This invention provides a vision system housing having a front plate assembly that accommodates a plurality of lens mount types. The front plate includes a central aperture that is located at a predetermined axial (camera axis) distance from a plane of an image sensor. The aperture is stepped from a wider diameter adjacent to the front to a narrower diameter more adjacent to the sensor. This arrangement enables threaded mounting of a plurality of lens mount types, for example M12 and C-Mount. The threaded base for the M12 lens is provided in the smaller-diameter, interior portion of the front plate aperture, adjacent to the sensor. The threaded base for the C-Mount lens is provided at the front of the front plate, adjacent to the exterior surface of the front plate and housing. The exterior (front) surface of the front plate includes threaded holes and a removable spring clip arrangement constructed and arranged to accommodate a liquid lens positioned over the aperture with an associated lens assembly mounted within the aperture and in optical communication with the liquid lens. The lens is operated using an electrical connection provided by a cable that interconnects with a multi-pin socket positioned on the front plate aside the aperture. The socket interconnects with processor circuitry within the housing.