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Covert & Pinhole Cameras

Covert and pinhole cameras put a very small lens where a standard camera housing would be unsuitable. This page has Hikvision IP models: separated cameras whose small sensor head sits on a 2 m or 8 m cable away from the main body, and a compact covert mini camera. Most are 2MP Full HD and one is 4MP. Lens options are 2.8 mm or 3.7 mm.

Choosing Covert & Pinhole Cameras

Decide how the camera will be hidden first, then pick the lens and the cable length to the main module.

Separated pinhole cameras

A separated camera splits a small sensor head from its main module, so the head can be concealed in a ceiling, fixture, signage or joinery. The DS-2CD6425G1-30 has a 2 m cable and a 2.8 mm lens. The DS-2CD6425G1-L30 has an 8 m cable and a 2.8 mm lens giving about 108° horizontal view, with the module kept accessible for power, I/O and storage. The DS-2CD6425G1-L20 has an L-shaped 2.8 mm head on an 8 m lead. The DS-2CD6425G1-20 uses a 3.7 mm pinhole lens with about 75.5° horizontal view on a 2 m cable, and its smart events include intrusion, line crossing, unattended baggage and face detection.

Mini covert camera

The mini covert camera here is compact, in a zinc-alloy body of 31.5 × 31.5 × 39.7 mm. The DS-2CD2D25G1-D/NF has a 2.8 mm F2.5 pinhole lens with about 93.9° horizontal view, colour sensitivity of 0.002 Lux at F1.2, an audio line input and up to 50/60 fps depending on region. It runs on 12 VDC and has a single 10/100 Mbps network port.

4MP and recording

The DS-2CD6445G1-30 steps up to 4 MP, with H.265+ compression, audio and alarm connections and 3D DNR. Every camera on this page has 120 dB WDR for scenes with strong backlight. The DS-2CD6425G1-10, DS-2CD6425G1-30, DS-2CD6425G1-L20 and DS-2CD6425G1-L30 take a microSD card of up to 256 GB for on-board storage.

ModelTypeLensCable or power
DS-2CD6425G1-20Separated, 2MP3.7 mm2 m cable, PoE or 12 VDC
DS-2CD6425G1-30Separated, 2MP2.8 mm2 m cable, PoE or 12 V DC
DS-2CD6425G1-L20Separated, 2MP2.8 mm, L-shaped head8 m lead, PoE or 12 VDC
DS-2CD6425G1-L30Separated, 2MP2.8 mm8 m cable, PoE or 12 V DC
DS-2CD6425G1-10Separated, 2MP3.7 mmPoE on the main body
DS-2CD2D25G1-D/NFMini covert, 2MP2.8 mm12 VDC
DS-2CD6445G1-30Covert, 4MP2.8 mm2 m cable

Related categories

Compare housed models in CCTV cameras and Hikvision CCTV cameras, see wired CCTV cameras, or add fixings and cable from CCTV installation accessories.

Brands we stock in Covert & Pinhole Cameras

Hikvision.

Frequently asked questions

What is a pinhole CCTV camera?

A pinhole CCTV camera uses a very small lens that can be hidden where a standard camera housing would be unsuitable. On a separated model the sensor head and main module are joined by a cable, so only the tiny head has to be hidden: the DS-2CD6425G1-30 uses a 2 m cable and the DS-2CD6425G1-L30 an 8 m cable, which lets the module sit where it can be reached for power, I/O and storage.

Do pinhole camera PoE models need a separate power supply?

No, a pinhole camera with PoE draws its power through the network cable, so it needs no separate supply; some models run on 12 V DC instead. The Hikvision DS-2CD6425G1-20, DS-2CD6425G1-30, DS-2CD6425G1-L20 and DS-2CD6425G1-L30 take PoE (802.3af) or 12 V DC, while the DS-2CD2D25G1-D/NF runs on 12 VDC.

Does a 2.8 mm or a 3.7 mm pinhole lens see more?

The 2.8 mm lens gives the wider view. The DS-2CD6425G1-L30 with its 2.8 mm lens covers about 108° horizontally and the DS-2CD2D25G1-D/NF about 93.9°, while the 3.7 mm pinhole lens on the DS-2CD6425G1-20 covers about 75.5°. Choose the lens by how much of the room the hidden camera has to take in.

Can a covert camera store footage on a memory card?

Yes, a covert camera with an on-board microSD slot can store footage on the camera itself. The Hikvision DS-2CD6425G1-10, DS-2CD6425G1-30, DS-2CD6425G1-L20 and DS-2CD6425G1-L30 each take a card of up to 256 GB, and the DS-2CD6425G1-10 supports NAS storage as well.

Which covert cameras have audio connections?

Many covert IP cameras have an audio line input, and some add an audio output, so check the camera's interfaces before choosing. The Hikvision DS-2CD2D25G1-D/NF has an audio line input, the DS-2CD6425G1-10 and DS-2CD6425G1-30 have audio I/O and alarm I/O, and the DS-2CD6445G1-30 has one audio input and one audio output. On the DS-2CD6425G1-L30, audio and alarm I/O on the module are optional.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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