VA Imaging MER2-041-608U3C-HS-VA 1/2.9" Color CMOS (Sony IMX287) Camera, 0 Megapixels, 720 x 540, 608 fps, Global Shutter, C-Mount, USB 3.0 Output

Industrial USB 3.0 Vision Camera Featuring IMX287

The Mercury2 USB 3.0 camera is designed as an industrial vision system equipped with a USB 3.0 interface. This interface supports high-resolution and high-speed image capture, making it ideal for embedded systems such as Raspberry Pi (model 4 or newer) and NVIDIA Jetson platforms, as well as conventional PC setups.
This model is well-suited for your application if it meets the following criteria:
-    Industrial-grade camera
-    Maximum cable length of 4.5 meters (extendable to 10 meters with optical USB3 cable)
-    Single-cable connectivity
-    Compact form factor (29x29x29mm)
-    Compatible with x86 computers and embedded ARM V7 & ARM V8 platforms
-    Supports hardware triggering (requires I/O cable)

We suggest the standard model MER2-041-528U3C for enhanced image quality. However, this variant delivers a higher frame rate and is recommended only when the default camera’s FPS does not meet your application needs.

For comprehensive information on our industrial USB 3.0 vision cameras, please refer to our manual.

MTBF, Warranty, and Product Longevity

Daheng Imaging manufactures over 100,000 industrial cameras annually, adhering to stringent quality standards. The mean time between failures (MTBF) exceeds 400,000 hours (equivalent to 45 years of continuous operation). These cameras hold TÃœV Rheinland certification and come with a 3-year warranty. Each camera model remains available for a minimum of 7 years after launch, with many models supported for even longer periods. For further details on our product life cycle management, see this article.

Industrial Color Imaging Camera

A color camera employs a Bayer filter array to generate color images. The RGB value for each pixel is computed by analyzing the pixel’s data along with adjacent pixels. This process results in images that are less sharp compared to monochrome cameras. Because of the RGB filter, each pixel captures approximately 66% fewer photons under white light conditions than a monochrome sensor, making color cameras less sensitive to light. To address this, the following adjustments can be made:
-    Increase illumination intensity
-    Raise the gain setting
-    Extend shutter speed or exposure time
-    Choose a sensor with higher light sensitivity
-    Use a lens optimized for better light transmission
Compared to typical security cameras and webcams, industrial color cameras feature larger, more light-sensitive pixels, delivering superior image quality.

I/O Interface for Hardware Triggering, Strobe Control, and PLC Communication

The USB camera’s I/O port uses an 8-pin HR25 Hirose connector, which is a standard in industrial machine vision applications. This camera includes an input for hardware triggering. Its output can activate external devices such as industrial lighting systems. Additionally, the camera provides two programmable GPIO lines accessible via our SDK. Electrical wiring diagrams for the I/O connector are included in the manual. You may also consult our article: hardware triggering multiple industrial cameras.

If the I/O port is not required, it is possible to order the camera without it. For large orders, this option reduces the camera cost by €10. The minimum order quantity for cameras without I/O is 10 units. Please contact us if you wish to purchase the industrial USB3 camera without the I/O interface.