As dusan has pointed out, the key to the 'depth of field' issue, is going to be the angle of coverage, or more specifically, the focal length of lens used.

If an ultra wide lens were used, the depth of field would probably be adequate to provide sharp-ish images over the 5 - 25 feet distance (and well beyond), even at maximum aperture.

If a much narrower coverage lens is adopted (i.e. the focal length becomes longer), then the depth of field will decrease, at any relative aperture.

If sufficient lighting is available at night to allow a lens iris to close down one or two 'stops', the trick would be to focus on an object around 12' away, and then the entire zone should be in focus (i.e. 1/3rd in front, and 2/3rds behind target point).

Quite frankly, if you are simply looking at a front door and front yard (i.e. a non critical application), if you get the lighting sorted out, and you use a half decent 1/3" CS mount camera, you could probably get away with using a manual iris lens stopped down a couple of f stops, and the camera set to Electronic Iris function.
As Rory suggested, you don't need to spend a fortune ...

Boy oh Boy.. just how good has this forum become.. i rememeber when people in here didnt even know what Wide Dynamic was... it is about time to say thanks to the wonderfull efforts of the provider of this site!

Excellent Job and Excellent Answers

hi
you did not order anyting yet teke a look at this new model
everfocus eq600 WDII and that 3-8mm f1.0 ir tamron lens
http://www.dvrsecuritysystems.com/professional_cameras.htm
looks like it will do what you need

dusan

for $60 more you can get a ge kalatel ultraview, personally ill never use any everfocus or jvc cameras anymore.

Panasonic, Ganz, GE from reading people's feedback, and these are high end brands and all have a Wide Dynamic, Everfocus, JVC, etc, not really high end, well JVC maybe but Ive used their cameras in the past and they were not great. But if you do get the everfocus, capture some images and let us see them, you just never know, technology and all that...

Thanks again for all the great suggestions.

I understand that for my application, I probably don't need the latest and greatest components and spend a fortune. However, without any experience with CCTV, it's riskier to try to save some money by using components that require the experience to adjust them to work properly. The other option then is to hire a good installer. Since I haven't had good experience with anyone I contracted to do work on my house, I've decided to do this myself. To avoid having to buy just the right components and not able to adjust them correctly, I'd be willing to spend a little more to get more flexible components that's more automatic.

Right now I'm leaning toward the toshiba because it's their second generation wide dynamic day/night camera and they have a 3 year warranty.

personally, I love high quality cameras from well known brands, but to give you an idea I have Provideo Bullet Cameras outside my house, its all you need for a normal home and I have no lighting issues at all.

Dont forget for the Toshiba you will also need an outdoor housing.

Rory