Cameras for imaging & machine vision

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You gain a partner who will support you throughout your project, from selection and system integration to software configuration, calibration and ongoing optimization. You can always rely on our support!

Our team will support you with:

compilation of all components
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customization to your processes and requirements.

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What is an industrial camera?

Industrial cameras are special camera systems that have been developed for professional use in machine vision. Unlike conventional digital cameras, they focus on reliability, interface diversity, and high image quality. They capture objects in production and testing processes precisely and reproducibly - often around the clock and under demanding environmental conditions.

Depending on the application, different camera types are used: area scan cameras, line scan cameras, 3D cameras, smart cameras, high-speed cameras, or specialized variants such as multispectral cameras and NIR cameras. What all industrial cameras have in common is that they form the basis for automated quality control, robotics applications, and numerous other tasks in modern manufacturing.

Do you have questions about our camera products?

We offer you a large selection of cameras with different resolutions, frame rates and interfaces.

Our product filters help you to find the right camera for your machine vision task. Choose between monochrome or color sensors, or choose between infrared or UV sensitive cameras. Maybe other factors such as pixel size, noise behaviour or trigger modes are important to you?

You can rely on us for accurate, up-to-date information answers by STEMMER IMAGING. If you have any questions, get in contact with our experts.

Which is the right industrial camera? – Our guide to help you choose

The requirements for an industrial camera are as varied as the applications. To help you quickly find the right solution, we have compiled the most important selection criteria for you. These will help you narrow down the right camera type and keep an eye on the key technical parameters – from the interface and the desired resolution to integration into the overall system.

What type of camera do I need?

Choosing the right type of camera is the most important first step. Area scan cameras are suitable for objects that are stationary or moving slowly, as they capture a complete image in a single moment. Line scan cameras are used when continuously moving materials or endless goods such as films, paper, or web materials need to be inspected. 3D cameras provide additional depth and height information, for example for volume measurements or robot vision. Smart cameras combine a camera and evaluation software in a compact device and are particularly practical when space-saving stand-alone solutions are required. High-speed cameras as well as multispectral and NIR cameras are available for special tasks.

Which interface is right for my system?

The interface determines how fast image data is transferred and how easily the camera can be integrated into your existing system. USB3 Vision cameras are often a good choice when short cable lengths and uncomplicated integration are priorities. They are suitable for many standard setups, as long as extreme data rates or longer distances are not required.

Interfaces such as GigE Vision allow cable lengths of up to 100 meters via standard Ethernet cables and are particularly interesting if several cameras are to be operated in parallel. It is important to take the network infrastructure (e.g., switches and cable quality) into account here.

CameraLink or CoaXPress are used for applications with very high data rate and speed requirements. These interfaces offer enormous bandwidths and low latency, but require additional hardware such as frame grabbers and are more expensive in terms of cable length and cost.

The choice of the appropriate interface therefore depends not only on the camera, but also on factors such as cable length, existing infrastructure, data rate, and integration effort.

What resolution and speed are required?

The choice of resolution and speed determines whether your application will function reliably. As a general rule, the smaller the details to be detected, the higher the resolution must be. A rule of thumb is that the smallest feature should be captured with at least three pixels in order to be reliably detected and measured.

Speed is just as important. If objects move quickly through the field of view or if the material runs continuously on a conveyor belt, the camera must operate at a high frame rate (for area scan cameras) or line frequency (for line scan cameras). Otherwise, motion blur may occur. For stationary or slow processes, a lower speed is often sufficient.

In addition to resolution and frame rate, the interface, data transfer, and processing capacity also play a role. Higher resolutions generate large amounts of data that not only have to be transferred but also stored and evaluated. Lighting conditions are also crucial: smaller pixels enable higher resolutions but require more light to deliver low-noise images.

Do I need color images or special spectral ranges?

Whether a color or monochrome camera is the better choice depends on your application. Color cameras are useful when differences in color or color coding need to be detected—for example, in sorting tasks or quality control. Monochrome cameras, on the other hand, offer greater light sensitivity and detail accuracy and are particularly suitable when contrast and fine structures are important.

Industrial cameras with an extended spectral range are available for special tasks: NIR cameras make features visible that remain hidden in visible light, while multispectral cameras combine multiple spectral bands to distinguish materials or surfaces even more precisely. This gives you exactly the image information that is crucial for your inspection.

What environmental conditions must the camera meet?

Industrial cameras often have to operate reliably under harsh conditions. High or low temperatures, dust, moisture, or vibrations pose particular challenges. Therefore, make sure you have the right protection: models with IP-certified housings are resistant to dust and splash water, while robust designs can also withstand vibrations. Depending on the operating environment, extended temperature ranges or special seals may also be crucial. This ensures that your camera delivers consistently accurate results even in demanding production environments.

Should the camera be integrated into an overall system?

If your industrial camera does not function in isolation but becomes part of an overall system—e.g., with lighting, optics, control, software, and possibly other cameras—then there are a few key points you should consider early on in the project:

Clearly define how the camera should communicate—with PLCs, robots, or other control units: Which interfaces (triggers, I/O, Ethernet, etc.) are required?
Plan synchronization and timing: With multiple cameras or moving components, it is important that recording, lighting, and evaluation are precisely coordinated to avoid delays or image errors.
Check the mechanical conditions and optics: Mounting, distance, viewing angle, and vibration influences must not be forgotten – alignment and stability are also critical.
Light, illumination, and optics are an integral part of the system: Ensure that your light source matches the optics and takes the environment into account (ambient light, reflections, glare).
Test with real or representative examples under production conditions: Only then can you assess whether the overall setup works reliably.

FAQ section

Is there a difference between an industrial camera and an area scan camera?

Many users equate the term “industrial camera” with “area scan camera.” In fact, however, the area scan camera is only one type of industrial camera. Industrial cameras include a whole range of specialized models - including line scan cameras for continuously moving materials, 3D cameras for height and volume measurements, smart cameras with integrated evaluation, and multispectral and NIR cameras for special analysis tasks.

Similar to a classic digital camera, an area scan camera captures a complete image in a single moment, making it the right choice for many standard applications. However, the term industrial camera goes further: it describes the entire range of cameras developed for industrial machine vision.

How is an industrial camera calibrated?

Industrial cameras must be calibrated regularly to ensure they deliver accurate results. This involves adjusting the camera's optical properties using a known pattern (e.g., checkerboard or calibration strip). Software compares the captured pixels with the reference points and corrects distortions and spatial alignment. This produces reliable measurements in real units.

The procedure may vary depending on the camera type: Area scan cameras typically use flat calibration patterns, while line scan cameras work with special test strips that move under the camera. 3D cameras require additional calibration for depth information. In many smart cameras, the corresponding routines are already integrated into the software and can be executed directly by the user.

Do you need special lighting for an industrial camera?

The right lighting is often just as important for machine vision as the camera itself. It determines whether details are visible, contrasts are correct, and results are reliable. Depending on the material and surface, different types of lighting are used - such as transmitted light for contours, ring lights for uniform illumination, or special wavelengths such as infrared (NIR) if certain structures are not visible in visible light.

Without suitable lighting, there is a risk of shadows, reflections, or uneven brightness—and thus errors in the evaluation. That's why it's worth considering the lighting conditions early on in the project.

STEMMER IMAGING offers a comprehensive portfolio of lighting solutions for machine vision. Our experts will be happy to advise you on which combination of camera and lighting will deliver the best results for your application.

Is a smart camera sufficient, or do I need a complete machine vision system?

Whether a smart camera is sufficient or a complete vision system is required depends on your application. Smart cameras combine a sensor, evaluation, and interfaces in one compact device. They are ideal for clearly defined tasks such as presence checks, barcode or data code reading, and simple quality controls. Installation and operation are relatively straightforward.

As soon as the requirements become more complex—for example, when multiple cameras need to be synchronized, very high resolutions or frame rates are required, or different inspection tasks need to be covered with one solution - a smart camera reaches its limits. In such cases, a complete vision system with multiple components offers significantly more flexibility, performance, and integration options.

Our experts will be happy to help you find the right solution for your project - from compact smart cameras to customized complete systems.

What factors influence the cost of an industrial camera?

The purchase price of an industrial camera is only part of the total investment. Many technical features are decisive, but so are requirements for reliability and integration:

Resolution, speed, and sensor quality

High-resolution sensors or fast frame rates cost more—especially if a camera has to deliver sharp images even when moving or if a high level of detail is required.

Interface and transmission

Interfaces such as CoaXPress or CameraLink, long cable runs, high-quality connectors, and possibly additional hardware such as frame grabbers significantly increase the price.

Optics, lighting, and optical extras

The right lens and suitable lighting are essential for reliable results. Those who cut corners here risk image errors and will have to retrofit at great expense later on.

Robust design and environmental requirements

Protection against dust, moisture, heat, or vibration makes the camera more expensive, as the housing, technology, and materials must be specially designed.

Software & integration

License costs, SDK quality, firmware, interfaces for control or other devices, synchronization, and calibration all have an impact.

Operating costs & life cycle

Maintenance costs, spare parts, and support services are included in the long-term costs.

Important: If you cut corners when making your selection, you risk the system not meeting your requirements. This can result in prolonged commissioning, expensive repairs, and ultimately significantly higher project costs.

Can STEMMER IMAGING supply complete machine vision systems?

Yes. STEMMER IMAGING not only supplies individual cameras, but also complete vision systems on request – consisting of a camera, lighting, optics, software, and evaluation unit. The big advantage: you get all components from a single source and benefit from a manufacturer-neutral approach.

This means that we combine products from leading manufacturers in such a way that they are optimally suited to your application – both technically and economically. In addition, we support you in design, integration, calibration, and commissioning. In this way, we ensure that your system works reliably and fulfills your quality control or automation tasks on a long-term basis.

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Does STEMMER IMAGING offer support with installation and configuration?

Yes. STEMMER IMAGING is more than just a distributor – we act as a system house and support our customers with complete machine vision solutions. This naturally includes support with the installation and configuration of your systems.

Our experts take care of setting up the cameras, integrating them into your existing infrastructure, and adapting software and interfaces. On request, we can calibrate the system directly on site and ensure that it works reliably in your production environment right away. This shortens the commissioning time and minimizes the risk of subsequent adjustments.