Product SKU: AXIS P3228-LV
Product Overview
For installers fitting out offices, corridors, retail floors, or reception areas where image detail genuinely matters, the AXIS P3228-LV delivers 4K resolution at full frame rate from a low-profile fixed dome housing. The standout installation advantage is the 3.5-10mm varifocal lens with remote zoom and focus, which allows lens adjustment from the management interface rather than by hand at the ceiling – a meaningful time saving across multi-camera deployments. Featuring Forensic WDR and Lightfinder technology, this camera manages scenes with strong backlight or mixed lighting conditions that routinely cause problems for standard sensors. Built-in IR illumination with OptimizedIR adapts the beam spread to the current zoom position, maintaining usable coverage after dark. Axis Zipstream in H.264 cuts bandwidth and storage overhead substantially, making 4K retention practical on existing infrastructure. The IK08 rating adds resistance to accidental impact in higher-traffic indoor environments.
Key Capabilities
4K Full Frame Rate Video
At 3840×2160 resolution and full frame rate, the P3228-LV captures sufficient detail to identify faces, read signage, or track individuals across wide indoor spaces – tasks that lower-resolution domes struggle with once footage is reviewed.
Remote Zoom and Focus
The 3.5-10mm varifocal lens can be adjusted remotely after the camera is physically installed. This removes the need to return to the ceiling for manual fine-tuning, reducing installation time and making post-installation framing changes straightforward.
Forensic WDR and Lightfinder
Forensic WDR handles high-contrast scenes such as corridors with windows or brightly lit entry points without washing out or crushing detail. Lightfinder extends usable colour imaging in low-light conditions before IR takes over.
OptimizedIR Illumination
The built-in IR illumination automatically adjusts its beam angle to match the current zoom position on the varifocal lens. This keeps IR coverage consistent whether the lens is set wide or zoomed in, avoiding the overexposure and dark-edge issues common with fixed IR emitters.
Axis Zipstream in H.264
Zipstream dynamically reduces bitrate in scene areas with low activity while preserving full detail in motion-relevant zones. For 4K streams, this makes a significant difference to storage consumption and network load without requiring a codec upgrade on the recorder.
Best For
- Ceiling-Mounted Corridor Coverage: The adjustable 100-38 degree horizontal field of view lets installers frame narrow corridor runs or wider floor areas precisely from a single ceiling point.
- Retail and Reception Monitoring: The discreet fixed dome housing and 4K sensor capture transaction-level detail across counters and floor areas without the obtrusive footprint of a bullet or box camera.
- Multi-Camera Commercial Deployments: Remote zoom and focus across an entire floor or building reduces the number of return visits needed during commissioning, which matters on larger installs.
- Mixed-Light Environments: Forensic WDR and Lightfinder together make the P3228-LV suitable for spaces where natural and artificial light vary significantly throughout the day, such as lobby areas or open-plan offices with external windows.
Why Choose the AXIS P3228-LV
The AXIS P3228-LV separates itself from standard 4K dome cameras through the combination of remote varifocal adjustment and Zipstream compression – two features that directly reduce installation effort and ongoing infrastructure cost. Where a fixed-lens 4K dome forces a choice between a wide field of view or a narrow one before the camera is mounted, the P3228-LV allows the framing decision to happen after installation, with no hands-on lens adjustment required. Forensic WDR is an Axis-specific implementation designed to retain forensic-grade detail across high-contrast zones rather than simply balancing exposure, which makes a practical difference in entry points and lobby areas. The IK08-rated dome housing adds durability suited to public-facing indoor spaces. Available at Security Wholesalers, the P3228-LV is backed by an Axis manufacturer warranty and is compatible with AXIS Camera Management software for streamlined multi-unit deployment.
Buyer Decision Tips
Buyer Tip: The P3228-LV carries an IP52 rating, meaning it is resistant to dust and light water spray but is not rated for full outdoor exposure or direct rain. It is suited to covered indoor environments and protected indoor-facing positions. If the installation point is exposed to weather or significant moisture, confirm a camera with IP66 or IP67 rating is selected instead. For ceiling-mounted indoor positions, IP52 is sufficient and the lower ingress rating has no practical impact on performance.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Model |
AXIS P3228-LV |
| Resolution |
3840 x 2160 (4K) at full frame rate, scalable down to 160 x 90 |
| Image Sensor |
1/2.5″ progressive scan RGB CMOS |
| Lens |
3.5-10mm varifocal, F1.7, with remote zoom and focus |
| Horizontal Field of View |
100 degrees (wide) to 38 degrees (telephoto) |
| Vertical Field of View |
51 degrees (wide) to 22 degrees (telephoto) |
| Video Compression |
H.264 with Axis Zipstream technology |
| Wide Dynamic Range |
Forensic WDR |
| Low-Light Technology |
Lightfinder |
| IR Illumination |
Built-in IR with OptimizedIR (adaptive beam angle) |
| Housing |
Fixed dome |
| Ingress Protection |
IP52 |
| Impact Rating |
IK08 |
| Power |
Power over Ethernet (PoE) IEEE 802.3af / 802.3at, 8.6W maximum |
| Memory |
1GB RAM, 512MB flash |
Ideal Use Cases
Corporate Office Floors
4K resolution across open-plan workspaces provides the detail needed to review incidents after the fact. The discreet dome profile keeps the camera unobtrusive in professional environments, and remote lens adjustment avoids disruption to office activity during commissioning.
Retail Floor and Checkout Monitoring
The varifocal lens allows precise framing of checkout counters or display areas from a ceiling mount. Forensic WDR manages the contrast between artificially lit display areas and daylight from shopfront windows without losing detail at either end of the scene.
Building Lobbies and Reception Areas
Lobby environments often combine high ambient light from glazed facades with darker interior zones. Forensic WDR and Lightfinder together ensure that individuals entering or exiting are captured with consistent image quality regardless of the time of day.
Indoor Corridors and Stairwells
The adjustable horizontal field of view from 100 down to 38 degrees lets installers tailor the coverage angle to match corridor widths precisely. OptimizedIR adapts to the set zoom position so IR coverage remains consistent in dim stairwells and low-lit passageways.
Multi-Site Managed Installations
Axis Zipstream reduces 4K bandwidth and storage requirements across multiple camera endpoints, making large indoor deployments feasible on existing NVR and network infrastructure. Compatibility with AXIS Camera Management simplifies remote configuration across sites.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: You need 4K detail from a ceiling-mounted indoor dome, value remote lens adjustment during commissioning, and are deploying on a network or recorder where Zipstream-driven bandwidth savings are a practical benefit.
- Choose a different model if: The mounting position is exposed to direct weather – the IP52 rating is suited to indoor or fully sheltered indoor-facing positions only, and a camera with a higher ingress protection rating should be selected for any outdoor or semi-exposed location.
- Choose a different model if: The installation requires full motorised pan, tilt, and zoom from a central operator position – the P3228-LV is a fixed dome with a varifocal lens for installation-time framing, not a PTZ camera for live directional control.
FAQs
- What does remote zoom and focus mean in practice for installation?
Once the P3228-LV is physically mounted on the ceiling, the lens position can be adjusted through the camera’s web interface or AXIS Camera Management without returning to the camera. This means installers can fine-tune the framing and focus from ground level or from a remote workstation, removing the need for a second visit to the mounting point after cabling and initial positioning.
- Is the AXIS P3228-LV suitable for outdoor installation?
The P3228-LV carries an IP52 ingress protection rating, which covers dust resistance and protection against light water spray at a defined angle. It is not rated for direct rain, hose-down environments, or general outdoor exposure. This camera is designed for indoor ceiling mounting and protected internal positions. An IP66 or IP67 rated camera should be selected for any outdoor or semi-exposed location.
- What is Forensic WDR and how does it differ from standard WDR?
Forensic WDR is Axis’s implementation of wide dynamic range processing, designed to retain detail across both bright and dark zones in a scene simultaneously. Unlike basic WDR which may blend exposures at the cost of image clarity, Forensic WDR is tuned to preserve detail that remains useful for post-event review – such as face detail near a window or clothing colour in a shadowed area – rather than simply producing a balanced-looking image.
- How does Zipstream reduce storage without losing important footage?
Axis Zipstream applies additional H.264 compression to parts of the frame where there is no movement or significant activity, lowering the bitrate dynamically in low-interest zones. In areas or moments where motion or detail is detected, the full bitrate is maintained. For a 4K stream, this can reduce storage consumption substantially without degrading the quality of footage that matters for incident review.
- What does the IK08 rating mean for a dome camera in a public indoor space?
IK08 indicates the housing can withstand an impact of 5 joules, which covers incidental contact in high-traffic indoor environments such as corridors, stairwells, and retail floors. It provides a reasonable level of protection against accidental knocks or low-level interference without requiring a fully vandal-rated housing designed for external or high-risk locations.
- What power supply does the AXIS P3228-LV require, and what is its maximum draw?
The P3228-LV is powered via Power over Ethernet, supporting both IEEE 802.3af and 802.3at standards. Maximum power draw is 8.6W, which falls within the standard PoE budget of most managed switches and PoE NVRs. No separate power supply or adaptor is required provided the switch or injector supports PoE on the relevant port. The P3228-LV is available through Security Wholesalers with full Axis manufacturer support.
Additional Information
