Saturday, June 30, 2012

Point Grey World's Smallest 4K USB 3.0 Camera Review

4K resolution video will be the next big technological leap as far as film and television goes, but it doesn't take a massive, expensive camera like the RED Epic to shoot 4K resolution video and Point Grey's Flea3 webcam equipped with a Sony Exmor R sensor is up to the task but is hardly bigger than an inch in any direction. Sony’s new IMX121 sensor with Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS architecture that offers high sensitivity and dynamic range for sharp color images and the amera measures only 29mm x 29mm x 30mm or about 1-inch cubed. The small size makes the camera especially suitable for fitting in tight spaces such as in common industrial imaging, such as automatic optical inspection, ophthalmology, interactive multimedia, and broadcasting and the USB 3.0 connector guarantees delivery of critical image data through USB 3.0 bulk transfers of 5Gb/s and also delivers power so that no other external power sources or cables are needed.



Point Grey, one of the world's largest and most innovative manufacturers of industrial digital cameras for machine vision, bioscience, traffic, and GIS applications releases an innovative new model to its popular line of Flea3 USB 3.0 cameras. This new model leverages the bandwidth capabilities of USB 3.0 by delivering 4096 x 2160 color images at 21 FPS (185 MByte/s) in an ice-cube sized, low-cost package. "This camera is our latest innovation; we packed a high quality 8.8 MP, 4K2K sensor into the Flea3 and did it at an unbeatable price-point." The FL3-U3-88S2C features Sony's new IMX121 sensor with "Exmor R" back-illuminated CMOS architecture. By increasing quantum efficiency and reducing noise, "Exmor R" improves sensitivity and dynamic range for sharp, high-quality color images. The impressive 4K2K resolution combined with the ease of USB 3.0 and the camera's small size makes the new Flea3 suitable for a variety of high resolution color applications including automatic optical inspection, ophthalmology, interactive multimedia, and broadcast. "Since demonstrating the world's first USB 3.0 camera in 2009, Point Grey continues to push the boundaries of imaging technology," explains Michael Gibbons, Director of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Gibbons adds, "This camera is our latest innovation; we packed a high quality 8.8 MP, 4K2K sensor into the Flea3 and did it at an unbeatable price-point." Point Grey's Flea3 camera line measures just 29 x 29 x 30mm and provides a unique set of features dedicated to maximizing USB 3.0 reliability, including a 32 megabyte frame buffer; on-camera power, temperature, and status monitoring; and in-field updatable firmware. The camera also provides color interpolation, look up table, gamma correction, and pixel binning functionality. The Flea3 FL3-U3-88S2C-C (color) model is list priced at USD $945 and is available to order now from Point Grey and its network of distributors.

Specifitions: 

Flea3 USB 3.0 System Requirements:
• Windows 7 32- or 64-bit
• Intel Core i3 3.1 GHz or comparable processor
• 2 GB RAM
• PCIe 2.0-compatible host controller with USB 3.0 connector
• NVIDIA GeForce6 video card with 128 MB RAM
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 SP1 and SP1 Update for Vista (to compile and run example code)
For a full list of compatible and tested hardware please refer to KB Article 368
"C/M" indicates both color and monochrome sensor options are available for this model number. Full model numbers are available here
 MODELMEGAPIXELSIMAGING SENSORMAX RESMAX FPSPIXEL SIZE
AvailableFL3-U3-13S2C/M-CS 1.3 MPSony IMX035 CMOS, 1/3", Mono/Color, Rolling Shutter1328x1048120 FPS3.63 µm
AvailableFL3-U3-13Y3M-C 1.3 MPOn Semi VITA1300 CMOS, 1/2", Mono, Global Shutter1280x1024150 FPS4.8 µm
AvailableFL3-U3-32S2C/M-CS3.2 MPSony IMX036 CMOS, 1/2.8", Mono/Color, Rolling Shutter with Global Reset2080x155260 FPS2.5 µm
AvailableFL3-U3-88S2C-C8.8 MPSony IMX121 CMOS, 1/2.5", Color, Rolling Shutter4096x216021 FPS1.55 µm

A/D Converter12-bit; 10-bit FL3-U3-13Y3
Video Data Output8, 12, 16 and 24-bit digital data
Image Data FormatsY8, Y16, Mono8, Mono12, Mono16 (all models) RGB8, YUV411, YUV422, YUV444, Raw8, Raw12, Raw16 (color models)
Partial Image ModesPixel binning and region of interest (ROI) modes
Image ProcessingGamma, lookup table, hue, saturation, and sharpness
GainAutomatic*/Manual/One-Push* Gain modes (*Free running only)
0 dB to 24 dB (0 db to 18 db FL3-U3-13Y3)
Gamma0.50 to 4.00
White BalanceAutomatic/manual modes, programmable via software
Color ProcessingOn-camera in YUV or RGB format, or on-PC in Raw format
Digital InterfaceUSB 3.0 interface with screw locks for camera control, data, and power
Transfer Rates5 Gbit/s
GPIO8-pin Hirose HR25 GPIO connector for power, trigger, strobe, PWM, and serial I/O: 1 opto-isolated input, 1 opto-isolated output, 2 bi-directional I/O pins
External Trigger ModesIIDC Trigger Modes 0, 1, and 15
Synchronizationvia external trigger or software trigger
ShutterRolling Shutter (FL3-U3-13S2, FL3-U3-88S2) ; Global Reset (FL3-U3-32S2); Global Shutter (FL3-U3-13Y3)
Automatic*/Manual/One-Push*/Extended Shutter** modes (*Free running only) (**except FL3-U3-13Y3)
0.008 ms to 1 second (FL3-U3-13S2) / 0.006 ms to 1 second (FL3-U3-13Y3) / 0.01 ms to 32 seconds (FL3-U3-32S2) / 0.021 ms to 1 second (FL3-U3-88S2)
Image Buffer32 MB frame buffer
Memory Channels2 memory channels for custom camera settings
Flash Memory1 MB
Dimensions29 x 29 x 30 mm excluding lens holder (metal case)
Mass52 g FL3-U3-13S2, FL3-U3-32S2 / 58 g FL3-U3-13Y3, FL3-U3-88S2 (without optics)
Power Consumption5 V, <3 W, via GPIO or USB 3.0 interface
Camera SpecificationIIDC v1.32
Camera Controlvia FlyCapture SDK, CSRs, or third party software
Camera UpdatesIn-field firmware updates
Lens MountCS-mount: FL3-U3-13S2, FL3-U3-32S2 / C-mount: FL3-U3-13Y3, FL3-U3-88S2
Operating Temperature0° to 45°C
Storage Temperature-30° to 60°C
Emissions ComplianceCE, FCC, RoHS
Operating SystemWindows 7 32- or 64-bit
WarrantyTwo years
Development Kit Contents
The Flea3 USB 3.0 camera does not offer a Development Kit
Emissions and RoHS Compliance
CE, FCC, RoHS



Video:

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