MAY 21--Sony Electronics (bssc.sel.sony.com) has unveiled six IEEE 1394-output-compliant digital cameras for semiconductor inspection, machine vision, and factory automation. The 910 series of cameras feature a 1/2-in. progressive-scan CCD, while the 710 series incorporates a 1/3-in. CCD. All models include an external asynchronous electronic shutter function with an exposure range from 1/50,000 to 17.5 s, allowing for capture of moving objects and still images in low light environments.
"Our IEEE 1394 digital interface cameras offer a variety of features, including partial scan and selectable output modes with shock and vibration tolerance, making them easy to integrate in imaging applications," said Ken La Marca, general manager of Sony Electronics' Visual Imaging Products Division.
The IEEE 1394 digital interface camera line-up includes the XCD-SX910 with a 1/2-in. progressive scan CCD, providing monochrome images with a maximum resolution of 1376 x 1024 pixels, and 15 frames/s at 8-bits or 7.5 frames/s at 10-bits; the XCD-X710 with a 1/3-in. progressive-scan CCD, delivering monochrome images with a maximum resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels and 30 frames/s at 8-bits or 15 frames/s at 10-bits; the XCD-SX910CR with a 1/2-in. progressive-scan CCD, providing color images with a maximum resolution of 1376 x 1024 pixels and 15 frames/s at 8-bits or 7.5 frames/s at 10-bits; as well as the XCD-X710CR with a 1/3-in progressive-scan CCD, delivering color images with a maximum resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels and 30 frames/s at 8-bits or 15 frames/s at 10-bits;
The "CR" (Color Raw) models use a CCD with a color mask, commonly referred to as "Bayer filter," and output the "raw color" pixel values in 8 or 10 bit to be converted to a color image on the computer using common Bayer conversion routines. With the "DFW" models color processing is performed inside the cameras by a dedicated digital-signal processor for color conversion and white balancing on the fly.