If you’ve ever scrolled through security camera options and thought, “What is a PTZ camera?”, you’re asking a pretty common question. At first glance, these cameras look a lot like the usual models you see in shops or on front porches. The difference is what they can do.
A PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera can move side to side, look up and down, and zoom in when you need a closer look. Because of that, one camera can cover areas that usually need several fixed ones. This guide walks you through how they work and when they make sense for your home or workplace.
What Is a PTZ Camera?
A PTZ camera is a motorised camera that can pan, tilt, and zoom. Instead of showing one fixed view, it can move across a scene, look up or down, and zoom in for detail. Small motors inside the housing handle the movement, and you control everything through an app, recorder, or control panel.
Many PTZ cameras rotate close to 360°, tilt through a wide vertical range, and offer strong optical zoom. That mix lets one camera cover areas where you’d normally install several fixed models.
You might also see ePTZ, which uses digital zoom and cropping instead of moving parts. It gives you flexible framing but not the long-range clarity of optical zoom.
If you need wide coverage, close-up detail, or the ability to follow activity, a PTZ camera offers all of that in one unit.
Key Features and Functions of PTZ Cameras
To help you further understand what is PTZ on a security camera, let’s take a closer look at its main pan, tilt, zoom features, as well as remote control, presets, and motion tracking functions.
Pan
Pan is the camera’s ability to rotate horizontally (left-to-right).
Many PTZ cameras can rotate close to 360°, and some models offer continuous 360° pan with no blind spot. The motors can move slowly for a steady sweep, or quickly to jump from one side of the scene to the other.
In practice, pan lets you:
- Scan across a car park, yard, or warehouse from a single mounting point
- Follow a person or vehicle as they move from one area to another
- Run automatic “tours” that sweep across key areas on a schedule
Tilt
Tilt is the vertical (up-and-down) movement of the camera.
PTZ cameras can tilt up and down within a defined range, often between 60° and 180°, depending on the model.
This movement matters when you:
- Mount a camera high up and need it to look down at entrances or walkways
- Cover both ground-level areas and raised platforms or upper floors
- Adjust the view between foreground and background without moving the bracket
Zoom
Zoom controls how close the scene appears.
There are two main types:
- Optical zoom: the lens changes focal length to magnify the image while keeping full detail.
- Digital zoom: the camera crops and enlarges the image, which can reduce clarity.
PTZ cameras are known for strong optical zoom—often 10x, 20x, or 30x—so you can read number plates or capture small details without getting physically closer.
Remote control
A core part of what makes a PTZ camera useful is how you control it.
Most modern PTZ cameras support one or more of these methods:
- Software control: through an NVR, VMS, or web interface
- Mobile apps: pan, tilt, and zoom from your phone or tablet
- Hardware controllers: joystick panels, keyboards, or control surfaces
- Control protocols: such as ONVIF PTZ or VISCA over IP in more advanced setups
These options make it easy to move the camera manually, hand control to staff, or tie it into a larger AV or security system.
Presets
Presets let you save exact pan, tilt, and zoom positions.
You might set one preset for the entrance, another for the car park, and a third for a reception area. With one tap, the camera returns to that framing. Many PTZ cameras store dozens of presets and can run automatic “tours” that rotate through them.
Motion tracking
Motion tracking (often called auto tracking) is where the PTZ camera follows movement automatically.
With auto tracking enabled, the camera can:
- Detect a moving subject within its field of view
- Pan and tilt to keep that subject centred
- In some cases, zoom in or out as the subject moves closer or further away
Under the hood, the camera uses algorithms—and in newer models, on-board AI—to identify people or vehicles and maintain focus on them.
This can be very useful when you need a camera to automatically follow a person across a car park or large yard, or monitor areas where it’s hard for an operator to react in time.
Common Uses of PTZ Cameras: From Home to Business
When you ask, “What is a PTZ camera used for?” PTZ cameras show up anywhere you need flexible coverage or the ability to follow what’s happening. Their mix of movement, zoom, and automation makes them useful well beyond basic CCTV.
Home and small business
A single PTZ camera can watch driveways, gardens, gates, and sheds. You can swing the view around, zoom in on a vehicle or delivery, or let motion tracking follow someone through the space. Many consumer models now offer simple app-based control.
Retail, offices, and commercial spaces
Shops, offices, and warehouses use PTZ cameras to handle open floors, aisles, loading bays, and shared areas. Presets help staff jump quickly between entrances, tills, and display zones. The same camera can show a wide overview or a tight close-up when needed.
Large outdoor areas
PTZ cameras work well in car parks, yards, construction sites, campuses, and transport hubs. Their long optical zoom and full movement range make it easier to monitor large outdoor areas without installing a long row of fixed cameras.
Live events and streaming
In event spaces, houses of worship, and conference rooms, PTZ cameras give smooth movement without needing a camera operator. You can switch between wide room shots and close-ups of speakers or performers using presets or a control deck.
Education, healthcare, and specialist settings
PTZ cameras support lecture capture, hybrid classrooms, meeting rooms, and telemedicine. They can follow a speaker, frame groups automatically, or adjust the view without constant manual setup.
When a PTZ Camera May Not Be the Right Choice
A PTZ camera can handle wide areas and zoom in for detail, but it isn’t ideal for every situation. There are several cases where a fixed or panoramic camera does a better job.
- You need constant coverage of one view: A PTZ only shows what it’s pointed at. If it’s zoomed into one spot, it can’t record what’s happening elsewhere at the same time. For doors, tills, gates, or any area that needs a permanent view, a fixed camera is usually safer.
- A wide static view would do the same job: If what you want is a full-room or full-yard overview, a fisheye or panoramic camera can give you 180° or 360° coverage with no moving parts—and no risk of the camera “looking away” at the wrong time.
- You have a tight budget or limited maintenance: PTZ units cost more upfront and use motors that wear over time. If you want wide coverage for less money, several fixed cameras sometimes give you better value and fewer maintenance call-outs.
- The environment is harsh or hard to reach: Wind, dust, and vibration are harder on moving parts. If the camera sits on a mast, pole, or high wall, a sealed fixed camera often lasts longer and reduces the need for specialist access.
How to Choose the Right PTZ Camera
Now that you know what is a PTZ security camera and where it makes sense, the next step is picking the right one. Here are the core aspects to consider:
Consider the pan and tilt range
These angles decide how much of the area the PTZ camera can actually cover. A wider or full 360° pan range lets the camera sweep more space, and a generous tilt range helps it look both high and low without blind spots.
Focus on resolution and zoom
Higher resolution gives you clearer detail, especially when zooming in. Aim for at least 1080p, though 4K is better for long distances. Optical zoom is the key spec—digital zoom softens quickly. If you need to read plates or identify faces at range, a strong optical zoom makes a big difference.
Check how it performs in low light
Look for security cameras with good night-vision range, strong low-light sensitivity, and Wide Dynamic Range (WDR). These help retain detail in scenes with bright lights, shadows, or inconsistent lighting.
Make sure it suits the environment
Outdoor PTZs should have solid weather protection (IP65 or higher) and, if needed, vandal-resistant housing. Check operating temperatures if the camera will be exposed to winter frost or summer heat. Also look at the weight and mount type if it’s going on a pole or bracket.
Choose the right power and connection
Power over Ethernet (PoE) keeps things simple by combining data and power in one cable. Wired Ethernet offers the best stability for PTZ control, though Wi-Fi can work in smaller or more flexible setups. Check that the camera supports the control protocols you need—such as ONVIF, VISCA, or NDI—if you plan to integrate it with other systems.
Review control and smart features
Presets let you save key viewpoints and jump back to them instantly. Tours allow the camera to cycle through those views on a schedule. Auto-tracking can follow people or vehicles, which helps in large spaces, though you’ll want adjustable sensitivity to avoid false triggers.
Best PTZ Cameras from eufy
If you like the idea of PTZ control but don’t want a complex system, eufy’s range is a good place to start. You get pan-tilt-zoom movement, smart tracking, and local storage without needing a monthly subscription. Here are three PTZ options that cover slightly different jobs:
eufyCam S4
The eufyCam S4 is a hybrid camera that combines a 4K fixed “bullet” view with a lower dual-2K PTZ module in one housing.
The top lens gives you a 130° wide overview, while the PTZ section uses dual lenses and 360° rotation to follow movement and pull in close-up detail. When the fixed lens spots a person, the PTZ locks on, tracks them, and can frame them tightly from up to 50 metres away, then zooms back out if more people enter the scene.
Power comes from a large battery and a 5.5W solar panel, so once it’s mounted you largely leave it alone. One hour of direct sun per day is enough to keep it running in normal use. On-device AI can tag people, vehicles, and pets, and 32 GB of built-in storage (expandable via microSD) means you can record without a subscription. With the HomeBase S380, you also unlock face recognition and much larger storage (16GB built-in; expandable up to 16TB).
Best for: You want one camera to handle both wide coverage and tracked close-ups around a driveway, garden, or front of house, with solar power and no ongoing fees.
What’s good:
- Triple-lens design: 4K wide-angle plus dual-lens 2K PTZ for overview and detail in one unit
- 360° PTZ with bullet-to-PTZ tracking and auto-framing, so the camera follows people and reframes as scenes change
- SolarPlus 2.0 5.5W panel for “fit and forget” power with only brief daily sunlight
- On-device AI for person, vehicle, and pet detection, helping reduce unwanted alerts
- 32 GB built-in storage, expandable to 256 GB via microSD, so recordings stay local and subscription-free
- HomeBase S380 for face recognition and large, centralised storage
eufy SoloCam S340
The SoloCam S340 is a completely wire-free PTZ camera with a built-in solar panel, so you can mount it where a power socket isn’t handy. It uses two lenses: a 3K wide-angle camera for the general view and a 2K telephoto camera to pick out detail up to around 15m away, with 8× hybrid zoom to bridge between them. The head pans a full 360° and tilts 70°, so you can sweep across your garden, driveway, or side path from one mounting point.
Colour night vision and a built-in spotlight help you see what’s happening after dark. Local 8 GB eMMC storage records clips without a monthly fee, and on-device AI can distinguish people, vehicles, and general motion before it sends an alert. You can run it as a simple stand-alone camera over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, or link it to a HomeBase S380 later for tighter integration.
Best for: You want a single, flexible PTZ camera to cover several sides of a house or garden, with solar power and no cables to run.
What’s good:
- Dual-camera design: 3K wide view plus 2K telephoto for both context and detail in one feed
- 360° pan and 70° tilt to remove blind spots around yards, drives, and side paths
- 8× hybrid zoom so you can check faces, gates, or vehicles without moving the camera
- Removable 2.2W solar panel designed to keep the battery topped up with everyday sunlight
- Local 8 GB storage and no mandatory subscription, with on-device AI for smarter alerts
- Weather-resistant build and simple, wire-free installation that suits rented homes or trickier mounting spots
eufy Floodlight Camera E340
The Floodlight Camera E340 replaces a standard outdoor light with a dual-camera, full-colour PTZ floodlight. It uses a wide-angle 3K camera for the main scene and a telephoto camera for far-off detail, with up to 8× digital zoom. The head pans 360° horizontally and works with on-board AI to track detected people as they move, or to patrol an area on a schedule.
Because it’s hard-wired, the camera can offer 24/7 recording in full colour rather than just event-based clips. The twin LED panels reach a peak of 2,000 lumens and support dimming and smart schedules, so they can act as both a security light and softer ambient lighting.
You get dual-band Wi-Fi 6 for a stable live view, and you can store footage on a microSD card or expand via HomeBase S380 up to 16 TB.
Best for: You want strong lighting, all-round PTZ coverage, and continuous recording in one wired unit for driveways, garages, or side passages.
What’s good:
- Dual cameras: 3K wide-angle plus telephoto lens to see the scene and zoom into detail
- 360° pan with AI tracking of detected people, and optional patrol routes for routine sweeps
- Always-on, 24/7 recording when hard-wired, so you capture context before and after events
- 2,000-lumen dimmable floodlights with motion activation and schedules, combining security lighting and everyday use
- Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 for faster, more stable streaming on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks
- Local storage via microSD or large, expandable storage when paired with HomeBase S380, so you control where footage lives
Conclusion
Understanding what is a PTZ camera helps you decide when this type of device is worth choosing. PTZ models offer flexible coverage, close-up detail, and smart tracking that fixed cameras can’t match. They work well in homes, shops, large outdoor areas, and live event setups—especially when you want one camera to do the work of several. With options like eufy’s S4, S340, and E340, you can pick a style and power source that fits your space. The key is matching the camera’s movement, zoom, and features to how you plan to use it.
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FAQs
What is the difference between CCTV and PTZ cameras?
PTZ cameras are actually a type of CCTV camera, but the difference is in how they operate. A standard CCTV camera has a fixed viewing angle and cannot move, so it only records in one direction. A PTZ CCTV camera, on the other hand, can pan, tilt, and zoom, letting you monitor wider areas and follow movement. PTZ cameras are more suitable for larger spaces, while fixed CCTV cameras are better for single-view monitoring.
Are PTZ cameras worth it?
Yes, PTZ cameras are worth it if you need wide coverage, flexible movement, and the ability to zoom in on important details. They reduce blind spots by allowing you to move the camera remotely. This makes them ideal for larger areas, outdoor spaces, and situations where you want one camera to do the job of several fixed units. However, if you only need to watch a small area, a simpler fixed camera may be more practical and cost-effective.
Do all PTZ cameras zoom?
Yes, all PTZ cameras have zoom, but the quality depends on whether the zoom is optical or digital. Optical zoom uses the lens to magnify the image naturally to achieve a sharp image when zoomed in. Digital zoom simply enlarges the pixels, which can reduce clarity and make the image look grainy. This is why PTZ cameras with strong optical zoom are more dependable if you need to see details like faces, licence plates, or distant objects in outdoor areas.
How far can a PTZ camera see?
A PTZ camera can “see” anywhere from a few dozen metres to several hundred, depending on its optical zoom, resolution, and lighting. With strong optical zoom, many PTZ models can identify details such as faces or number plates at roughly 50–150 m, while broader movement or activity can be spotted from even farther away. Wide-area scanning works well at long range, but clear identification always requires enough zoom, good light, and an unobstructed view.
