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20MPix Sony Starvis BSI Imager Based Camera

Features

  • Imager Series: Sony IMX183
  • 20 MP: 5472 x 3648 at up to 20 f/sec
  • Rolling Shutter
  • 1″ Image Sensor Optical Format
  • Monochrome or Color
  • TE-cooled versions are available
  • Pixel Size: 2.4μm x 2.4μm
  • Excellent Photonic Characteristics
  • Supports Hardware and Software Triggering
  • Host Interface and Power: USB3.0
  • C-Mount compatible: add a Camera Lens or a Zoomable or Fixed Microscope/Macroscope
  • Includes Software for Camera Control and Image Acquisition
  • Supported by a Full-featured SDK
  • 3rd Party Software support: LabVIEW, Matlab, Micro-Manager

Typical Applications:

  • Microscopy: Chemiluminescence & Fluorescence
  • Large FOV imaging
  • Ultra low-light imaging: TE cooled 20MPix Monochrome and RGB Color CMOS camera models are recommended for applications in which the exposure is expected to be longer than a few seconds. This is particularly useful in applications such as fluorescence microscopy, chemiluminescence and gel documentation.

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This series of cameras is based on the IMX183, from Sony’s Starvis BSI line of CMOS Sensors. The Back Side Illuminated pixels in these image sensors give them a high QE. These cameras therefore combine high sensitivity, a low read noise and a low dark current at room temperature. They are therefore a great choice for imaging under a wide range of conditions, including low-light imaging applications such as fluorescence microscopy. The small pixel-size and large FOV makes this camera series work well, being Nyquist-matched even with low-magnification microscope microscope objectives.

Since this is a large FOV imager, the RGB Color version is a good match for imaging fixed, stained specimens in histology & pathology. It can also be used for multi-probe fluorescence microscopy, in which it is important to image the emission of multiple fluorophores simultaneously.

The TE-cooled versions of this camera are well suited to ultra-low-light imaging applications such as gel documentation, bioluminescence and chemiluminescence in which exposures can range from tens of seconds to several minutes long.

These image sensors operate in Rolling Shutter mode, which means that while they are an excellent choice for imaging large, static Fields of View, they are not ideally suited for imaging fast moving objects.

Host Interface: USB3.0

Color Space Options:

  • Monochrome 
  • RGB Color

Configuration Options:

  • TE-cooled: in this configuration, the image sensor is thermo-electrically cooled and enclosed in a sealed chamber to prevent moisture infiltration.
  • Non-cooled, Enclosed: this is the standard configuration, in which the camera electronics are enclosed in an enclosure.
  • Non-cooled, Board Level: in this configuration, a c-mount adapter is installed, but the camera enclosure is omitted. The user accepts all responsibilities related to using exposed, unshielded electronic circuits.

Note: the Sony IM183 color imager that is used in this camera series is similar to the Sony IMX283 color imager which is offered in an Embedded Kit for nVIDIA.

Camera Series PL-D7620MU FL-20BW PL-D7620CU FL-20
Image Sensor Technology Sony CMOS Starvis (Back Side Illuminated)
Image Sensor series IMX183
Spectral Option Monochrome Color
TE Cooled No Yes (-15°C @ 25°C ambient) No Yes (-15°C @ 25°C ambient)
#pixels (MP) 20
#pixels (H x V) 5472 x 3648
Max. Frame Rate (fps) 20 16 20 14
Pixel Size (µm) 2.40
Shutter Type Rolling
Imager Dimensions: H x V (mm) 13.1 x 8.8
Diagonal (mm) 15.80
(*) Peak QE (% @ λ nm) 86% @ 500nm 84% @ 495nm See RGB Graph
(*) Read Noise (e-) 3.1 0.6 (per mfr) 3.1 < 1 (per mfr)
(*) Full Well Capacity (Ke-) 15 16 15 15
(*) Dark Current (e-/p/s) 1.6 at 25°C 0.001 at -15°C 1.6 at 25°C 0.001(*) at -15°C
Bit Depth 8 or 12 8 or 16 8 or 12 8 or 16
Interface USB3.0
Lens Mount C,CS C C,CS C
Optical Format (for lens selection) 1"
(*) these are for reference only, and are not specifications provided by the manufacturer. Please contact us to discuss the photonics requirements of your application.
  • Use your mouse to read QE data at wavelengths of interest.
  • Right-click and drag to zoom-in along the X-axis to expand the view for a desired range of wavelength.
  • To pan left or right within a zoomed-in view, hold down the Shift key and use your mouse.
  • To revert from a zoomed-in view to a normal view, click on the “Reset zoom” button that is displayed at the top-RHS of the graph.

A 1mm thick BK7 clear glass window is installed on monochrome camera models manufactured by Pixelink: this is in addition to the glass faceplate on the image sensor itself. The transmittance of the clear glass window between 365nm – 1100nm is greater than 99.3%, but it falls sharply below 365nm. The QE values shown below 365nm are not meant to indicate that standard versions of these monochrome cameras have spectral responsivity outside the transmittance range of the glass window.

The glass faceplate may cause thin-film interference fringe patterns in coherent-light imaging applications, such as laser beam profiling or interferometry. In such applications all glass (including the glass faceplate on the image sensor) must be removed. Please contact us with these special requests.

  • Use your mouse to read QE data at wavelengths of interest.
  • Right-click and drag to zoom-in along the X-axis to expand the view for a desired range of wavelength.
  • To pan left or right within a zoomed-in view, hold down the Shift key and use your mouse.
  • To revert from a zoomed-in view to a normal view, click on the “Reset zoom” button that is displayed at the top-RHS of the graph.

An NIR-blocking filter is installed on RGB color camera models. These filters transmit light between 380nm – 648nm, and significantly attenuate light that is outside that range. The need for an NIR-blocking filter in color cameras is explained in our Knowledge Base article titled Quantum Efficiency and Spectral Responsivity. For specifications of the NIR-blocking filter that installed on RGB color camera models from Pixelink, please refer to the article titled Spectrum of IR cut glass used by Pixelink.

All QE values on this website are the best estimates available from various sources, and not necessarily from the manufacturer of the specific image sensor or from the manufacturer of the cameras in our Product Showcase. They represent the best estimates for the imagers by themselves, with the caveat that glass and other optics in the imaging path can significantly impact the spectral sensitivity of an imaging system.

As described on our Knowledge Base article on this subject, these values exist in a range. Therefore no absolute precision is implied, even when QE values are shown to two decimal places! These values and graphs are intended to be used for reference can be use for making useful comparisons between cameras. They are not intended to be a specification or a performance guarantee.

Using the method described in our Knowledge Base Article titled “How Diffraction Limits the Optical Resolution of a Microscope” one can estimate the performance of this camera when used in a microscope with commercially available microscope objectives. In the table below, it is assumed that the microscope is comprised of the objective and a tube lens with the correct focal length for the objective such that the nominal optical magnification of the microscope is the value that is specified for the objective.

Camera Parameters
Optical Format #Megapixels #H pixels #V pixels Pixel size (μm) H size (mm) V size (mm) Diagonal (mm)
1" 20MP 5472 3648 2.4 13.13 8.76 15.78
Commercially Available Objectives
Objective: Mag/NA 1X\0.03NA 2X\0.1NA 4X\0.13NA 10X\0.26NA 20X\0.5NA 40X\0.75NA 60X\0.85NA 100X\1.4NA
Min. feature size (um) 11.18 3.36 2.58 1.29 0.67 0.45 0.39 0.24
Max pix size (um) 5.59 3.36 5.16 6.45 6.70 9.00 11.70 12.00
FN (mm) 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22
WD (mm) 8 56.3 17.2 16 2.1 16 0.66 0.31-0.4
NA 0.03 0.1 0.13 0.26 0.5 0.75 0.85 1.4
Magnification 1 2 4 10 20 40 60 100
Estimated Performance of Camera and Objective Combinations
(*) Limiting Resolution (µm) 11.18 3.36 2.58 1.29 0.67 0.45 0.39 0.24
Vignetting? No No No No No No No No
FOV (H x V) mm 13.13 x 8.76 6.57 x 4.38 3.28 x 2.19 1.31 x 0.88 0.66 x 0.44 0.33 x 0.22 0.22 x 0.15 0.13 x 0.09
FOV (diagonal) mm 15.78 7.89 3.95 1.58 0.79 0.39 0.26 0.16
Please contact our imaging experts for assistance in selecting a camera & objective combination that fulfils your FOV & resolution requirements at application-specific wavelengths.
1) The minimum feature size is estimated using the Rayleigh Criteria at λ = 550nm; it can be re-calculated for other wavelengths. R = 1.22*λ/(2NA)
2) The maximum pixel size is estimated by applying the Nyquist criteria to the minimum feature size as it appears on the imager plane. Maximum pixel size = R*magnification/2
3) Camera and Objective combinations which meet the Nyquist criteria and are therefore diffraction limited are indicated by showing the Limiting Resolution in green font. (*)
4) Values for Working Distance (WD) and Field Number (FN) are shown for reference only. Actual values may vary.
5) Vignetting, a darkening of the image at the corners, may be observed if the Imager Diagonal is larger than the Field Number of the Objective.

Camera P/N [Image Sensor], Interface 1" format #H pixels #V pixels Pixel size (μm) H size (mm) V size (mm) Diagonal (mm)
PL-D7620 [Sony IMX183], non-cooled, USB3.0 20MP@16f/sec 5472 3648 2.4 13.13 8.76 15.78
FL-20BW [Sony IMX183], TE-cooled, monochrome, USB3.0 20MP@14f/sec In applications that require the best achievable optical resolution, it is desirable to use a lens with an optical resolution ≥ 208 lp/mm for an image sensor with a pixel size of 2.4μm. This will ensure that the optical resolution of the camera & lens combination is Nyquist-limited by the pixel-size of the camera, and not by the quality of the lens.
FL-20 [Sony IMX183], TE-cooled, color, USB3.0 20MP@20f/sec

Lenses with lower than the the limiting optical resolution of 208 lp/mm do not meet the Nyquist criteria, as is the case of the 1″ compatible lenses shown in the table below. The 1-2442x series of lenses (highlighted in pink on the table below) have a high optical resolution of 160 lp/mm (center), but the 2.4μm pixels of this camera have a higher effective optical resolution than the lenses. The limiting resolution for the camera and lens system (shown in the table below as the minimum resolvable feature) is therefore set by the lens, and not the camera. Even though these 1-242x lenses do not meet the Nyquist criteria, they are the highest resolution 1″ lenses currently available from Navitar. They can be used with this camera, with the awareness that 1″ lenses of higher optical resolution – if available – could provide a higher optical resolution for the overall system, at a price that is likely to be higher. Also shown on the table below are the DO-xx95 series of f/0.95 “fast” lenses (highlighted in light-blue). These lenses are optimized for light-collection, although their optical resolution is considerably lower than that of the 1-2442x series of lenses. The NMV series are good, cost-effective lenses with modest resolution and are suitable for general purpose imaging applications. Please check out our Knowledge Base Article for more details.

Highlighted row colors identify specific type of lenses: Light-pink = High Resolution lenses; Light-blue = Fast lenses.

Notes:
The working distance (WD) is defined as the distance from the object plane to the front of the lens.
The above are theoretical estimates provided for reference, and are not a guarantee of performance. Actual FOVs and optical resolution are best determined by experiment.
The FOVs and smallest resolvable feature sizes are estimated with the object plane placed at the minimum WD of the lens. A similar calculation may be performed for longer WDs. Please contact us for assistance: our specialists can help you identify a lens that meets your FOV requirements at a Working Distance that is convenient for your workflow.
Increasing the WD will result in larger FOVs, and lower optical resolution (an increase in the smallest resolvable feature size).
(*) The system meets Nyquist criteria if the optical resolution at the center of the lens (in lp/mm) is ≥ the pixel-size limited resolution (see above).
(**) The minimum resolvable feature size is estimated based on whether the lens meets the Nyquist criterion. If the Nyquist limit is met, then the resolution of the system is the estimated to be the distance on the sample plane that corresponds to two pixels in the image plane. If not, it is estimated based on the limiting resolution of the lens.

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