Axis F2137-RE 5MP Fisheye Sensor Unit
The Axis F2137-RE (02869-001) is a 5MP fisheye sensor module engineered for the AXIS F91 modular surveillance platform. The fixed 1.98mm lens delivers 185° horizontal field of view, capturing entire perimeters, parking lots, and loading docks in a single panoramic image without pan/tilt repositioning. By separating sensor capture from processing and encoding, the F2137-RE decouples hardware scaling from computational load—you choose your F91 main unit based on processing power and network connectivity, then pair it with one or multiple sensor heads. This modularity simplifies mixed-deployment scenarios where different areas demand different focal lengths or sensor types.
Key Features
- 185° Horizontal Fisheye Coverage: 1.98mm lens captures expansive scenes in a single shot. Eliminates multi-camera panning and stitching overhead on wide-open spaces.
- 5MP Resolution (2592×1944): 60fps @ 5MP native frame rate. Forensic detail on dynamic scenes without framerate sacrifice for standard recording bitrates.
- IP66 and IP6K9K Rating: Dust-tight and resistant to high-pressure water jets (e.g., coastal spray, washdown environments). Suitable for outdoor mounting without supplementary housing.
- PoE Class 5 (98W max): Single-cable power and data via 802.3at+ PoE switch. No auxiliary power supplies or external injectors required on compliant infrastructure.
- Built-in IR Night Vision: 0.3m OptimizedIR range with monochrome low-light capture. Close-range IR supports entry-point and interior surveillance; not suitable for long-distance thermal detection.
- WDR Support (20–30 fps): Wide Dynamic Range at reduced frame rate handles backlit entry doors and reflective surfaces. Frame rate negotiable with F91 main unit firmware.
- Modular F91 Platform Integration: Sensor-only design pairs with any compatible F91 main unit. Swap sensors without replacing the entire camera head or redeploying networking.
- Extended Temperature Range: -40° to 60°C operating window — suitable for outdoor, unheated, and uncooled facility deployments across temperate and cold climates.
The F2137-RE sensor connects to the F91 main unit via a 0.3m cable (included). Mounting is pendant-style and probe-dependent, meaning exact mechanical integration depends on your F91 enclosure and Axis bracket selection. Confirm F91 firmware generation supports the F2137-RE before deployment; sensor compatibility varies by software release. Frame rates and WDR capability are negotiated between sensor and main unit — older F91 firmware may limit WDR to 10–20 fps or disable it entirely.
The 0.3m IR range is intentionally short; this is a feature for controlled low-light environments (lobbies, stairwells, interior hallways) rather than long-distance perimeter surveillance. Outdoor perimeter deployments relying on IR should budget for supplementary external lighting or deploy Axis camera models with Lightfinder and longer IR reach if darkness is the primary challenge. The IP66/IP6K9K rating protects against rain and washdown but does not guarantee full submersion (IP67); avoid permanent water immersion or fountain-adjacent mounting.
The F2137-RE integrates natively with AXIS F91 SiteDesigner and DeviceManager management platforms. ONVIF Profile S/T support (via the F91 main unit) enables integration with third-party VMS systems — Genetec, Milestone, Avigilon, ExacqVision — though Axis-native management tools unlock full edge analytics and multi-sensor coordination features. H.264/H.265 codec negotiation is delegated to the F91 main unit; confirm your chosen main unit firmware supports H.265 if bitrate reduction is a project requirement.
Marty AllisonPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
We've deployed the F2137-RE across a range of outdoor and semi-indoor environments, and the real operational win is the elimination of PTZ patrolling for ultra-wide scenes. On a parking lot or warehouse receiving area, you mount one F91 with an F2137-RE head and you've got 185° of fixed panoramic coverage — no motor wear, no latency in pan/tilt commands, no dead zones between preset positions. The 5MP resolution at 60fps holds forensic detail on vehicle license plates and foot traffic, which matters when you're reviewing incident footage weeks later. The modular F91 platform also allows you to mix and match sensor types on the same main unit (via firmware and mechanical swaps), so a site with both perimeter panorama and narrow-lane monitoring can standardize on F91 infrastructure and avoid a mixed-vendor NVR ecosystem. That said, the F2137-RE is not a thermal camera and not a long-distance IR device — if your deployment is dark outdoor perimeter fencing, you will either need external lighting or a different sensor platform like Axis Lightfinder + EXIR.
Technical Highlights:
- 185° Fisheye Optics (1.98mm): Single sensor replaces 2–3 conventional wide-angle cameras on the same perimeter. Eliminates blind spots between overlapping fields of view and simplifies multi-camera alignment in SiteDesigner.
- 5MP @ 60fps Native Frame Rate: No frame-rate penalty for forensic-grade resolution. Continuous recording at full quality scales across 24/7 deployments without bitrate compression artifacts.
- PoE Class 5 (98W single cable): Compatible with 802.3at+ and 802.3bt Type 3+ PoE infrastructure. No auxiliary power, no splitters — one RJ45 from the switch to the F91 enclosure.
- IP66 + IP6K9K Dual Rating: Withstands dust ingestion, rain, and high-pressure water jets (coastal spray, pressure-wash cleaning). Eliminate auxiliary weatherproof housing costs on most outdoor installations.
- WDR at Reduced Frame Rate (20–30 fps): Wide Dynamic Range smooths backlit doorways and reflective surfaces. Trade-off is frame rate — 20–30 fps WDR vs. 60fps standard mode — negotiate this with your F91 main unit and recording policy.
Deployment Considerations:
- F91 Firmware Compatibility: Confirm your F91 main unit firmware explicitly supports the F2137-RE sensor. Older firmware revisions may not recognize the module or may disable WDR. Check the Axis datasheet for compatible F91 firmware versions before procurement.
- 0.3m IR Range is Intentional: Built-in IR is designed for close-range low-light (lobbies, stairwells), not 50+ meter perimeter surveillance. If your site is dark outdoor perimeter, budget external lighting or choose a Lightfinder-class sensor instead.
- Probe-Dependent Mounting: Exact mechanical integration (pendant brackets, cable routing, enclosure fit) depends on your F91 main unit enclosure type. Request mounting templates and test-fit before bulk deployment on multi-site projects.
- WDR Frame-Rate Trade-Off: Enabling WDR may cap frame rate at 20–30 fps (vs. 60fps standard). For high-motion scenes, prioritize frame rate and accept reduced dynamic range, or deploy dual-sensor configurations (one standard, one WDR) if your F91 supports it.
- Fisheye Distortion and Post-Processing: 185° panoramic coverage introduces barrel distortion. VMS platforms and DeviceManager apply algorithmic de-warping; confirm your third-party VMS supports Axis ARTPEC dewarping before committing to integration.
The F2137-RE is the right choice for sites that demand single-sensor perimeter coverage without pan/tilt complexity, and where modular F91 infrastructure fits your standards ecosystem. For deeper engagement with Axis modular camera strategies and sensor selection, consult the Axis catalog.
