I need 4K resolution USB camera, what would you recommend me?
This is a common question that I am asked by customers, unfortunately the answer is not simple.
First, a quick review on the criteria to be a 4K camera. The term “4K” comes from TV terminology and is derived from full HD resolution.
Full HD is 1920 x 1080 = 2,073,600 total pixels
4K is 3840 x 2160 = 8,294,400 total pixels.
This assumes that the minimum camera resolution must be 8.3 Mpix. It is not guaranteed that the camera reaches 4K resolution, however, it is a basic recognition. For example, a camera with an IMX546 sensor has a resolution of 2856 x 2848 pixels. While the height of the sensor richly meets the conditions of 4K, the width does not. Even so, for our comparison I will use this camera because for certain types of projects (e.g. square object observation), it is more efficient than a 10.7 Mpix camera with a resolution 3856 x 2764 pixels.
Of course, 4K resolution isn’t the only parameter to consider when you are choosing a camera. Shutter type, frame rate and sensor size are also incredibly important and dictated by your application. And, of course, you must factor price into your decision.
Basic comparison
| Sensor | Mpixel | Shutter | Size | Width | Height | Framerate | Pricing |
| MT9J003 | 10.7 | Rolling Shutter / Global Reset | 1/2.35 | 3856 | 2764 |
7.3
|
$ |
| IMX267 | 8.9 | Global | 1 | 4112 | 2176 | 31.9 | $$ |
| IMX255 | 8.9 | Global | 1 | 4112 | 2176 | 42.4 | $$$ |
| IMX226 | 12.4 | Rolling Shutter / Global Reset | 1/1.7
|
4064 | 3044 | 30.7 | $ |
| IMX546 | 8.1 | Global | 2/3 | 2856 | 2848 | 46.7 | $$$ |
| IMX545 | 12.4 | Global | 1/1.1 | 4128 | 3008 | 30.6 | $$$$ |
Shutter
Rolling shutter and global shutter are common shutter types in CMOS cameras. A rolling shutter sensor has simpler design and can offer smaller pixel size. It means that you can use lower cost lenses, but you must have in mind that you have limited usage with moving objects. A workaround for moving objects is a rolling shutter with global reset functionality which helps eliminating the image distortion.
Frames Per Second
The newest sensors offer a higher frame rate than the USB interface can handle. Check with the manufacturer; not everyone is able to get the listed framerate because of technical limitations caused by the camera.
Sensor Size
Very important information. Other qualitative information should also be considered, not only of the camera but also of the lens used.
Price
Global shutter image sensors are more expensive than rolling shutter ones. For this reason, the prices of global shutter cameras are higher than the rolling shutter cameras. It is also no secret that the image sensor is the most expensive component, so it is understandable that the customer very often bases the decision on the sensor requirements.
Advanced comparison
| Sensor | Pixel size | EMVA report | Dynamic range | SNR | Preprocessing features |
| MT9J003 | 1.67 | link | 56.0 | 37.2 | * |
| IMX267 | 3.45 | link | 71.0 | 40.2 | ** |
| IMX255 | 3.45 | link | 71.1 | 40.2 | *** |
| IMX226 | 1.85 | link | 69.2 | 40.3 | ** |
| IMX546 | 2.74 | link | 70.2 | 40.6 | **** |
| IMX545 | 2.74 | link | 70.1 | 40.3 | **** |
There are many other advanced features you can also consider based on your project, external conditions, complexity of the scene and so on. These include:
Pixel Size
Sensor size from the basic comparison is in direct correlation with the size of the pixel because the size of the pixel multiplied by the width and height gives you the size of the sensor itself.
EMVA Report
EMVA 1288 is great document comparing individual sensors and cameras. In case you want the best possible image quality and functionality of the whole system, comparison is an important component in deciding which image sensor will be in your chosen camera. EMVA 1288 is the standard for measurement and presentation of specifications for machine vision sensors and cameras. This standard determines properties like signal-to-noise ratio, dark current, quantum efficiency, etc.
Dynamic Range
Dynamic range is one of the basic features and part of EMVA 1288 report as well. It is expressed in decibels (dB). Dynamic range is the ratio between the maximum output signal level and the noise floor at minimum signal amplification. Simply, dynamic range indicates the ability of a camera to reproduce the brightest and darkest portions of an image.
SNR
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a linear ratio between recorded signal and total root mean squared noise. SNR describes the data found in an image. It establishes an indication as to the signal quality found in the image indicating with what amount of precision machine vision algorithms will be able to detect objects in an image.
Preprocessing Features
Do you build high-end product? Is the speed important for you?
You need to rely on the camera/image sensor features. Every update of an image sensor comes with more and more built-in features. For example:
- Dual trigger, where you set two different levels of exposure and gain and each can be triggered separately.
- Self-trigger – you set 2 AOI, the first one triggers image and second detects difference in the AOI.
- Short exposure modes – you can set as fast as 2us between shutters.
Machine vision components continue to be improved upon and new features are added regularly. So, when you are selecting a camera for your application, first determine what features are required to meet your application needs. Filter to only the cameras that can meet those needs and use their additional features to determine what more you can do.
