FUJINON SX1600 Ultra Long Range Multi-Purpose Camera

The 40–1600 mm focal range provides 40× optical zoom, with 1.25×, 1.5×, 1.75× and 2× digital settings available when additional enlargement is required. Minimum object distance is 10 m across the 40–800 mm range and 20 m from 801–1600 mm, measured from the front of the lens. This means the camera is intended for stand-off observation rather than close inspection, so blind zones and the nearest required target distance must be checked during layout. Digital zoom should be treated as image enlargement rather than additional optical detail, and site trials are advisable at the longest working distances.

The camera can be integrated through 100BASE-T networking with ONVIF on port 8080, HTTP and RTSP, or through RS485 in full- or half-duplex mode. Pelco-D and Pelco-P are available for control, while HDMI, HD-SDI and composite BNC outputs support local or stand-alone video paths. RS485 supports 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400 and 115200 bps, with device IDs from 1 to 31. Engineers should match protocol, duplex mode, termination, device address and baud rate across the camera and pan-and-tilt system before commissioning, particularly when retaining existing serial infrastructure.

The camera can run OIS and EIS together in Auto mode, or use either stabilisation method independently. This is relevant where long focal lengths amplify vibration from towers, vehicles, platforms or wind-loaded structures. Heat-haze, fog and noise-reduction functions each provide three selectable levels, allowing image processing to be adjusted to observed conditions rather than applied as a fixed correction. These functions can improve subject visibility, but they do not remove the need for a rigid mount, suitable enclosure and correct line of sight. Commissioning should therefore include tests at representative zoom positions, vibration levels and atmospheric conditions.

Low-light operation combines a CMOS sensor, manual gain from ISO 400 to ISO 819200, AGC and Hyper AGC with selectable day/night behaviour. Day and night modes can be automatic, scheduled, combined automatic and scheduled, fixed, or driven through an external trigger. Illumination settings cover visible light plus 808, 850, 940 and 950 nm wavelengths, enabling coordination with suitable near-infrared illuminators and optical filters. Higher gain can expose more detail but may increase noise, so the three-level noise-reduction control should be tuned against motion detail and latency requirements. Illumination wavelength, filter state and switching thresholds should be validated as a complete optical system.

The camera provides 1920 × 1080, 1280 × 720 and standard-definition frame sizes, with H.264 and MJPEG encoding. H.264 runs from 1–30 fps for NTSC or 1–25 fps for PAL, while MJPEG is limited to 15 fps for NTSC and 13 fps for PAL. Bit rate is adjustable from 1–18 Mbps using CBR or VBR, with I-frame intervals of 0.5 or 1 second. Recorder throughput, switch capacity and storage retention should be calculated from the selected format, frame rate and bit rate rather than from resolution alone. Where multiple cameras share a link, allow headroom for control traffic and scene-driven VBR peaks.

The camera measures 156 × 139 × 450 mm, weighs approximately 7.4 kg and must be installed base down. The base provides fifteen ¼-inch UNC 20 threaded mounting points, with 6.5–10 mm thread engagement and a stated tightening torque of 240–300 N·cm; the supporting structure must carry the combined camera, housing and mount load. Operation is specified from −10 to +50 °C at 10–80% relative humidity without condensation, and below-freezing operation requires uninterrupted power. No ingress-protection rating is stated, and the installation instructions require protection from rain, wind, dust and direct sunlight. Enclosure size, front optical clearance, cooling, condensation control and cable strain relief should therefore be designed as part of the installation.

The camera offers Continuous AF, Quick AF and manual focus, with a stated minimum autofocus time of approximately 0.1 seconds under suitable conditions. Its rear-focus arrangement combines image-plane phase-detection and contrast AF, switching between methods as required. Continuous AF is suited to moving subjects that remain in view, while Quick AF can limit unnecessary focus activity on more static scenes; manual focus is useful where foreground objects or atmospheric shimmer could mislead autofocus. The final choice should be tested at the intended focal length, target speed and contrast, because long-range focus behaviour depends heavily on scene conditions.