Product Overview
Where conventional cameras fail in total darkness, smoke, fog, or glare, the AXIS Q1961-TE cuts through every visual obstacle using longwave infrared thermal imaging across the 8-14 μm spectral range. Built as an outdoor thermal bullet camera with a fixed 7 mm athermalized lens and a 55° horizontal field of view, it is designed for industrial perimeter monitoring, early fire detection, and continuous temperature surveillance across challenging environments. The 384 × 288 uncooled microbolometer sensor outputs at 768 × 576 resolution up to 30 fps, with a thermal sensitivity of 40 mK making it capable of detecting subtle heat differences that would go unnoticed by any optical system. Its ARTPEC-8 processor supports up to 10 configurable polygonal temperature detection areas and runs included analytics covering fence guarding, motion detection, loitering, and fire detection with smart filtering. Rated IP66, IP67, IK10, and NEMA 4X, the housing withstands harsh outdoor conditions from -40°C to 60°C, making it suited to industrial yards, substations, storage facilities, and high-risk perimeter zones.
Key Capabilities
Thermal Imaging Through Any Condition
The uncooled microbolometer sensor operates across the 8-14 μm spectral range, capturing heat signatures regardless of lighting, smoke, fog, or glare. With a thermal sensitivity (NETD) of 40 mK, the AXIS Q1961-TE detects subtle temperature differences that remain invisible to any visible-light camera.
Early Fire Detection Analytics
Built-in fire detection analytics with smart filtering are included on the ARTPEC-8 processor, enabling early warning of heat buildup before flames develop. This is particularly valuable for industrial sites, recycling facilities, and storage yards where spontaneous ignition poses an ongoing risk.
Configurable Temperature Monitoring
Up to 10 polygonal temperature detection areas can be configured independently to monitor specific zones, tracking temperature levels and change rates. The spot temperature meter covers -40°C to 350°C with an accuracy of ±5°C below 120°C, supporting process monitoring and predictive maintenance alongside security.
ARTPEC-8 with Included Perimeter Analytics
The ARTPEC-8 processor with deep learning processing unit runs AXIS Fence Guard, AXIS Video Motion Detection, AXIS Loitering Guard, and AXIS Motion Guard out of the box. These tools allow operators to define perimeter boundaries and generate targeted alerts without additional licensing costs.
Industrial-Grade Housing
The aluminium and polycarbonate bullet housing carries IP66, IP67, IK10, and NEMA 4X ratings, covering immersion, impact, dust ingress, and corrosive environments. An operating temperature range of -40°C to 60°C means the camera functions through extreme cold and heat without additional enclosures.
Axis Edge Vault Cybersecurity
Axis Edge Vault with Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and signed firmware protects device integrity at the hardware level. Combined with VAPIX open API and ACAP support, the camera integrates into enterprise security infrastructure while maintaining a hardened cybersecurity posture suited to critical infrastructure deployments.
Best For
- Industrial Perimeter Monitoring: The 55° horizontal field of view and uncooled microbolometer sensor detect intruders or heat anomalies along fence lines and yard boundaries in complete darkness, smoke, or fog where optical cameras cannot function.
- Early Fire and Heat Anomaly Detection: On-board fire detection analytics and configurable polygonal temperature zones enable operators to catch dangerous heat buildup at recycling facilities, waste transfer stations, storage yards, or electrical switchrooms before ignition occurs.
- Critical Infrastructure and Utility Sites: Axis Edge Vault, TPM, and signed firmware meet cybersecurity requirements for substations, water treatment facilities, and government-regulated sites where device integrity is as important as detection capability.
- All-Weather Outdoor Installations: IP66, IP67, IK10, and NEMA 4X ratings combined with an operating range of -40°C to 60°C suit exposed outdoor mounting on masts, walls, and structures across harsh Australian climates without additional protective enclosures.
Why Choose the AXIS Q1961-TE
The AXIS Q1961-TE is not a general-purpose surveillance camera. It is a thermometric detection tool that fills a specific gap: continuous monitoring where visible light is absent, obstructed, or deliberately defeated by intruders using darkness or smoke as cover. The 7 mm fixed athermalized lens maintains focus across its full operating temperature range without recalibration, which matters for unattended outdoor deployments. The ARTPEC-8 processor includes fire detection, fence guarding, loitering, and motion analytics without additional licensing, reducing ongoing operational costs for industrial and infrastructure operators. The spot temperature meter adds a process monitoring dimension that most perimeter cameras cannot offer, covering -40°C to 350°C with ±5°C accuracy. Axis Zipstream in H.264 and H.265 reduces storage and bandwidth demands without compromising thermal detail. Available through Security Wholesalers, the AXIS Q1961-TE carries a 5-year manufacturer warranty and TAA compliance for government procurement environments.
Buyer Decision Tips
Thermal vs Optical: The AXIS Q1961-TE produces thermal heat-map imagery, not photographic video. It will not capture facial detail, licence plates, or colour identification. If you need a camera that documents visual evidence for prosecution or identification, pair it with an optical camera covering the same zone. The Q1961-TE is best deployed as a detection and alerting layer, triggering optical cameras when heat anomalies or perimeter breaches are confirmed.
Field of View and Coverage Planning: The fixed 7 mm lens provides a 55° horizontal field of view. At 30 metres, this covers approximately 30 metres of width, making it suited to monitoring specific approach paths, fence sections, or equipment zones rather than wide open areas. For broader coverage, multiple units on a perimeter or a wider-lens variant should be considered to avoid detection gaps.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Model |
AXIS Q1961-TE 7 mm 30 fps |
| Sensor Type |
Uncooled microbolometer |
| Native Resolution |
384 x 288 pixels (pixel size 17 μm) |
| Output Resolution |
768 x 576 at up to 30 fps |
| Spectral Range |
8-14 μm (longwave infrared) |
| Thermal Sensitivity (NETD) |
40 mK @ 25°C, F1.0 |
| Lens |
Fixed athermalized, 7 mm, F/1.18 |
| Horizontal Field of View |
55° |
| Minimum Focus Distance |
1.3 m |
| Temperature Detection Range |
-40°C to 350°C |
| Temperature Accuracy |
±5°C (below 120°C) |
| Polygonal Detection Areas |
Up to 10 configurable zones |
| Included Analytics |
AXIS Fence Guard, AXIS Video Motion Detection, AXIS Loitering Guard, AXIS Motion Guard, Fire Detection |
| Processor |
ARTPEC-8 with deep learning processing unit (DLPU) |
| Memory |
2048 MB RAM, 8192 MB Flash |
| Video Compression |
H.264, H.265 with Axis Zipstream |
| Power |
DC 10-28 V or PoE Class 3; typical 4.3 W, max 12.95 W |
| Ingress / Impact Rating |
IP66, IP67, IK10, NEMA 4X |
| Operating Temperature |
-40°C to 60°C |
| Housing |
Aluminium / Polycarbonate, White |
| Dimensions |
272 mm (L) x ø 132 mm |
| Weight |
1.4 kg |
| Network Interface |
Ethernet 10Base-T / 100Base-TX / 1000Base-T |
| Standards |
ONVIF Profile M, ONVIF Profile T; TAA compliant |
| Cybersecurity |
Axis Edge Vault, Trusted Platform Module (TPM), signed firmware |
| Warranty |
5-year manufacturer warranty |
Ideal Use Cases
Industrial Perimeter Fencing
AXIS Fence Guard and the 55° thermal field of view make the Q1961-TE effective for monitoring defined fence sections at manufacturing plants, logistics centres, and industrial yards where low-light and adverse weather conditions make optical cameras unreliable.
Recycling and Waste Facilities
Spontaneous combustion in stockpiled waste and recycled materials is an ongoing hazard. The on-board fire detection analytics and configurable polygonal temperature zones enable continuous thermal monitoring of storage piles, with alerts triggered before flames develop.
Electrical Substations and Switchrooms
The spot temperature meter covering -40°C to 350°C with ±5°C accuracy supports thermal monitoring of switchgear, transformers, and cable trays. The Axis Edge Vault cybersecurity architecture meets the integrity requirements of critical infrastructure operators.
Mining and Remote Site Monitoring
The -40°C to 60°C operating range, IP67 immersion rating, and NEMA 4X corrosion resistance suit the Q1961-TE for remote outdoor deployment in harsh mining environments where equipment is exposed to dust, water ingress, and wide temperature swings.
Port and Maritime Facility Perimeters
Salt air, fog, and darkness along waterfront perimeters defeat most optical cameras. The Q1961-TE’s thermal detection works through marine haze and in complete darkness, while the IK10 and NEMA 4X housing withstands the corrosive coastal environment without housing degradation.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: You need 24/7 perimeter detection or fire detection analytics that functions regardless of lighting conditions, smoke, or fog, and your site requires industrial-rated housing with IP66/67, IK10, and NEMA 4X certification.
- Choose a different model if: Your primary requirement is visual identification of individuals, licence plate capture, or colour evidence collection. A thermal camera does not produce photographic-quality imagery and cannot support identification purposes on its own. An optical bullet or turret camera, deployed alongside the Q1961-TE, would cover that requirement.
- Choose a different model if: Your coverage zone spans a wide-open area requiring a broad field of view beyond 55°. A wider-lens thermal variant or a multi-sensor thermal system would provide greater horizontal coverage from a single mounting point.
- Choose a different model if: Your budget is constrained to entry-level optical cameras. The Q1961-TE is a specialised thermometric device positioned at a premium price point that reflects its detection capability, analytics, and cybersecurity architecture.
FAQs
- Does the AXIS Q1961-TE produce colour video footage?
No. This is a purely thermal camera. It produces greyscale or false-colour thermal imagery based on heat signatures across the 8-14 μm spectral range, not visible-light photography. It will not capture colour, facial detail, or licence plate text. It is designed to detect heat anomalies, movement, and fire risk rather than to document visual evidence.
- What is the effective detection range of the 7 mm lens?
Detection range depends on target size and the application. The 7 mm fixed athermalized lens delivers a 55° horizontal field of view with a minimum focus distance of 1.3 m. For human detection along a perimeter, effective range will typically fall in the range of 30 to 60 metres depending on environmental conditions and configuration, though Axis does not publish a specific detection distance figure for this model in the confirmed datasheet.
- How does the fire detection analytic work?
The on-board ARTPEC-8 processor runs fire detection analytics that monitor heat signatures for patterns consistent with fire development. Smart filtering is built in to reduce false alerts from non-fire heat sources. The camera supports up to 10 configurable polygonal zones so operators can focus detection on specific high-risk areas such as material stockpiles, electrical cabinets, or machinery bays.
- Can I use the Q1961-TE for equipment temperature monitoring as well as security?
Yes. The spot temperature meter covers -40°C to 350°C with an accuracy of ±5°C below 120°C. Up to 10 polygonal detection areas can be configured to monitor temperature levels and rates of change independently, making the camera useful for predictive maintenance monitoring of electrical switchgear, motors, and process equipment alongside its perimeter security role.
- What power options does the AXIS Q1961-TE support?
The camera accepts DC 10-28 V or PoE Class 3. Typical power consumption is 4.3 W, with a maximum of 12.95 W. PoE delivery simplifies installation by running power and data over a single Cat5e or Cat6 cable, which is practical for mast or fence-line mounting where separate power cabling is difficult to route.
- What cybersecurity features does the camera include?
Axis Edge Vault provides hardware-based cybersecurity including a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and signed firmware to protect device integrity against tampering. The camera is ONVIF Profile M and Profile T compliant and supports VAPIX open API and ACAP. It is also TAA compliant, which is relevant for Australian government and defence procurement environments. These features are confirmed by Axis in the official product specification, and the Q1961-TE is part of the Security Wholesalers range for customers requiring government-compliant thermal imaging solutions.
- Is the Q1961-TE suitable for outdoor installation in extreme Australian climates?
Yes. The operating temperature range of -40°C to 60°C covers both extreme cold and the high ambient temperatures encountered in outback and industrial Australian environments. The IP66 and IP67 ratings protect against dust and water ingress, IK10 covers impact resistance, and NEMA 4X covers exposure to corrosive conditions such as coastal salt air. The aluminium and polycarbonate housing does not require an additional weatherproof enclosure for standard outdoor mounting.
Additional Information
AXIS 02174-001 Datasheet
