You seem right on track. I absolutely don't want to talk you out of any of the IPCT cameras, but def. play around with the
IPVM Camera Calculator V3 and make sure the fixed lens sizes offered meet your needs in terms of width of image and that adequate PPF to identify someone. A common mistake from folks starting out is to chose a 2.8mm fixed-lens (because it gets a wide view), only to realize that the trade-off for that wide view is that if someone is more than 20ft from the camera, it can't ID them.
The most popular cameras on the forum seem to be the Dahua Starlight varifocal models, partly because they're Straight (2MP 1/2.8" sensor) and kick ass at night, and partly because they're varifocal ... the lens can change between 2.7-13mm .. the higher the mm it goes, the more optical zoom you get. The more zoom, the more pixels you get, which can allow you have the camera further away. For example, if you have a camera overlooking your driveway, chances are it's going to get your driveway plus stuff to the left and right of the driveway... with a varifocal, you can zoom that camera in, chopping off some of the stuff on the left/right, and giving you a higher quality picture (more PPF) of the driveway and the cars in it.
Having said all of that, sometimes a fixed lens camera can be perfect. If you want a camera that looks over your entire backyard, for example, a 2.8mm fixed lens may be perfect. Anyhow, play around with
IPVM Camera Calculator V3 and see what you find.
