High Speed, High Image Quality & C-Mount Lens Compatibility Global Shutter Image Sensors 1.2

Overview

The IMX925 and IMX926 are global shutter image sensors that are compatible with C-mount lenses, which are widely used in industrial applications. These sensors boast both high resolution of approximately 24.55/12.41 effective megapixels and high-speed readout.
As factory automation advances, demand is growing for high-speed and high-definition automated optical inspection (AOI) in electronics manufacturing and other industrial sectors that perform mass production. In pursuit of better inspection performance, there is also a growing market for laser cutting, structured light, and other methods of three-dimensional (3D) AOI.
With our high-speed readout technology and 2.74-µm miniature pixels, not only can these sensors improve the accuracy and frame rate of general-purpose machine vision inspection for precision devices, but they can also be applied to diverse advanced inspection methods, including 3D AOI. Moreover, the IMX935 and IMX936 have excellent power performance while realizing the same level of resolution as the IMX925 or IMX926, reducing environmental impact and contributing to system-wide cost reduction and enhanced efficiency. With their compact size, high performance, and high frame rate, these are high-value-added image sensors that support practically all industrial inspection and measuring operations.

Features

24.5 MP and 394 frame/s^*1 high-speed imaging, approximately double power efficiency

The IMX925 Series offers improved efficiency thanks to a new circuit structure, which speeds up driving each sensor from pixel readout to the A/D converter. Further, by successfully enhancing the internal signal processing speed and parallel arrangement, this has increased the framerate by approximately four times – 24.5 MP and 394 frame/s^*1 – and nearly doubled power consumption efficiency compared to the IMX530, the conventional model with the same level of resolution. Also, despite their high speed and low power consumption, these sensors maintain high image-quality performance by adopting back-illuminated global shutter pixels like the IMX530, which features small size, low noise, and high light collection efficiency.

*1) At 10-bit output. As of November 2024.

Sony’s proprietary pixel structure Pregius S delivers miniaturization, compact size, and high resolution

Both the IMX925 and IMX935 are equipped with Sony's proprietary back-illuminated structure Pregius S. They have 2.74 µm miniature pixels and are compatible with C-mount lenses, yet they achieve approximately 24.55 megapixels within a 1.2-type image size. The 1/1.1-type image sensors IMX926 and IMX936 boast approximately 12.41 megapixels. They are all compact in size and yet deliver high resolution. Their global shutter technology makes it possible to capture clear images without distortion while the stacked structure facilitates the implementation of various functions.
The compact and high-definition IMX925 series is a viable solution for high-definition imaging as well as diverse applications that demand smaller cameras with greater performance capabilities.

With interface and functions that support cutting-edge, high-speed, and high-definition imaging

Compatible with the latest^*2 SLVS-EC

The IMX925 series is equipped with the latest SLVS-EC interface. Supporting up to 12.5 Gbps/lane, these sensors are capable of high-definition and high frame rate imaging. The high data rate per lane means the same amount of data can be sent with fewer lanes, enabling more FPGA options.

*2) As of November 2024.

1-shot high dynamic range (HDR) function

These sensors have a 1-shot HDR function, which allows them to expand the dynamic range while keeping the current frame rate and resolution settings. This function is useful for capturing images containing materials with different reflectivity levels, including black substances such as rubber and metals.

Multiple binning modes

This series supports several binning modes, including V2 × H1 and V1 × H2 pixel unit binning, as well as 2 × 2 pixel unit binning. These modes can facilitate improved sensitivity and speed while maintaining the necessary resolution in the direction required by the application.

* Only compatible with Monochrome models.

Diagram explaining the multiple binning modes

Subsampling a specific color

For readouts, these sensors are able to subsample and read out pixels of a specific color, among blue, red, and green. This makes it possible to switch between subsampling imaging and full-pixel imaging, delivering both color imaging and wavelength-specific irradiation pattern imaging with just one sensor.

* Only compatible with Bayer models.

Diagram explaining the subsampling of a specific color

Technology

Global Shutter Technology Pregius™ / Pregius S™

Find out more about the global shutter technology

High-speed Interface SLVS-EC™

Part of this product group uses high-speed interface SLVS-EC

Specifications

Model Name	IMX925-AMJ/AQJ	IMX935-AMJ/AQJ	IMX926-AMJ/AQJ	IMX936-AMJ/AQJ
Image size	Diagonal 19.3 mm（Type 1.2）		Diagonal 14.0 mm（Type 1/1.1）
Effective pixels	5328（H）× 4608（V） Approx. 24.55 megapixels		4128（H）× 3008（V） Approx. 12.41 megapixels
Unit cell size	2.74 μm（H）× 2.74 μm（V）
Frame rate （All-pixel readout）	8bit: 442 frame/s(TBD) 10bit: 394 frame/s(TBD) 12bit: 212 frame/s(TBD)	8bit: 225 frame/s(TBD) 10bit: 200 frame/s(TBD) 12bit: 107 frame/s(TBD)	8bit: 660 frame/s(TBD) 10bit: 588 frame/s(TBD) 12bit: 318 frame/s(TBD)	8bit: 339 frame/s(TBD) 10bit: 302 frame/s(TBD) 12bit: 162 frame/s(TBD)
Input drive frequency	37.125 MHz / 74.25 MHz
Power supply	1.1 V, 1.8 V, 2.9 V, 3.3 V
Shutter mode	Global Shutter
Output interface	SLVS-EC 8×2/6×2/4×2 Lane 8/6/4/2/1 Lane	SLVS-EC 8/6/4/2/1 Lane	SLVS-EC 8×2/6×2/4×2 Lane 8/6/4/2/1 Lane	SLVS-EC 8/6/4/2/1 Lane
Filter	Monochrome/Bayer	Monochrome/Bayer	Monochrome/Bayer	Monochrome/Bayer
Package	Ceramic Package（LGA） Size 24.5 mm × 21.4 mm
Product overview PDF	IMX925-AMJ (Monochrome) IMX926-AMJ (Monochrome) IMX925-AQJ (Color) IMX926-AQJ (Color) IMX935-AMJ (Monochrome) IMX936-AMJ (Monochrome) IMX935-AQJ (Color) IMX936-AQJ (Color)

TBD) This is a tentative value as the product is still under development.

Application

2D/3D AOI

3D inspection (laser cutting)

3D inspection (structured light method)

Volumetric imaging (sports technology)

2D/3D AOI

Two-dimensional/three-dimensional automated optical inspection (2D/3D AOI), one of the uses of machine vision in the industrial sector, is becoming increasingly important with the evolution of factory automation. It is widely used in a variety of manufacturing lines, and global shutter image sensors are suitable for this purpose because they can capture moving objects and synchronize with lighting. Demand for superior AOI systems is particularly great at mass-production manufacturing sites like electronic device production lines. The IMX925 series offers high-resolution of 24.5 MP and 12.4 MP and high frame rates, contributing to the improved precision of high-speed 2D/3D AOI.

Related sectors

Electronics manufacturing

3D inspection (laser cutting)

Laser-cutting 3D inspection is a method of obtaining the target object’s height, position, and shape profile data with high levels of precision, without contact, by projecting a laser beam and capturing the reflected light with a camera. Laser-cutting 3D inspection is being increasingly adopted for inline inspections and shape recognition applications, and the IMX925 series is an effective option for this method. With the capability to capture undistorted images at a high frame rate, each sensor provides support for efficient inspection and production in situations that require capturing and processing a large volume of images at high definitions and high speed. To improve 3D sensing accuracy, a high-sensitivity imaging function based on the binning mode is available for capturing images in environments that require more contrast.
Moreover, the sensor size is compatible with C-mount lenses, which are the most prevalent type for industrial cameras, offering the potential for cost reduction and downsizing across the camera system.

Related sectors

Electronics manufacturing

Illustrative image of 3D inspection (laser cutting)

3D inspection (structured light method)

Structured light 3D measuring involves the projection of a specific pattern using a projector or laser-type light source. The projected pattern is captured and analyzed for distortion to obtain 3D measurement with high precision. In the industrial sector, this method is used for processes like quality control, product inspection, and robotic order picking systems, to which the IMX925 series can also be applied. The capability to realize high-frame rate and high-resolution imaging enables reliable 3D measuring of a wide area in a short period of time. This can help reduce the inspection time and contribute to obtaining highly accurate inspection results. Moreover, the IMX925 series, which comes in a compatible sensor size for C-mount lenses, can help to reduce the overall size of the camera system and contribute to system-wide cost reduction.

Related sectors

Electronics manufacturing

Illustrative image of 3D inspection (structured light method)

Volumetric imaging (sports technology)

The objective of sports technology is to improve sports performance and experience. One of its approaches is volumetric technology, which captures the movements of a person or object in a 3D space and reproduces them digitally. This technology can also benefit from the IMX925 series.
The high frame rate and global shutter technology make it possible to capture fast-moving targets in high resolution, ensuring clear detail without causing blurring. They are also useful in generating 3D models that are more realistic and less artificial. This not only enhances athlete body movement analysis and precision in movement regeneration, but also enables more realistic visualization.