can a 4K (8MP) sensor compensate for a wide 2.8 mm lens over long distances?
4K resolution quadruples horizontal pixel counts, allowing deeper post-recording digital cropping than 1080p. Nonetheless, optical physics dictate that telephoto glass (6mm or 12mm) maintains superior optical MTF contrast and clarity without digital compression grain at distances beyond 15 meters.
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References & Notes
- EN 62676-4: Video surveillance systems for use in security applications - Application guidelines
- Hikvision Lens Selection and Field of View Technical Guide
- Dahua Security Optical Focal Length and DORI Calculation Standards
Note: Results above are mathematical estimates based on standard formulas. Always verify against official vendor documentation and site conditions before production deployment.
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Engineering Sensitivity Analysis, Response Curve & Technical Citation
1. 1. 3-Point Engineering Sensitivity & Tolerance Envelope
Comparative evaluation across theoretical laboratory bounds (0% loss), current nominal operating point, and conservative field safety bounds (±15% thermal/aging derating).
| Evaluated Parameter | Ideal Theoretical Bound | Nominal Operating Point | Conservative Safety Bound (±15%) | Engineering Derating Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target Subject Distance | 7.2 | 8 | 9.2 | Engineering Safety Margin (+15% Overhead) |
| Camera Sensor Resolution | 972 p | 1,080 p | 1,242 p | Engineering Safety Margin (+15% Overhead) |
| Recommended Lens Focal Length | 3.6 | 4 | 4.6 | Engineering Safety Margin (+15% Overhead) |
| Horizontal Field of View (HFoV) | 72 | 80 | 92 | Engineering Safety Margin (+15% Overhead) |
| Scene Coverage Width at Target | 11.88 | 13.2 | 15.18 | Engineering Safety Margin (+15% Overhead) |
2. 2. Mathematical Function Curve & Operating Coordinate (x₀, y₀)
3. 3. Physical Constants & Normative Standard Clauses
Minimum Horizontal Pixel Density for Identification (DORI)
Clause 6.5 & Table A.1 (25 / 62 / 125 / 250 px/m) — Video surveillance standard specifies Detection=25 px/m, Observation=62 px/m, Recognition=125 px/m, Identification=250 px/m.
DC Loop Resistance for 23 AWG Solid Copper Cat6
Clause 6.4.1 / Table 145-1 — Nominal 23 AWG solid copper loop resistance at 20°C is 14.0 Ω/100m (TIA maximum ceiling is 18.8 Ω/100m).
Temperature Coefficient of Resistance for Copper
International Annealed Copper Standard — Used in thermal derating equation: R(T) = R_20 × [1 + 0.00393 × (T - 20)].
4. 4. Independent Technical & Academic Citation (IEEE / APA 7th / BibTeX / LaTeX)
Use the standard citation formats below to reference this computational methodology in engineering specifications, audit reports, or academic papers.
[IEEE] KalkuNet Engineering Team, "CCTV Lens Selection & Field of View Calculator — Standard Engineering Computational Instrument," KalkuNet Technical Suite, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://kalkunet.com/en/tools/cctv-lens-calculator. [Accessed: 2026-11-08].
[APA 7th] KalkuNet Engineering Team. (2026). CCTV Lens Selection & Field of View Calculator (Production release 2026-11-08) [Engineering computational software]. KalkuNet. https://kalkunet.com/en/tools/cctv-lens-calculator
@software{kalkunet_cctv_lens_calculator_2026,
author = {{KalkuNet Engineering Team}},
title = {{CCTV Lens Selection & Field of View Calculator --- KalkuNet Engineering Suite}},
year = {2026},
publisher = {KalkuNet.com},
url = {https://kalkunet.com/en/tools/cctv-lens-calculator},
urldate = {2026-11-08}
}
% LaTeX Engineering Derivation — Generated via https://kalkunet.com/en/tools/cctv-lens-calculator
\begin{equation}
\text{Model: } Object Distance <= 6 m: Recommended Lens 2.8 mm (Ultra Wide ~103°, Scene Width = Dist × 2.4)
\end{equation}
% Parameter Input Terukur: targetDistM = 8, \; resolution = 1080p
% Hasil Evaluasi Numerik : targetDistM = \mathbf{8}, \; resolution = \mathbf{1080p}, \; recommendedFocalMm = \mathbf{4}