Fujinon SX800 Very Long Range Multi-Purpose Camera

The SX800 provides a 20–800 mm focal range with 40× optical zoom, while selectable digital zoom ratios up to 2× provide nominal framing equivalent to 1600 mm. The optical range should be the primary selection factor because digital zoom enlarges the captured image rather than adding optical detail. Minimum object distance is 10 m from 20–400 mm and 20 m from 401–800 mm, so the camera is intended for distant observation rather than close-range inspection. This range suits perimeter, transport, infrastructure and remote inspection applications. During system design, calculate the required target size within the 1920 × 1080 frame using the optical focal length first, then treat digital zoom as a secondary viewing aid.

Continuous AF is the appropriate starting point for subjects whose distance changes, while quick AF or manual focus can be used for fixed observation points. The camera provides continuous AF, one-shot quick AF after zoom adjustment and fully manual focusing. Its rear-focus system has a stated minimum autofocus time of approximately 0.1 seconds, which can support the acquisition of moving subjects. At the 800 mm telephoto position, minor focus errors become more visible and a stable mounting arrangement remains important. For unattended surveillance, test continuous AF against the expected target speed and background; for fixed infrastructure monitoring, quick AF or manual focus can reduce unnecessary refocusing.

AUTO stabilisation is suitable as an initial setting, with separate optical, electronic and off modes available for installation-specific adjustment. Optical image stabilisation addresses physical camera movement, while electronic stabilisation applies image-based correction. At long focal lengths, small movements in the mount can produce large changes in framing, so stabilisation should be combined with a suitably rigid support. Heat-haze and fog reduction each provide three selectable levels for atmospheric conditions that reduce subject visibility. For towers, vehicles, coastal sites or long paths over warm surfaces, evaluate the correction levels at the actual observation distance because excessive processing may alter fine image detail.

Yes, the camera supports visible-light operation and selectable infrared wavelengths of 808, 850, 940 and 950 nm. Day/night operation can be automatic, scheduled, combined automatic and scheduled, or manually fixed to day or night. Manual gain from ISO 400 to ISO 819200, AGC and Hyper AGC provide options for low-light scenes, although higher gain settings can introduce more image noise. The clear night filter allows visible and infrared light to reach the sensor, while the visible-light-cut option is intended for infrared-only imaging. Select the camera wavelength to match the illuminator and verify the required range on site, as usable distance will also depend on illuminator power, beam angle, atmospheric conditions and target reflectivity.

Yes, the SX800 supports IP networking alongside HDMI, HD-SDI and composite BNC video outputs. The network interface is 100BASE-T and supports ONVIF on port 8080, HTTP and RTSP, with H.264 and MJPEG encoding options. The baseband outputs allow direct connection to compatible monitors, recorders or video-routing equipment without relying on an IP stream. RS-485 control is available through Pelco-D and Pelco-P, including product-specific commands for camera and lens functions. Because the network settings include Basic and MD5-based authentication options, the camera should be installed on a controlled network and validated against the site’s access-control and cyber-security requirements.

The camera can output or stream 1920 × 1080 and 1280 × 720 video, with additional standard-definition formats for NTSC and PAL systems. H.264 supports 1–30 fps in NTSC or 1–25 fps in PAL, while MJPEG supports up to 15 fps in NTSC and 13 fps in PAL. The configurable bit-rate range is 1–18 Mbps, with constant and variable bit-rate modes available for H.264. Constant bit rate simplifies network and storage planning, while variable bit rate can allocate more data to complex scenes but may produce changing bandwidth demand; I-frame intervals of 0.5 or 1 second are available. Recorder capacity and network headroom should therefore be calculated using the selected resolution, frame rate, encoding mode and worst-case bit rate rather than default settings alone.

The installation must support a camera measuring 156 × 139 × 410 mm and weighing approximately 6.4 kg. It requires a regulated 12 V DC supply and consumes 9.5 W before allowing for enclosure heaters, illuminators, pan-and-tilt equipment or other accessories. The operating range is −10 to +50 °C at 10–80% relative humidity without condensation, and power must remain uninterrupted when operating below freezing. The camera must be mounted base down, with a permitted tilt of ±45° from level, and placed in a suitable housing where rain, wind, dust or direct sunlight could reach it. Mounting structures should account for static weight, wind loading and vibration, while IP connections should use Category 5 or better shielded twisted-pair cable.