Industrial cameras are designed for high-performance imaging in automation, quality control, and machine vision applications. They differ from consumer cameras in durability, speed, and precision. Below are the ​main types of industrial cameras, categorized by their ​sensor technology, interface, and application:

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​1. By Sensor Technology​

​​(a) Area Scan Cameras​

Capture 2D images in a single frame (like a photo).

Best for:​​ Static or slow-moving objects (e.g., PCB inspection, barcode reading).

​Examples:​​

Basler ace (USB3/GigE)

FLIR Blackfly S

​​(b) Line Scan Cameras​

Capture images one line at a time (used with moving conveyors).

Best for:​​ High-speed continuous motion (e.g., printing, textile inspection).

​Examples:​​

Teledyne DALSA Linea

Sony ILX series

​​(c) 3D Cameras​

Capture depth data using stereo vision, structured light, or time-of-flight (ToF).

Best for:​​ Bin picking, robotic guidance, metrology.

Examples:​​

Zivid One+ (structured light)

Intel RealSense L515 (LiDAR)

​​(d) Thermal Cameras​

Detect infrared radiation (heat signatures).

Best for:​​ Predictive maintenance, fire detection, electronics testing.

Examples:​​

FLIR A65

Seek Thermal

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​2. By Shutter Type​

​​(a) Global Shutter Cameras​

Capture the entire frame at once (no motion blur).

Best for:​​ High-speed applications (e.g., robotics, fast-moving parts).

Examples:​​

Basler ace (global shutter models)

​​(b) Rolling Shutter Cameras​

Capture images line-by-line (cheaper but prone to skew).

Best for:​​ Static or slow-moving objects.

​Examples:​​

Most consumer-grade CMOS cameras

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​3. By Interface​

​​(a) USB3 Vision​

High-speed (5 Gbps), plug-and-play for PCs.

​Best for:​​ Lab/light industrial use.

​Examples:​​

FLIR Blackfly S (USB3)

​​(b) GigE Vision​

Ethernet-based (long cable runs, up to 100m).

Best for:​​ Factory automation.

Examples:​​

Basler ace (GigE)

​​(c) Camera Link​

Ultra-high-speed (up to 850 MB/s).

Best for:​​ High-performance imaging (e.g., semiconductor inspection).

Examples:​​

Teledyne DALSA Falcon4

​​(d) CoaXPress (CXP)​​

Combines power, data, and control over a single coaxial cable.

​Best for:​​ High-resolution, high-speed applications.

Examples:​​

JAI GoX series

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​4. By Specialized Function​

​​(a) Smart Cameras​

All-in-one systems with onboard processing (no PC needed).

Best for:​​ Embedded vision (e.g., packaging, logistics).

Examples:​​

Cognex In-Sight

Keyence CV-X

​​(b) Hyperspectral Cameras​

Capture data across multiple wavelengths (beyond RGB).

​Best for:​​ Food sorting, mineralogy, environmental monitoring.

​Examples:​​

Specim FX series

​​(c) High-Speed Cameras​

Record at 1,000+ fps for slow-motion analysis.

Best for:​​ Ballistics, fluid dynamics, crash testing.

Examples:​​

Phantom TMX

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​5. By Mount Type​

​​(a) C-Mount / CS-Mount​

Standard lens mounts for interchangeable optics.

​Best for:​​ Customizable focus/zoom (e.g., microscopy).

​​(b) Board-Level Cameras​

Compact, no housing (for integration into devices).

​Best for:​​ Medical devices, drones.

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​Comparison Table​

​Type​	​Pros​	​Cons​	​Best For​
​Area Scan​	High resolution, easy to use	Limited to static scenes	QA inspection, OCR
​Line Scan​	Works with moving conveyors	Requires precise synchronization	Printing, web inspection
​3D Camera​	Depth mapping	Higher cost, complex setup	Robotics, metrology
​Smart Camera​	No external PC needed	Less flexible for customization	Factory automation

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​Top Industrial Camera Brands​

Basler​ (GigE/USB3 area scan)

​FLIR (Teledyne FLIR)​​ (thermal, USB3)

Cognex​ (smart cameras)

​Teledyne DALSA​ (line scan, high-res)

​Zivid​ (3D structured light)

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​How to Choose?​​

​1. Speed:​​ Need 1000fps?Consider high-speed or line scan.

2. ​Environment:​​ Dust/water? Look for IP67-rated cameras.

3. Software:​​ Check compatibility with OpenCV, Halcon, or ROS. 

4. Budget:​​ Industrial cameras range from 200to20,000+.