VA Imaging MER2-630-18GC-P-VA 1/1.8" Color CMOS (Sony IMX178) Camera, 6.3 Megapixels, 3088 x 2064, 18 fps, Rolling Shutter, C-Mount, GigE Vision Output

GigE Vision Camera IMX178

The Mercury 2 GigE camera lineup represents a category of industrial vision cameras equipped with a GigE interface. GigE remains the predominant interface for cameras in conventional machine vision setups. The Mercury 2 series includes sophisticated capabilities such as decimation, binning, pixel skipping, reverse imaging, and digital shift. This particular model is suitable if your requirements include:
- An industrial-grade camera
- Cable lengths up to 100 meters
- Cost-effective and straightforward cable installation
- Compact dimensions of 29x29x40.3mm
- Optional hardware triggering capability

For additional technical information, please refer to the GigE vision camera manual.

MTBF, warranty & product life cycle

Daheng Imaging manufactures over 100,000 industrial cameras annually, adhering to stringent quality protocols. The mean time between failures (MTBF) exceeds 400,000 hours (equivalent to 45 years of continuous operation). These industrial cameras carry TÜV Rheinland certification and come with a three-year warranty. Each camera model remains available for a minimum of seven years following its market release, with many models supported for significantly longer periods. For further insights on our product life cycle management, please consult the linked article.

Color industrial camera

An industrial color camera employs a Bayer filter array to generate color images. The RGB value for each pixel is derived by combining the pixel s own data with that of adjacent pixels, which results in images that are generally less sharp compared to monochrome cameras.
Because each pixel is filtered for RGB, it captures approximately 66% fewer photons under white light conditions than a monochrome sensor, making color cameras inherently less sensitive to light. To address this limitation, the following adjustments can be made: - Enhance illumination
- Increase the sensor gain
- Extend shutter speed or exposure time
- Choose a sensor with higher light sensitivity
- Select a lens optimized for better light transmission
Color industrial cameras are preferred in scenarios where capturing color details is essential.

Industrial GigE camera with PoE

Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology for GigE cameras allows simultaneous transmission of power and data through a single Ethernet cable. This simplifies wiring and reduces installation time, particularly in setups that do not require hardware triggering or I/O connections. For applications needing I/O functionality, powering the camera via an I/O connector is recommended. Cameras powered by PoE consume more power and generate additional heat compared to those powered through I/O connectors. The PoE-enabled GigE camera is physically larger than its non-PoE counterpart due to an additional PCB that separates Ethernet power from data signals and converts voltage levels. This extra hardware increases the cost relative to the non-PoE version. The main benefit of PoE is the streamlined installation process, requiring fewer cables overall.