Product Overview
Built for onboard and transit-environment surveillance, the Axis M3905-R is a 2MP fixed dome camera rated IP66, IP67, and IK10, with a confirmed operating temperature range of -30°C to 55°C, making it one of the few dome cameras purpose-designed to meet transportation-industry fire-safety and durability requirements including those applicable to buses. This SKU (03118-021) is a 10-unit bulk pack, suited to fleet operators and transit authorities deploying multiple cameras across vehicles or transit facilities in a single project. Featuring a 2.8mm fixed lens with an F1.2 aperture and 88° horizontal field of view, it captures 1080p video at up to 45 frames per second. It incorporates Axis Lightfinder for low-light colour imaging down to 0.02 lux, Forensic WDR for high-contrast scenes, and Axis Zipstream for bandwidth-efficient H.265 storage. It is also NDAA and TAA compliant, and ships with a 5-year Axis warranty.
Key Capabilities
Traffic Light Mode
A unique image mode that allows the M3905-R to correctly distinguish traffic light colours in low-light conditions. This is a confirmed Axis feature designed specifically for onboard and roadside transit applications where colour accuracy under artificial lighting matters.
Lightfinder and Forensic WDR
Lightfinder enables colour imaging at minimum illumination of 0.02 lux, maintaining usable colour footage in poorly lit vehicle interiors or station environments. Forensic WDR handles high-contrast scenes where bright doorways or windows wash out standard sensors.
Axis Zipstream with H.265
Zipstream dynamically reduces bitrate in areas of low activity without discarding forensically important detail. Combined with H.265 compression, this significantly lowers storage and bandwidth requirements across a fleet of 10 or more cameras – directly reducing recorder and network infrastructure costs.
IK10, IP66 and IP67 Protection
The IK10 impact rating means the housing withstands 20-joule strikes, appropriate for public-facing or passenger-accessible indoor environments. IP67 confirms full dust ingress protection and temporary water submersion tolerance, while IP66 covers high-pressure water jet resistance.
ACAP Analytics and Motion Detection
Supports AXIS Video Motion Detection, active tampering alarms, and Axis Camera Application Platform (ACAP) apps including Fence Guard, Loitering Guard, and Motion Guard. Third-party analytics applications can also be loaded directly on the camera via ACAP.
Best For
- Bus and Rail Fleet Surveillance: Confirmed compliance with transportation-industry fire-safety standards and a temperature range of -30°C to 55°C make this dome suitable for onboard deployment in buses and transit vehicles.
- Bulk Fleet Rollout Projects: The 10-unit pack format is well suited to operators deploying a standardised camera type across multiple vehicles, with consistent image settings, firmware, and lens angle across the fleet.
- Passenger Cabin Interiors: The 2.8mm fixed lens with 88° horizontal field of view covers wide interior spaces from a ceiling-mounted position, while IK10 vandal resistance handles the physical demands of a passenger environment.
- NDAA and Government-Compliant Deployments: Both TAA and NDAA compliance are confirmed, making this model appropriate for government transit authorities, public transport projects, and federally funded infrastructure programmes.
Why Choose the Axis M3905-R
The Axis M3905-R stands apart from general-purpose indoor domes through its direct compliance with transportation-industry regulations, including fire-safety standards applicable to buses. Very few 2MP dome cameras at this form factor carry simultaneous IP66, IP67, and IK10 ratings alongside a confirmed operating range of -30°C to 55°C. The Traffic Light Mode is a specifically engineered image processing feature not commonly found in standard commercial dome cameras, and it addresses a real requirement in transit environments where colour-critical footage under mixed or low-level lighting is needed. For fleet operators procuring in quantity, this 10-unit pack (03118-021) simplifies procurement and ensures consistent image performance across vehicles. The 5-year Axis warranty provides long-term coverage appropriate for transport infrastructure. Available through Security Wholesalers, the M3905-R is supported by Axis’s VAPIX API and ONVIF Profile G, M, S, and T, ensuring integration with a wide range of VMS and recording platforms.
Buyer Decision Tips
No built-in IR illuminator: The M3905-R does not include infrared illumination. It relies entirely on ambient or artificial light in the scene, with a minimum illumination of 0.02 lux using Lightfinder. This is appropriate for bus interiors and transit spaces with existing cabin or platform lighting, but it is not suited to completely unlit outdoor areas. Confirm that your installation locations maintain a minimum light level at night before specifying this model.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Resolution |
2 MP, 1920 x 1080 (Full HD 1080p) |
| Image Sensor |
1/2.9″ Progressive scan RGB CMOS |
| Lens |
2.8 mm fixed, F1.2 aperture, M12 mount, fixed iris |
| Horizontal Field of View |
88° |
| Minimum Illumination |
Colour 0.02 lux at 30 IRE F1.2 / 0.07 lux at 50 IRE F1.2 |
| IR Illumination |
None |
| Frame Rate |
Up to 45 fps (25/30 fps at all resolutions; 45 fps at 720p) |
| Video Compression |
H.264, H.265 (HEVC) Main Profile, Motion JPEG, Axis Zipstream |
| Wide Dynamic Range |
Forensic WDR |
| Smart Features |
Traffic Light Mode, Lightfinder, Axis Zipstream, AXIS Video Motion Detection, active tampering alarm, digital PTZ preset points, ACAP application support (Fence Guard, Loitering Guard, Motion Guard) |
| Camera Adjustment |
Pan: ±30°, Tilt: 15-90°, Rotation: ±175° |
| Ingress Protection |
IP66, IP67 |
| Impact Rating |
IK10 |
| Power |
PoE (IEEE 802.3af); maximum 3.80 W |
| Operating Temperature |
-30°C to 55°C (-22°F to 131°F) |
| Operating Humidity |
10-100% RH (condensing) |
| Protocols and Standards |
ONVIF Profile G, M, S, T; VAPIX API; one-click cloud connection; TAA compliant; NDAA compliant |
| Dimensions |
Height 50 mm, Diameter 110 mm; Weight 241 g |
| Pack Quantity |
10 units (03118-021) |
| Warranty |
5-year Axis warranty |
Ideal Use Cases
Public Bus Fleets
Confirmed compliance with transportation-industry fire-safety standards and an operating temperature range of -30°C to 55°C make the M3905-R a direct match for onboard bus surveillance. The IK10 housing handles vibration and passenger contact typical in transit cabin environments.
Rail and Light Rail Carriages
The wide 88° field of view from a 2.8mm fixed lens is well suited to carriage ceilings where a single camera needs to cover a wide passenger seating bay. IP67 and IK10 ratings provide durability in high-usage transit environments.
Transit Station Interiors
Lightfinder’s 0.02 lux minimum illumination handles platforms and station corridors with variable or low artificial lighting. Active tampering alarms and ACAP-compatible Loitering Guard analytics add proactive detection in public waiting areas.
Government and Federally Funded Projects
NDAA and TAA compliance make this model directly eligible for government procurement programmes and public transport infrastructure tenders that require verified supply chain compliance. The 5-year Axis warranty supports long-lifecycle asset planning.
Multi-Vehicle Fleet Rollouts
The 10-unit pack format is specifically structured for fleet-scale deployments where identical camera models, firmware, and lens configurations need to be maintained across a large number of vehicles. Zipstream with H.265 reduces the total storage burden across the fleet’s recording infrastructure.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: You are deploying cameras onboard vehicles or transit infrastructure where transportation-industry compliance, IK10 vandal resistance, IP67 ingress protection, and an extreme operating temperature range (-30°C to 55°C) are required – and where adequate ambient lighting exists in the monitored space.
- Choose a different model if: Your installation site has no reliable ambient lighting at night and requires built-in IR illumination, as the M3905-R has no onboard IR and relies entirely on scene lighting. A dome camera with a confirmed IR range would be more appropriate for unlit or outdoor-only environments.
- Choose a different model if: You need a varifocal or motorised zoom lens to frame a specific distant target. The M3905-R has a fixed 2.8mm lens only, so camera placement must be planned to suit the 88° field of view without lens adjustment.
FAQs
- What does the 10-unit pack (03118-021) include?
The SKU 03118-021 is the AXIS M3905-R RJ45 2.8mm 10-unit bulk pack. It includes 10 identical M3905-R dome cameras with a 2.8mm fixed lens. This pack is intended for fleet operators, transit authorities, or integrators deploying multiple cameras of the same type across vehicles or facilities in a single procurement.
- Does the M3905-R have an IR illuminator for night vision?
No. The M3905-R does not include any built-in infrared illuminator. It relies entirely on available ambient or artificial light in the scene. Using Axis Lightfinder image processing, it achieves a minimum colour illumination of 0.02 lux at F1.2, which is well suited to lit vehicle interiors and station environments but is not appropriate for completely unlit outdoor locations.
- What does the Traffic Light Mode do?
Traffic Light Mode is a confirmed Axis image processing feature that allows the camera to correctly identify and render traffic light colours in low-light or high-contrast conditions. It is specifically designed for onboard transit and roadside applications where identifying the state of a traffic signal in footage may be forensically relevant.
- Is the M3905-R compliant with Australian bus or transit regulations?
Axis confirms the M3905-R complies with transportation-industry regulations including fire-safety standards applicable to buses. This makes it a confirmed option for Australian transit authorities specifying onboard cameras against transportation compliance requirements. Its IP66, IP67, and IK10 ratings also align with durability expectations in transit environments.
- What analytics can run on the M3905-R?
The camera supports AXIS Video Motion Detection and active tampering alarms natively. Via the Axis Camera Application Platform (ACAP), it also supports AXIS Fence Guard, AXIS Loitering Guard, and AXIS Motion Guard. Third-party ACAP-compatible analytics applications can also be deployed directly on the camera’s onboard processor.
- What VMS and recorder platforms is the M3905-R compatible with?
The M3905-R supports ONVIF Profile G, M, S, and T, as well as the VAPIX API, making it broadly compatible with most professional VMS platforms and IP recording systems. It also supports one-click cloud connection. Security Wholesalers can advise on recorder compatibility if you are building a new system around this camera. TAA and NDAA compliance also qualify it for use in government-specified recording infrastructure.
Additional Information
AXIS 03118-021 Datasheet
