Key Takeaways

• Facial recognition lenses for smart access control are high-precision optical components optimized for capturing clear, distortion-free facial features in indoor/outdoor access control scenarios.
• Core performance indicators include low distortion, IR correction, matching sensor format and fixed aperture stability, which directly determine recognition accuracy and speed.
• TOWIN’s 16mm M12-mount facial recognition lenses cover multiple sensor formats (1/3″ to 2/3″) with 2MP/5MP resolution, meeting diverse smart access control requirements.
• M12/S-mount is the optimal choice for smart access control lenses due to its miniaturization, easy integration and PCB direct connection features.
• TOWIN’s lenses feature universal IR correction, supporting 24/7 day/night facial recognition without image blurring or color shift.

Introduction

Smart access control systems have become the core of modern building security, with facial recognition technology leading the upgrade of access control solutions for its non-contact, high-security and fast-recognition advantages. The facial recognition lenses is the “eye” of the entire system—its optical performance directly affects the capture quality of facial features, and even determines whether the algorithm can accurately identify and verify identities.

For smart access control scenarios (e.g., office buildings, residential communities, industrial parks, commercial plazas), the lens needs to adapt to complex environments such as backlight, low light, and different shooting distances, while meeting the requirements of miniaturization, easy integration and long-term stability. TOWIN, as a professional optical lens supplier, has launched a series of M12-mount low-distortion lenses specially optimized for smart access control facial recognition, perfectly matching the technical needs of mainstream access control camera modules.

What is a Facial Recognition Lens for Smart Access Control?

A facial recognition lens for smart access control is a customized optical lens designed for CMOS/CCD image sensors in access control cameras, with the core function of capturing high-definition, low-distortion facial feature images and transmitting them to the recognition algorithm for identity verification.

Different from ordinary surveillance lenses, it has the following core characteristics:

• Optimized for fixed shooting distances (0.2m-3m) of access control scenarios, with clear imaging in the short-to-medium distance.
• Ultra-low distortion to avoid facial feature deformation and ensure algorithm recognition accuracy.
• IR correction technology to achieve consistent imaging effect in day/night mode, adapting to 24-hour access control needs.
• Miniaturized design, matching the compact structure of access control camera hardware.
• Fixed aperture with stable light intake, adapting to indoor/outdoor light intensity changes.

16mm Low-distortion 5-Megapixel CCTV lens

Key Performance Indicators of Facial Recognition Lenses for Smart Access Control

The performance of the lens directly affects the overall effect of the smart access control system. The following core indicators are the key to evaluating the quality of facial recognition lenses, and are also the core R&D direction of TOWIN lenses:

1. Distortion

• Definition: The degree of deviation of the actual imaging from the ideal straight line, expressed as a percentage.
• Requirement for access control: ≤0.5% (ultra-low distortion), and the best is ≤0.3%. Severe distortion will cause facial feature deformation (e.g., stretched face, distorted facial contours) and lead to algorithm recognition failure.
• TOWIN advantage: All access control lenses achieve distortion ≤0.5%, and mainstream models reach ≤0.3%, ensuring true restoration of facial features.

2. IR Correction

• Definition: Through optical coating and lens structure design, eliminate the image shift and blurring caused by infrared light in night mode.
• Requirement for access control: Must support IR correction, because smart access control needs 24-hour operation, and the night infrared fill light will cause image defocus without IR correction.
• TOWIN advantage: All M12-mount access control lenses are equipped with IR correction, realizing day/night consistent clear imaging.

3. Sensor Format Matching

• Definition: The maximum sensor size that the lens can cover, common specifications are 1/3″, 1/2.5″, 1/2″, 1/1.8″, 2/3″.
• Requirement for access control: The lens sensor format must be consistent with the camera sensor, otherwise vignetting (black corners) will occur and the effective imaging area will be reduced.
• TOWIN advantage: Cover multiple sensor formats from 1/3″ to 2/3″, matching mainstream access control camera sensors.

4. Resolution

• Definition: The ability of the lens to resolve image details, usually expressed in megapixels (MP).
• Requirement for access control: 2MP is the basic standard, 5MP is the mainstream choice for high-precision recognition, which can capture more facial feature details (e.g., pores, facial contours) and improve recognition accuracy.
• TOWIN advantage: Provide 2MP/5MP dual options, meeting the needs of ordinary and high-precision access control scenarios.

5. Aperture (FNo.)

• Definition: The ratio of the focal length to the effective aperture diameter, reflecting the light intake capacity of the lens (the smaller the value, the stronger the light intake).
• Requirement for access control: Fixed aperture (F1.8-F7.5) is preferred, with stable light intake to adapt to indoor low light and outdoor strong light environments.
• TOWIN advantage: Multiple aperture options from F1.8 to F7.5, matching different light environment access control scenarios.

6. Minimum Object Distance (M.O.D.)

• Definition: The closest shooting distance where the lens can form a clear image.
• Requirement for access control: Generally 0.2m-0.3m, adapting to the close shooting distance of access control cameras (the distance between the human face and the camera is usually 0.5m-1.5m).
• TOWIN advantage: M.O.D. covers 0.2m-0.3m, perfectly matching the shooting distance of smart access control.

7. Mount Type

• Definition: The connection interface between the lens and the camera, the common type for access control is M12/S-mount (M12X0.5 thread).
• Requirement for access control: Miniaturized, easy to install and integrate, and can be directly connected to the PCB board of the access control camera.
• TOWIN advantage: All access control lenses adopt M12X0.5 standard mount, which is compatible with most access control camera modules on the market.

16mm IR-corrected low-distortion CCTV lens

Selection Guide for Facial Recognition Lenses for Smart Access Control

Selecting the right lens is the key to ensuring the stable operation of the smart access control system. The following step-by-step selection guide is based on TOWIN’s rich experience in optical lens R&D and access control scenario application, which can help you quickly match the optimal lens:

1: Confirm the camera sensor parameters

• First determine the sensor format (1/3″/1/2.5″/1/2″/2/3″) and resolution (2MP/5MP) of the access control camera, and select the lens with matching parameters to avoid vignetting and low resolution.
• Example: If the camera is 1/2.5″ 5MP, select TOWIN CCL12516MPR2 (1/2.5″ 5MP).

2: Match the actual access control scenario light environment

• Indoor low light (e.g., underground garage, corridor): Select a large aperture lens (F1.8-F2.0) with strong light intake capacity, such as TOWIN CCL1316MP (F1.8) and CCL12516MPR2 (F2.0).
• Indoor/outdoor normal light (e.g., office building hall, community gate): Select a moderate aperture lens (F4.0) with balanced light intake and anti-glare, such as TOWIN CCL121640MP (F4.0).
• Outdoor strong light (e.g., commercial plaza, industrial park gate): Select a small aperture lens (F7.5-F8.0) with strong anti-overexposure ability, such as TOWIN CCL2316MPR7 (F7.5).

3: Confirm the shooting distance and field of view (FOV)

• The access control camera is usually fixed at a height of 1.5m-1.8m, and the shooting distance is 0.5m-1.5m. It is recommended to select a 16mm focal length lens with a moderate field of view, which can avoid too wide FOV (including redundant background) and too narrow FOV (unable to capture the whole face).
• TOWIN’s 16mm focal length lenses cover a diagonal FOV of 20°-38°, matching different access control camera installation angles.

4: Prioritize lenses with IR correction and low distortion

• Must select lenses with IR correction to ensure night recognition effect; prioritize distortion ≤0.3% lenses for high-precision access control scenarios (e.g., financial institutions, government buildings).

5: Ensure the mount type is compatible

• The mainstream access control camera adopts M12X0.5 mount, so select the lens with the same mount to avoid installation incompatibility. TOWIN’s all access control lenses are M12X0.5 standard mount, with universal compatibility.

TOWIN Facial Recognition Lenses for Smart Access Control

TOWIN focuses on the R&D and production of optical lenses for security and IoT scenarios, and has launched a series of 16mm M12-mount low-distortion IR corrected lenses specially optimized for smart access control facial recognition. The products cover multiple sensor formats and aperture specifications, with 2MP/5MP resolution options, perfectly matching the technical needs of mainstream access control camera modules.

All TOWIN access control lenses have the following core advantages:

• Ultra-low distortion: ≤0.3% for mainstream models, ensuring true restoration of facial features.
• Universal IR correction: 24-hour day/night clear imaging, adapting to all-weather access control.
• M12X0.5 standard mount: Miniaturized design, easy to integrate with PCB board of access control camera.
• Fixed aperture stability: No need for manual adjustment, adapting to complex light environment changes.
• Short minimum object distance: 0.2m-0.3m, matching the close shooting distance of access control.

Technical Parameters of TOWIN’s 4 Core Access Control Lenses

Application Scenarios of TOWIN Facial Recognition Lenses

TOWIN’s 4 core access control lenses are targeted at different smart access control scenarios, and can be accurately matched according to the actual environment and precision requirements:

1. CCL12516MPR2 (1/2.5″, 5MP, F2.0, M.O.D. 0.2m)

• Applicable scenarios: Financial institution access control, government building access control, high-end community access control (indoor low light, high precision requirements).
• Core advantage: Ultra-low distortion (≤0.3%), the shortest M.O.D. (0.2m), large aperture with low light adaptation, the best choice for high-precision access control.

2. CCL1316MP (1/3″, 2MP, F1.8)

• Applicable scenarios: Underground garages, corridor access control, small office buildings (indoor low light, low precision requirements).
• Core advantage: Large aperture with strong light intake capacity, clear imaging in low light, high cost performance, suitable for basic access control scenarios.

3. CCL2316MPR7 (2/3″, 5MP, F7.5)

• Applicable scenarios: Commercial plazas, industrial park gates, highway service areas (outdoor strong light, large flow of people).
• Core advantage: Large FOV (38°) can capture multiple human faces at the same time, small aperture with strong anti-overexposure ability, adapting to outdoor strong light.

4. CCL121640MP (1/2″-2/3″, 5MP, F4.0)

• Applicable scenarios: Office building halls, residential community main gates, enterprise front desks (indoor/outdoor normal light environment).
• Core advantage: Multi-sensor format compatibility, suitable for most mainstream 5MP access control cameras, with balanced light intake and anti-glare ability.

FAQs

Q1: What is the impact of no IR correction on the access control system?

A: Smart access control systems operate 24 hours a day with infrared fill light at night, and lenses without IR correction will experience image shift and blurring under infrared light, leading to facial feature capture failure and a nearly 0 night recognition rate. All TOWIN access control lenses have IR correction to eliminate this issue and ensure consistent day/night recognition.

Q2: Can the lens with distortion >0.5% be used for facial recognition?

A: It is not recommended because distortion >0.5% causes obvious facial feature deformation, making it impossible for facial recognition algorithms to match the feature library and resulting in low recognition rates and high false rejection rates. All TOWIN access control lenses have distortion ≤0.5%, with mainstream models reaching ≤0.3% for optimal facial recognition.

Q3: Why select M12-mount lenses for smart access control?

A: M12/S-mount (M12X0.5) is the mainstream for smart access control cameras due to its miniaturization that matches compact camera structures, easy integration with direct PCB threading, and universal compatibility as an industry standard that works with most access control camera modules on the market.

Q4: How to match the lens aperture with the access control light environment?

A: Aperture selection depends on the actual scenario’s light intensity: use F1.8-F2.0 (large aperture) for indoor low light, F4.0 (moderate aperture) for indoor/outdoor normal light, and F7.5-F8.0 (small aperture) for outdoor strong light. TOWIN offers multiple aperture options for accurate scenario matching.

Conclusion

The facial recognition lens is the core optical component of the smart access control system, and its performance directly determines the recognition accuracy, speed and stability of the entire system. For smart access control scenarios, the lens must have the characteristics of low distortion, IR correction, matching sensor format, miniaturization and stable aperture.

TOWIN, as a professional optical lens supplier, has launched a series of 16mm M12-mount facial recognition lenses specially optimized for smart access control, covering multiple sensor formats (1/3″ to 2/3″) and resolution options (2MP/5MP), with ultra-low distortion and universal IR correction. The 4 core models are targeted at different light environments and precision requirements, perfectly matching the technical needs of mainstream access control camera modules.

All TOWIN lenses adopt M12X0.5 standard mount, with miniaturized design and easy integration, which is the optimal choice for smart access control facial recognition.