Product SKU: Q1808-LE
Product Overview
Built for demanding outdoor perimeter and open-area surveillance, the AXIS Q1808-LE is a 4K bullet camera housing a 4/3″ progressive-scan RGB CMOS sensor that delivers 10 MP resolution at up to 60 fps. The 12-48mm varifocal Canon lens provides 4x optical zoom with a horizontal field of view spanning 90° at wide to 21° at tele, making it well suited to car parks, building perimeters, campuses, and wide plazas where both broad coverage and close forensic detail are required. Featuring Lightfinder 2.0, the Q1808-LE maintains true colour reproduction in near-darkness, reaching down to 0.02 lux in colour mode. Forensic WDR handles high-contrast scenes involving bright backgrounds and shadowed foregrounds. A built-in Deep Learning Processing Unit enables on-camera analytics including Axis Object Analytics, and Axis Zipstream compression in H.264 and H.265 reduces bandwidth and storage overhead without sacrificing evidentiary quality. The camera is rated IP66/67 and IK10, and includes PoE out to power an additional connected device.
Key Capabilities
4K / 10 MP Resolution at 60 fps
The 4/3″ progressive-scan RGB CMOS sensor records at 3840×2160 with up to 60 fps, delivering the frame rate and pixel density needed for confident identification in fast-moving scenes across wide outdoor areas.
12-48mm Canon Varifocal Lens with 4x Optical Zoom
The Canon 12-48mm lens spans a 90° to 21° horizontal field of view, allowing installers to cover a wide plaza during setup and zoom into a tele position for forensic identification at distance, all without resolution loss.
Lightfinder 2.0 and Forensic WDR
Lightfinder 2.0 preserves accurate colour at 0.02 lux, making it effective on unlit perimeters and car parks after dark. Forensic WDR simultaneously handles bright headlights or sunlit entry points alongside shadowed areas in the same frame.
Deep Learning Processing Unit (DLPU) for Edge Analytics
The onboard DLPU supports Axis Object Analytics, motion detection, tampering alarms, and third-party ACAP applications. Processing happens on the camera itself, reducing server load and enabling faster forensic search across recorded footage.
Axis Zipstream Compression (H.264 / H.265)
Zipstream dynamically lowers the bitrate during low-activity periods while retaining full detail when motion is detected. This extends storage capacity on existing NVRs and reduces network bandwidth without compromising forensic integrity.
IP66/67, IK10, and Axis Edge Vault Cybersecurity
The IP66/67 housing withstands dust ingress and water jets, while IK10 rating protects against physical impact. Axis Edge Vault and secure boot protect against firmware tampering and unauthorised access, which is a key requirement for government and critical infrastructure deployments.
Best For
- Open Perimeter Monitoring: The 12-48mm lens covers wide building perimeters and fenced boundaries at the wide end, then zooms to 21° for detail at distant access points, supported by 10 MP resolution and Lightfinder 2.0 after dark.
- Car Parks and Transport Hubs: Forensic WDR handles the high contrast of vehicle headlights against dark surroundings, while 60 fps capture ensures moving vehicles and pedestrians are recorded without motion blur.
- Campus and Plaza Surveillance: The 90° wide field of view covers large open areas from a single mounting point, with the 4x optical zoom allowing operators or analysts to examine specific zones within the same image during forensic review.
- High-Security and Critical Infrastructure Sites: Axis Edge Vault, secure boot, and DLPU-driven edge analytics meet the cybersecurity and analytical requirements of government facilities, data centres, and utilities where verified device integrity is non-negotiable.
Why Choose the AXIS Q1808-LE
The AXIS Q1808-LE stands apart from standard outdoor bullet cameras through the combination of its large-format 4/3″ sensor and Canon varifocal optics. Most outdoor bullets in this class use smaller sensors that struggle in low-light conditions; the 4/3″ sensor in the Q1808-LE delivers usable colour images down to 0.02 lux, a meaningful advantage on unlit perimeters and poorly lit car parks. The 12-48mm lens range gives installers genuine flexibility at commissioning: a single camera can cover a wide carpark entrance and also zoom to capture vehicle registration detail at distance. The onboard DLPU reduces reliance on server-side processing for analytics, lowering total system cost on larger deployments. PoE out adds further installation flexibility by powering a secondary device from the same run. Available through Security Wholesalers, the Q1808-LE suits integrators specifying high-resolution outdoor coverage where both low-light performance and edge intelligence are required.
Buyer Decision Tips
Lens Position at Installation: The 12-48mm Canon lens must be physically adjusted to your intended focal length during installation. Set the zoom position before finalising the mount angle. At 12mm the horizontal field of view is 90°, suited to wide plaza coverage; at 48mm it narrows to 21°, suited to monitoring a specific gate or alley from a greater distance. The 1.5m minimum focus distance means this camera is not intended for close-range countertop or entry-foyer use.
PoE Out and Power Budget: The Q1808-LE supports PoE out to power an auxiliary device such as a door controller or additional sensor. Note that the camera draws an average of 13.7W and up to 25.9W at maximum load. Confirm your PoE switch port budget covers the camera and any device connected to its PoE out port before specifying the switch. A standard 15.4W 802.3af port will not be sufficient at peak; use an 802.3at (PoE+) or higher port.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Product Model |
AXIS Q1808-LE |
| Image Sensor |
4/3″ progressive-scan RGB CMOS |
| Resolution |
4K / 10 MP (3840×2160) |
| Maximum Frame Rate |
Up to 60 fps (16:9) |
| Lens |
Canon varifocal, 12-48mm, F1.7-4.0 |
| Optical Zoom |
4x |
| Horizontal Field of View |
90° (wide) to 21° (tele) |
| Vertical Field of View |
49° to 12° |
| Minimum Focus Distance |
1.5 m |
| Low-Light Sensitivity |
0.02 lux (colour), 0.004 lux (B&W), 0 lux (with IR) |
| Low-Light Technology |
Lightfinder 2.0, Forensic WDR |
| Video Compression |
H.264, H.265 with Axis Zipstream |
| Edge Processing |
Deep Learning Processing Unit (DLPU) |
| Analytics |
Axis Object Analytics, motion detection, tampering alarms, third-party ACAP support |
| Weather / Impact Rating |
IP66/67, IK10 |
| Cybersecurity |
Axis Edge Vault, secure boot |
| PoE Out |
Yes, to power an additional device |
| Local Storage |
MicroSD / SDHC / SDXC slot |
| Audio |
Audio input via 3.5mm jack |
| Operating Temperature |
-40°C to +60°C |
| Power Consumption |
Average 13.7W, maximum 25.9W |
| Weight |
Approx. 3.2 kg |
Ideal Use Cases
Multi-Level and Open Car Parks
Forensic WDR handles the extreme contrast between vehicle headlights and dark parking structures, while 10 MP resolution at 60 fps ensures licence plates and pedestrian movement are captured clearly at entry and exit points.
University and Corporate Campuses
The 90° wide field of view covers open plazas and pedestrian paths from elevated mounting positions, and the 4x optical zoom allows security operators to focus on specific individuals or areas within the same camera view during an incident review.
Building and Facility Perimeters
Lightfinder 2.0 maintains true colour at 0.02 lux, making the Q1808-LE effective along unlit fence lines and building perimeters after dark. The IK10 and IP66/67 ratings ensure the housing withstands outdoor conditions without maintenance disruption.
Critical Infrastructure and Government Sites
Axis Edge Vault and secure boot protect device identity and firmware integrity, satisfying cybersecurity policies for utilities, data centres, and government facilities. The onboard DLPU supports edge analytics without transmitting raw data to an external server.
Ports, Logistics Yards, and Loading Docks
The -40°C to +60°C operating range suits exposed industrial and coastal environments. The varifocal lens covers both wide loading dock overviews and tele positions for reading signage or container numbers at distance, supported by 10 MP resolution.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: You need 4K outdoor bullet coverage with a varifocal Canon lens that spans 90° wide to 21° tele, combined with Lightfinder 2.0 low-light performance, onboard DLPU analytics, and hardened cybersecurity for a high-security or critical infrastructure site.
- Choose a different model if: Your installation requires close-range coverage under 1.5m, as the minimum focus distance makes this camera unsuitable for counter-level or entry-foyer use. If your PoE switch only provides 802.3af (15.4W) ports and you also intend to use the PoE out function, a different infrastructure approach will be needed. If your site requires a fixed wide-angle lens rather than a varifocal, a fixed-lens outdoor bullet may be a more cost-effective option.
FAQs
- What resolution and frame rate does the AXIS Q1808-LE record at?
The Q1808-LE records at 4K (10 MP, 3840×2160) at up to 60 fps in 16:9 mode. The 60 fps capability is particularly useful in outdoor scenes with vehicle movement, reducing motion blur on fast-moving subjects compared to cameras limited to 25 or 30 fps.
- How does the 12-48mm lens differ from a standard fixed-lens bullet camera for perimeter use?
A fixed-lens camera locks you into one field of view at installation. The 12-48mm varifocal Canon lens on the Q1808-LE allows the installer to set the zoom position during commissioning, covering anywhere from a 90° wide view to a 21° tele view from the same housing. This flexibility is valuable when camera mounting positions are constrained or when coverage requirements are defined after the infrastructure is already in place.
- What does Lightfinder 2.0 actually do, and how does it compare to standard IR?
Lightfinder 2.0 is an Axis low-light technology that uses the large 4/3″ sensor to amplify available ambient light and reproduce accurate colours in near darkness, down to 0.02 lux in colour mode. Unlike standard IR illumination, which renders footage in black and white, Lightfinder 2.0 retains colour information that can be critical for identifying clothing, vehicle colour, or other distinguishing features after dark.
- What does the onboard DLPU enable, and does it replace a VMS server for analytics?
The Deep Learning Processing Unit on the Q1808-LE runs analytics directly on the camera, including Axis Object Analytics, motion detection, and tampering alarms. It also supports third-party ACAP applications. This reduces the processing load on a VMS server and enables analytics in deployments where server-side processing is limited, but it works alongside a VMS rather than replacing it entirely for recording and management functions.
- How does PoE out work on the Q1808-LE and what can I connect to it?
The Q1808-LE includes a PoE out port that supplies power and data to a secondary connected device, such as a door controller, radar sensor, or auxiliary camera. Before connecting a device, verify that your upstream PoE switch port is 802.3at (PoE+) rated or higher, as the camera itself draws up to 25.9W at maximum load, which exceeds the 15.4W budget of a standard 802.3af port.
- Is the AXIS Q1808-LE suitable for installation in extreme climates?
Yes. The Q1808-LE is rated for operation between -40°C and +60°C, making it suitable for cold-store environments, exposed industrial sites, and hot outdoor installations in Australian conditions. The IP66/67 rating protects against dust ingress and water jets, and the IK10 rating provides resistance to physical impact from tools or vandalism.
- Where can I purchase the AXIS Q1808-LE in Australia, and is technical support available?
The AXIS Q1808-LE is available through Security Wholesalers, which supplies the AXIS Communications range to security integrators and installers across Australia. Contact the team for availability, volume pricing, and pre-sales technical guidance on lens position selection and PoE infrastructure requirements for your specific deployment.
Additional Information
No additional downloads available for this product.
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