Point Grey´s Latest Grasshopper3 USB3 Vision Camera is First to Feature Sony Global Shutter CMOS Technology

January 9, 2014 – Richmond, BC, Canada – Point Grey, a world-leading designer and manufacturer of innovative, high-performance digital cameras, today announced the addition of a new 2.3 megapixel global shutter CMOS model to its Grasshopper3 family of USB3 Vision cameras.

The Grasshopper3 GS3-U3-23S6M-C model uses the monochrome IMX174, Sony’s ground-breaking new global shutter CMOS sensor for the machine vision market. The fast and extremely sensitive IMX174 is a 1/1.2″ Exmor® CMOS that offers an image resolution of 1920×1200 and frame rates up to 162 FPS. Global shutter CMOS technology allows images of fast-moving objects to be captured without the motion distortion characterized by rolling shutter sensors, and without the smear inherent with CCDs. The IMX174 supports many features required for industrial and scientific applications, such as high-speed triggering and region of interest (ROI) functionality. The ROI feature allows users to select smaller HD 1080p or 720p image sizes that run at faster frame rates.

To achieve optimal imaging performance, Sony’s special “analog memory” perfectly stores and shields the light collected in the photodiode. This technology minimizes common global shutter CMOS artifacts such as fixed pattern noise and dramatically lowers read noise levels to just 7 electrons (e-). The IMX174 sensor further boasts saturation (full well) capacity of 32,000 electrons (e-), dynamic range of 73 dB, and peak quantum efficiency of 76% at 525 nm†.

“We´re very excited about the performance we are seeing, which is unheard of among today’s global shutter CMOS sensors,” says Michael Gibbons, Director of Sales and Marketing at Point Grey. “Combining these two innovations – the Sony IMX174 and Point Grey’s Grasshopper3 – brings several practical advantages to users. For example, the sensitivity of the sensor helps keep shutter times short, which reduces motion blur and can help reduce the amount of costly and power-hungry lighting that’s required. The camera’s USB 3.0 interface is also well-suited to handling the significant data rates generated by the sensor, which are well over 360 MByte/s, and is much more cost effective than other high-speed digital interfaces. Overall this new Grasshopper3 model is an ideal mix of speed, resolution, imaging performance, and cost.”

The GS3-U3-23C6M-C (1/1.2-inch 2.3 MP CMOS 162 FPS) is list priced at $1,295 / 945(EUR) and is available to order now from Point Grey, its network of distributors, and the online store (for North American, Australian, and EU customers). A color version (GS3-U3-23C6C-C) is expected to be released later this year.

For further information and to watch the video, please visit www.ptgrey.com/exmorGS

† Imaging performance measurements taken using EMVA 1288 standard test methodology

About Point Grey
Point Grey Research, Inc. is a world-leading designer and manufacturer of innovative, high-performance digital cameras for industrial, life science, traffic, and surveillance applications. We offer a unique and comprehensive portfolio of USB3 Vision, GigE Vision, FireWire, USB 2.0 and Camera Link products known for their outstanding quality, ease of use, and unbeatable price-performance. Point Grey was founded in 1997 and is based in Richmond, Canada. A broad range of hardware, software and mechanical engineering skills under one roof has allowed Point Grey to successfully bring many innovative and ground-breaking products to market. This drive for innovation has led to many industry firsts, including the world’s first and smallest 1394b digital camera, the smallest GigE camera, and the first USB 3.0 machine vision camera. Point Grey currently employs over 170 people and has international offices in Germany, China, Japan, and Italy. The company also has a strong network of distributors in Japan, Korea, Singapore, China, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.ptgrey.com

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