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
DSL746A-650-F2.8	Low-profile hybrid lens with IR cut filter for 1/3" sensor, EFL=4.9, F/2.8, M8x0.35, metal barrel *CLEARANCE*	4.9	2.8	1/3"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF		$19 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL115A-NIR-F2.0	Hybrid lens without IR cut coating for 1/3” format sensors, EFL=4.5, F/2.0, M12x0.5 and M13x0.5, metal barrel *CLEARANCE*	4.5	2	1/3"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF	CMT107, CMT103 CMT804	$19 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL386A-NIR-F2.8	Wide-angle, miniature Tailored Distortion™ lens designed for use with 12-14 Megapixel resolution with up to 1/2" format images. F/2.8, EFL= 2.7mm and No IR cut-off filter. *CLEARANCE*	2.7	2.8	1/2"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF		$19 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL851C-NIR-F2.8	**DISCONTINUED** Low-profile glass lens with plastic barrel for 1/3" sensor without IR coating, EFL=6, F/2.8, M10X0.5, wrench flat head *CLEARANCE*	6	2.8	1/3"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF		$19 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL821C-650-F2.8	Standard glass lens for 1/3" sensor, with IR cut coating at 650nm, EFL=6, F/2.8, M12x0.5. *CLEARANCE*	6	2.8	1/3"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF		$19 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL914A-650-F2.8	Glass lens for 1/2" sensor, with 650nm IR cut coating, EFL=9.6, F/2.8, M12x0.5, focus wheel, metal barrel *CLEARANCE*	9.6	2.8	1/2"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF		$19 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL900D-650-F3.0	Compact glass lens for 1/2" sensor, with IR cut filter, EFL=9.9, F/3.0, M10x0.5mm, 12mm Metal Barrel *CLEARANCE*	9.9	3	1/2"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF		$19 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL900C-NIR-F3.0	Compact glass lens for 1/2" sensor, NO IR cut filter, EFL=9.9, F/3.0, M10x0.5 *CLEARANCE*	9.9	3	1/2"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF		$19 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL900B-NIR-F3.0	Compact glass lens for 1/2" sensor, NO IR cut filter, EFL=9.9, F/3.0, M12x0.5 *CLEARANCE*	9.9	3	1/2"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF		$19 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL853C-NIR-F2.0	Low-profile glass lens for 1/2" sensor, NO IR cut coating, EFL=8.0, F/2.0, M12x0.5, wrench flats *CLEARANCE*	8	2	1/2"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF		$19 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL853C-650-F2.0	Low-profile glass lens with IR cut coating for 1/2" sensor, EFL=8.0, F2.0, M12x0.5, wrench flats *CLEARANCE*	8	2	1/2"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF		$19 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL849A-700-F1.9	Low stray light lens for High or Wide Dynamic Range, IR cut-off at 700nm, EFL=6.0, F/1.9, metal barrel threaded M8x0.5. *CLEARANCE ITEM*	5.9	1.9	1/3.2"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF	CMT830	$19 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL967C-BP940-F2.0	Low-profile glass lens for 1/2.9" sensor, F/2.0, with IR cutoff coating at 940nm. DISCONTINUED.	5.92	2	1/2.9"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF		$29 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL183B-NIR-F2.2	Miniature tailored distortion fisheye lens, without IR cut filter, EFL=1.32mm, F/2.2, M12x0.5 slipfit, metal barrel. Compatible with CMT168. DISCONTINUED PN.	1.32	2.2	1/4"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF	CMT168-1122F	$29 Order Sample	Request Volume Quote
DSL331F-650-F2.0	Lens, glass, narrow FOV, EFL 19.8mm, F/2.0.  Metal Barrel, M16x0.5mm. IR Cut filter cutoff at 650nm.	19.84	2	1/1.55"	Calculate FOV Calculate DOF		$49 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