Fixed vs Varifocal vs Motorized – GW Security

What is a fixed lens?

As the name implies, a fixed lens is set to one view angle. Fixed lens are known for its cheaper prices and its high quality picture/audio, despite its limitations. Its wide angle can eliminate dead zones in smaller areas.

Varifocal lens view of a train station with an escelator

What is a varifocal lens?

Varifocal lens has a manual zoom option, giving you options to find which angle is right for your situation without the losing out on details. They can be reused for different places and situations.

Motorized lens image of a coffee shop with a focus on the menu

What is a motorized lens?

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.

which camera is right for you?

Image of a fixed lens camera

Fixed Lens Camera

VS

Image of a varifocal lens camera

Varifocal Lens Camera

VS

Image of a motorized lens camera

Motorized lens Camera

Note: Cameras shown above are examples and not complete representations of all available cameras. Please browse through the product page for more options.

Fixed Lens

Pros	Cons
Cheaper cameras	Higher installation costs
Digital zoom without cropping video	Detail losses after a certain distance
HD quality rivals some varifocals	Limited detail after n amount of zooms
Little to no setup time	No flexibility for FOV
Great for smaller areas	Less effective in large areas

Varifocal Lens

Pros	Cons
Lower installation cost	Expensive cameras
Optical zoom adjustment (manual)	Testing and adjusting zooms manually
Greater flexibility/adaptibility	Longer setup time
Great for focusing on one area	More cameras to eliminate dead zones

Motorized Lens

Pros	Cons
Lower installation cost overall	Expensive cameras
Optical zoom adjustment (motorized)	Larger dead zones
Greater flexibility/adaptibility	More time setting up
Great for focusing on one area	More cameras to eliminate dead zones

Fixed Lens Security Cameras

-42%

GW8087MMIC 8MP 4K IP POE 3X Optical Zoom 2.8-8mm Motorized Lens Dome Security Camera, Built-In Mic, Part of the GW Security Collection of security cameras for sale

Fixed Lens Camera

GW7036MIC 8MP 4K IP 2.8mm Fixed Lens Dome Security Camera, Built-In Mic, Human / Vehicle Detection

$175.00

-40%

GW5538IP 5MP IP POE 3.6mm Fixed Lens Bullet Security Camera, Two-way Audio, Full-time Color Night Vision, Spotlight Camera, Part of the GW Security Collection of security cameras for sale

Fixed Lens Camera

GW5539IP 5MP IP POE 3.6mm Fixed Lens Bullet Security Camera, Two-Way Audio, Full-time Color Night Vision, Spotlight, Face Recognition, Human / Vehicle Detection

$155.00

-40%

Fixed Lens Camera

GW8595DFIP 8MP 4K IP POE 3.6mm Fixed Lens Turret Security Camera, Two-Way Audio, Full-Time Color Night Vision with Alarm Lights

$227.00

-41%

Fixed Lens Camera

GW7078MIC 8MP IP POE 2.8mm Fixed Lens Turret Security Camera, Built-In Mic, Human & Vehicle Detection

$175.00

-41%

Fixed Lens Camera

GW7037MIC 8MP 2.8mm Fixed Lens Bullet Security Camera, Built-In Microphone, Human / Vehicle Detection

$175.00

-41%

Fixed Lens Camera

GW7035MIC 8MP 2.8mm Fixed Lens Bullet Security Camera, Built-In Microphone, Human / Vehicle Detection

$175.00

-41%

GW6077MIC compressed

Fixed Lens Camera

GW7077MIC 8MP IP POE 2.8mm Fixed Lens Bullet Security Camera, Built-In Mic, Human & Vehicle Detection

$175.00

-41%

Fixed Lens Camera

GW6036MIC 6MP IP POE 2.8mm Fixed Lens Dome Security Camera, Built-In Mic, Human & Vehicle Detection

$129.00

-49%

Fixed Lens Camera

GW5030MIC 5MP IP POE 2.8mm Fixed Lens Dome Security Camera, Built-In Microphone, Human / Vehicle Detection

$149.00

-41%

Fixed Lens Camera

GW8030MIC 8MP IP POE 2.8mm Fixed Lens Dome Security Camera, Built-In Microphone, Human / Vehicle Detection

$199.00

-40%

Fixed Lens Camera

GW5094IP 5MP IP POE 2.8mm Fixed Lens Turret Security Camera, Two-Way Audio, Full-Time Color Night Vision, Spotlight

$155.00

-40%

Fixed Lens Camera

GW8094IP 8MP IP POE 2.8mm Fixed Lens Turret Security Camera, Two-Way Audio, Full-Time Color Night Vision, Spotlight

$227.00

-40%

Fixed Lens Camera

GW8028IP 8MP IP POE 2.8mm Fixed Lens Bullet Security Camera, Two-Way Audio, Full-Time Color Night Vision, Spotlight

$227.00

-40%

Fixed Lens Camera

GW5028IP 5MP IP POE 2.8mm Fixed Lens Bullet Security Camera, Two-Way Audio, Full-time Color Night Vision, Spotlight

$155.00

-41%

GW6077MIC compressed

Fixed Lens Camera

GW6077MIC 6MP IP POE 3.6mm Fixed Lens Bullet Security Camera, Built-In Mic, Human Detection

$129.00

Varifocal Lens Security Cameras

-41%

GW5071IP 5MP IP PoE 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Dome Security Camera, Vandal Proof, Built-In Microphone, Part of the GW Security Collection of security cameras for sale

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW7071MIC 8MP 4K IP POE 5X Optical Zoom 2.7-13.5mm Varifocal Lens Dome Security Camera, Built-In Mic, Human / Vehicle Detection

$215.00

-40%

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW7088MIC 8MP IP POE 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Turret Security Camera, Built-In Microphone, Human & Vehicle Detection

$215.00

-41%

GW5050IP 5MP IP POE 4X Optical 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Bullet Security Camera, Part of the GW Security Collection of security cameras for sale

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW7050MIC 8MP IP POE 4X Optical 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Bullet Security Camera, Human / Vehicle Detection, Built-In Microphone

$215.00

-40%

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW8272MIC 8MP 4K IP POE 2.7-13.5mm Varifocal Lens Dome Security Camera Built-In Microphone, 5X Optical Zoom, Human Detection

$215.00

-41%

GW5050IP 5MP IP POE 4X Optical 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Bullet Security Camera, Part of the GW Security Collection of security cameras for sale

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW8050MIC 8MP IP POE 4X Optical 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Bullet Security Camera, Human Detection, Built-In Microphone

$215.00

-38%

GW8571RMMIC 4K 8 Megapixel 5x Optical Zoom 2.7-13.5mm Motorized Lens Autofocus, 30-FPS Real-Time Dome Security Camera, part of GW Security's collection of HD IP Security cameras

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW8571MIC 4K 8 Megapixel 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens, Built-In Microphone, Human & Vehicle Detection, Face Recognition, Dome Security Camera

Rated 4.50 out of 5

$215.00

-38%

GW8550RMMIC 4K 8 Megapixel 5x Optical Zoom 2.7-13.5mm Motorized Lens Autofocus, 30-FPS Real-Time Bullet Security Camera, part of GW Security's collection of HD IP Security cameras

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW8550MIC 4K 8 Megapixel 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens, Human & Vehicle Detection, Face Recognition , Built-In Microphone, Bullet Security Camera

Rated 4.50 out of 5

$215.00

-40%

GW8150MIC 8MP 4K IP POE 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Bullet Security Camera, Spotlight, Built-In Microphone, 4X Optical Zoom, Part of the GW Security Collection of security cameras for sale

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW8250MIC 8MP 4K IP POE 2.7-13.5mm Varifocal Lens Bullet Security Camera, Spotlight, Built-In Microphone, 5X Optical Zoom, Human Detection, 15 AI Functions

Rated 4.57 out of 5

$215.00

-40%

Placeholder

Out of stock

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW8060IP 8MP 4K IP POE 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Bullet Security Camera

Rated 4.20 out of 5

$225.00

-42%

GW5050IP 5MP IP POE 4X Optical 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Bullet Security Camera, Part of the GW Security Collection of security cameras for sale

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW5050IP 5MP IP POE 4X Optical 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Bullet Security Camera

Rated 4.50 out of 5

$169.00

-42%

GW5061IP 5MP IP POE 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Bullet Security Camera, Part of the GW Security Collection of security cameras for sale

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW5061IP 5MP IP POE 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Bullet Security Camera

Rated 4.67 out of 5

$169.00

-42%

GW5071IP 5MP IP PoE 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Dome Security Camera, Vandal Proof, Built-In Microphone, Part of the GW Security Collection of security cameras for sale

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW5071IP 5MP IP PoE 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Dome Security Camera, Vandal Proof, Built-In Microphone

Rated 4.71 out of 5

$169.00

Motorized Lens Security Cameras

-40%

GW5071IP 5MP IP PoE 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Dome Security Camera, Vandal Proof, Built-In Microphone, Part of the GW Security Collection of security cameras for sale

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW7071MMIC 8MP 4K IP POE 5X Optical Zoom 2.7-13.5mm Motorized Lens Dome Security Camera, Built-In Mic, Human / Vehicle Detection

$269.00

-40%

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW8510IP 8MP IP POE 10X Optical 5-50mm Motorized Lens Bullet Security Camera

$449.00

-40%

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW5510IP 5MP IP POE 10X Optical 5-50mm Motorized Lens Bullet Security Camera

$349.00

-43%

Out of stock

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW851PTZ 8MP IP POE 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Motorized Lens, Alarm Lights, Two-Way Audio, PTZ Security Camera, Face Recognition, Human / Vehicle Detection

$399.00

-40%

GW5050IP 5MP IP POE 4X Optical 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Bullet Security Camera, Part of the GW Security Collection of security cameras for sale

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW7050MMIC 8MP 4K IP POE 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Motorized Lens Bullet Security Camera, Built-In Microphone, Human / Vehicle Detection

$269.00

-35%

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW8036PTZ 8MP IP POE 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Motorized Len PTZ Bullet Security Camera

$390.00

-40%

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW7051MMIC 8MP 4K IP POE 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Motorized Lens Bullet Security Camera, Built-In Microphone, Human & Vehicle Detection

$269.00

-40%

32 Channel Security Camera Systems

32 Channel NVR Security Camera System with 32 * 8MP IP Dome 2.7mm-13.5mm Motorized Lens Camera, Face Recognition, Human / Vehicle Detection, 5X Optical Zoom, Two-Way Audio Support, 30 FPS Recording Rate

Rated 4.67 out of 5

$7,799.00

-40%

32 Channel Security Camera Systems

32 Channel NVR Security Camera System with 24 * 8MP IP Dome 2.7mm-13.5mm Motorized Lens Camera, Face Recognition, Human / Vehicle Detection, 5X Optical Zoom, Two-Way Audio Support, 30 FPS Recording Rate

Rated 4.33 out of 5

$6,199.00

-41%

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW6050MMIC 6MP 4K IP POE 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Motorized Lens Bullet Security Camera, Built-In Mic, Vehicle / Human Detection

Rated 5.00 out of 5

$199.00

-41%

GW8087MMIC 8MP 4K IP POE 3X Optical Zoom 2.8-8mm Motorized Lens Dome Security Camera, Built-In Mic, Part of the GW Security Collection of security cameras for sale

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW6071MMIC 6MP 4K IP POE 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Motorized Lens Dome Security Camera, Built-In Mic, Vehicle / Human Detection

$199.00

-40%

GW8571RMMIC 4K 8 Megapixel 5x Optical Zoom 2.7-13.5mm Motorized Lens Autofocus, 30-FPS Real-Time Dome Security Camera, part of GW Security's collection of HD IP Security cameras

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW8571MMIC 4K 8 Megapixel 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Motorized Lens, Built-In Microphone, Human & Vehicle Detection, Face Recognition, Dome Security Camera

Rated 5.00 out of 5

$269.00

-40%

GW8550RMMIC 4K 8 Megapixel 5x Optical Zoom 2.7-13.5mm Motorized Lens Autofocus, 30-FPS Real-Time Bullet Security Camera, part of GW Security's collection of HD IP Security cameras

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW8550MMIC 4K 8 Megapixel 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Motorized Lens, Built-In Microphone, Human & Vehicle Detection, Face Recognition , Bullet Security Camera

Rated 5.00 out of 5

$269.00

-40%

GW5071IP 5MP IP PoE 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Dome Security Camera, Vandal Proof, Built-In Microphone, Part of the GW Security Collection of security cameras for sale

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW8071MMIC 8MP 4K IP POE 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Motorized Lens Dome Security Camera, Built-In Microphone

Rated 4.50 out of 5

$269.00

-40%

GW5050IP 5MP IP POE 4X Optical 2.8-12mm Varifocal Lens Bullet Security Camera, Part of the GW Security Collection of security cameras for sale

HD-IP Security Cameras

GW8050MMIC 8MP 4K IP POE 4X Optical Zoom 2.8-12mm Motorized Lens Bullet Security Camera, Built-In Microphone

Rated 4.50 out of 5

$269.00