Sony IMX936 Sensor: 12.4MP Global Shutter for High-Speed Machine Vision
The Sony IMX936 sensor is a 12.4-megapixel global shutter CMOS image sensor designed for high-speed industrial imaging. With 4128 × 3008 effective pixels, a 2.74 µm pixel size and readout speeds of more than 300 frames per second, it combines high resolution with the speed required for demanding machine vision applications.
At VA Imaging, the Sony IMX936 is used in high-speed CoaXPress cameras within our MARS series. These cameras are available in monochrome and color and can capture full-resolution images at up to 302 fps, making them particularly suitable for industrial inspection systems where both image detail and throughput are important.
Sony IMX936 Sensor Specifications
The Sony IMX936 is a global shutter CMOS image sensor developed for industrial imaging applications that require high-speed acquisition without sacrificing resolution.
| Sensor technology | CMOS |
|---|---|
| Effective resolution | Approx. 12.41 MP |
| Effective pixels | 4128 × 3008 |
| Pixel size | 2.74 × 2.74 µm |
| Sensor size | Type 1/1.1 |
| Sensor diagonal | 14.0 mm |
| Shutter type | Global shutter |
| 8-bit readout | Up to 339 fps |
| 10-bit readout | Up to 302 fps |
| 12-bit readout | Up to 162 fps |
| Sensor output | SLVS-EC |
| Available versions | Monochrome and Bayer color |
Sony specifies a maximum all-pixel readout speed of approximately 302 fps at 10-bit output, while 8-bit operation can reach approximately 339 fps.
This combination of 12.4MP resolution and very high frame rate is one of the defining characteristics of the IMX936.
What Makes the Sony IMX936 Different?
The main advantage of the Sony IMX936 is that it combines high spatial resolution with very fast image acquisition.
Machine vision applications often face a trade-off between resolution and speed. Higher-resolution sensors generate more image data, which can reduce the maximum achievable frame rate. The IMX936 is designed to reduce this compromise by providing approximately 12.4 megapixels while still supporting acquisition at more than 300 fps.
This is particularly useful in applications where small features need to be inspected on rapidly moving objects.
The global shutter architecture is equally important. Instead of exposing different rows of the sensor at different moments, a global shutter exposes the complete image simultaneously. This helps prevent geometric distortion when capturing moving components or fast production processes.
For machine vision systems involving conveyors, rotating components or rapidly changing scenes, this can provide a significant advantage over rolling shutter sensors.
Sony IMX936 and Pregius S Technology
The Sony IMX936 belongs to Sony's generation of industrial global shutter sensors using Pregius S technology.
Pregius S combines a global shutter with a back-illuminated pixel structure. The architecture enables Sony to use relatively small 2.74 µm pixels while maintaining the characteristics required for industrial imaging.
The smaller pixels make it possible to achieve a relatively high resolution within a compact sensor format. The IMX936 has approximately 12.41 effective megapixels while maintaining a 14.0 mm diagonal image area.
Sony developed this sensor family for increasingly demanding machine vision applications in areas such as electronics inspection, precision manufacturing and automated optical inspection.
The IMX936 belongs to the same high-speed sensor generation as the IMX925, IMX926 and IMX935. Within this family, the IMX936 combines a 4128 × 3008 resolution with high-speed readout reaching approximately 302 fps at 10-bit output.
Why the Sony IMX936 Is Suited to High-Speed Machine Vision
The Sony IMX936 is particularly suited to applications where increasing inspection speed cannot come at the expense of image detail.
At 4128 × 3008 pixels, the sensor provides sufficient resolution to capture small features across a relatively large field of view. At the same time, its high-speed readout allows hundreds of complete images to be captured every second.
This can be valuable when production throughput is high or when several images need to be captured during a very short inspection cycle.
High frame rates can also provide greater flexibility in applications involving motion analysis, 3D imaging or multiple exposures. Instead of relying on a single image, a machine vision system can capture a sequence of images while the object remains within the inspection area.
The global shutter further supports these applications by ensuring that moving objects are captured without the characteristic skew associated with rolling shutter sensors.
Industrial Cameras with the Sony IMX936 Sensor
VA Imaging offers industrial cameras based on the Sony IMX936 sensor for machine vision applications requiring both high resolution and high acquisition speed.
Our current IMX936 camera range uses the CoaXPress interface, providing the bandwidth required to transfer the large amount of image data generated by the sensor.
The cameras are available in both monochrome and color configurations.
The monochrome version is typically suitable for inspection tasks based on contrast, shape, dimensions, edges or surface characteristics. It can also be combined with dedicated illumination wavelengths and optical filters to emphasize specific product features.
The color version is suitable when color itself forms part of the inspection decision, such as identifying colored components, labels, markings or product variants.
Both models capture images at 4128 × 3008 pixels at up to approximately 302 fps. The cameras use four CXP-12 connections and a C-mount lens interface.
MARS-1240-302X2M-NF
12.4MP CoaXPress camera with Sony IMX936 sensor for high-speed monochrome machine vision.
MARS-1240-302X2C-NF
12.4MP CoaXPress camera with Sony IMX936 sensor for high-speed color machine vision.
Monochrome or Color IMX936 Camera?
Choosing between a monochrome and color IMX936 camera depends on what information the machine vision system needs to extract from the image.
A monochrome IMX936 camera is generally the preferred option when the inspection is based on geometry or intensity rather than color.
Typical examples include:
- edge detection
- dimensional measurement
- surface defect detection
- shape inspection
- OCR under controlled illumination
- high-speed positioning
- inspection using narrow-band illumination
Without a color filter array, monochrome imaging is also often well suited to applications where maximum image contrast is important.
A color IMX936 camera is more appropriate when the inspection needs to distinguish between colors or evaluate color-related product characteristics.
This may include:
- checking colored components
- verifying labels or packaging
- identifying product variants
- inspecting colored markings
- detecting differences that cannot reliably be separated in grayscale
Both versions retain the same fundamental benefit of the IMX936: high-resolution global shutter imaging at very high frame rates.
Applications for Sony IMX936 Cameras
Sony IMX936 cameras are particularly relevant for applications where objects move quickly while small details still need to remain visible.
High-speed automated optical inspection
Automated optical inspection can require very short image acquisition times when products move continuously through a production line.
The combination of 12.4MP resolution and a frame rate above 300 fps makes the IMX936 suitable for inspecting small components without substantially reducing system throughput.
Electronics and semiconductor inspection
Electronic components often contain very small features that require relatively high sensor resolution.
At the same time, semiconductor and electronics production lines can operate at high speeds. The IMX936 can therefore be useful when detailed image acquisition must be combined with short inspection cycles.
3D machine vision
High frame rates can also be useful in 3D machine vision.
Structured-light systems, for example, may project several patterns onto an object and capture a separate image for each pattern.
A faster camera can shorten the time required to capture the complete sequence.
High-speed sorting
Sorting systems often require the camera to inspect large numbers of objects within a short period.
Depending on the field of view and required feature size, a combination of high resolution and high frame rate can help increase throughput while maintaining sufficient image information for reliable classification.
Motion and research applications
The IMX936 can also be useful outside conventional production inspection.
Applications that analyse rapidly changing processes may benefit from capturing hundreds of high-resolution images per second. This includes engineering research, motion analysis and other technical imaging systems where individual stages of a fast event need to be observed.
Choosing a Lens for the Sony IMX936
Lens selection is especially important when using a high-resolution sensor with small pixels.
The Sony IMX936 uses 2.74 µm pixels, meaning the optical system must provide sufficient resolving power to make effective use of the sensor resolution.
VA Imaging's IMX936 cameras use a C-mount lens interface, making them compatible with a broad range of industrial machine vision lenses.
When selecting a lens, consider:
- sensor size and required image circle
- working distance
- required field of view
- focal length
- required spatial resolution
- aperture
- depth of field
- illumination wavelength
The lens should therefore be selected based on the complete optical setup rather than only on a stated megapixel rating.
For applications with demanding resolution requirements, calculating the required object-side resolution and field of view before selecting the lens can help prevent the optics from becoming the limiting factor in the system.
Is the Sony IMX936 the Right Sensor for Your Application?
The Sony IMX936 is a strong option when both high resolution and very high acquisition speed are required.
Its 12.4MP resolution provides enough image detail for demanding industrial inspection tasks, while its global shutter allows moving objects to be captured without rolling-shutter distortion. A maximum readout speed of approximately 302 fps at 10 bit makes it especially relevant for high-throughput applications.
However, this level of performance also places greater requirements on the rest of the vision system.
The camera interface, frame grabber, computer, storage, optics and illumination must all be capable of supporting the required acquisition speed. A high-speed sensor alone does not automatically make an entire machine vision system faster.
For applications where 300 fps is not required, a lower-bandwidth camera interface may provide a simpler solution.
Where maximum throughput, detailed imaging and global shutter performance are all priorities, the combination of the Sony IMX936 and CoaXPress provides a strong platform for demanding machine vision systems.
Interested in using the Sony IMX936 in your machine vision application?
Contact VA Imaging for help selecting the right camera and configuration for your setup.