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Copyright © 2008 FLIR Systems, Inc. 7
PTZ-35 MS
The PTZ-35 MS camera features a focal length of 35mm, providing a short to medium field of view
of 20° and is well-suited for short range threat detection in all circumstances. It gives you a wide
field of view, so you can cover a large area and keep excellent situational awareness. Like all FLIR
thermal cameras, the PTZ-35 MS provides crisp, clear thermal imagery in total darkness, haze, light
fog or smoke.
PTZ-50 MS
Utilizing a 50mm lens, the PTZ-50 MS serves as a medium- to long-range surveillance camera and
provides a 14° HFOV. This focal length is widely deployed because it provides an even balance
between situational awareness and detailed perspective. Like the PTZ-35 MS camera, the PTZ-50
MS has a standard resolution focal plane array (FPA) with 320 (H) x 240 (V) pixels, the same
thermal imaging technology found in many of FLIR’s most sophisticated security and surveillance
systems.
2.1 Advantages of Thermal Imaging
Originally developed for the military, thermal imaging cameras are now deployed in numerous
commercial applications where it is impractical or too expensive to use active illumination (lights). It
is perfect for wide-area surveillance in critical infrastructure or high-value residence installations
where lighting is unwelcome or impractical. The camera also provides improved daytime
surveillance in environments where traditional CCTV security camera performance suffers, such as
in shadows, backlit scenes or through foliage.
Low-cost infrared illuminated cameras rely on near infrared (NIR) lamps to illuminate threats,
resulting in shadows, reflections, backscatter, higher power consumption, narrow areas of
illumination and much shorter ranges than passive thermal camera technology.
Unlike other night vision systems that require low amounts of light to generate an image, the PTZ-
35/-50 MS thermal imagers need no light at all. The choice of lenses for the cameras allow for
short- or medium-range surveillance capability.
Figure 3: Backlit daylight camera on left; thermal camera on right
Observe that the setting sun in the backlit image on the left makes it difficult to discern any objects
of interest; the thermal image on the right is not affected by the bright sun and therefore provides
detail and contrast.
