M12 lens with IR cut filter
Optically corrected wide angle lens
04/01/2026
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- M12 lens with IR cut filter: A compact S-mount board lens with standard M12×0.5 thread, built-in IR cut filter (IRCF) for day-night dual-mode imaging.
- Core function: Blocks infrared light in daytime to keep color accurate; transmits IR light at night for clear night vision.
- Common styles: Vari-focal, wide-angle, low-distortion, fisheye, low-light sensitive lenses to fit different scenes.
- Widely used: CCTV security cameras, IP cameras, smart home devices, industrial machine vision, automotive electronics.
- TOWIN advantage: Covers 3MP-48MP high-resolution models, stable performance, customizable solutions, fast global delivery.
Introduction
M12 lenses, also known as S-mount lenses or board lenses, feature a standard M12×0.5 threaded mount, making them perfectly compatible with miniature PCB cameras. They are small in size, lightweight, easy to install, and widely applied in compact imaging equipment.
An M12 lens with IR cut filter adds a built-in IR cut filter (IRCF) on the basis of ordinary M12 lenses, solving the common problem of color distortion and blurry night imaging. This kind of lens realizes true 24-hour all-weather monitoring, switching automatically between daytime color mode and night black-and-white IR mode, which is a core component of modern surveillance and precision imaging systems.
This guide covers all key information about M12 IR cut lenses, including product definitions, classification, technical parameters, application scenarios, selection skills and recommended TOWIN hot models, helping global buyers pick the most suitable lens efficiently.
What is an M12 Lens & IR Cut Filter
Definition of M12 Lens
M12 lens refers to a miniature optical lens with M12×0.5 standard thread, also called S-mount lens or board lens. It can be directly screwed into the camera PCB board, taking up little space, suitable for all kinds of small-sized camera equipment. Compared with C/CS mount lenses, M12 lenses are more compact and cost-effective, dominating the mini camera market.
Function of IR Cut Filter
- Daytime mode: Blocks infrared light from entering the sensor, preventing color shift, restoring real and natural object colors.
- Night mode: Removes the IR blocking effect, allowing infrared fill light to pass through, presenting clear images in dark or zero-light environments.
- Built-in IRCF: Integrated inside the lens, stable structure, no need for additional installation, stronger waterproof and dustproof performance.
M12 Lens with IR Cut Filter
Main Types of M12 Lens with IR Cut Filter
TOWIN provides a full range of M12 IR cut lenses, divided into five categories according to usage scenarios and optical characteristics, covering all mainstream demands:
- Vari-focal M12 IR Lens: Manual zoom and focus, adjustable focal length, flexible field of view, suitable for scenes needing view switching.
- Low-light M12 IR Lens: Ultra-large aperture (F1.0-F1.4), strong light-sensing ability, excellent imaging in dim light and night.
- Low-distortion M12 IR Lens: Extremely low distortion rate, straight lines without bending, perfect for precision measurement and scanning.
- Fisheye M12 IR Lens: Ultra-wide panoramic field of view, up to nearly 200° diagonal angle, realizing dead-angle-free monitoring.
- Wide-angle M12 IR Lens: Large horizontal view, suitable for indoor rooms, corridors, open areas and short-distance monitoring.
Key Technical Parameters of M12 IR Cut Lens
Selecting a qualified M12 lens with IR cut filter needs to focus on core parameters, matching with camera sensors and usage scenarios to achieve optimal imaging effect.
Core Parameter List
- Mount Specification: M12×0.5 (universal standard)
- Resolution: 3MP, 5MP, 6MP, 7MP, 8MP, 48MP
- Sensor Format: 1/1.7″, 1/1.8″, 1/2″, 1/2.7″, 1/2.8″
- Focal Length: Fixed focal (2.29mm-15mm) or vari-focal (2.7-13mm)
- Aperture (F-number): F1.0, F1.4, F2.0, F2.6, F2.8 (smaller value means better low-light performance)
- Field of View (FOV): Horizontal/diagonal angle, ranging from 25° to 199°
- Distortion Rate: <0.4% to <98% (lower value means smaller deformation)
- Iris Mode: Fixed iris (stable, maintenance-free)
- IR Cut Filter: Built-in (standard configuration of TOWIN models)
Parameter Comparison Table
Parameter | Common Range | Selection Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
Mount | M12×0.5 | Universal for all board cameras |
Resolution | 3MP-48MP | Match camera sensor resolution, avoid mismatching |
Aperture | F1.0-F2.8 | F1.0-F1.4 for dark scenes; F2.0-F2.8 for daily use |
FOV | 25°-199° | Wide angle for close spaces; narrow angle for long-distance monitoring |
Distortion | <0.4% to <98% | <1% for precision imaging; normal distortion for ordinary monitoring |
Top Applications of M12 Lens with IR Cut Filter
With compact size and all-weather imaging advantage, M12 IR cut lenses are widely used in multiple industries, covering daily monitoring and industrial precision fields:
- Security Surveillance: Indoor and outdoor CCTV cameras, IP cameras, wireless security cameras, doorbell cameras, parking lot and corridor monitoring.
- Smart Home: Baby monitors, pet cameras, home alarm cameras, all-day home safety protection.
- Industrial Machine Vision: Product detection, barcode scanning, size measurement, industrial robot vision system.
- Automotive Electronics: Driving recorders, reversing cameras, vehicle blind spot monitoring, driving assistance equipment.
- Consumer Electronics: Drones, handheld cameras, portable imaging devices, medical miniature equipment.
Professional Selection Guide for M12 IR Cut Lens
Follow this step-by-step guide to pick the most suitable M12 lens with IR cut filter, avoiding waste and poor imaging effects.
1. Match Camera Sensor Size
The lens sensor format must be consistent with the camera sensor, common sizes include 1/2.8″ (mainstream CCTV), 1/1.8″ and 1/1.7″ (high-resolution). Mismatched sizes will cause dark corners, blurry edges or incomplete imaging.
2. Choose Focal Length and FOV
- Short focal length (2.29mm-4mm): Ultra-wide view, suitable for small rooms, close-range monitoring.
- Medium focal length (5mm-10mm): Balanced view, suitable for corridors, aisles, shops.
- Long focal length (12mm-15mm): Narrow view, suitable for long-distance monitoring and detail capturing.
- Vari-focal: Adjustable focal length, flexible for multi-scene use.
3. Consider Low-light Performance
For outdoor night, underground garage and other dark environments, choose lenses with aperture F1.0-F1.4. For well-lit indoor scenes, F2.0-F2.8 lenses are cost-effective.
4. Check Distortion Requirement
For industrial measurement, document scanning and other scenes that need straight lines, pick low-distortion lenses with distortion rate <1%. For ordinary monitoring, normal wide-angle distortion is acceptable.
5. Confirm Resolution Matching
Lens resolution should be higher than or equal to camera resolution, to give full play to the camera’s imaging clarity. 3MP-5MP for entry-level monitoring, 6MP-8MP for high-definition surveillance, 48MP for ultra-precision industrial imaging.
Low-distortion M12-mount 48-Megapixel CCTV lens
TOWIN Recommended M12 Lens with IR Cut Filter
TOWIN is a professional optical lens manufacturer, launching 6 hot-selling M12 IR cut lenses, covering all mainstream needs, with stable quality and reliable performance.
1. S271312514F3F – 3MP Vari-focal IR Lens
This is a manual zoom and focus M12 lens, suitable for adjustable monitoring scenes. It adopts 1/2.8″ sensor format, F1.4 large aperture, built-in IR cut filter, supporting 24-hour clear imaging.
- Resolution: 3 Megapixel
- Focal Length: 2.7-13mm
- Aperture: F1.4
- FOV: 91°~29° (Horizontal)
- Mount: M12×0.5
- Application: Indoor and outdoor CCTV, adjustable view monitoring
2. S02812711010F – 5MP Low-light Wide-angle IR Lens
This lens owns F1.0 ultra-large aperture, strong low-light sensitivity, perfect for night and dim environments. It supports 1/2.7″ and 1/2.8″ sensors, with wide-angle view and built-in filter.
- Resolution: 5 Megapixel
- Focal Length: 2.8mm
- Aperture: F1.0
- FOV: 98° (Horizontal, 1/2.8″)
- Mount: M12×0.5
- Application: Night surveillance, dark room monitoring, indoor wide-area coverage
3. S13012002528F – 48MP Ultra-low-distortion IR Lens
This is a high-precision low-distortion lens, distortion rate lower than 1%, 48MP ultra-high resolution, suitable for industrial imaging and precision measurement. It fits 1/1.8″ and 1/2″ sensors, with built-in IR filter.
- Resolution: 48 Megapixel
- Focal Length: 13.98mm±5%
- Aperture: F2.8
- Distortion: <-1%
- Mount: M12×0.5
- Application: Industrial detection, precision scanning, machine vision
4. S7820026F – 8MP Fisheye IR Lens
This fisheye lens has 199° diagonal ultra-wide view, realizing dead-angle-free panoramic monitoring. 8MP high resolution, F2.6 aperture, built-in IR cut filter, suitable for closed small spaces.
- Resolution: 8 Megapixel
- Focal Length: 2.29mm
- Aperture: F2.6
- FOV: 199° (Diagonal)
- Mount: M12×0.5
- Application: Elevator monitoring, small room 360° coverage, panoramic security
8-Megapixel Fisheye CCTV lens
5. CCL118040MPFR – 6MP Low-distortion Wide-angle IR Lens
This lens combines wide-angle and low-distortion advantages, distortion rate lower than 0.4%, 6MP high definition, suitable for rectilinear scanning and clear wide imaging.
- Resolution: 6 Megapixel
- Focal Length: 4.0mm
- Aperture: F2.8
- FOV: 85° (Horizontal)
- Distortion: <-0.4%
- Mount: M12×0.5
- Application: Document scanning, shop monitoring, indoor clear wide view
6. CCL117040MPF – 7MP Super Wide-angle IR Lens
This lens has 125° horizontal super wide view, 7MP high resolution, F2.0 large aperture, suitable for large open areas and wide-range monitoring, with stable optical performance.
- Resolution: 7 Megapixel
- Focal Length: 4mm
- Aperture: F2.0
- FOV: 125° (Horizontal)
- Mount: M12×0.5
- Application: Large hall monitoring, open area coverage, supermarket and warehouse security
TOWIN Product Summary Table
Model | Resolution | Focal Length | Aperture | Type | Core Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S271312514F3F | 3MP | 2.7-13mm | F1.4 | Vari-focal | Adjustable field of view |
S02812711010F | 5MP | 2.8mm | F1.0 | Low-light | Excellent night imaging |
S13012002528F | 48MP | 13.98mm | F2.8 | Low-distortion | Ultra-precision imaging |
S7820026F | 8MP | 2.29mm | F2.6 | Fisheye | 199° panoramic view |
CCL118040MPFR | 6MP | 4mm | F2.8 | Low-distortion Wide-angle | Ultra-low distortion |
CCL117040MPF | 7MP | 4mm | F2.0 | Super Wide-angle | Large area coverage |
FAQs
Q: Why choose an M12 lens with built-in IR cut filter?
A: It realizes day-night dual-mode imaging, keeps color accurate in daytime and captures clear images at night, no need to install extra filters, more convenient and stable.
Q: Are TOWIN M12 IR cut lenses waterproof?
A: The lens itself has a sealed structure, but it needs to be equipped with a waterproof camera housing for outdoor long-term use to prolong service life.
Q: Can these lenses be used with all M12 mount cameras?
A: They fit all standard M12×0.5 mount cameras, just need to match the sensor size and resolution for perfect compatibility.
Q: Does TOWIN provide customized M12 IR cut lenses?
A: Yes. We support OEM/ODM customization, including focal length, resolution, aperture, distortion and appearance adjustment, suitable for bulk orders and special projects.
Q: What’s the difference between fixed iris and manual iris?
A: Fixed iris is maintenance-free, more stable, suitable for most surveillance scenes; manual iris can adjust light input, suitable for complex light environments.
Conclusion
An M12 lens with IR cut filter is an indispensable core component of 24-hour all-weather imaging systems, with the advantages of compact size, easy installation, cost-effective and stable performance. Whether it is daily security monitoring, smart home equipment or industrial precision imaging, there is a suitable model to meet the demand.
TOWIN, as a professional optical lens supplier, provides a full range of high-quality M12 IR cut lenses, covering low-light, wide-angle, low-distortion, fisheye and vari-focal types, with strict quality control and fast global shipping service. For bulk purchases or customized solutions, welcome to contact us for a quote and professional technical support.
📧: info@towin-elec.com
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