What can you see with a 67MP camera?

Remember when machine vision pioneers got stuff done with VGA sensors at 0.3MP? And the industry got really excited with 1MP sensors? Moore’s law keeps driving capacities and performance up, and relative costs down. With the Teledyne e2v Emerald 67MP sensor, cameras like the Genie Nano-10GigE-8200 open up new possibilities.

12MP sensor image – Courtesy Teledyne DALSA
67MP sensor image – Courtesy Teledyne DALSA

So what? 67MP view above right doesn’t appear massively compelling…

Well at this view, without zooming in, we’d agree….

But at 400% zoom, below, look at the pixelation differences:

Both images below show the same target region, with the same lighting and lens, and each zoomed (with Gimp) to 400%. There is so much pixelation in the 12MP image to raise doubts about effective edge detection on either the identifying digits (33) or for the metal-rimmed holes. Whereas the 67MP image has far less pixelation, thereby passing a readily usable image to the host for processing. How much resolution does your application require?

12MP zoomed 400%
67MP zoomed 400%

Important “aside”: Sensor format and lens quality also important

Sensor format refers to the physical size of the sensor and the pixel shape and pixel density. Of course the lens must physically mount to the camera body (e.g. S, C, M42, etc.), but it must also create an image circle that appropriately covers the sensor’s pixel array. The Genie Nano-10Gige-8200 uses the Teledyne e2V Emerald 67M packs just over 67 million pixels, each square pixel just 2.5 µm wide and high, onto a CMOS sensor measuring only 59mm x 59mm.

Consider other good quality cameras and sensors, with pixel sizes in the 4 – 5 µm range, which leads to EITHER fewer pixels overall in the same size sensor array; OR to a much larger sensor to accommodate more pixels. The former may limit what can be accomplished with a single camera. The latter would necessarily make the camera body larger, the lens mount larger, and the lens more expensive to manufacture.

The lens quality, typically expressed via the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF), is also important. Not all lenses are created equal! A “good” quality lens may be enough for certain applications. For more demanding applications, one would be wasting a large format sensor if the lens’ performance fails below the sensor’s capabilities.

Two different lenses were used to take the above images, both fitting the sensor size. However the right image was taken with a lens designed for smaller pixels versus the left. – Courtesy Teledyne DALSA

The high-level views of the test chart above tease at the point we’re making, but it really pops if we zoom in. Look at the difference in contrast in the two images below!

Lens nominally a fit for the sensor format and mount type, but NOT designed for 2.5 µm pixels.
Lens designed for 2.5 µm pixels.

The takeaway point of this segment is lensing matters! The machine vision field benefits users tremendously with segmented sensor, camera, lensing, and lighting suppliers. Even within the same supplier’s lineup, there are often sensors or lenses pitched at differing performance requirements. Consider our Knowledge Base guide on Lens Quality Considerations. Or call us at 978-474-0044.


Another example:

Below see the same concentric rings of a test chart, under the same lighting. The left imaged was obtained with a good 12MP sensor and good quality lens matched to the sensor format and pixel size. The right imaged used the 67MP sensor in the Genie-Nano-10GigE-8200, also with a well-matched lens.

12MP sensor, zoomed 1600%
67MP sensor, zoomed to same FOV

If you need a single-camera solution for a large target, with high levels of detail, there’s no way around it – one needs enough pixels. Together with a well-suited lens.

Teledyne DALSA 10GigE Genie Nano
Genie Nano 10GigE 8200 – Courtesy Teledyne DALSA

The Genie Nano 10GigE 8200, in both monochrome and color versions, is more affordable than you might think.

Once more with feeling…

Which of the following images will lead to the more effective outcomes? Choose your sensor, camera, lens, and lighting accordingly. Call us at 978-474-0044. Our sales engineers love to create solutions for our customers.

1st Vision’s sales engineers have over 100 years of combined experience to assist in your camera and components selection.  With a large portfolio of cameraslensescablesNIC cards and industrial computers, we can provide a full vision solution!

About you: We want to hear from you!  We’ve built our brand on our know-how and like to educate the marketplace on imaging technology topics…  What would you like to hear about?… Drop a line to info@1stvision.com with what topics you’d like to know more about.

245 MP SVS-Vistek SHR811 Super High Resolution Cameras

245 MP SHR811 – Courtesy SVS-Vistek

245 MP cameras in both monochrome and color models

SVS-Vistek, with 35 years experience developing machine vision cameras, releases their first SHR811 Super High Resolution cameras. Additional sensors and cameras will be released in the coming months. The first two SHR models, one each in monochrome and color, are based on the Sony IMX811 CMOS sensor.

Highlights at a glance (Left); LCD pixels (Right) – Courtesy SVS-Vistek

The right-hand image above may look like just a color grid – in fact it’s a segment of a 245 MP image from an LCD inspection application. So imagine a large HDTV or other flat panel showing a test pattern as part of post-production quality acceptance testing. The image is a segment of the inspection image showing just a subset grid of the activated pixels – at such resolution that machine vision algorithms can conclusively give each panel a clear pass or fail determination.

Frame rates to 12 fps might not sound impressive for certain applications, but for a 245 MP sensor, it’s pretty compelling. That’s achieved with the CoaXPress (CSP) interface.

For the SHR811 CCX12 COLOR camera
For the SHR811 MCX12 MONOCHROME camera

Applications and Examples

The series name – SHR – already suggests the applications for which these cameras are intended – Super High Resolution. You may have innovative applications of your own, but classical uses include:

  • Electronics and PCB inspection
  • Display inspection
  • Semiconductor wafer inspection
  • Microscopy
  • High-end surveillance
Applications and examples – Courtesy SVS-Vistek

Additional applications include microscopy and surveillance:

SHR applications –
Courtesy SVS-Vistek

Technical details

Based on the Sony IMX411, this remarkable sensor is the key technology around which SVS-Vistek has designed the SHR811 launch-model camera.

This sensor has 62% higher pixel density than the highly-successful Sony IMX411 sensor, at 2x the framerate, and similar sensor size. So it’s a classic example of Moore’s Law, with size reduction and performance improvements, as Sony builds on its track record of innovation.

1stVision overview of the SHR811MCX12 monochrome camera

Features

As one would expect, there is a comprehensive feature set, including:

SHR feature overview – Courtesy SVS-Vistek

To highlight one specific feature, consider the Sequencer capability. It allows a single trigger to begin a series of timed exposures, as described in the following short video:

Setting the Sequencer – Courtesy SVS-Vistek

For full specifications, go to the SVS-Vistek SHR camera family, drill in to a specific model, and see or download PDF Datasheet, Manual, Technical Drawing, and/or Sensor Spec. Or just call us at 978-474-0044 and let us guide you.

1st Vision’s sales engineers have over 100 years of combined experience to assist in your camera and components selection.  With a large portfolio of cameraslensescablesNIC cards and industrial computers, we can provide a full vision solution!

About you: We want to hear from you!  We’ve built our brand on our know-how and like to educate the marketplace on imaging technology topics…  What would you like to hear about?… Drop a line to info@1stvision.com with what topics you’d like to know more about.

SONY IMX548 now in Alvium CSI-2, USB3, 5GigE cameras

AVT Alvium housed, board-level, and open options

Allied Vision has integrated the IMX548 into the Alvium family with the Alvium C/U/G5-511 camera models, where the prefix designator:

  • C is CSI-2, the Camera Serial Interface, popular for embedded systems
  • U is USB3, the widely available interface between computers and electronic devices
  • G5 is 5GigE, with up to 100 meter cable runs and 5x the throughput of GigE
AVT Alvium housed, board-level, and open options
AVT Alvium cameras are available in housed, board-level, and open versions

SONY’s IMX548 is a member of the 4th generation Pregius sensors, providing global shutter for active pixel CMOS sensors, with low-noise structure yielding high-quality images. See our illustrated blog for an overview of Pregius-S‘ back-illuminated sensor structure and its benefits.

So why the IMX548 in particular? Readers who follow the sensor market closely may note that the IMX547 looks the same in terms of pixel structure and resolution. Correct! SONY found they could adapt the sensor to a smaller and more affordable package, passing those savings along to the camera manufacturer, and in turn to the customer. As 5.1MP resolution is the sweet spot for many applications, Allied Vision picked up on SONY’s cues and integrated the IMX548 into the Alvium family.

There are nuanced timing differences between the IMX547 and IMX548. For new design-ins, this is of no consequence. If you previously used the IMX547, please check with our sales engineers to see if switching to the IMX548 requires any adjustments – or if it’s simply plug-and-play.

As shown in the photo above, Alvium cameras are very compact, and the same sensor and features are offered in housed, board-level, and open configurations. AVT Alvium is one of the most flexible, compact, and capable camera families in the current market.

Concurrent with the release of this new sensor in the Alvium camera family, Allied Vision has also released Alvium Camera Firmware V 11.00, notably adding the following features:

1st Vision’s sales engineers have over 100 years of combined experience to assist in your camera and components selection.  With a large portfolio of lensescablesNIC card and industrial computers, we can provide a full vision solution!

Sony Pregius 4th generation continues image sensor excellence

Continuing the tradition of excellence begun in 2013, Sony’s 4th generation of Pregius sensors, designated Pregius S, is now available in a range of cameras. All Pregius sensors, starting with the “IMX” code preceding the sensor model number, provide global shutter pixel technology for active pixel CMOS image sensors that adopts Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation’s low-noise structure to realize high-quality images.

Pregius S brings a back-illuminated structure, enabling smaller sensor size as well as faster frame rates. The faster frame rates speak for themselves, but it’s worth noting that the smaller sensor size has the benefit of permitting smaller lenses, which can reduce overall costs.

Figure 1. Surface-illuminated vs. Back-illuminated image sensors

Let’s highlight some of the benefits offered by Pregius S image sensors:

  • With the photodiode placed closer to the micro-lens, a wider incident angle is created, admitting more light, leading to enhanced sensitivity. At low incident angles, the Pregius S captures up to 4x as much light as Sony’s own highly-praised 2nd generation Pregius sensors from just a few years ago! (See Fig. 1 above)
  • Light collection is further enhanced by positioning wiring and circuits below the photodiode
  • Smaller 2.74um pixels provides higher resolution in typical smaller cube cameras, continuing the evolution of ever more capacity and performance while occupying less space

While Pregius S sensors are very compelling, the prior generation Pregius sensors remain an excellent choice for many applications. As with many engineering choices, it comes down to performance requirements as well as cost considerations, to achieve the optimal solution for any given application. Many of the Pregius S image sensors can be found in industrial cameras offered by 1stVision.  Use our “Sensor” pull down menu on our camera selector to look for the new sensors, starting with IMX5 e.g. IMX541. 

Contact us

1st Vision’s sales engineers have over 100 years of combined experience to assist in your camera selection.  With a large portfolio of lensescablesNIC card and industrial computers, we can provide a full vision solution!

Graphics courtesy of Sony.