Dahua PFL1040-A12PE DH 12 MP 1/1.7" F1.2 10-40 mm Motorized Vari-Focal Lens

Model: PFL1040-A12PE

Who This Is For

When maximising image quality from an existing Dahua camera body is the priority, the PFL1040-A12PE is the lens integrators reach for. Designed for installers upgrading or specifying high-performance Dahua IPC cameras, this 12 MP F1.2 motorised vari-focal lens covers a 10 mm to 40 mm focal range and delivers a large-aperture light-gathering advantage that fixed and slower vari-focal lenses cannot match. The 1/1.7-inch sensor target format aligns with a wide range of compatible Dahua IPC bodies already in the field, making it a practical upgrade path without replacing whole camera units. P-Iris support adds automated iris control to handle changing lighting conditions on the same scene. Remote motorised zoom and focus means the installer does not need physical access to the lens once the camera is mounted - adjustments are made through the camera's software interface, reducing time on ladders and lowering the overall installation cost on multi-camera projects.

Download Product Datasheet (PDF)

What This Lens Actually Does

Who Buys This Model

• Security integrators upgrading existing Dahua IPC installations: Swapping out an older fixed or slower-aperture lens for the PFL1040-A12PE on an existing camera body to improve low-light performance without replacing the full camera unit.
• Installers specifying high-resolution camera builds: Selecting this lens to pair with a compatible 12 MP Dahua IPC sensor where the optics need to resolve the full pixel count - common on entrance monitoring, carpark identification, and perimeter detail applications.
• Commercial and industrial project managers: Specifying motorised zoom and focus to reduce post-installation adjustment time on multi-camera projects where physical access to mounted cameras is difficult or costly after fit-out is complete.
• Installers working variable-depth scenes: Using the 10 mm to 40 mm focal range to adapt a single camera position to a scene that requires both a general area view and the ability to zoom to a narrower identification zone without swapping lenses.

Honest Assessment

The PFL1040-A12PE does two things particularly well: the F1.2 aperture delivers a genuine low-light advantage over slower vari-focal lenses in the same focal range, and the motorised zoom and focus genuinely reduces post-installation adjustment time on difficult-access mounts. The 12 MP optical resolution rating means it will not constrain the output of a matched high-resolution sensor, and P-Iris adds a level of automatic iris management that a basic DC-iris lens cannot offer. This lens is available through Security Australia as part of the Dahua accessories range.

Where this lens will not help: it is a component that requires a compatible Dahua IPC camera body - it does not function as a standalone product. If the camera body already has a permanently integrated fixed lens, this lens is not a retrofittable option. Installers needing extremely long-reach telephoto beyond 40 mm, or a continuous optical zoom motorised by a controller mid-recording, should look at PTZ camera options which integrate zoom mechanics with a full pan-tilt platform.

Before You Buy

Quick Fit Check

• Good match if: You are building or upgrading a Dahua IPC camera with a replaceable 1/1.7-inch or 1/1.8-inch sensor target and need an F1.2 aperture for a low-light scene where maximising available light to the sensor is a priority.
• Good match if: The camera installation point is difficult to access after mounting - such as a high ceiling, elevated external bracket, or in-ceiling recessed housing - and motorised remote zoom and focus adjustment will save significant revisit time.
• You may need a different model if: You need continuous motorised zoom with pan and tilt movement during recording - a PTZ camera integrates all of these functions in a single unit designed for active scene tracking rather than a set-and-hold focal position.

Key Features & Technical Specifications

Real-World Scenarios

How It Compares

• Choose this if: You need 12 MP optical resolution with an F1.2 aperture and motorised remote zoom and focus in a standard mount format that fits a wide range of compatible Dahua IPC bodies with 1/1.7-inch or 1/1.8-inch sensors.
• You may need a different model if: You need focal lengths beyond 40 mm for very long-range identification, or require active pan and tilt movement alongside zoom - a PTZ camera system integrates those functions as a complete unit.
• Pairs well with: Compatible Dahua IPC box or bullet camera bodies with a replaceable 1/1.7-inch sensor target and a P-Iris connector, mounted on fixed external brackets or in-ceiling housings where access after installation is restricted.

Common Questions

1. Will this lens work with any Dahua camera body?

   No. The PFL1040-A12PE requires a Dahua IPC camera body with a compatible replaceable lens mount and a 1/1.7-inch or 1/1.8-inch sensor target. Many Dahua cameras have fixed integrated lenses that cannot be replaced. Check your camera body's datasheet for lens mount type before purchasing. This lens will not fit cameras with permanently sealed optics.

2. Does the F1.2 aperture actually make a visible difference in low light compared to a standard vari-focal lens?

   Yes, meaningfully so. An F1.2 aperture passes approximately 78% more light to the sensor than an F1.8 lens and over twice the light of an F2.0 lens. On a matched 12 MP sensor, this translates to reduced noise and usable image detail at lower lux levels - relevant for scenes like carparks, corridors, and external areas at dusk where supplementary IR illumination may be limited or unavailable.

3. How does the motorised zoom and focus actually work on site?

   Once the lens is physically connected to a compatible camera body and the camera is powered, the zoom and focus motors are controlled through the camera's web interface or the connected NVR's lens adjustment menu. The installer sets the desired focal length and focus point remotely - no physical adjustment screws are required after mounting. This is confirmed in the product specifications as supporting remote control and smart control functions.

4. What does P-Iris do that a standard DC-iris lens does not?

   P-Iris provides more precise aperture control with a stepper motor, allowing the camera to set the iris to the optimal position rather than simply maximising aperture in low light as a DC-iris does. This avoids softening caused by diffraction at very small apertures in bright conditions and prevents overexposure at large apertures. The camera firmware manages the P-Iris automatically, but the camera body must have a P-Iris control interface - a DC-iris socket will not drive the P-Iris motor correctly.

5. What is the field of view at 10 mm wide and 40 mm tele on a 1/1.7-inch sensor?

   At 10 mm (wide end) on a 1/1.7-inch sensor, the horizontal field of view is 51 degrees. At 40 mm (tele end), the horizontal field of view narrows to 14 degrees. These figures are confirmed in the lens specifications for the 1/1.7-inch target format. For a 1/1.8-inch sensor target, the wide horizontal is 49 degrees and the tele horizontal is 13 degrees.

6. Does this lens work for close-up scenes or is it only suited to distance coverage?

   It covers both, with a confirmed minimum object distance of 1 m at the wide end and 3 m at the tele end. At 1 m minimum focus distance at wide angle, it can cover scenes like counter areas or entry points without going out of focus. At the telephoto end, the 3 m minimum distance and narrow field of view make it suitable for identifying detail at longer range rather than tight close-ups. Stocked by Security Australia, the PFL1040-A12PE suits integrators who need a single lens to handle both near and distant coverage from one camera position.

Downloads & Resources

• Product Spec Sheet (PDF)