Point Grey, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of innovative, high-performance digital cameras, today announced the addition of a new 1.4 megapixel global shutter CCD model to its Grasshopper3 family of USB3 Vision™ cameras.
The new Grasshopper3 GS3-U3-15S5 camera models are based on color and monochrome versions of the Sony ICX825, a 2/3" EXview HAD CCD II sensor capable of streaming 1384 x 1032 resolution images at 45 FPS. This sensor is the next generation of the popular ICX285 CCD, which has been the industry standard for scientific imaging due to its large pixel size, high saturation capacity, and excellent dynamic range. The new ICX825 continues this legacy and maintains the same optical format and pixel size while improving upon the imaging performance and frame rate. This new Grasshopper3 model is ideal for scientific and industrial applications such as fluorescent microscopy, electronics assembly, and inspection.
Like all Point Grey USB 3.0 cameras, the Grasshopper3 uses a proprietary USB 3.0 link layer and frame buffer-based architecture for optimal performance and reliability. The Grasshopper3 uses an advanced image processing pipeline to enable color interpolation, look up table, gamma correction, pixel binning and USB3 Vision support.
"There are many applications, particularly in the scientific and biomedical markets, where CCD is still preferred over CMOS," says Michael Gibbons, Director of Sales and Marketing at Point Grey. "CCDs like the ICX285 and ICX825, for example, have lower dark current, which is important for doing longer exposures in order to reduce noise. We're very excited to introduce this new sensor from Sony, and happy to continue supporting our customers with new CCD-based products."
The GS3-U3-15S5 is list priced at $1,595/€1225 and is available to order now from Point Grey, its network of distributors, and the online store (for North American, Australian, and EU customers).
