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The Daily Insight

How does a Motorised CCTV camera work?

Author

Sarah Cherry

Updated on April 30, 2026

A motorized CCTV camera is a type of camera that comes equipped with motorized lenses. The camera can be adjusted via digital instruction, as opposed to manually having to zoom or focus. The cameras can be altered using apps or software from any computer or device and can be done swiftly and accurately.

Similarly one may ask, what is a motorized camera?

Motorized lens allows you to remotely adjust your camera on your phone or NVR. With optical zoom, you'll never lose detail when zooming in or out. No need of handling the lens, so no more opening up the camera to adjust it.

Beside above, what is the difference between varifocal and motorized? Compared with the conventional manual vari-focal lens, a camera has the motorized zoom lens can automatically adjust the focal length of camera to get clear auto focused image. This makes security camera installation become much quicker and easier.

Similarly, how does a motorized zoom lens work?

The focus and zoom motors allow user control of the focus and zoom functions remotely without direct handling of the lens itself. An IR cut filter built into the lens allows day/night switching in the lens rather than via a separate IR cut module in the camera.

What is a motorized varifocal lens?

A varifocal camera allows you to adjust between its top and bottom limits on its view angle. This means that you have the ability to manually set both the view angle and level of zoom. Use the 12mm setting (12 degrees and about 4x zoom).

Related Question Answers

How do I zoom in with my IP camera?

How to use IP Camera RTSP stream on Zoom
  1. Select the ADD IP CAMERA option > Type in a name for the camera and the cameras RTSP callout.
  2. Now click the + button located in the middle of the manycam client screen > Select IP CAMERAS > Select the IP camera you added.
  3. You should now see video.

How far can security cameras zoom?

A home security camera usually can see in a range between 0 to 70 feet depending on the resolution, sensor and lens it's using. However, there are also professional cameras such as high-resolution PTZs that can see further away, with a distance that varies from 0 to 700 feet.

How do varifocal cameras work?

With an adjustable lens, varifocal cameras allow you to adjust until you have the perfect field of view. Unlike a 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.

How far can a 12mm lens see?

How Different Focal Lengths Compare
Lens Focal Length Angle of View Identification Distance
50mm 230ft
22mm 16° 80ft
12mm 30° 50ft
8mm 42° 40ft

What is the difference between a zoom lens and a varifocal lens?

A varifocal lens is a camera lens with variable focal length in which focus changes as focal length (and magnification) changes, as compared to a parfocal ("true") zoom lens, which remains in focus as the lens zooms (focal length and magnification change).

Can I use IP camera with zoom?

IP Security Cameras with Motorized Optical Zoom: IP or Wi-Fi cameras with motorized zoom allow you to adjust the zoom level of your security cameras remotely from anywhere you are. Zoom in and out with the provided on-screen controls on your security surveillance smartphone app or client software.

What does WDR mean on a camera?

Wide Dynamic Range

Are Varifocals the same as progressive lenses?

Varifocal lenses are sometimes referred to as progressive lenses, but they are actually the same type of lens. This alternative name comes from the progressively increasing/decreasing focal capacity of this lens type.

Is zoom a lens?

A zoom lens is a type of camera lens that offers the photographer a useful range of different focal lengths in a single lens. This is in comparison to a prime lens, which only offers a single focal length. A zoom lens allows for quick and easy re-framing of a scene while staying in the same physical position.

What is fixed lens CCTV?

A CCTV security camera that has a fixed lens is permanently set, meaning that its angle of view, focal length and level of zoom cannot be changed. PTZ Cameras are an example of a popular camera form that include a varifocal, motorised lens.

What is a benefit to using a fixed lens camera?

With fixed lenses, you learn what fits in your picture without having to look through the camera. You can start composing deliberately as you're walking around. Fixed lenses get us moving around, and let us see better because we already know what will fit in our frame.

What are varifocals used for?

Varifocal lenses allow you to see at any distance, because they have different sections for viewing close up and far away and everything in between. So whether you're driving, using a computer, shopping or reading, you can wear one pair of varifocals to accommodate all your vision needs.

What are standard varifocals?

Standard Varifocal lenses are the 'entry-level' varifocal options and are chosen as an enhanced alternative to bifocals. They have clear vision and fairly wide focal areas for distance, reading and 'in-between'.

What is manual varifocal?

The varifocal lens is a light, compact manual iris lens, with an aperture equal to F1. 6. The lens can be used to control the iris for fine tuning e.g. against flicker problems in fluorescent illumination.