Sony FCB camera block
Infrared cameras and visible cameras are undoubtedly two very representative devices, their unique imaging principles give them different application scenarios and functional advantages.
definition
1. Infrared camera
It is a kind of monitoring equipment that uses infrared ray to shoot. It uses special infrared sensitive materials to convert infrared energy emitted by objects into visible images. Infrared is a kind of invisible visible light located outside of visible light, human beings can not directly perceive, but the object will produce thermal radiation when emitting or reflecting infrared energy, infrared camera is to capture these thermal radiation and convert it into visible images equipment.
2. Visible light camera
It is a device that uses electromagnetic waves in the visible band to capture and record images. It receives visible light from the subject through the lens, and then converts these light signals into electrical signals, which are processed to generate a visual image. Visible light camera can capture the color and details that the human eye can directly perceive, visible light camera imaging effect depends on visible light, need sufficient lighting conditions to capture clear images.
Major difference
1. Light perception range
Infrared camera: It can capture images in the infrared range, that is, light with a wavelength longer than red light. Therefore, the infrared camera can work properly in full black or low light conditions.
Visible light camera: It is mainly to capture images in the visible range, that is, the wavelength of light between 380nm and 780nm, but with the progress of technology, some visible light cameras can still capture clear images in the infrared band, such as SONY FCB-EV9520L visible light camera, Due to the use of the STARVIS2 CMOS sensor with high sensitivity and low illumination performance, it can capture images without losing critical information even in dark environments in the near infrared to infrared band.
For this reason, the SONY FCB-EV9520L has become a “black light camera” in visible light in many fields.
2. Imaging principle
Infrared camera: The infrared light is used to emit infrared rays to illuminate objects, and the infrared rays are diffused and received by the camera to form video images. Or use the principle that any substance has infrared radiation above absolute zero (-273 ° C) to directly capture the infrared radiation emitted by the object and convert it into a visible image. Typically, infrared cameras have lower resolution and cannot provide the same image detail as visible light cameras.
Visible light camera: the optical system focuses the light to the image sensor, the image sensor converts the brightness, color and other information of the light into the corresponding electrical signal, and then the signal processing circuit amplifies, filters, digitization and other processing, and the final output is visible image. Visible light cameras are able to capture the true color and detail of objects, providing high-resolution images.
3. Image features
Infrared camera: The image usually represents the heat distribution of the object in grayscale or false color, and areas with different temperatures will be displayed in different colors or brightness.
Visible light camera: The image is rich in color, able to accurately capture and present the color, shape and detail of the object.
4. Penetration ability
Infrared cameras: Infrared light can penetrate certain obstacles, such as smoke, fog and haze, so in these special environments, infrared cameras have more advantages.
Visible light camera: Although most visible light cameras on the market now have electronic fog transmission function, but in the face of smoke, dust, haze and other obstacles, it may be hindered, affecting the image quality.
5. Application field
Infrared camera: widely used in security monitoring, wildlife research, unmanned driving, medical diagnosis and other fields. For example, in the monitoring system of banks, warehouses and other places, infrared cameras can monitor the invasion of personnel or the movement of items in real time; In the field of wildlife research, infrared cameras can monitor the activity and movement of animals in real time; In the medical field, infrared cameras can assist doctors in the early detection and diagnosis of diseases such as tumors.
Visible light camera: mainly used in photography and video in daily life, as well as industrial fields, such as UAV aerial photography and inspection, smart medical treatment, industrial testing, video conferencing, robotics, film production, etc. In the field of public safety, visible light cameras are also widely used in the monitoring system of public places such as banks, shopping malls, schools and so on.
6. Cost
Infrared cameras: Usually more expensive, but with unique night vision capabilities and temperature detection capabilities, suitable for situations that are not sensitive to light conditions or require non-contact temperature measurement.
Visible light camera: Relatively low cost, suitable for most areas of vision.
Therefore, in some dark scenes in the near infrared band, visible light cameras are often chosen due to the improvement of high sensitivity and low light performance. This is mainly due to the rapid development of camera technology in recent years, which has significantly improved the performance of visible light cameras in dark light environments.
Sum up
In summary, with the rapid development of science and technology, visible light cameras have significantly improved their high sensitivity and low light performance, greatly expanding their application range.
Visible light cameras not only provide high-quality, colorful images in full light conditions, but also capture clear, delicate images in low light environments through advanced image processing technology and highly sensitive sensors. This technological advancement has made the application of visible light cameras more and more widespread.