What Is Sony Global Shutter Technology?

Capturing clear images of moving objects can be difficult in industrial environments. Products move along conveyor belts, robotic arms work at high speed, and automated systems need accurate visual data to make decisions. A regular camera may produce distorted images when objects move during image capture.

This is where Sony global shutter technology can help. Sony's Pregius and Pregius S sensor technologies are designed to capture images without the motion distortion associated with rolling shutter sensors. They are widely suited to machine vision applications that need accurate and consistent images.

For businesses developing industrial inspection systems, robotics, and smart automation, choosing the right image sensor can make a real difference.

How Does a Global Shutter Work?

A global shutter captures the image across all pixels at the same time. A rolling shutter, by comparison, records image rows one after another.

When a rolling shutter camera captures a fast-moving object, the object's position may change while different rows are being read. This can make straight edges appear tilted or shapes look distorted.

A global shutter reduces this problem by capturing the scene simultaneously. This makes it useful when systems need reliable images for tracking, measurement, or object detection.

Key Benefits of Sony Global Shutter Sensors

1. Clear Images of Moving Objects

Sony global shutter sensors help reduce motion-related image distortion. This is useful for inspecting products moving on production lines, tracking parts with robotic systems, and monitoring moving vehicles.

2. Accurate Industrial Inspection

Manufacturers often need to check product dimensions, detect defects, or read labels at speed. Distortion can affect these tasks. Global shutter imaging helps preserve object shapes, supporting more reliable visual inspection.

3. Support for High-Speed Imaging

Sony's Pregius S technology combines global shutter operation with a back-illuminated pixel structure. Depending on the sensor model, this design can support high frame rates, compact camera designs, and detailed image capture.

4. Better Synchronisation

Global shutter sensors are useful in systems that need coordinated image capture and lighting. For example, a machine vision camera can be triggered to capture an image at a specific point in a production process, helping inspection systems work consistently.

Where Are Sony Global Shutter Cameras Used?

Sony global shutter sensors can support a range of industrial and embedded vision applications, including:

  • Factory automation: Inspect products moving along conveyor belts.
  • Robotics: Help robotic systems locate and handle objects accurately.
  • AGVs and AMRs: Support navigation and obstacle detection.
  • Quality control: Capture images for defect detection and measurement.
  • Traffic monitoring: Record moving vehicles with reduced image distortion.
  • Embedded AI vision: Supply image data for systems that detect, classify, or track objects.

The best sensor depends on the application's speed, lighting, resolution, and processing requirements.

Sony Global Shutter vs. Rolling Shutter

The main difference is how each sensor captures an image.

FeatureGlobal shutterRolling shutterImage captureAll pixels capture at the same timeRows are captured in sequenceMoving objectsReduces motion-related distortionCan show skew or shape distortionIndustrial useHigh-speed inspection and roboticsSuitable for many stationary or slower scenesBest choiceMotion accuracy is a priorityCost and general imaging needs may guide selection

Neither option is right for every project. The best choice depends on object speed, lighting, image quality, and system requirements.

How to Choose the Right Sony Global Shutter Camera

Before selecting a camera, consider the resolution, frame rate, sensor size, interface, and available software support. Also check whether your application needs colour or monochrome images, hardware triggering, or near-infrared sensitivity.

For example, Vadzo Imaging offers the IMX900 monochrome global shutter USB camera, built around Sony's Pregius S sensor. It is designed for industrial imaging tasks that need accurate motion capture and supports applications such as robotics, automated inspection, and embedded vision.

You can explore the Sony IMX900 global shutter camera to review its specifications and features.

Conclusion

Sony global shutter technology helps industrial cameras capture accurate images of fast-moving objects. It is a useful option for manufacturers, robotics developers, and machine vision engineers who need reliable visual data.

By choosing a camera that matches your resolution, speed, lighting, and connectivity needs, you can build a more effective imaging system. Visit Vadzo Imaging to explore embedded vision cameras and find a solution for your application.