How Does Monochrome USB Camera Work?

Over the years, color cameras have gained popularity as the most viable option for imaging purposes. However, the reality is that for certain embedded vision applications, monochrome cameras with reliable sensors are a much more practical and effective solution. The reason is that monochrome cameras are capable of capturing images with great details and sensitivity when compared to color cameras. But, of course, that’s just to put things in a nutshell.

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Understanding why monochrome cameras have several advantages over color cameras requires a closer look at their sensor technologies. In this article, we give you an overview of the key differences between monochrome and color cameras. And we also provide insights on why monochrome cameras are more advantageous than color cameras.

First, let us understand how color and monochrome cameras work.

How do color cameras work?

Color cameras capture only one of several primary colors in an alternating pattern at each photosite. The most common pattern is the Bayer pattern, which uses alternating rows of red-green and green-blue filters. Each pixel captures only 1/3 of incoming light in the Bayer pattern – any color not matching the pattern is automatically filtered out. So, for instance, any red or blue light that hits a green pixel will not get recorded.

Only one color is measured directly at any photosite, while the other two are inferred. This process of combining photosites to produce full-color pixels is referred to as “demosaicing”.

How do monochrome cameras work?

Unlike color cameras, monochrome cameras capture all the incoming light at each pixel – irrespective of color. Since red, green, and blue are all absorbed simultaneously, each pixel can receive up to three times the amount of light. Also, it is important to know that monochrome sensors – unlike color sensors – do not require demosaicing to create the final image. 

Also, since there is no need for an ISP, it significantly reduces the chances of any complications.

3 major advantages of monochrome cameras over color cameras

Better low light performance

The key difference between monochrome and a color camera is the absence of a Color Filter Array (CFA). In a monochrome camera, the removal of this optical bandpass filter allows for a greater number of photons to reach the photosensitive surface of the sensor. This results in rendering it more sensitive to light – hence, increasing quantum efficiency.

An example of an embedded vision application where this is helpful is medical microscopes. For instance, See3CAM_CU135M – a 13MP monochrome USB camera from e-con Systems – comes with high sensitivity which makes it perfectly suitable for medical microscopes. To learn more about why this camera is the right choice for medical microscopes, please have a look at the article How e-con’s 13MP monochrome USB camera boosts the performance of medical microscopes.

Another example where a monochrome camera is recommended is iris recognition. e-con Systems’ See3CAM_CU55M – 5MP monochrome USB camera – is designed to fit all the imaging needs of an iris recognition system. To learn more about why this product is the best choice for biometric and iris recognition systems, please visit the article See3CAM_CU55M – the perfect camera for iris recognition systems.

On the other hand, color cameras usually have IR cut filters, which prevent infrared light from generating color aberrations. Without these filters, the red, green, and blue pixels tend to react to various wavelengths in the NIR band – resulting in the generation of strange and inaccurate colors. 

Due to the absence of the CFA and IR cut filter in a monochrome camera, each pixel of the sensor can detect a broader spectrum of light. It means the overall performance of the camera gets significantly improved in low-light conditions. 

Higher frame rates

For a monochrome sensor, each pixel has minimum 8 bits and a maximum of 12 bits, while a color sensor has a minimum of 16 bits. So, in a color camera, the amount of data that needs to be processed is higher in the minimum bandwidth. It leads to a higher processing time and, consequently, a slower frame rate.

Also, unlike color sensors, a monochrome sensor has a larger bandwidth – and so, the processing time is lesser while the frame rate is higher.

Well-tuned algorithms

It may be that recent advancements in color cameras have been tremendously helpful across industries. But building algorithm models for color images is often complex, and hence at times color cameras are not suitable for edge AI based embedded vision applications.

In the case of monochrome cameras, there are plenty of algorithms available for leveraging AI & ML-powered vision models. They enable state-of-the-art applications to detect objects, determine their shape, predict the direction the objects will go in, and more.

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Monochrome cameras from e-con Systems

e-con Systems, with over 19 years of experience as an OEM Camera Solution Provider, has developed a portfolio of monochrome cameras for an array of applications across various industries. Here are some of our most popular and best-selling monochrome cameras.

• See3CAM_CU135M – 4K monochrome USB 3.1 Gen 1 camera
• See3CAM_CU55M – 5MP monochrome USB NIR camera
• See3CAM_20CUG – 2MP monochrome global shutter camera
• STEEReoCAM® – 2MP stereo camera for NVIDIA® Jetson Nano™/Jetson AGX Xavier™/Jetson™ TX2
• e-CAM24_CUXVR – 2MP global shutter monochrome camera for NVIDIA® Jetson AGX Xavier™

Hope this article gave you a good understanding of the advantages of monochrome cameras over color cameras. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to go with a monochrome camera for every applications. If your application doesn’t require a color output, and has sensitivity and low light performance as the most important criteria, then you should go with a monochrome camera.

Microscopes empower people to change the world every day. They are used to progress scientific endeavors that help understand and improve life on earth – from studying electrical circuits to studying cells. Market studies claim that the global microscopy market will be valued at USD 8.9 billion in with a CAGR of 5.6% from its value of USD 6.5 billion in .

Especially in the healthcare industry, microscopes have a direct impact on the way humans live – as they play a crucial role in the field of pathology. For many years, they have been an integral part of several medical fields like dentistry, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, etc. Studies also report that the use of medical microscopes is on a rapid rise. The worldwide surgical microscope market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.1% by after being valued at USD 1 billion in .

A microscope is basically an instrument to examine biological samples that are invisible to the naked eye. It is also popularly used in cellular, molecular, and genetic imaging to facilitate clinical screening and diagnosis. Now, the efficiency of medical microscopes depends on their ability to fetch highly accurate results. So, they use specialized imaging techniques to ensure as much in-depth analysis as possible. These techniques include:

• Transmission Electron Microscopy: Uses an accelerated beam of electrons through extremely small surface areas to visualize the sample.
• Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy: Detects any temporal deviations in the intensity of fluorescence and performs correlation analysis to form the image of the sample.
• Structured Illumination Microscopy: Illuminates the sample with light patterns and improves spatial resolution before analyzing and visualizing the image.

For many of these microscopic techniques and applications, a monochrome camera is more effective than its colored variants. This article discusses why monochrome cameras are recommended for medical microscopy, and how e-con Systems’ See3CAM_CU135M is the perfect solution for such devices.

How imaging works in traditional and modern microscopes

Before we look at why monochrome cameras are a better choice when it comes to microscopy, we need to understand why cameras are required in microscopes in the first place. The best way to do this is to look at the differences in how imaging works in traditional and modern microscopes.

Traditional microscopes, also known as optical microscopes, are equipped with a lenses-based system that magnifies the image of the sample. On the other hand, the modern digital microscope uses a digital camera – acting as a detector. The depth of field in digital microscopes equipped with electronic image sensors is 20 times more than the conventional microscopes! Hence, they are undoubtedly more suitable for microbiology and pathology.

Modern microscopes also come with cameras that allow lab technicians to capture high-quality images of the sample – thereby helping to perform a detailed analysis of the specimen. These images can be processed to provide in-depth analysis like diagnosis, cell counting, cell culture monitoring, etc. Lab technicians and doctors can effortlessly view information (data) about the images on a monitor to better understand the specimen. 

Why use monochrome cameras in modern medical microscopes?

This is done in order to filter out color information from the incoming light. This process restricts the number of photons that reach the sensor. However, with the absence of color filter arrays, monochrome sensors allow light of all wavelengths to fall on the sensor. It equates to higher quantum efficiency, as the sensor can detect a broader light spectrum. This in turn means better sensitivity. So, in a monochrome camera, the output quality will be relatively higher compared to a colored counterpart even in poor lighting conditions.

e-con’s See3CAM_CU135M: A natural-fit for medical microscopes

e-con Systems, with 18+ years of experience and expertise in embedded vision has developed a vast portfolio of cameras exclusively for medical devices. One of its most popular products designed particularly for medical microscopes is See3CAM_CU135M. It’s a USB camera based on the 1/3.2″ AR CMOS image sensor with advanced 1.1µm pixel BSI technology for high-quality image output – irrespective of the lighting condition. 

As you may be aware, high resolution is a vital feature for medical microscopes that rely on accurate analysis of the specimen. It also determines the field of view of the subject. But the spatial resolution limit of the sensor depends on the size of the individual pixels. Monochrome cameras with smaller pixel size can better enable clinicians to observe the specimen or sample. See3CAM_CU135M comes with a resolution of 13 MP and a pixel size of 1.1 µm. This makes detailed imaging of minute objects possible.

This 4K monochrome camera does not have a color filter array – enabling your application to achieve higher quantum efficiency in both visible and NIR regions. This helps to capture images with less noise, and hence See3CAM_CU135M definitely comes out on top when compared to cameras with RGB color filters.

Related cameras

• See3CAM_CU135M – 4K Monochrome USB 3.1 Gen 1 Camera
• See3CAM_CU55M: 5MP monochrome USB NIR camera
• See3CAM_20CUG – 2MP OV Monochrome Global Shutter Camera
• See3CAM_10CUG: Monochrome global shutter USB camera

Talk to us if you are looking for help in integrating cameras into your medical devices

e-con Systems offers extensive customization services to ensure a camera meets the specific requirements of your medical microscopes. We can help you choose the right sensor, interface, optics, and processing platform to make sure your applications meet the desired performance standards. e-con Systems also has a proven track record of successfully delivering camera solutions for many medical customers

Looking for help in choosing the right camera for your medical microscope? Please write to .

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