Introduction: Meet the Hikvision DS-2CD2955FWD-IS 5MP Fisheye Dome Camera
The Hikvision DS-2CD2955FWD-IS is a compact, fixed‑lens fisheye IP dome camera designed to deliver full 180° horizontal and vertical coverage from a single device. Marketed as a 5 MP fisheye dome with built‑in IR and flexible mounting options, it is intended for indoor areas where panoramic situational awareness is preferred over multiple fixed cameras. With modern video codecs, true wide dynamic range and onboard storage, this model aims to balance image quality, coverage and cost—making it attractive for retail, offices, lobbies and light commercial installations.
Key features at a glance
- 5 MP, 2560 × 1920 resolutionwith up to 30 fps for detailed panoramic coverage.
- 1.05 mm fisheye lens (F2.2)providing an expansive 180° × 180° field of view and multiple dewarp/display modes.
- Advanced video processing: H.265+/H.265/H.264+/H.264 compression, 120 dB true WDR, 3D DNR, BLC and defog.
- Low‑light performance and IR: IR illumination to approximately 8 m for 0 lux night imaging (IS variant).
- Flexible power and storage: PoE (802.3af) or 12 VDC, microSD up to 128 GB, NAS support and ONVIF compatibility.
Detailed specifications and benefits
The camera uses a 1/2.5" progressive scan CMOS sensor that captures 5 MP (2560 × 1920) images. It supports 30 fps (60 Hz) or 25 fps (50 Hz) depending on region and settings, providing smooth motion capture for busy indoor environments. Low‑light sensitivity is strong for a fisheye unit, with a quoted minimum illumination of 0.01 lux in colour (F1.2, AGC on) and 0 lux with IR enabled—suitable for poorly lit spaces where overnight monitoring is required.
The ultra‑wide 1.05 mm fisheye lens delivers a 180° × 180° field of view, enabling single‑camera coverage that would otherwise require multiple cameras. Hikvision provides 14 dewarp/display modes—such as full 360°, 180°, panoramic and multiple multi‑PTZ layouts—so a single camera can be mapped into several useful viewing windows when monitoring from a VMS, recorder or the camera's web interface. Lens distortion correction and software dewarping ensure the image is usable for identification and situational awareness rather than just an amorphous fishbowl view.
Supported codecs include H.265+/H.265/H.264+/H.264 and MJPEG. H.265+ and H.265 significantly reduce storage and bandwidth compared to H.264, which is critical for high‑resolution panoramic streams. The camera offers three independent streams and a bitrate range of 32 Kbps–16 Mbps, letting integrators balance quality and network load. Additional image processing features—120 dB true WDR, 3D DNR, BLC and defog—help retain usable detail in scenes with mixed lighting or adverse conditions.
The DS-2CD2955FWD-IS variant includes IR illumination to around 8 m, allowing true 0 lux operation at night when required. While fisheye optics distribute IR differently than narrow‑angle lenses, the built‑in illumination is adequate for small to midsize indoor spaces, improving the camera's utility for 24/7 monitoring.
Connectivity is via a single RJ45 10/100 Mbps port supporting RTSP, HTTPS, IPv6 and 802.1X. The camera is ONVIF Profile S/G compliant, making it compatible with many third‑party VMS and NVRs. Local storage is supported via microSD/SDHC/SDXC up to 128 GB, and NAS options include NFS and SMB/CIFS with ANR for data continuity during network outages. These options enable standalone recording or integration into larger networked surveillance architectures.
Power options include PoE (802.3af) or 12 VDC, with power consumption of approximately 5 W (DC) and 6.7 W (PoE), making it suitable for PoE switches and low‑power installations. The compact dome measures Ø 119.9 × 41.2 mm and weighs about 600 g, while operating temperature ranges from -10 °C to +50 °C—designed primarily for indoor environments.
Model variants include the IS (IR) version described here; -S variants add audio and alarm I/O. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for CE/UKCA and other conformity markings. Note that some channels list this model as discontinued—check availability, warranty and authorised reseller status before purchase.
Use cases and scenarios where this camera excels
One of the DS-2CD2955FWD-IS's strongest use cases is retail where wide coverage is needed with minimal visual intrusion. A single ceiling‑mounted fisheye can cover an entire small shop floor, fitting rooms, or aisles while reducing cabling and installation time compared to multiple fixed cameras. Dewarped views can be presented to staff monitoring displays to follow customer flow, queueing or suspicious behaviour.
Open plan offices and lobbies benefit from panoramic coverage to monitor entrances, walkways and shared spaces. The camera allows security teams to watch activity from a single feed, and the high resolution assists with incident review where identity or action needs to be established.
For spaces where a broad field of view is more important than extreme long‑range detail—like classrooms, conference rooms or small public areas—the fisheye provides situational awareness and archival footage without the need for multiple cameras. Dewarped multiple PTZ windows can simulate several individual cameras in one stream.
With PoE support and relatively low power draw, the camera is a practical choice for installers wanting to minimize power cabling and ongoing power costs. The ability to record to a microSD card reduces dependency on a full NVR in simpler installations.
How it compares to similar products
Fisheye cameras from other manufacturers—such as models from Dahua, Axis and Uniview—offer comparable panoramic coverage, but there are a few differentiators to keep in mind when comparing the Hikvision DS-2CD2955FWD-IS:
- Resolution: 5 MP is a common sweet spot for fisheye cameras; some competitors offer 8 MP fisheye options for greater detail at the cost of higher bandwidth and storage.
- Codec efficiency: Hikvision's support for H.265+ helps reduce storage compared to older H.264 models, placing it on par with modern offerings.
- Night performance: Built‑in IR to ~8 m is typical for indoor fisheyes. Competitors with stronger low‑light sensors or longer IR range may perform better in very dim or larger areas.
- Interoperability and support: ONVIF compatibility is standard; however, software feature sets (dewarp modes, analytics) differ between vendors—verify that your VMS supports the camera's specific dewarping modes for the best user experience.
- Price and availability: With a suggested retail price around $219, it is competitively priced for a 5 MP fisheye. Availability may vary and some channels list it as discontinued, so procurement and warranty support should be confirmed.
Customer testimonials and reviews
Official user reviews for this exact model vary by channel and region. Common themes from installers and end users include praise for easy installation (especially using PoE), good panoramic coverage for small to medium indoor spaces, and effective bandwidth savings when using H.265+. Some users note that while the fisheye provides excellent situational awareness, identification at longer distances or through heavy distortion requires effective dewarping and sometimes additional cameras for close‑up detail.
Representative comments gathered from user feedback:
- "Great single camera solution for our small shop—reduced the number of cameras and simplified monitoring."
- "Image quality is good in daytime; IR works well for basic night recording in the lobby."
- "Make sure your NVR or VMS properly supports the dewarp modes—otherwise the raw fisheye view can look odd."
- "Good value for money, but check stock and warranty as availability was limited when we ordered."
Conclusion: Why choose the DS-2CD2955FWD-IS?
The Hikvision DS-2CD2955FWD-IS is a practical and economical fisheye IP camera for indoor panoramic surveillance. It combines a 5 MP sensor, extensive dewarp modes, H.265+/H.265 compression and PoE power options to deliver a flexible solution for retail, offices, lobbies and other shared spaces. The built‑in IR and strong image processing features make it useful around the clock, while local microSD and NAS support provide storage resilience.
This camera is best suited to projects where coverage from a single mounting point is a priority and where integration with existing ONVIF‑compatible systems is required. Before purchase, verify current availability, warranty status and that your recording platform supports the camera's dewarping features. For many installers and small businesses, the DS-2CD2955FWD-IS represents a compelling balance of coverage, features and cost—especially when compared with installing multiple fixed cameras to achieve the same field of view.
Note:Check the official Hikvision datasheet and consult a qualified installer for guidance on placement, mounting and compliance with local electrical and data regulations. Some channels list this model as discontinued; confirm availability and authorised reseller status prior to ordering.
