Product Overview
For perimeter monitoring in complete darkness, smoke, or challenging outdoor conditions where visible-light cameras cannot perform, the Axis Q1972-E is a purpose-built outdoor thermal bullet camera that detects heat signatures rather than relying on light. Featuring an uncooled microbolometer sensor at 640×480 resolution with a 10 mm athermalized lens and a 63-degree horizontal field of view, this camera delivers consistent 24/7 detection across fence lines, industrial yards, restricted zones, and critical infrastructure sites. Equipped with an ARTPEC-8 deep learning processing unit, it supports Axis Perimeter Defender analytics for intelligent motion detection, loitering alerts, and object tracking. It also integrates electronic image stabilization, TPM 2.0 and Axis Edge Vault cybersecurity, Zipstream compression, and an operating temperature range of -40 degrees C to +60 degrees C. This makes it well suited to demanding outdoor environments where long-term reliability and AI-driven perimeter intelligence are essential requirements.
Key Capabilities
640×480 Thermal Microbolometer
The uncooled microbolometer sensor captures heat radiation in the 8-14 micrometer spectral range, providing continuous detection regardless of lighting conditions, smoke, or dust. With a thermal sensitivity of less than 20 mK, it identifies subtle temperature differences across the scene.
ARTPEC-8 Deep Learning Analytics
The onboard ARTPEC-8 DLPU enables Axis Perimeter Defender analytics, supporting intelligent detection of people and vehicles, loitering alerts, and object tracking. This reduces nuisance alerts from environmental movement and focuses attention on genuine intrusion events at the perimeter.
Electronic Image Stabilization
Built-in electronic image stabilization compensates for vibration from wind, nearby machinery, or pole mounting, keeping the thermal image steady and ensuring consistent analytics performance on structures that experience movement or vibration in outdoor industrial settings.
IP66, IP67, IK10 and NEMA Ratings
Rated IP66 and IP67 for dust and water ingress, IK10 for impact resistance, and NEMA 4X and NEMA-TS 2 for outdoor electrical enclosure standards, the Q1972-E is built for year-round outdoor exposure including coastal, industrial, and high-humidity environments.
Axis Edge Vault and TPM 2.0 Cybersecurity
Axis Edge Vault provides hardware-based protection for device credentials, signed firmware, and secure boot. TPM 2.0 adds a dedicated cryptographic module for key storage and device integrity verification, making this camera a defensible choice for high-security network environments.
Zipstream Compression with H.265 and H.264
Axis Zipstream dynamically reduces bitrate and storage demand on static or low-activity areas of the thermal scene while preserving detail during detection events. Combined with H.265 and H.264 support, this helps manage storage and bandwidth across multi-camera perimeter deployments.
Best For
- Perimeter Intrusion Detection: The thermal sensor and Axis Perimeter Defender analytics combination makes this camera specifically suited to fence lines, boundary walls, and restricted access zones where detecting human or vehicle intrusion in complete darkness is the primary requirement.
- Industrial and Critical Infrastructure Sites: The -40 degrees C to +60 degrees C operating range, IK10 rating, and NEMA 4X classification make the Q1972-E well matched to refineries, substations, water treatment facilities, and other industrial environments with extreme temperature swings or exposure to dust and chemicals.
- Smoke or Dust-Affected Environments: Unlike standard cameras that lose visibility in smoke or airborne dust, the thermal sensor detects heat signatures through these conditions, making it valuable for mining sites, waste facilities, and areas with regular atmospheric interference.
- High-Security Network Deployments: The combination of TPM 2.0, Axis Edge Vault, signed firmware, and secure boot supports strict cybersecurity compliance requirements in government, defence, and critical infrastructure applications where device integrity must be verified.
Why Choose the Axis Q1972-E
The Axis Q1972-E separates itself from conventional outdoor bullet cameras by operating entirely on thermal detection rather than visible or infrared light. With a 640×480 uncooled microbolometer, a thermal sensitivity of less than 20 mK, and a 10 mm athermalized lens maintaining focus accuracy across a wide temperature range, it delivers consistent perimeter detection where standard cameras produce unusable images. The ARTPEC-8 processor enables genuine on-camera AI analytics through Axis Perimeter Defender, moving the detection workload to the edge rather than relying solely on a VMS to filter events. Electronic image stabilization adds practical value on pole or wall mounts exposed to wind. The hardware cybersecurity stack, including Edge Vault and TPM 2.0, is not found on standard IP cameras at this form factor. Available through Security Wholesalers, the Q1972-E suits security integrators specifying cameras for critical infrastructure, industrial perimeters, or high-security sites where detection reliability in adverse conditions is non-negotiable.
Buyer Decision Tips
Thermal Detection vs. Identification: The Q1972-E is designed for detection, not identification. The 640×480 thermal sensor produces heat-signature imagery that reliably confirms the presence and movement of people or vehicles, but it does not capture usable facial or license plate detail. For sites that require both perimeter detection and identification at the point of entry, pair this camera with a separate visible-light camera covering the access point. Plan your camera layout with this distinction in mind before specifying quantities.
Axis Perimeter Defender Licensing: The ARTPEC-8 processor supports Axis Perimeter Defender analytics, but the analytics application requires a separate software licence from Axis. Confirm licensing requirements and costs with your Axis channel partner before project sign-off. The camera itself will function for standard motion detection and video streaming without the licence, but the full AI-driven intrusion detection and loitering alert capability depends on it being installed and activated.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Model |
Axis Q1972-E 10 mm 30 fps |
| Part Number |
03027-001 |
| Sensor Type |
Uncooled microbolometer |
| Resolution |
640×480 pixels (scalable to 800×600 SVGA); pixel size 17 μm |
| Spectral Range |
8-14 μm |
| Thermal Sensitivity (NETD) |
<20 mK at 25°C, F1.0 |
| Lens |
Athermalized 10 mm, F1.2 |
| Field of View |
63° horizontal, 46° vertical |
| Frame Rate |
Up to 30 fps |
| Video Compression |
H.265, H.264, MJPEG with Axis Zipstream |
| Video Streams |
Up to 20 unique configurable streams |
| Processor |
ARTPEC-8 with deep learning processing unit (DLPU) |
| Analytics |
Axis Perimeter Defender (licence required); motion detection, loitering alerts, object tracking |
| Image Stabilization |
Electronic image stabilization (EIS) |
| Cybersecurity |
Axis Edge Vault, TPM 2.0, signed firmware, secure boot |
| Audio |
Configurable half/full duplex; 3.5 mm mic/line input; audio output via speaker pairing; 24-bit LPCM, AAC-LC, G.711, G.726, Opus encoding |
| Power |
PoE IEEE 802.3af/802.3at Type 1 Class 3; typical 5.0 W, max 12.95 W; DC terminal block |
| Ingress Protection |
IP66, IP67, IK10, NEMA 4X, NEMA-TS 2 |
| Operating Temperature |
-40°C to +60°C |
| Local Storage |
microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC card slot |
| Housing |
Compact white aluminum, halogen-free |
| Mounting Options |
Wall, pole, corner, conduit (Axis accessories) |
Ideal Use Cases
Industrial Perimeter Fencing
The 63-degree field of view combined with Axis Perimeter Defender analytics allows the Q1972-E to monitor extended fence-line segments and trigger alerts on intruding people or vehicles, using heat detection that continues to perform after dark without any supplementary lighting.
Critical Infrastructure Protection
Power substations, water treatment facilities, and communications sites benefit from the Q1972-E’s wide operating temperature range (-40°C to +60°C), hardware cybersecurity via Edge Vault and TPM 2.0, and NEMA 4X-rated housing for environments with strict physical and network security requirements.
Mining and Resources Sites
Dust, vibration, and extreme temperature variations are common in mining environments. The IK10-rated aluminum housing, electronic image stabilization for pole-mounted installations, and thermal detection through airborne particulates make the Q1972-E a practical choice for site boundary monitoring.
Ports and Logistics Yards
Large open yards with vehicle movement at all hours benefit from thermal detection that is unaffected by vehicle headlights, changing ambient light, or night-time darkness. The 30 fps frame rate and loitering detection support active monitoring of loading areas and access points.
Defence and High-Security Government Sites
The verified cybersecurity stack including TPM 2.0, signed firmware, and Axis Edge Vault hardware protection addresses device integrity requirements common in defence and government specifications, while thermal imaging provides detection without illumination that could reveal camera positions.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: You need reliable perimeter detection in zero-light or visually obscured conditions, require on-camera AI analytics via Axis Perimeter Defender, need a camera that can operate from -40°C to +60°C, and are deploying on a network with strict cybersecurity requirements where hardware-verified device integrity is specified.
- Choose a different model if: Your primary goal is subject identification, license plate capture, or facial recognition at an access point. Thermal cameras show heat signatures, not visual detail, so a high-resolution visible-light camera or a combined thermal and optical solution would be needed where evidential image quality is required at close range.
- Choose a different model if: Your installation is indoors in a temperature-controlled environment with consistent lighting. The Q1972-E is engineered for harsh outdoor conditions, and the cost and specification would not align with straightforward indoor monitoring requirements where a standard dome or turret camera would suffice.
FAQs
- How does the Q1972-E detect objects at night without an IR illuminator?
The camera uses an uncooled microbolometer sensor that detects thermal radiation in the 8-14 micrometer range, the heat emitted by people, vehicles, and other warm objects. This means it creates an image from heat signatures rather than reflected light, so complete darkness, overcast skies, or the absence of artificial lighting has no effect on its detection capability.
- Can this camera identify faces or read license plates?
No. Thermal cameras capture heat signatures and produce images based on temperature differences, not visual detail. The Q1972-E will show the outline, movement, and relative size of a person or vehicle, but it cannot render the visual detail needed for facial recognition or license plate reading. For identification, a separate visible-light camera should be used at the relevant access point.
- What is Axis Perimeter Defender and does it come included with the camera?
Axis Perimeter Defender is an AI-powered analytics application that runs on the ARTPEC-8 processor, enabling detection of people and vehicles, loitering alerts, and zone-based intrusion detection. The application requires a separate software licence from Axis and is not included in the camera purchase price. The camera will operate for standard video streaming and basic motion detection without the licence, but advanced perimeter analytics depend on it being activated.
- What does the IK10 rating mean for outdoor bullet camera installations?
IK10 is the highest impact resistance rating under the IEC 62262 standard, indicating the camera housing can withstand an impact of 20 joules. For an outdoor bullet camera mounted on a fence post, wall bracket, or pole at a perimeter, this provides meaningful resistance against deliberate tampering, thrown objects, or incidental contact from machinery or vehicles operating nearby.
- What is the operating temperature range and is it suitable for extreme climates?
The Q1972-E is rated for operation from -40°C to +60°C, covering both extremely cold alpine or sub-Antarctic conditions and high-temperature desert or industrial heat environments. The athermalized lens is specifically designed to maintain optical focus accuracy across this full temperature range without manual adjustment, which is important for maintaining consistent detection performance year-round.
- What power options does the Q1972-E support?
The camera supports PoE via IEEE 802.3af/802.3at Type 1 Class 3, with a typical consumption of 5.0 W and a maximum of 12.95 W. It also accepts DC power via a terminal block connection, providing flexibility where PoE infrastructure is not available or where local DC power distribution is preferred at remote industrial sites.
- Does the Q1972-E support edge storage and remote access?
Yes. The camera includes a microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC card slot for local edge storage, allowing recordings to be retained at the camera itself if network connectivity is interrupted. It supports up to 20 configurable video streams simultaneously, and can be integrated with Axis Camera Management software or third-party VMS platforms that support the Axis API, making it compatible with existing Axis network video infrastructure. This model is part of the Security Wholesalers range and is supplied with full Axis documentation and support channels.
Additional Information
AXIS 03027-001 Datasheet
