How to choose a pipe inspection camera
By Grant, Inspection Tool Specialists. Published November 2026.
Three things decide which pipe inspection camera you need: the diameter of the pipes, how far you must inspect from each access point, and whether you need to find the camera's position from above ground. Settle those first and the choice usually narrows to one or two systems.
This guide covers push-rod cameras, pan-and-tilt cameras and crawler systems for pipes, drains, sewers and culverts. For wells and shafts, see our borehole cameras.
Which camera suits my pipe diameter?
The camera head must fit comfortably through the pipe and still light the walls. A head that is too small for a large pipe gives a dim, narrow view; one that is too big will not pass bends or junctions.
| Pipe diameter | Typical camera head | Typical system |
|---|---|---|
| 30 to 150 mm (household drains, small services) | 23 mm self-levelling | Compact push-rod camera, 30 to 40 m |
| 50 to 200 mm (residential and light commercial sewers) | 29 mm self-levelling | Push-rod camera, 40 to 50 m |
| 100 to 400 mm (municipal sewers and stormwater) | 40 mm self-levelling | Heavy-duty push-rod camera, 60 to 150 m |
| 150 to 1,000 mm (large sewers and culverts) | 50 mm pan-and-tilt | Pan-and-tilt push-rod camera, 60 to 150 m |
| 200 to 2,000 mm (mains, culverts, long runs) | Robotic crawler camera, for example the TC-R200 | Crawler system, 100 m and beyond |
The ranges are the manufacturers' stated ranges for the models we supply; the exact figure is on each product page.
How far can a push-rod camera reach?
Cable length is the distance you can pay out, not a guarantee of how far the camera will travel. How far it actually goes depends on the stiffness of the rod, the diameter of the pipe, the number and tightness of bends, and how much silt or debris is in the line.
- Thinner rods (about 7 mm) flex more, so they negotiate bends and traps more easily but lose pushing force over long, straight runs.
- Thicker rods (about 11 mm) are stiffer and push further along straight sewers, but struggle through tight bends.
A useful rule: choose the cable length from the longest distance between your access points, then add a margin. For a sewer with manholes 80 m apart, a 100 m reel is the sensible minimum. If the run is longer than a push-rod can manage, or the pipe is larger than about 400 mm, a crawler is the better tool.
Do I need a 512 Hz sonde and locator?
Yes, if you need to know where a defect is so that someone can dig to it. The sonde is a small transmitter in the camera head; a separate handheld locator picks up its signal from the surface and shows where the head is, and usually how deep.
On many systems the transmitter is built into the head but the locator is an optional extra, so check both are included before you compare prices. If you only inspect to confirm a blockage or record the condition of a line, and never need to excavate, you can leave the locator out.
Self-levelling, pan-and-tilt or dual view?
- Self-levelling heads keep the picture upright as the rod twists. This is the standard choice for drain and sewer surveys and is enough for most contractors.
- Pan-and-tilt heads turn to look into junctions, laterals and defects from the side. They suit larger pipes and condition assessments where you must inspect joints and connections, and they cost more.
- Dual view heads combine a forward view with a rotating side view, which is a cheaper way to inspect pipe walls and junctions than full pan-and-tilt.
Does it work underwater?
Camera heads on the systems we supply are typically rated IP68, so they can operate submerged in a partly full pipe. That is different from inspecting a flooded pipeline under pressure or at depth, which depends on the model's rated depth. If the line cannot be drained for inspection, tell us the water depth and whether it is flowing before you buy.
What about recording and reporting?
Many systems record 1080p video and photos to a memory card or USB drive. Models with a metre counter show the distance on the picture, so you can note where each defect is. The recording medium and memory capacity vary by model, so confirm them before you buy. If your client requires a formal condition report, confirm the video format can be imported into your reporting software, and ask about the defect-coding standard the report must follow before you choose the camera.
How much should I budget?
As a guide to our current range, in South African rand including VAT:
- Entry-level push-rod cameras for drains and small pipes start at about R21,000 to R23,000.
- Self-levelling systems with a larger screen and 40 to 50 m of cable are about R50,000 to R70,000.
- Heavy-duty, pan-and-tilt and dual-view systems with 60 to 150 m of cable are about R84,000 to R110,000 and upwards, depending on cable length and whether the locator is included.
- Crawler systems start at about R220,000.
Prices change, so treat these as a starting point and check the product pages for current pricing.
Our recommendations by application
| Application | Suggested starting point |
|---|---|
| Plumbers and drain contractors, household and small commercial lines | TC-V9-23 self-levelling camera, 30 to 40 m |
| Tight budget, general drain inspection | CR110-9DX7 push-rod camera, 50 or 100 m |
| Residential and light commercial sewers with a larger screen | TC-V13-WS29 self-levelling camera, 40 to 50 m |
| Municipal sewer and stormwater surveys, 100 to 400 mm | TC-V13-3240AHD heavy-duty camera, 60 to 150 m |
| Condition assessment of junctions and laterals | TC-V13-3245DU dual-view camera or TC-V13-3250PTF pan-and-tilt camera |
| Large pipes, culverts and long runs, 200 mm and above | TC-R200 crawler and other crawler systems |
| Locating the camera head underground | DB51 512 Hz receiver with a sonde-equipped camera |
Questions we will ask you
To recommend the right system we need to know the smallest and largest pipe diameters, the longest distance between access points, whether the lines have tight bends or standing water, whether you must locate defects for excavation, and whether a reporting standard applies. Send us those details and we will recommend suitable options and provide pricing.