Determine the Best Security Camera Field for Your Needs

Understanding your security camera’s field of view is essential to designing the right surveillance system. Whether you're securing your home, business, or large property, the right lens angle and camera placement can mean the difference between full coverage and blind spots. Use our free Field of View Calculators below to estimate how wide your camera can see or determine the best lens angle needed to monitor specific areas. From wide-angle 2.8mm lenses to powerful PTZ cameras with over 100 feet of zoom, CCTV Security Pros helps you get the most from your surveillance investment.

At CCTV Security Pros, our most popular security cameras come equipped with wide 2.8mm lenses that provide broad coverage ideal for general surveillance. For greater flexibility, we also offer varifocal cameras with adjustable lenses ranging from 2.8mm to 12mm, allowing you to fine-tune your field of view to suit specific monitoring needs. For advanced applications, our PTZ cameras deliver powerful optical zoom capabilities that can be adjusted to see both wide areas and distant objects clearly. Use our easy Field of View Calculators below to choose the perfect camera lens and placement for your property.

Security Camera Field of View Calculator

Estimate how wide an area your security camera can view based on the lens angle and distance from your target area.

Distance to Target Area (in feet):

Select Lens or Camera Type: -- Select Lens Angle -- 2.8mm Wide-Angle (≈ 110°) 4mm Equivalent (≈ 90°) 12mm Zoomed View (≈ 60°) Ultra Wide-Angle Camera (180° Fisheye) PTZ Zoomed In (≈ 30° for >100 ft zoom)

Calculate Field Width

Tip: 2.8–12mm varifocal cameras allow you to adjust between wide and narrow views. PTZ cameras can display wide angle or zoom in to focus on objects over 100 feet away depending on the model.

Camera Lens Angle Finder

Need to cover a specific width at a certain distance? Use this tool to calculate the ideal lens angle for your security camera.

Desired Field of View Width (in feet):

Distance from Camera (in feet):

Calculate Lens Angle

Tip: 2.8mm lenses are around 110°, 4mm ≈ 90°, 12mm ≈ 60°, and PTZ cameras can zoom in to 30° or less.

Field of View Calculator FAQs

What is the field of view of a 2.8mm lens?

A 2.8mm security camera lens typically provides a horizontal field of view around 100° to 110°, making it ideal for wide-area monitoring.

How far can a PTZ camera see?

PTZ cameras can see over 100 feet with optical zoom, depending on lens quality. Many can zoom in on license plates or people from long distances while maintaining clarity.

How do I calculate a security camera’s field of view?

You can estimate field width using the camera’s lens angle and the distance from the viewing area. Our calculator above does the math for you using trigonometric formulas.

What lens angle do I need to cover a specific width?

Use the reverse calculator to determine the best lens angle to cover your desired width at a given distance. This helps you choose between wide-angle, zoom, or PTZ cameras.

What’s the difference between 2.8mm, 4mm, and 12mm lenses?

2.8mm lenses provide a wide 110° view. 4mm offers around 90°. 12mm zooms in further, providing about 60° coverage, useful for monitoring distant or narrow areas.

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At CCTV Security Pros, we offer security camera solutions tailored to every need—from wide-angle lenses ideal for broad coverage to varifocal and PTZ cameras for precise zoom and detail. Our free Field of View Calculator makes it easy to estimate coverage and select the best camera setup for your property. Whether you’re securing a home, business, or large facility, use our calculator or call our experts for personalized guidance to ensure you get the perfect surveillance system.