In today's era of intelligent imaging and embedded vision systems, choosing the right lens can significantly impact system performance. Whether you are designing surveillance cameras, robotic vision systems, or industrial inspection devices, understanding the difference between a 360 degree lens and a wide angle lens is essential.
At Lano Technology, we specialize in the development and customization of cutting-edge lens modules, including panoramic 360° lenses and high-performance wide-angle lenses for industrial and embedded applications. In this article, we’ll compare these two types of lenses, analyze their features, and guide you in selecting the best fit for your imaging needs.
A 360 degree lens captures a complete spherical view of its surroundings. It typically uses a combination of fisheye lenses or multiple image sensors to stitch together an immersive panoramic image. These lenses are ideal for applications requiring total situational awareness with no blind spots.
Key Features of 360 Degree Lenses:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Field of View | Full spherical (up to 360° horizontal and vertical) |
| Image Type | Panoramic, often stitched or de-warped via software |
| Use Case | Surveillance, VR imaging, robotic navigation |
| Mount Type | Custom or CS/C-mount depending on sensor system |
| Sensor Integration | Often multi-sensor or ultra-wide fisheye |
At Lano, our 360° panoramic lenses are custom-designed to meet industrial-grade standards, with high temperature tolerance and precise image stitching algorithms for embedded systems.
A wide angle lens provides a broad field of view—usually between 60° and 130°—without full spherical coverage. These lenses are often used when a larger viewing area is needed, but complete 360° imaging is not necessary.
Key Features of Wide Angle Lenses:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Field of View | Typically 60° to 130° |
| Image Type | Rectilinear or slightly distorted wide-angle image |
| Use Case | Machine vision, traffic monitoring, smart cameras |
| Mount Type | M12, CS, or C-mount |
| Sensor Compatibility | Compatible with 1/3”, 1/2.5”, or 1” CMOS sensors |
Lano Technology offers a comprehensive line of wide-angle lenses tailored for AI cameras, security systems, and automated optical inspection (AOI).
Let’s break down the technical and application differences between the two lens types:
| Criteria | 360 Degree Lens | Wide Angle Lens |
|---|---|---|
| Field of View | Full spherical (360° x 180°) | Wide, but not full (60°–130°) |
| Image Output | Panoramic, often software-stitched | Standard wide view |
| Application | Total surveillance, VR, robotics | Smart vision, traffic, automation |
| Complexity | Requires advanced image processing | Easier to integrate |
| Cost | Generally higher | More cost-effective |
| Integration | Best for specialized vision systems | Ideal for embedded platforms |
Choose a 360° lens if your application demands:
Omnidirectional Coverage: Ideal for surveillance, robotic mapping, or autonomous vehicles, where every angle must be monitored.
Immersive Imaging: Useful in AR/VR environments or remote collaboration systems.
Multi-Sensor Vision: Lano’s 360° lens solutions can be integrated into multi-camera modules with edge-based image stitching.
One of Lano’s partners required a dome-style traffic camera with zero blind spots. Using our custom 360° panoramic lens and built-in motorized control, the client achieved full-sphere monitoring with minimal software distortion, increasing license plate recognition accuracy by 35%.
A wide angle lens is your go-to option when:
You Need a Broader Yet Focused Field of View: Perfect for assembly line inspection, AI face recognition, or drone-based monitoring.
Budget Constraints Matter: Wide-angle lenses typically cost less and are simpler to integrate.
Space Constraints: Lano’s M12 or CS-mount wide-angle lenses are designed for compact embedded systems.
A retail client approached Lano Technology for a vision module to monitor customer behavior in-store. A 120° wide-angle lens provided excellent room coverage without distortion, and its compact M12 mount allowed easy integration into small camera housings.
With over 10 years of experience in lens module development and 70+ patents, Lano Technology is a leading provider of customized optical solutions in China. Our in-house R&D team specializes in:
Custom optical designs (6mm–100mm focal lengths)
Auto-focus and motorized zoom modules
High-temperature and vibration-resistant lenses
Embedded vision system integration
All our products undergo strict optical calibration and environmental reliability testing to meet industrial and medical-grade standards.
The choice between a 360 degree lens and a wide angle lens ultimately depends on your specific application:
Choose a 360° lens when you need complete coverage, immersive imaging, or multi-directional vision.
Choose a wide angle lens if you need cost-effective, compact, and focused wide-view imaging.
At Lano Technology, we provide tailored lens solutions for every need—from high-precision robotics to industrial vision and smart medical imaging. Whether you need panoramic surveillance or embedded wide-angle clarity, our engineering team can help you design the ideal optical system.
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