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Lens selection &
focal length optics

Every veylo camera runs the same sensor pipeline, the same AI detection and the same night processing. The lens is what changes the picture. Wide sees more, focused sees further — and the right answer is usually a mix of both across one property.

A 2.8 mm lens is like your smartphone lens — wide and great for close spaces. A 4.0 mm lens is like taking one step forward: it narrows the field slightly so distant faces and license plates down a long driveway stay sharp and readable.

Focal length comparison chart

Field of view, effective identification distance, optimal mounting height and the scenarios each lens is built for.

Focal lengthField of viewEffective identification distanceOptimal mounting heightBest use-case scenarios
2.8 mmWide angle (~110°)0–25 ft7–10 ft
  • Porches
  • Foyers
  • Close-up driveways
  • Patio doors
  • Small offices
4.0 mmFocused angle (~85°)20–55 ft9–14 ft
  • Long fence lines
  • Side yards
  • Gates
  • Long hallways
  • Specific parking stalls
2.8–12 mmMotorized zoom (~110°–32°)Custom up to 100+ ft8–18 ft
  • Commercial entry gates
  • Multi-lane parking
  • Variable height poles

Lens by lens

Wide angle (~110°)

2.8 mm

Identification
0–25 ft
Mounting height
7–10 ft
  • Porches
  • Foyers
  • Close-up driveways
  • Patio doors
  • Small offices
Focused angle (~85°)

4.0 mm

Identification
20–55 ft
Mounting height
9–14 ft
  • Long fence lines
  • Side yards
  • Gates
  • Long hallways
  • Specific parking stalls
Motorized zoom (~110°–32°)

2.8–12 mm

Identification
Custom up to 100+ ft
Mounting height
8–18 ft
  • Commercial entry gates
  • Multi-lane parking
  • Variable height poles

How to choose your focal length

01

Measure the distance, not the room

Stand where the camera will be mounted and pace out to the spot where you need to recognize a face or read a plate. That distance — not the size of the yard — decides the lens.

02

Pick coverage or reach

A wide lens spreads the same pixels across more scene, so everything is visible but distant faces get soft. A longer lens concentrates those pixels on a narrower slice for identification at range.

03

Set the mounting height to match

Mount too high and you record the tops of heads. Wide lenses want 7–10 ft; focused lenses tolerate 9–14 ft; motorized zoom can live on a pole up to 18 ft.

04

Mix lenses across the property

Most properties end up with wide lenses at the doors and patios and focused lenses down the driveway, fence line and side yard. Every camera shares the same AI and image processing, so mixing costs you nothing in features.

Mistakes we correct on site walkthroughs

Using one wide lens for the whole property

A 2.8 mm lens on a 60 ft driveway shows that someone was there but rarely who. Point a focused lens down the long axis instead.

Chasing megapixels instead of focal length

Resolution adds pixels; focal length decides where those pixels land. A 5 MP camera with the right lens out-identifies an 8 MP camera with the wrong one.

Mounting a focused lens too close

At under 15 ft a 4 mm lens crops out the approach and the sides. Keep close-range doors, porches and foyers on the wide lens.

Ignoring where the light comes from

A narrow lens aimed into a low sun or a porch light washes out. Angle across the light source, or move the camera a few feet, before changing lenses.

We pick the lenses during the walkthrough.

Every camera costs the same regardless of lens, so the only thing that matters is aiming each one where it earns its keep. Build your system and we finalize the optics on site.

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