How to select a camera for machine vision?
Selecting the right camera for a machine vision application involves evaluating multiple technical and practical factors. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you choose the best camera for your needs.
1. Define Your Application Requirements
Before selecting a camera, clarify:
1> What are you detecting/tracking? (e.g., barcodes, defects, moving objects)
2> Speed requirements: Do you need high FPS for fast-moving objects?
3> Lighting conditions: Will the environment be well-lit, low-light, or variable?
4> Accuracy needed: Sub-millimeter precision or general detection?
5> Output type: Do you need color, monochrome, or depth data?
Example Use Cases & Camera Needs
| Application | Key Requirements | Suggested Camera Type |
|---|---|---|
| Barcode Scanning | High resolution, global shutter | Monochrome industrial camera |
| Robotics (Pick & Place) | High FPS, low latency | GigE or USB3 global shutter |
| Quality Inspection | High resolution, HDR | 4K or multispectral camera |
| Autonomous Vehicles | Wide FOV, high dynamic range | Stereo or event-based camera |
| Medical Imaging | High sensitivity, low noise | Scientific CMOS (sCMOS) |
2. Key Camera Specifications to Consider
A. Sensor Type
Global Shutter vs. Rolling Shutter
1> Global Shutter: Captures the entire frame at once (no motion blur).
✅ Best for fast-moving objects (e.g., robotics, manufacturing).
2> Rolling Shutter: Scans line-by-line (cheaper but causes distortion).
✅ Okay for static scenes (e.g., document scanning).
Monochrome vs. Color
1> Monochrome: Higher sensitivity, better for OCR, edge detection.
2> Color: Needed for object classification (e.g., fruit sorting).
B. Resolution & Pixel Size
1> Higher resolution = More detail but slower processing.
2> Pixel size affects light sensitivity (larger pixels = better low-light performance).
Example: Sony IMX174 (5.86µm pixels) vs. IMX226 (1.85µm).
C. Frame Rate (FPS)
1>Low speed (30-60 FPS): Basic inspection, slow-moving objects.
2> High speed (100+ FPS): Fast robotics, conveyor belt tracking.
D. Interface (How It Connects to a Computer)
| Interface | Max Bandwidth | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB 2.0 | 480 Mbps | Cheap, plug-and-play | Slow, limited cable length (~5m) |
| USB3 Vision | 5 Gbps | Fast, widely supported | Limited cable length (~10m) |
| GigE | 1 Gbps | Long cables (~100m), stable | Lower bandwidth than USB3 |
| Camera Link | 850 MB/s+ | Ultra-fast, low latency | Expensive, needs frame grabber |
| CoaXPress | 6.25 Gbps+ | High-speed, long-range | Very expensive |
E. Lens Mount Compatibility
1> C-mount / CS-mount: Standard for industrial cameras.
2> M12 (S-mount): Common in embedded vision (e.g., drones).
F. Lighting & Dynamic Range
1> High Dynamic Range (HDR): Needed for scenes with bright/dark areas.
2> IR Sensitivity: Useful for night vision (e.g., surveillance).
3. Software & Integration
1> Does it support OpenCV/PyTorch? Most industrial cameras work with GenICam.
2> SDK Availability: Some brands (FLIR, Basler) provide proprietary SDKs.
3> Triggering Options: Hardware triggers for synchronization.
4. Budget & Brand Considerations
| Budget Tier | Recommended Brands | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Low (<$200) | ArduCam, Raspberry Pi Cam | Hobbyists, simple projects |
| Mid (200−1K) | Basler ace, FLIR Blackfly S | Industrial automation, robotics |
| High (>$1K) | IDS uEye, Ximea, Allied Vision | High-speed, scientific imaging |
5. Final Checklist Before Buying
✅ Global shutter (if motion is involved).
✅ High enough FPS for your application.
✅ Correct interface (USB3/GigE/Camera Link).
✅ Lens compatibility (C-mount, M12, etc.).
✅ Software support (GenICam, OpenCV compatibility).
Example Scenarios
1. Fast Object Tracking on a Conveyor Belt
Camera: Basler ace (GigE, global shutter, 120 FPS).
Lens: 8mm C-mount lens.
2. Low-Light Surveillance
Camera: Sony IMX327-based (monochrome, high sensitivity).
Interface: USB3 Vision.
3. Autonomous Drone Navigation
Camera: Stereolabs ZED (depth sensing).
Final Recommendation
1. For beginners, start with a Raspberry Pi Camera or Logitech Brio (if USB is needed).
2. For industrial use, consider Basler, FLIR, or IDS cameras.
3. For high-speed robotics, Camera Link or CoaXPress is ideal.
High Flexible USB2.0 Type-A to Type-B cable with locking screws, USB 2.0 Type-A to USB 2.0 Type-B Camera Link Cable 480 Mbps Transfer Speed for Industrial Camera/Printer/Scanner.
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Post time: Jul-15-2025