VA Imaging MER2-1220-32U3C-VA 1/1.7" Color CMOS (Sony IMX226) Camera, 12.2 Megapixels, 4024 x 3036, 32 fps, Rolling Shutter, C-Mount, USB 3.0 Output

Industrial USB 3.0 Vision camera IMX226

The Mercury 2 USB3.0 camera is designed as an industrial vision camera featuring a USB 3.0 interface. This connection type is ideal for cameras requiring both high resolution and rapid data transfer speeds. It is well-suited for embedded systems such as Raspberry Pi (version 4 or later), NVIDIA platforms, and conventional PCs.
This industrial vision camera model is particularly relevant if your project meets the following criteria:
- Industrial-grade camera requirements
- Cable length up to 4.5 meters (extendable to 10 meters with an optical USB3 cable)
- Single cable connection for device interface
- Compact size dimensions (29x29x29mm)
- Compatible with x86 computers and embedded ARM V7 & ARM V8 platforms
- Supports hardware triggering (requires I/O cable)

For further information regarding our industrial USB 3.0 vision cameras, please consult our manual.

MTBF, warranty & product life cycle

Daheng Imaging manufactures over 100,000 industrial cameras annually, adhering to stringent quality standards. The mean time between failure (MTBF) exceeds 400,000 hours (equivalent to 45 years of continuous operation). These industrial cameras hold TÜV Rheinland certification and come with a 3-year warranty. Each camera model remains available for a minimum of 7 years following its market release, with most models enjoying significantly longer lifespans. For additional details on our product life cycle management, refer to this article.

Industrial Color Camera

A color camera utilizes a Bayer filter array to generate color images. The RGB value for each pixel is computed by combining the pixel s own value with those of adjacent pixels. This process results in images that are generally less sharp compared to monochrome cameras. Because of the RGB filter, each pixel captures up to 66% fewer photons under white light conditions than a monochrome sensor, reducing light sensitivity. To address this, the following adjustments can be made:
- Increase illumination intensity
- Raise the gain setting
- Extend shutter speed or exposure duration
- Choose a sensor with higher light sensitivity
- Opt for a lens with improved light-gathering capability
Compared to typical security cameras and webcams, industrial color cameras feature larger and more light-sensitive pixels, delivering superior image quality.

I/O port for hardwaretrigger, strobecontrol or PLC communication

The USB camera s I/O interface employs an 8-pin HR25 Hirose connector, a common standard in industrial machine vision applications. This camera includes an input port that can function as a hardware trigger. Its output can activate external devices such as industrial machine vision lighting. Additionally, the camera provides two GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins programmable via our SDK. Electrical wiring diagrams for the I/O connector are available in the user manual. You may also find our article on hardware triggering multiple industrial cameras useful.

If the I/O port is unnecessary for your application, the camera can be ordered without it. For bulk orders, this option reduces the camera s cost by 10 per unit. The minimum order quantity for the USB3 camera without I/O is 10 units. To place an order for the industrial USB3 camera without I/O, please get in touch with us.