--- title: "CCTV Lens Sizes Explained: 2.8mm, 4mm, 6mm & Varifocal | Qyvea Kenya" url: https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-lens-sizes-fixed-vs-varifocal-kenya description: "CCTV lens sizes explained: how focal length (2.8mm, 4mm, 6mm, 12mm) changes field of view and detail, and when to choose a fixed or varifocal lens." updated: 2026-10-17 --- > Markdown copy of https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-lens-sizes-fixed-vs-varifocal-kenya for AI assistants. Prices and stock change; check the live page. 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How to choose the right lens for each position. A camera that records nothing useful is the most expensive thing on your wall. Read on: it takes a few minutes and could save you a lot more than that. **In this guide you will see:** - Small mm = wide view, big mm = zoomed-in view. - Wide lenses are great for rooms and doorways but poor for detail at distance. - Varifocal (e.g. 2.8–12mm) lets the installer frame the scene precisely. Quick answer The lens focal length (in mm) decides how wide the camera sees. A 2.8mm lens gives a wide view with less detail at distance; 6mm or 12mm gives a narrow view with more detail further away. Fixed lenses are set at the factory; varifocal lenses can be adjusted on site to fit the exact scene. [Photo: Alan J. Hendry / Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/KNt4zd8HPb0) Why this matters now ## Every night without proper recording is a night you cannot prove anything. ### If you wait - A theft or a dispute becomes your word against theirs - You hear about it hours later, if at all - Police and insurers ask what you can show them ### What you get - Every entrance recorded day and night - Playback on your phone within minutes - A visible camera changes how people behave [Hikvision DS-2CD1023G0E-I 2MP Bullet](/products/hikvision-ds-2cd1023g0e-i-2mp-bullet-network-camera-132 "Hikvision DS-2CD1023G0E-I 2MP Bullet Network Camera")[Dahua HDCVI 2MP Dome](/products/dahua-hdcvi-2mp-dome-camera-14357 "Dahua HDCVI 2MP Dome Camera")[Hikvision DS-7616NI-Q2 16CH 4K](/products/hikvision-ds-7616ni-q2-16ch-4k-nvr-189 "Hikvision DS-7616NI-Q2 16CH 4K NVR") [Get my free quote on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/254113301244?text=Hi%20Qyvea%2C%20I%20read%20your%20guide%3A%20CCTV%20Lens%20Sizes%3A%202.8mm%20vs%204mm%20vs%206mm%2C%20Fixed%20vs%20Varifocal.%20I%20want%20CCTV%20sorted.%20Can%20you%20help%3F)Reply usually within 30 minutes. Free site survey in Nairobi and nearby counties. Real products, live prices, in stock now ## Key takeaways - Small mm = wide view, big mm = zoomed-in view. - Wide lenses are great for rooms and doorways but poor for detail at distance. - Varifocal (e.g. 2.8–12mm) lets the installer frame the scene precisely. - Motorised varifocal lenses can be adjusted remotely, with no ladder needed. ## How focal length changes the picture | Lens | View | Typical use | | --- | --- | --- | | 2.8mm | Very wide | Rooms, reception, small yards | | 4mm | Wide-medium | Doorways, driveways, general coverage | | 6mm | Medium-narrow | Gates, corridors, longer views | | 8–12mm+ | Narrow / zoomed | Long driveways, perimeter lines, number plates | The exact field of view also depends on the camera's sensor size, so always check the datasheet's horizontal angle for the specific model. ## Fixed vs varifocal #### Fixed lens Set focal length Lower cost Good when the view is standard #### Varifocal lens Adjustable range (e.g. 2.8–12mm) Frame the exact scene on site Motorised versions adjust remotely **Tip**: Use fixed lenses where the scene is predictable (rooms, doors). Use varifocal where distance matters: gates, perimeter lines, plates, or where the right framing isn't obvious until you're on site. ## Wide isn't always better A wide lens covers more, but spreads the pixels thinly. At a distance, faces become a few pixels wide. For identification at a gate, a narrower lens aimed at the entry point usually beats a wide view of the whole driveway. See [pixel density explained](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-resolution-2mp-4mp-5mp-8mp-kenya). ## Frequently asked questions Which CCTV lens size is best for home use? 2.8mm or 4mm suits most homes: rooms, doors and compounds. Use a longer lens for a long driveway or gate. What does 2.8–12mm mean? It's a varifocal lens that can be set anywhere from a wide 2.8mm view to a zoomed 12mm view. Can a lens be changed after installation? On fixed-lens cameras, no. The camera is replaced. Varifocal cameras can be re-adjusted; motorised ones remotely. ## Why customers choose Qyvea **Genuine brands**: Manufacturer warranty on what we sell, so you are not gambling on the box. **One team, start to finish**: The people who advise you also install and support it. **Fast answers**: WhatsApp replies usually within 30 minutes, and delivery within 24 hours in Nairobi. **Easy to buy**: Pay by M-Pesa, bank transfer or card. Free delivery in Nairobi on orders over KES 5,000. **Risk taken off you**: 7-day returns and exchanges on products, and a workmanship warranty on installations. **Customers say so**: Rated 4.6/5 from 57 Google reviews. **Your next step takes one minute:** send us a photo of the place on WhatsApp and we will tell you what it needs. ## Related articles [CCTV · Comparison CCTV Resolution Explained: 2MP vs 4MP vs 5MP vs 8MP What megapixels really buy you, why 8MP isn't always the right answer, and how pixel density decides whether you can identify a face. 3 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-resolution-2mp-4mp-5mp-8mp-kenya)[CCTV · Guide CCTV Camera Positioning: Heights, Angles & Blind Spots Where cameras go matters more than how expensive they are. Heights, angles, glare and overlap, and how to find the blind spots on your site. 2 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-camera-positioning-blind-spots-kenya)[CCTV · Comparison CCTV Camera Types: Dome vs Bullet vs Turret vs PTZ Dome, bullet, turret, PTZ or fisheye? Where each camera shape works best, and why most sites use a mix. 3 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-camera-types-explained-kenya) ### Related services [CCTV Installation](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv) ### Related products [CCTV cameras in the shop](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-cameras-kenya) ### Related projects [CCTV installation, commercial property](https://qyvea.co.ke/projects#cctv-case-study) [← Previous**CCTV Image Blurry, Foggy or Washed Out? Causes and Fixes**](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-blurry-foggy-image-kenya)[Next →**: CCTV Night Vision: IR vs Full-Colour (ColorVu) vs Smart Hybrid Light**](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv-night-vision-ir-colorvu-smart-hybrid-light-kenya) ## Need this system installed? Talk to Qyvea. We design, install and maintain it. Chat with us — 30 min response --- **Qyvea Limited** · Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya (delivery only, no walk-in pickup) · serving all 47 counties Phone/WhatsApp: [+254 113 301 244](https://wa.me/254113301244) · Email: info@qyvea.co.ke · Shop: [qyvea.co.ke/products](https://qyvea.co.ke/products) · Facts: [qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts](https://qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts)