20MP 12mm C-Mount Machine Vision Lens for 1.1-Inch Cameras

Who Is This 12mm Machine Vision Lens Designed For?

This model is suitable for machine vision system integrators, automation equipment manufacturers and factory vision engineers who need a wide-field C-mount lens for high-resolution industrial imaging.

It is a practical candidate when the project requires:

• A 12mm focal length for a wider inspection area
• Compatibility with 1.1-inch or smaller industrial camera sensors
• Up to 20MP imaging support
• Manual focus and iris settings that can be locked after setup
• Low-distortion imaging for inspection, recognition and positioning
• A compact lens for integration into automated equipment

Why Choose a 12mm Lens for Machine Vision?

Under the same camera sensor size and working distance, a 12mm lens provides a wider field of view than longer focal lengths such as 25mm, 35mm or 50mm. This is useful when the system must capture a larger product area, inspect multiple features in one image or operate within limited installation space.

A 12mm focal length can be useful for:

• Whole-part inspection
• PCB and electronic assembly inspection
• Multiple-component presence detection
• Barcode, OCR and marking recognition
• Robot guidance and part positioning
• Surface inspection over a wider area

A wider lens also makes small features occupy fewer pixels than they would with a longer focal length. The correct choice therefore depends on the required field of view, camera resolution and the smallest feature that must be detected.

20MP Support for 1.1-Inch Industrial Cameras

A high-resolution camera requires a lens that can deliver sufficient optical detail. If the lens resolution is too low, adding more camera pixels may not improve the actual inspection result.

The PMS-LFPHM-1228M(C) is specified for 20MP imaging and a maximum sensor format of 1.1 inch, with an effective image size of 17.6mm. This combination is intended for high-resolution systems that require both large sensor coverage and a wide imaging area.

Final system performance still depends on the camera pixel size, field of view, working distance, object contrast, lighting and algorithm settings. Camera-lens compatibility should be verified before production approval.

Reference Field of View at 0.25m Object Distance

The following field-angle and object-field data are specified for a 1-inch sensor at an object distance of 0.25m. The maximum supported sensor format is 1.1 inch, but the field data below should not be treated as a direct 1.1-inch calculation.

The actual field of view changes with the camera's active sensor dimensions, working distance and focus position. Provide the exact camera model and required horizontal and vertical field of view before final lens selection.

Low Distortion for More Reliable Image Processing

Optical distortion changes the apparent shape and position of features near the image edge. This can affect edge detection, part positioning, OCR, shape analysis and software calibration.

The specified distortion of the PMS-LFPHM-1228M(C) is -1.05%. This makes the lens suitable for general industrial inspection, recognition and positioning tasks where a wide field is required.

This is a conventional FA lens rather than a telecentric lens. For tight dimensional tolerances or objects with significant height variation, a telecentric lens is generally the safer optical solution.

Lockable Focus and Iris for Stable Equipment Setup

The lens provides manual focus and manual iris adjustment, with separate locking mechanisms for both controls. After the image has been adjusted, the locks help reduce unintended changes during equipment operation, transport or maintenance.

• Focus range: 0.1m to infinity
• Aperture range: F2.8-F16
• Focus control: Manual with locking mechanism
• Iris control: Manual with locking mechanism
• Mount: C-Mount

A wider aperture allows more light into the camera, while a smaller aperture can increase depth of field. The final setting should be selected according to lighting, exposure time, motion speed and required image detail.

Technical Specifications

Typical Machine Vision Applications

• PCB and electronic component inspection
• Connector, terminal and assembly inspection
• Part presence and orientation detection
• Barcode, OCR and printed-mark recognition
• Robot guidance and component positioning
• Packaging and label inspection
• Surface inspection of machined or molded parts
• General wide-field industrial image acquisition

When This Lens Is a Good Fit

• Your camera uses a C-mount interface
• Your sensor format is 1.1 inch or smaller
• Your application requires a relatively wide field of view
• Your camera resolution is up to 20MP
• Your working distance is at least approximately 0.1m
• Manual focus and iris adjustment are acceptable
• The system requires locking screws for stable long-term setup

When to Consider Another Lens

• A narrower field of view or greater image magnification is required
• The sensor is larger than 1.1 inch
• The object distance is shorter than the specified focusing range
• Motorized focus, autofocus or automatic iris control is required
• Object height variation must not change image magnification
• The project requires high-accuracy dimensional measurement with minimal perspective error

For a narrower view, compare this model with a 25mm C-mount machine vision lens . If the field of view must be adjusted during installation, review the 12-36mm C-mount machine vision lens .

Information Required for Lens Selection

To confirm whether this lens is suitable, please provide:

1. Industrial camera model
2. Sensor size and active dimensions
3. Camera resolution and pixel size
4. Required horizontal and vertical field of view
5. Available working distance
6. Smallest feature or defect to detect
7. Required positioning or measurement accuracy
8. Object material, color and surface reflectivity
9. Lighting type and wavelength
10. Available installation space

Manufacturer-Direct Optical and Application Support

POMEAS supports machine vision projects through optical selection, camera-lens matching, sample evaluation, production, assembly, quality inspection and application validation. This helps customers evaluate the complete imaging system rather than choosing a lens only by focal length or megapixel rating.

• Direct review of camera, field of view and working distance
• Application-based lens selection before quotation
• Support for camera, lens and lighting coordination
• Sample testing and compatibility verification
• Quality inspection and batch consistency support
• Technical communication for repeat-order automation projects

Reduce Selection Risk Before Ordering

Selecting a machine vision lens by focal length alone can result in an incorrect field of view, insufficient sensor coverage or inadequate image sampling. Before ordering, POMEAS can review the camera model, field of view, working distance, smallest feature and inspection accuracy to confirm whether the PMS-LFPHM-1228M(C) is a suitable option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this lens support a 1.1-inch industrial camera?

Yes. The specified maximum sensor format is 1.1 inch, with a 17.6mm effective image size. Final edge image quality should still be confirmed with the exact camera model.

Is the field-of-view data based on a 1.1-inch sensor?

No. The datasheet's field-angle and object-field values are specified for a 1-inch sensor at an object distance of 0.25m.

Can the focus and iris settings be locked?

Yes. The lens provides separate manual focus and iris locking mechanisms to help maintain the selected settings after commissioning.

Is this lens suitable for precision dimensional measurement?

It can support general inspection and calibrated measurement tasks, but it is not telecentric. For tight tolerances or objects with height variation, a telecentric lens is usually more appropriate.

What should I provide before requesting a quotation?

Provide the camera model, sensor dimensions, required field of view, working distance, smallest feature, accuracy requirement, lighting and available installation space.

Related Machine Vision Lens Resources

• Browse POMEAS machine vision lenses and imaging components
• Compare a 12.3mm lens for smaller 2/3-inch cameras
• Compare an adjustable 12-36mm C-mount lens
• Compare a narrower 25mm C-mount machine vision lens

Request Lens Selection Support

Send POMEAS your camera model, required field of view, working distance and inspection target. The optical and application team can help verify sensor coverage, image detail and installation suitability before quotation.