What is a PTZ Camera? An In-Depth Look

PTZ cameras have been gaining popularity across different industries. And if you’re just like me, you might be wondering, “What is a PTZ camera?” Well, PTZ camera, also known as Pan Tilt Zoom camera, is a type of camera that provides wide-area coverage with precise control over movement and zoom capabilities.

To help you understand better, I’ve created this comprehensive guide explaining everything you need to know about PTZ cameras. From how they work to their features, pros and cons, types, and lots more.

What is a PTZ Camera and How Does it Work?

A PTZ camera is a type of security camera equipped with mechanical parts that allows it to Pan, Tilt, and Zoom.

Pan means the camera’s ability to move horizontally, left and right, while Tilt allows it to move upward and downward, and Zoom refers to it to magnify distant objects, using either optical or digital zoom technology.

PTZ cameras are usually used to monitor large, open areas where 180 to 360-degree coverage is needed. They use precise motors to control movement and zoom mechanism, which can be operated manually or automatically.

When a PTZ camera is controlled manually, the user controls its movement and zoom in real-time. But in the automated mode, it follows pre-configured patrol paths or use motion-tracking algorithms to detect and follow activity within its field of view.

Pros and Cons of PTZ Security Cameras

Pros:

1.Wide Field of View

PTZ cameras offer a broad field of view. They can rotate horizontally often up to 180° or 360°, and move vertically up to 90°. So you’ll be able to monitor a large area without blind spots.

2.Motion-Based Auto-Tracking

Modern PTZ cameras like the eufy SoloCam S340 use intelligent motion-tracking to detect and follow movement within their field of view in real time. This feature allows for dynamic monitoring without manual control.

3.Remote Control Capabilities

PTZ cameras can be operated remotely via a connected device, such as a mobile app or a desktop app. This allows you to adjust the camera’s angle or zoom in on specific incidents in real-time from any location. And it’s very helpful to adjust the camera view in response to a live incident.

4.Advanced Zooming

PTZ cameras are usually equipped with optical zoom lenses (usually 10x to 30x zoom) that can clearly capture objects from a long distance (up to 300 feet) without reducing the image/video quality. This makes them ideal for monitoring places like parking lots, as they allow you to identify important details like license plates.

Cons:

• Higher Cost: PTZ cameras are more expensive than fixed cameras, both in terms of hardware and potential maintenance.

• Limited Simultaneous Coverage: PTZ cameras can only point in one direction at a time. This means they can potentially miss activity outside their current view unless continuously adjusted.
• More Complex Installation and Maintenance: With moving parts and advanced controls, some PTZ cameras usually require more setup time and occasional servicing compared to fixed models.

Difference between a fixed security camera and a PTZ model

We carefully compared the PTZ camera to a normal camera, and below is a table comparing both cameras side by side.

Different types of PTZ cameras

There are different types of PTZ cameras. We have provided an in-depth overview of various PTZ cameras, from their unique features to their uses.

PoE PTZ Camera

Power over Ethernet (PoE) PTZ cameras transmit both power and data through a single Ethernet cable that is plugged into a PoE switch or injector. This reduces cable clutter and simplifies installation. They offer smooth video streaming and are generally integrated into centralized security systems. They are suitable for use in office buildings, warehouses, and large security systems.

Solar-Powered PTZ Camera

Solar-powered PTZ cameras are ideal for remote or off-grid locations where normal electrical infrastructure is not present. Solar-powered PTZ cameras tap power from the sun by utilizing solar panels and typically include an in-built rechargeable battery backup to function during cloudy weather or nighttime. These wireless cameras are most suitable for construction sites, rural areas, or event applications on a temporary basis.

Outdoor PTZ Cameras

Outdoor PTZ cameras are designed to operate in the harsh outdoor weather conditions of rain, wind, dust, and extreme temperatures. They are usually mounted in weather-resistant, protective encasements (IP66 or IP67 rated), and they also often include high-power zoom lenses and infrared or color night vision. This type of PTZ cameras are widely used by municipalities, businesses, and homeowners for wide-area surveillance.

Wired PTZ Cameras

These cameras are physically connected to a network or recording system through cables (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial). This allows them to deliver an interference-free, stable video signal with high resolution and frame rates. They are ideal for high-security areas like banks, airports, and government facilities.

The only drawback is that they may be more time-intensive to install, especially in larger buildings.

Indoor PTZ Cameras

Indoor PTZ cameras are designed for indoor locations like offices, shopping centers, schools, and homes. They are usually small in size relative to outdoor models, but can be used in large rooms, lobbies, retail stores, or corridors. They offer full pan, tilt, and zoom movement to cover wide indoor spaces.

Wireless PTZ Camera

Wireless PTZ cameras are the opposite of wired PTZ cameras. These types of PTZ cameras rely on Wi-Fi or cellular signals to deliver high-definition video and real-time remote access through cloud platforms or smartphone apps. They can be used in homes, small offices, and short-term installations where it would be hard or costly to install wires.

Common Application of PTZ Cameras

PTZ cameras are known for their ability to cover large areas, and here are different places you can use them.

Traffic

PTZ cameras can also be utilized for traffic control. Their ability to provide wide-area coverage and focus on events or congestion makes them effective in tracking vehicles, accident analysis, and assessment of highway dangers. They can also be included in intelligent transportation systems for uses like license plate reading and vehicle counting.

Educational Institutions

PTZ cameras are increasingly being used in schools, colleges, and universities for security purposes. They can be used to monitor entrances, corridors, and open spaces so that security can react quickly to incidents or unusual activity.

Hotels & Resorts

In hospitality settings like resorts and hotels, PTZ cameras are installed to ensure the security of guests and maintain operating standards. They are usually placed in lobbies, doorways, parking lots, corridors, and recreation areas to monitor the activity without infringing on guest privacy.

Homes and Offices

PTZ cameras are also used for home surveillance due to their extensive coverage and high-resolution zoom capability. They are typically mounted in gated neighborhoods, apartment complexes, office buildings, and industrial properties.

Parking Area

PTZ cameras can be used to sweep wide parking lots or multi-level car parks, providing surveillance and detailed observation of specific areas.

How to Choose the best PTZ camera

Determine Your Purpose and Environment

Start by identifying where and how the PTZ camera will be used—indoor or outdoor, fixed or mobile, day or night, wired or wireless.

If you want to use the camera outdoors, look for weatherproof and vandal-resistant models (IP66/IP67 rated). For indoor surveillance, choose compact, quiet-operating models with smooth zoom. And for remote/off-grid areas, consider solar-powered wireless PTZ cameras.

Budget Considerations

PTZ cameras come in a wide price range depending on their features, build, and brand. Your budget should align with your actual needs. It’s important not to overspend on unnecessary features, but also avoid going too cheap, which could compromise reliability and functionality.

Zoom Range

Zoom range is another critical factor to consider when choosing a PTZ camera. PTZ cameras typically offer optical zoom (8x or more), which maintains image clarity as it magnifies the scene. Optical zoom is far superior to digital zoom, which simply enlarges pixels and degrades image quality.

Low-light Performance

A PTZ camera’s ability to function in low-light or nighttime conditions is crucial for 24/7 surveillance. Look for models with color night vision, which uses LEDs to illuminate the area in total darkness. IR range can vary—common distances are 30 to 100 feet or more.

Best Outdoor and Indoor PTZ Security Camera

Now that you understand what a PTZ camera is and how it works, let’s have a look at the best outdoor and indoor PTZ cameras that you can acquire in 2025.

1. eufy SoloCam S340

The eufy SoloCam S340 is an outdoor PTZ camera that boasts powerful features for outdoor surveillance.

With its ultra-clear 3K resolution dual-camera, you can use this camera to capture full coverage of your front porch, backyard, and driveway with high resolution. And it has an 8x hybrid zoom that allows you to see fine details in objects from far a distance (up to 50ft) clearly.

Unlike regular outdoor PTZ cameras, the eufy SoloCam S340 has Smart AI features like the auto zoom tracking that helps you track targets in your property and zoom to follow their actions. This enables you to know what happened while you’re away or sleeping.

Also, this PTZ camera is designed with a night guard that allows you to see activities clearly in complete darkness. But what makes this feature more fun is that you can use it to deter intruders on your property with a “stay away” message and see their reaction.

Key Features

• Quick and easy installation (only within 5 minutes).
• It’s solar-powered (2 hours of direct sunlight is enough to stay continuously powered)
• AI motion, human, and pet detection reduces chances of false alarms.
• Its f/1.6 aperture allows it to use 20% more light to see objects clearly in the dark.
• Integrates with popular voice assistants like Google Voice and Alexa,

2. eufy Floodlight Cam E340

The eufy Security Floodlight Cam E340 is another PTZ camera that has gained popularity in the last few months.

This PTZ camera is designed with two cameras - a telephoto camera that allows you to capture clear surveillance footage from up to 50ft and a wide-angle camera that helps you focus on closer objects with up to 3K resolution.

What makes this camera stand out is its powerful illumination capabilities. It boasts up to 2000 lumen of brightness that helps you enhance night time visibility in your property.

And it has smart illumination that allows you to customize the light to your needs and set it for motion-activated illumination or ambient lighting. This makes the camera very effective as a security guard or a source of light.

Key Features

• It is designed with smart AI technology that enables smart detection and tracking of humans, vehicles, and pets, providing real-time alerts and recordings.
• High compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
• Uses dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (2.4GHZ/5GHZ) for seamless connectivity and control.
• Expandable local storage (Supports up to 128GB microSD Card).

3.eufy Indoor Cam S350

If you’re looking for an indoor PTZ camera, the eufy Indoor Cam S350 is a reliable option, especially for families with kids.

This camera is equipped with 4K wide-angle and 2K telephoto cameras that you can use to monitor activities in your home with incredible clarity. And its intelligent tracking makes things easier by allowing you to follow your kids and pets around the room to see what they’re up to while you’re away.

Also, the eufy Indoor Cam S350 has an incredible night vision (using 8 adaptive infrared lights) that allows you to see clearly in the dark from up to 32ft. And for added convenience, it can be integrated with smart home systems like Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa.

Key Features

• Provides sharp and detailed video quality for clear monitoring with 4k resolution.
• Offers 360° pan and tilt to cover every corner of the room.
• AI-powered detection allows it to intelligently identify and track humans and pets, minimizing false notifications.
• Privacy mode allows you to direct the camera to focus on specific areas in your home.

FAQ

1. What is a PTZ camera used for?

A PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) camera is used for monitoring large areas where flexible viewing angles and close-up detail are required. It can pan (move left and right), tilt (move up and down), and zoom in or out, making it ideal for applications like traffic monitoring, live event broadcasting, perimeter security, parking lots, and large indoor spaces like warehouses or auditoriums.

2. What is the difference between an IP camera and a PTZ camera?

An IP (Internet Protocol) camera is a broad category of cameras that transmit video data over a network. PTZ cameras, on the other hand, refer specifically to cameras with pan, tilt, and zoom functionality.

3. What is the disadvantage of a PTZ camera?

One disadvantage of a PTZ camera is that it can only focus on one area at a time. While it can move to cover wide areas, if it's zoomed in on a specific subject or pointed in one direction, it may miss activity elsewhere. Additionally, PTZ cameras tend to be more expensive than fixed cameras, and their mechanical parts can wear out over time with frequent movement.

4. What is the difference between a fixed camera and a PTZ camera?

A fixed camera remains pointed in a single direction and cannot be moved remotely. It’s ideal for monitoring a specific area continuously, such as a doorway or cash register. A PTZ camera, in contrast, can pan, tilt, and zoom, allowing it to monitor wide areas and focus on different points of interest as needed.

Conclusion

There you have it. Our article covered all the important information you need to know about PTZ cameras before investing in them. So, by now, you should know what a PTZ camera is and be able to identify the different types of PTZ cameras available.

Additionally, if you want to acquire a PTZ camera for your home, we recommend acquiring one of the PTZ cameras that were introduced in the article. They’re designs with many advanced features and are very affordable.