CCTV Camera Lens Calculations

Using Field of View and Lens Focal Length tab you can calculate camera lens focal length, field of view and find best camera position.

To calculate the field of view or lens focal length of CCTV camera you need to know some parameters of installation. If you need to calculate the lens focal length you should specify following parameters:

• Distance from Camera - Maximum distance from Camera to target.
• Camera Installation Height - CCTV camera installation height.
• Field of View: Height - Height of the target. When you select Field of View(FOV) Height and camera installation height the software calculates camera Tilt.
• Field of View: Width - Other option is to specify FOV width instead of height. Just enter desired width of field of view (viewing area) for specified camera distance. If you modify FOV parameters the Focal Length and Viewing Angles will be automatically recalculated. Other option is to specify viewing angles instead of FOV Width. In this case FOV and Camera Focal Length will be calculated automatically.
• Camera Sensor Format - CCD or CMOS sensor size (sensor format). You can choose the sensor format from: 1/4″, 1/3″, 1/2″, 2/3″, and 1″. Usually you can find the sensor format in camera specification. Typical value for network camera with VGA resolution is 1/4″. For many cameras with CCD sensor - 1/3″. Megapixel cameras can use other formats like 1/2″ or 1″.

The 3D Camera View window shows results of camera view 3D-modeling with 2 floating test objects - first on the specified distance and second on bottom camera line. The user can add additional test object (a yellow man. height=180cm) by clicking on the drawing .

In case if you have fixed lens with known lens focal length and need to calculate Field of View you can just enter the Lens Focal Length parameter and get Field of View and Viewing Angles calculated.

See Video Tutorial, IP Video System Design Tool, CCTV Design Tool;