What are M12 lenses/S-mount lenses ?

M12 lenses, also known as s-mount lenses are compact size lenses useful for a variety of embedded cameras. The barrel of these lenses are machined with M12 threads allowing easy mounting and focusing with M12 lens holder.  M12 lenses are sometimes called board-mount lenses. Please note that other lens mount options are also possible in addition to M12 lens mount. This article compares commonly seen lens mount options.

How to choose a M12 lens/S-mount lens ?

Sunex pioneered the development of M12 lenses/s-mount lenses.  We design and manufacture M12(s-mount) lenses in our own facilities with proven high-quality processes (automotive). We provide a suite of optical calculators (aka optics wizards) for selecting the right M12 lens for your application. Read a step-by-step guide for choosing the right M12 lens/s-mount lens.

M12 lens/S-mount lens design and manufacturing:

The general process of manufacturing M12 lenses involves optical design in Zemax or Code V software, and opto-mechanical design using CAD software. Once the design is approved and accepted,  prototypes are built using fast prototyping methods such as diamond-turning to fabricate lens elements.  Upon testing and acceptance of the prototypes, production grade tooling/fixtures are built. For example, if plastic elements are used in the design precision injection molds are built. If molded glass elements are involved glass molds are fabricated using special high temperature materials. In order to achieve consistent results and low unit cost, automatic assembly and testing methods are utilized as the final manufacturing step. Customized lens development is also possible for specialized applications.  View custom M12 lens/s-mount lens development process flow-chart.

Calculators for assisting lens selection:

• Search for M12 lenses by imager resolution

• Search lens by imager manufacture info

• Solve for lens focal length given imaging setup

• Calculate FOV from EFL or vice versa

• Calculate depth of field (DOF)

Find a M12 lens by CMOS imager specifications:

• 1" or larger format lenses

• 1/2" format M12 lenses

• 1/2.3" format M12 lenses

• 1/2.5" format M12 lenses

• 1/3" format M12 lenses

• 1/3.2" format M12 lenses

• 1/4" format M12 lenses

• 1/5" format M12 lenses

• Miniature M12 fisheye lenses and dewarping software

• M12 lenses with FOVEA distortion

Order samples or/and request quotes:

PN	Description	Focal length(mm)	f/#	Imager Format	Field of view/ Depth of field	Recommended Holder	Sample Price (1-99)	Volume Price
DSL146A-NIR-F1.4- TOF	Lens, 3.3mm EFL, 4K, for up to 1/2.8” sensors, F/1.4. 800-1000nm AR Coating, M12x0.5, aluminum barrel. No IR cut or bandpass filter.	3.3	1.4	1/2.8"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF	CMT168-1122/1119, CMTT821	$99 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL147A-BP940-F1.4-TOF	TOF Lens. 2.5mm EFL, 4K, for up to 1/2.8” sensors, F/1.4. 800nm – 1000nm AR Coating, M12 barrel, 940nm bandpass filter option.AR coatings and anodization has to be in the VIS+IR wavelength	2.54	1.4	1/2.8"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF	CMT168-1122/1119, CMTT821	$99 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL146A-NIR-F1.4	Lens, 3.3mm EFL, 4K, for up to 1/2.8” sensors, F/1.4. NO IR Cut filter.	3.3	1.4	1/2.8"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF	CMT168-1122/1119, CMTT821	$99 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL147A-650-F1.4	Lens, 2.5mm EFL, 4K, for up to 1/2.8” sensors, F/1.4. IR Cut filter at 650nm	2.54	1.4	1/2.8"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF	CMT168-1122/1119, CMTT821	$99 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL147A-NIR-F1.4	Lens, 2.5mm EFL, 4K, for up to 1/2.8” sensors, F/1.4. NO IR Cut filter	2.54	1.4	1/2.8"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF	CMT168-1122/1119, CMTT821	$99 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL143D-NIR-F1.4	LiDAR receiver lens featuring high dynamic range, advanced AR coating, and low F/# to achieve optimal performance.	40.6	1.4		Calculate FOV Calculate DOF		$249 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL146A-BP940-F1.4-TOF	Lens, 3.3mm EFL, 4K, for up to 1/2.8” sensors, F/1.4. 800-1000nm AR Coating, M12x0.5, aluminum barrel, 940nm bandpass filter option.	3.3	1.4	1/2.8"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF	CMT168-1122/1119, CMTT821	$99 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL146A-650-F1.4	Lens, 3.3mm EFL, 4K, for up to 1/2.8” sensors, F/1.4. IR Cut filter at 650nm	3.3	1.4	1/2.8"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF	CMT168-1122/1119, CMTT821	$99 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL350A-680-F1.44	Wide FOV glass lens for 1/1.8" sensors, Fovea design, 120deg HFOV, F/1.44, aluminum barrel with glue flange, IR Cut Filter at 680nm	5.56	1.44	1/1.8"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF		$99 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL450H-650-F1.4-HP3	All-Glass Fovea lens for 1/1.8", Low ghost HDR design, and Low F/#, EFL=5.06mm,F/1.44, M14x0.5 threaded barrel. -650- IR cut filter.	5.06	1.44	1/1.8"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF	CMT333	$99 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL450H-NIR-F1.4-HP3	All-Glass Fovea lens for 1/1.8", Low ghost HDR design, and Low F/#, EFL=5.06mm,F/1.44, M14x0.5 threaded barrel	5.06	1.44	1/1.8"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF	CMT333	$99 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL451B-680-F1.46-HP3	4K all-glass, wide-angle lens with enhanced center resolution. All glass. Indoor/Outdoor. M16x0.5.	4.71	1.46	1/1.8"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF	CMT331A	$99 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL115C-650-F1.5	Hybrid lens with IR cut coating for 1/3” format sensors, EFL=4.5mm, F/1.5, M12x0.5, aluminum barrel	4.5	1.5	1/3"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF	CMT107, CMT103 CMT804	$69 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL115C-NIR-F1.5	Hybrid lens, no IR cut coating for 1/3” format sensors, EFL=4.5mm, F/1.5, M12x0.5, aluminum barrel	4.5	1.5	1/3"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF	CMT107, CMT103 CMT804	$69 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL162A-NIR-F1.6	Lens, 15.3mm EFL, for 1/1.7” sensors, F/1.6. NO IR Cut filter at 700nm	15.3	1.6	1/1.7"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF		$99 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
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Didn’t find the lens you’re looking for? Try searching our entire lens database using one of the following options:

• By lens focal length and f/#
• By imager PN or imager key specifications
• Request a free custom lens design
• Contact our support team