Quick answer: A maximum IR distance is a manufacturer’s illumination figure, not a guaranteed detection, recognition or identification distance. Start with the required recorded detail, actual horizontal field of view and target distance, then test illumination, motion and exposure at night. A 2.8mm lens does not have one universal identification range. Specify the applicable standard edition and acceptance task instead of treating the older DORI numbers as a promise.
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Illumination distance vs identification distance
The named catalog examples list 30m, 50m, 80m and 300m maximum IR distances. These are product rows under the manufacturer’s stated conditions, not a standard human-detection result or evidence guarantee. Obtain the exact model’s test assumptions and verify the required recorded detail in the proposed scene.
Subject lighting and pixel density are separate limits. Illumination is affected by distance, beam shape, reflectivity, exposure, weather and nearby surfaces; a simple inverse-square illustration does not establish a camera’s usable range. The older IEC 62676-4:2014 DORI scale used 25/63/125/250 px/m. IEC published edition 2 in 2025, so state which edition the project requires and do not present the older identification label as a current universal acceptance threshold. The 2025 operator-task density explanation supports the table below. This is a visual human-operator planning model, with separate definitions for analytics and thermal imaging; the 250px/m label is Characterize, not a universal identification promise.
How lens and resolution decide what the IR actually shows
For an ideal rectilinear horizontal view, scene width W = 2 × distance × tan(horizontal angle/2), and pixel density = recorded horizontal pixels ÷ W. With an assumed 100° view and 3,840 recorded pixels, 50m gives about 119m width and 32px/m; 30m gives about 71.5m and 54px/m. At 250px/m the same ideal geometry gives about 6.4m, but that is a density calculation, not a tested face-identification distance. Use the exact model’s FOV, recorded output, distortion and actual scene.
A narrower view can increase pixels on the target, while reducing the area covered. For example, 2,560 pixels across an ideal 28° view reach 250px/m at about 20.5m. That is an assumed geometric example, not a performance claim for CS-I4US L-2.8-12mm or a guarantee of recognition at its maximum IR distance. Confirm lens/FOV, lighting and recorded motion detail. The field of view and lens calculator covers the arithmetic.
| 2025 operator-task label | Planning density (px/m) |
|---|---|
| Overview | 20 |
| Outline | 40 |
| Discern | 80 |
| Perceive | 125 |
| Characterize | 250 |
| Validate | 500 |
| Scrutinize | 1500 |
Smart IR and overexposure
A close subject can be overexposed by IR, but the result depends on the scene, optics and exposure controls. Smart IR options and their behavior are model/firmware specific; do not assume an LED-power slider or a particular shutter response from the name. Test available controls at the nearest and farthest required subject positions while preserving motion detail.
Check aim, reflective surfaces, dome cleanliness and the lighting path before changing exposure. A low-light or white-light alternative may fit a doorway, but it still needs the target, motion and privacy review. The full color night vision explained guide covers those alternatives; no lighting type is automatically best for every door or long view.
Four things that shrink the usable IR range
- Rain, snow, fog and airborne material can reduce usable night detail and create reflections. Confirm the manufacturer’s conditions and test representative site conditions rather than assuming that the printed reach applies in all weather.
- Nearby surfaces can reflect IR and affect the image. Check the actual beam, wall/soffit, branches and dome condition; do not use a universal 2m clear zone in place of the manufacturer’s installation instructions and a night test.
- Heat. CS-P48 63X prints −40°C to 70°C with IR off and −40°C to 40°C with IR on. Assess the enabled modes, actual ambient conditions and solar load against the approved device requirements; the higher IR-off limit does not authorize IR-on operation at that temperature.
- Insects and webs. Insects or webs close to the lens can reflect illumination and produce unwanted motion events, depending on the scene and event settings. Inspect and maintain the actual device without assuming every insect is attracted by IR itself.
IR range across CASE models (as printed)
The table lists maximum IR and lens rows from the 2027 Q1 catalog. The suggested positions are candidate applications to assess, not a suitability or recorded-detail guarantee based on IR meters. Confirm the exact variant and required task before selecting it.
| SKU | Form | Max. IR Distance (printed) | Lens (printed) | Position it suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS-I8KS SD-2.8mm | 8MP dome, IP67 and IK10 | 98 ft (30 m) | 2.8mm Fixed | Lobby doors, corridors; white light 33 ft (10 m) |
| CS-I8WS SD-2.8mm | 8MP bullet | 164 ft (50 m) | 2.8mm Fixed | Building faces, medium lots; white light 49 ft (15 m) |
| CS-I8XQ II-2.8mm | 8MP deterrence turret | 164 ft (50 m) | 2.8mm Fixed | Entrances and yards with EW; white light 98 ft (30 m) |
| CS-I4US L-2.8-12mm | 4MP motorized varifocal bullet | 262 ft (80 m) | Motorized 2.8-12mm | Fence lines, driveways, dock faces at distance |
| CS-I8TS I-2.7-13.5mm | 8MP varifocal AI bullet | 262 ft (80 m) | 2.7mm – 13.5mm | The same views with the on-camera AI list |
| CS-P24S 23X | 2MP PTZ | 492 ft (150 m) | 5 – 115mm (23X) | Yards and lots with an operator or presets |
| CS-P48 63X | 4MP laser PTZ | 984 ft (300 m) | Motorized lens 5.7-359mm (63X) | Perimeters, large open sites, tracking |
| CS-I4SV S-2.8mm | 4MP PhotonX turret | N/A (no IR) | 2.8mm Fixed | Color at doors from ambient light, 0.0001 Lux; white light 33 ft (10 m) |
Read each full SKU separately. Equal focal-length labels do not establish equal horizontal FOV, recorded pixel density or identification distance across sensors and modes. Zoom can trade coverage for detail, but printed IR reach still is not a guaranteed task distance. The PhotonX alternative lists no IR and uses a different lighting approach; test the actual evidence task before selecting it. Use the IP camera user manual for the actual revision to check supported controls; request missing model-specific documents.
How to test IR range on site
- A bench or tripod test is a useful pre-check. Repeat acceptance at the final approved mounting height, aim and lens setting; the earlier test does not establish the final view.
- Choose measured target positions from the actual task and geometry, including representative near and far positions. Label distances and units, and test the normal and relevant worst-case night-lighting conditions; no fixed cone spacing applies to every site.
- Use an authorized participant or agreed test target for the required stationary and moving tasks and directions. Retain the permitted representative recording; a five-second pose is not a universal test or proof of identification.
- Review the actual recorded stream at its documented output and intended viewing conditions. Score the agreed task, applicable standard edition and acceptance criteria. A face looking usable on one live monitor does not establish a universal identification distance.
- Check near, middle and far positions for overexposure, reflection and lost motion detail. Adjust only supported model-specific controls, aim or lighting as appropriate, then re-test all affected tasks; do not assume a universal IR slider.
- Record the tested conditions, distances, effective view/lens setting, recorded output, relevant exposure/settings and acceptance status. State limits and untested conditions; do not turn the farthest acceptable sample into a guarantee for every person, movement or night.
What to tell your customer
The printed IR reach is an illumination specification. We will choose the view and recording settings for the detail you need at the actual target distance, then verify it at night and during movement. The handover report will state the tested result and limitations rather than treating IR meters or a pixel-density label as an identification guarantee.
FAQ
What does a 50 m IR rating on a security camera actually mean?
It is the manufacturer’s maximum illumination-distance row under its stated conditions. It does not by itself guarantee that a person is detected, recognized or identified there. Use the exact field of view, recorded detail and representative night/motion test for the required task.
How far can a 2.8 mm camera identify a face at night?
There is no universal range for the 2.8mm label. Use the exact horizontal FOV and recorded pixels, then account for distortion, angle, focus, exposure, motion and lighting. A worked density example is not an identification guarantee; agree the applicable standard edition and test the actual task.
Why are faces washed out close to the camera at night?
Nearby subjects or surfaces may overexpose or reflect IR into the image. Check aim, reflections, dome condition and available model-specific IR/exposure controls, then test both near and far moving targets. Do not assume that every device exposes the same Smart IR adjustments. The night-image troubleshooting guide covers the related scene checks.
Does a longer IR range mean a better camera?
No. A longer printed maximum is one lighting characteristic, not a complete image-quality measure. Match the exact lens/FOV, recorded detail, lighting and motion requirements, then verify the intended scene. A shorter-range model may fit one task better without being universally better or worse.
References
- Anabon current model documents and manuals
- ONVIF model and firmware conformance database
- IEC 62676-4:2025 — official edition and scope
- Axis technical explanation of the 2025 operator-task density model and limits
- Axis explanation of the earlier 2014 DORI scale
