OmniVision OV9281 · 1.0MP 1/4" global-shutter CMOS image sensor
OV9281 Sensor Specifications & Compatible M12 and C-Mount Lenses
OV9281 is an OmniVision 1/4-inch global-shutter CMOS image sensor in the OmniPixel3-GS line, with NIR response for high-speed mono capture under IR light. It is widely used in Arducam and OEM global-shutter camera modules for Raspberry Pi and machine vision. It runs a 1280x800 monochrome array on 3 um pixels at 120 fps over MIPI CSI-2 or DVP. Commonlands matches M12 Lenses to its 4.53mm image circle and reports the calculated horizontal, vertical, and diagonal field of view.
OV9281 specifications
| Part number | OV9281 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | OmniVision |
| Family | OmniPixel3-GS |
| Resolution | 1280x800 (1.0 MP) |
| Optical format | 1/4" |
| Active area | 3.84 × 2.4 mm |
| Sensor diagonal | 4.53 mm |
| Pixel size | 3.0 µm |
| Shutter | Global |
| Max frame rate | 120 fps |
| Interface | MIPI CSI-2 / DVP |
| Color / mono | Mono |
| NIR response | Enhanced near-infrared |
Manufacturer datasheet: OmniVision OV9281 product page
Lens selection for the OV9281 with calculated field of view
Each field of view below is calculated for the OV9281 active area (3.84 × 2.4 mm) from Commonlands’ per-lens field-of-view data, which reflects each lens’s real distortion rather than a focal-length-only estimate. Alongside the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal field of view, each row lists focal length, mount, aperture (F#), and coverage. Follow the product links for distortion, ingress protection, dimensions, and resolution specifications. Coverage compares the lens image circle with the 4.53 mm sensor diagonal. Entries marked Circular image do not cover the full diagonal; part of the sensor lies outside the image circle. Run working-distance and object-size numbers through the field of view calculator.
Engineering picks for the OV9281
- Best ~30° HFoV: 7.2mm M12 Lens (CIL872) (7.2 mm, f/2.8). Why: the closest covering option to 30° horizontal, chosen for tight inspection framing and long read ranges. Field of view on the OV9281: 29.9° H × 18.9° V (34.9° diagonal). The image circle covers the full sensor (rectilinear estimate, computed 2026-07-02).
- Best ~60° HFoV: Low Distortion 3mm M12 Lens (CIL030) (3 mm, f/2.1). Why: the closest covering option to 60° horizontal, chosen for general-purpose machine-vision framing. Field of view on the OV9281: 65.2° H × 43.6° V (74.1° diagonal). The image circle covers the full sensor (rectilinear estimate, computed 2026-07-02).
- Lowest distortion: Low Distortion 4.4mm M12 Lens (CIL043) (4.4 mm, f/3.2). Why: measured -0.5% TV distortion, the flattest image among covering lenses. Field of view on the OV9281: 47.1° H × 30.5° V (54.5° diagonal). The image circle covers the full sensor (rectilinear estimate, computed 2026-07-02).
- Best low light: 8mm C-Mount Lens (CIL521) (8 mm, f/1.5). Why: the fastest covering aperture (f/1.5), which collects the most light per pixel. Field of view on the OV9281: 27° H × 17.1° V (31.6° diagonal). The image circle covers the full sensor (rectilinear estimate, computed 2026-07-02).
- Compact low-cost pick: Telephoto 16mm M12 Lens (CIL160) (16 mm, f/1.9). Why: the lowest-priced covering M12 barrel ($15). Field of view on the OV9281: 13.7° H × 8.6° V (16.1° diagonal). The image circle covers the full sensor (rectilinear estimate, computed 2026-07-02).
Browse the M12 Lens collection and the C-Mount Lens collection for the OV9281. Covering lenses below run from 1.8 mm to 100 mm focal length and produce 2.2° to 93.7° horizontal field of view on its active area.
| Commonlands Lens | Focal Length | Mount | F# | Horizontal FoV | Vertical FoV | Diagonal FoV | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Distortion 1.8mm M12 Lens (CIL018) | 1.8 mm | M12 | f/2.8 | 93.7° | 67.4° | 103.1° | Covers |
| Low Distortion 2.2mm M12 Lens (CIL023) | 2.2 mm | M12 | f/2.2 | 82.2° | 57.2° | 91.7° | Covers |
| Low Distortion 2.6mm M12 Lens (CIL028) | 2.6 mm | M12 | f/2.6 | 72.9° | 49.6° | 82.1° | Covers |
| Low Distortion 2.7mm M12 Lens (CIL027) | 2.7 mm | M12 | f/2.8 | 70.8° | 47.9° | 80° | Covers |
| Low Distortion 2.8mm M12 Lens (CIL093) | 2.8 mm | M12 | f/2.4 | 68.9° | 46.4° | 77.9° | Covers |
| Low Distortion 3mm M12 Lens (CIL030) | 3 mm | M12 | f/2.1 | 65.2° | 43.6° | 74.1° | Covers |
| 4mm C-Mount Lens (CIL529) | 4 mm | C-mount | f/2.8 | 51.3° | 33.4° | 59° | Covers |
| Low Distortion 4.2mm M12 Lens (CIL042) | 4.2 mm | M12 | f/1.9 | 49.1° | 31.9° | 56.7° | Covers |
| Low Distortion 4.4mm M12 Lens (CIL043) | 4.4 mm | M12 | f/3.2 | 47.1° | 30.5° | 54.5° | Covers |
| 4.9mm C-Mount Lens (CIL505) | 4.9 mm | C-mount | f/2.2 | 42.8° | 27.5° | 49.6° | Covers |
| Low Distortion 5.2mm M12 Lens (CIL052) | 5.2 mm | M12 | f/3.4 | 40.5° | 26° | 47.1° | Covers |
| 5.7mm M12 Lens (CIL857) | 5.7 mm | M12 | f/3 | 37.2° | 23.8° | 43.3° | Covers |
| Low Distortion 5.9mm M12 Lens (CIL059) | 5.9 mm | M12 | f/1.7 | 36.1° | 23° | 42° | Covers |
| 6mm M12 Lens (CIL061) | 6 mm | M12 | f/1.9 | 35.5° | 22.6° | 41.4° | Covers |
| Low Distortion 6.2mm M12 Lens (CIL062) | 6.2 mm | M12 | f/2.8 | 34.4° | 21.9° | 40.1° | Covers |
| 7.2mm M12 Lens (CIL872) | 7.2 mm | M12 | f/2.8 | 29.9° | 18.9° | 34.9° | Covers |
| 7.8mm M12 Lens (CIL078) | 7.8 mm | M12 | f/2 | 27.7° | 17.5° | 32.4° | Covers |
| 8mm C-Mount Lens (CIL521) | 8 mm | C-mount | f/1.5 | 27° | 17.1° | 31.6° | Covers |
| 8.1mm M12 Lens (CIL083) | 8.1 mm | M12 | f/2.8 | 26.7° | 16.9° | 31.2° | Covers |
| 8.2mm M12 Lens (CIL085) | 8.2 mm | M12 | f/3 | 26.4° | 16.7° | 30.9° | Covers |
| 8.5mm C-Mount Lens (CIL508) | 8.5 mm | C-mount | f/2.4 | 25.5° | 16.1° | 29.8° | Covers |
| 9.1mm M12 Lens (CIL092) | 9.1 mm | M12 | f/2.6 | 23.8° | 15° | 28° | Covers |
| Telephoto 10.4mm M12 Lens (CIL104) | 10.4 mm | M12 | f/3.8 | 20.9° | 13.2° | 24.6° | Covers |
| Telephoto 12mm M12 Lens (CIL122) | 12 mm | M12 | f/2 | 18.2° | 11.4° | 21.4° | Covers |
| 12mm C-Mount Lens (CIL552) | 12 mm | C-mount | f/2.8 | 18.2° | 11.4° | 21.4° | Covers |
| Telephoto 12.2mm M12 Lens (CIL120) | 12.2 mm | M12 | f/2.2 | 17.9° | 11.2° | 21° | Covers |
| Telephoto 12.5mm M12 Lens (CIL125) | 12.5 mm | M12 | f/2.4 | 17.5° | 11° | 20.5° | Covers |
| Telephoto 14.2mm M12 Lens (CIL142) | 14.2 mm | M12 | f/2.6 | 15.4° | 9.7° | 18.1° | Covers |
| Telephoto 16mm M12 Lens (CIL160) | 16 mm | M12 | f/1.9 | 13.7° | 8.6° | 16.1° | Covers |
| 16mm C-Mount Lens (CIL553) | 16 mm | C-mount | f/2.8 | 13.7° | 8.6° | 16.1° | Covers |
| Telephoto 18mm M12 Lens (CIL178) | 18 mm | M12 | f/2 | 12.2° | 7.6° | 14.3° | Covers |
| Telephoto 19mm M12 Lens (CIL190) | 19 mm | M12 | f/2 | 11.5° | 7.2° | 13.6° | Covers |
| Telephoto 21.6mm M12 Lens (CIL121) | 21.6 mm | M12 | f/2.8 | 10.2° | 6.4° | 12° | Covers |
| Telephoto 25mm M12 Lens (CIL250) | 25 mm | M12 | f/2 | 8.8° | 5.5° | 10.4° | Covers |
| 25mm C-Mount Lens (CIL554) | 25 mm | C-mount | f/2.6 | 8.8° | 5.5° | 10.4° | Covers |
| Telephoto 35mm M12 Lens (CIL350) | 35 mm | M12 | f/2.4 | 6.3° | 3.9° | 7.4° | Covers |
| 35mm C-Mount Lens (CIL555) | 35 mm | C-mount | f/2.6 | 6.3° | 3.9° | 7.4° | Covers |
| Telephoto 50mm M12 Lens (CIL051) | 50 mm | M12 | f/2.8 | 4.4° | 2.7° | 5.2° | Covers |
| 50mm C-Mount Lens (CIL556) | 50 mm | C-mount | f/2.8 | 4.4° | 2.7° | 5.2° | Covers |
| Telephoto 75mm M12 Lens (CIL076) | 75 mm | M12 | f/3.4 | 2.9° | 1.8° | 3.5° | Covers |
| 75mm C-Mount Lens (CIL557) | 75 mm | C-mount | f/3 | 2.9° | 1.8° | 3.5° | Covers |
| Telephoto 100mm M12 Lens (CIL100) | 100 mm | M12 | f/3.6 | 2.2° | 1.4° | 2.6° | Covers |
Covers in the table means the lens image circle is at least as large as the 4.53 mm sensor diagonal. Confirm corner illumination and MTF at your aperture, wavelength, and working distance. A complete circular fisheye image fits inside the sensor only when its diameter is no larger than the sensor's short side. Need a focal length or coverage that is not listed here? Ask our engineers to confirm a match.
How to choose a lens for the OV9281
Start from the field of view and working distance your application needs. Confirm that the lens image circle covers the active sensor diagonal and that the mount provides the required focus travel and rear clearance. A lens megapixel rating alone does not establish resolution on this sensor. Compare measured MTF at the spatial frequencies your task needs, at the intended aperture, wavelength, distance, and field position, accounting for the 3.0 µm pixel pitch. Estimate framing with the Commonlands field of view calculator.
Sourcing a camera module around the OV9281? Commonlands manufactures M12 lenses and C-mount lenses and ships from San Diego, with same-day shipping on in-stock lenses ordered before 12 PM PST. We also design and build custom MIPI CSI-2 camera modules that integrate the lens, the OV9281 sensor, and the carrier board, available from 1,000 units per year, and assemble consigned OV9281 boards with Commonlands lenses in our San Diego ISO 6 cleanroom from 100 to 100,000 units per year. Talk to an applications engineer.
Related guides and tools
OV9281 lens and camera module FAQ
What lens fits the OV9281 sensor?
A lens match requires sufficient image-circle coverage, suitable MTF, and mechanical clearance. Use the coverage column and calculated field of view to shortlist lenses, then verify the operating conditions on each product page.
What is the OV9281 sensor size?
The OV9281 is a 1/4" format sensor with a 3.84 × 2.4 mm active area and a 4.53 mm diagonal, built on 3.0 µm pixels at 1280x800 resolution.
Does Commonlands build a custom MIPI camera module for the OV9281?
Yes. Commonlands designs and builds custom MIPI CSI-2 camera modules that integrate the lens, the OV9281 sensor, and the carrier board, available from 1,000 units per year with active lens-to-sensor alignment and 100% MTF testing. Consigned assembly of your OV9281 boards with Commonlands lenses runs from 100 to 100,000 units per year in our San Diego ISO 6 cleanroom. Talk to an applications engineer to scope a module.
Match a lens to your OV9281 camera
Get an engineer-verified lens recommendation for your sensor, format, and field of view.
Contact Commonlands engineering