I've mentioned this in the past, but always like to refer back to it because understanding the basic parameters of what you need for your imaging application is crucial to not only successfully finding the right camera but it cuts your research time literally in half because you already know a little bit about what you are looking for.

So, what are the five initial parameters that you should figure out before embarking on your camera quest? Field of View, Working Distance, Minimum resolution needed (or preferred), Object depth  and Lighting Requirements.  One might immediately become overwhelmed with the thought of trying to figure this information out on there own, but once you break it down it's relatively simple.

  1. Field Of View (FOV):
    The area of the object that will be viewed on the monitor.
  2. Resolution:
    The smallest resolvable feature of the object.
  3. Minimum and Maximum Working Distances:
    Measurement from objective lens to the object.
  4. Depth Of Field Requirement:
    Maximum object depth needed in focus
  5. Lighting/Illumination:
    How much light do you have versus how much lighting do you need

Once these details are assertained, next comes the task of finding the right components to go with your new camera (i.e. lenses, cables, capture cards, monitors, etc.).  It's important that you select components that operate at the same performance level as your camera.  You wouldn't pay extra to have high definition cable channels when you don't have an HD capable television, right? The same rules apply to camera systems...why spend money on a high resolution camera and lens when  you are going to be looking at the images on a low resolution monitor? Just doesn't make much sense.

The other important factor to take into consideration is "future consideration".  High quality camera systems are by no means inexpensive, and when I mean inexpensive, I am comparing them to the $20-$200 cameras you will find in electronics warehouses or various internet sites.  High quality "industrial camera systems" can run as low as $300 and as high as tens of thousands of dollars.  Either way, a quality system is going to be not only a financial investment but an investment in your time and energy as you tirelessly search for the right system at the right price.  Given this required investment, it is crucial to keep in mind how this system will be able to adapt to application changes in the future.

An example off the top of my head is the Sony EVI-HD1 SD/HD PTZ camera, the list price on this particular camera is $4,028.  Amazing image quality and performance aside, the point I am trying to convey is that even though this camera is expensive what people do not realize is that it can be used in both standard definition and high definition, it is switchable.  People buy this camera and use it in standard definition until the day they decide to transition to high definition.  When that day comes, a switch on the camera is flipped to HD and an HD frame grabber is purchased and they've got an upgraded system with minimal additional investment.

Not all systems are switchable but the system components can be purchased in such a way that makes them interchangable for future applications if/when the need arises.

After absorbing all the information I just put other there, it's at moments like these when people realize just how valuable camera distributors are to those looking to purchase and integrate camera systems.  Manufacturer's distributors typically know the products they sell backwards and forwards.  They can tell you what components go with what cameras and will even do most of the work for you in terms of giving you the best camera options available on the market for any particular application.  Camera systems purchased through distribution may cost a little more then finding a camera on an internet shopping site, but that's because there is an actual person in the background making sure that you are purchasing exactly what you need rather then what you think you need. That same person is also only a phone call or email away when issues arise during the integration process and the camera system is not working like you need it to, most one stop internet sites do not offer that level of customer service, they typically only offer a manufacturer's warranty for the components purchased.

Anyway, back to the point...there's a lot to know about finding the right camera system for your application and it all begins with knowing the basics of what you need.

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