Industrial SWIR cameras collection

Industrial SWIR cameras

SWIR cameras reveal optical and material information beyond the visible spectrum, making them useful when a conventional machine vision camera cannot provide enough contrast for reliable inspection. VA Imaging supplies SWIR and Visible-SWIR cameras for industrial imaging, automation and research projects across Canada.

VA Imaging supports Canadian machine vision projects with industrial machine vision cameras, machine vision lenses and industrial machine vision lighting. These components can be combined when developing a complete SWIR imaging system for industrial or research applications.

SWIR camera products

What makes SWIR imaging useful?

SWIR imaging is useful because materials can absorb, reflect or
transmit short-wave infrared light differently from visible light. This
can reveal information that a colour or monochrome camera may miss.

Common
SWIR camera applications include moisture detection, silicon
inspection, material sorting, packaging inspection, photovoltaic
inspection and research imaging.

The right SWIR system therefore starts with the material property that needs to be revealed, rather than simply choosing the camera with the highest resolution.

Explore additional machine vision applications and solutions for related industrial use cases.

SWIR vs thermal imaging: what is the difference?

A SWIR camera is not the same as a conventional thermal camera. In many machine vision applications, SWIR imaging uses reflected or transmitted short-wave infrared light, while thermal imaging generally detects infrared radiation emitted by an object because of its temperature.

This makes SWIR particularly useful for material contrast. It can reveal moisture, distinguish materials or provide visibility through silicon at suitable wavelengths without relying on temperature differences.

SWIR wavelength and sensor technology

SWIR generally refers to wavelengths of approximately 900 to 2500 nm. Many industrial InGaAs SWIR cameras operate across a narrower range, commonly extending to around 1700 nm.

A camera described as SWIR therefore does not automatically detect the entire SWIR spectrum. The useful wavelength should be matched to the material or feature being inspected.

Visible-SWIR cameras extend sensitivity towards visible wavelengths as well as into SWIR, allowing one camera to capture information from both spectral regions.

Extended SWIR, or eSWIR, reaches beyond the wavelength range normally covered by standard InGaAs cameras. A wider spectral range is only useful when the application actually requires information at those wavelengths.

Learn more about technologies used in industrial cameras in our camera image sensor Knowledge Center.

SWIR camera applications in Canada

SWIR camera applications in Canada can include industrial quality control, automated sorting, semiconductor inspection, food and agricultural inspection, research and material analysis.The useful wavelength and optical setup depend on what the imaging system needs to detect.

Moisture, food and agricultural inspection

SWIR imaging can make differences in moisture easier to detect because water absorbs selected short-wave infrared wavelengths.

When the illumination wavelength coincides with useful water absorption, areas containing different amounts of moisture can produce different image intensities.

This can support applications involving food products, agricultural materials, moisture analysis and automated sorting where visible appearance alone does not provide reliable contrast.

For Canadian machine vision projects involving product quality or material inspection, the useful wavelength should be evaluated against the actual product rather than assumed from its visible colour.

Semiconductor and silicon inspection

SWIR imaging can provide information through silicon at suitable wavelengths.

This makes the technology useful when structures, alignment features or defects cannot be inspected adequately from a conventional visible image.

Potential applications include semiconductor inspection, wafer-related imaging, alignment and other quality-control processes involving silicon.

The required camera should be combined with suitable SWIR camera lenses and illumination selected for the wavelength, field of view and smallest feature that needs to be resolved.

Material identification and sorting

SWIR imaging can help distinguish materials that appear nearly identical under visible illumination.

Different plastics, coatings and other materials can absorb and reflect short-wave infrared wavelengths differently. A machine vision system can use the resulting contrast for identification, sorting or contamination detection.

This makes SWIR relevant to applications such as plastics sorting, recycling and automated material classification.

See how cameras and other imaging components can be applied to machine vision waste sorting and recycling.

For continuous processes, the combination of material-specific illumination and a SWIR line scan camera can provide an effective approach to high-throughput inspection.

Packaging and fill inspection

Selected plastics, resins and packaging materials can transmit SWIR wavelengths even when they appear opaque under visible illumination.

Where the material permits sufficient transmission, a SWIR system may be able to inspect product contents, fill level or features hidden behind the external package.

SWIR is not a universal see-through technology. Results depend on material composition, thickness, wavelength, illumination, sensor response and optics.

Testing the actual packaging material is therefore an important part of system development.

Solar and photovoltaic inspection

SWIR imaging can support selected inspection tasks involving silicon-based photovoltaic materials.

Features or defects that produce limited visible-light contrast may become more distinguishable when the imaging system operates at a suitable infrared wavelength.

As with semiconductor inspection, camera resolution alone does not determine performance. Spectral response, illumination and optics must also match the feature being inspected.

Imaging through haze, smoke and challenging visibility

Short-wave infrared wavelengths can provide improved visibility compared with visible light through certain forms of haze, smoke or atmospheric obscuration.

The improvement is not universal and depends on particle size, wavelength, environmental conditions and the complete optical setup.

For outdoor, research or specialised monitoring applications in Canada, the expected environment should therefore be evaluated together with the camera's spectral range.

What determines SWIR image quality?

SWIR image quality depends on the complete imaging system, not only on megapixel count.

Important factors include:

  • Wavelength: the sensor must be sensitive where the material produces useful contrast.
  • Resolution and pixel size: determine the detail that can be resolved.
  • Illumination: wavelength and geometry strongly influence image contrast.
  • Exposure time: longer exposures collect more signal but can increase noise.
  • Sensor temperature: cooling can improve stability during longer exposures.
  • Lens performance: optics must transmit and focus the required wavelengths.
  • Image correction: supported correction functions can help improve image uniformity.

These factors should be evaluated together when comparing SWIR camera models.

Area-scan or SWIR line scan?

Area-scan SWIR cameras capture complete two-dimensional frames and suit individual objects, samples and many laboratory applications.

SWIR line scan cameras build an image one line at a time. They are often better suited to continuously moving materials, conveyors, webs and high-throughput sorting.

Explore area-scan cameras or the wider line-scan camera range depending on the motion and acquisition requirements.

SWIR lenses, illumination and filters

A complete SWIR imaging system should be designed around the wavelength required by the application.

A standard visible-light lens may not provide sufficient transmission or focus performance in the SWIR range. VA Imaging offers dedicated SWIR and Visible-SWIR lenses. Once sensor size, field of view and working distance are known, the lens calculator can help determine the required focal length.

Illumination is equally important. Broadband illumination covers several wavelengths, while narrowband lighting can target a specific material response. Explore machine vision lighting for compatible options.

Where wavelength isolation is required, bandpass, longpass and shortpass filters can control which wavelengths reach the sensor.

When is a cooled SWIR camera useful?

A cooled SWIR camera can be useful when longer exposure times, weak optical signals or stable sensor temperature are important.

TEC cooling can help control temperature-dependent sensor behaviour and may be valuable for low-noise measurement and research applications.

For high-speed industrial inspection with strong illumination and short exposure times, active cooling may be less important. Cooling should therefore be selected according to the imaging requirement rather than treated as automatically better.

SWIR camera price in Canada

SWIR camera prices in Canada depend on sensor technology, resolution, acquisition speed, interface and cooling.

SWIR cameras generally cost more than conventional visible-light machine vision cameras because they use specialised detector technology. SWIR-compatible lenses, illumination, optical filters and interface hardware can also contribute to the total system cost.

Current Canadian-store pricing is displayed on each VA Imaging SWIR camera product. Compare cost only after defining the required wavelength and imaging performance.

SWIR Camera Applications

SWIR camera image of a silicon wafer inspection SWIR camera image showing material detection SWIR camera image for industrial inspection SWIR camera image showing container contents SWIR camera image distinguishing cooking oil from water

Buy a SWIR camera in Canada

When buying a SWIR camera in Canada, start with the material or feature that needs to be detected.

VA Imaging supplies cameras, optics, lighting and related machine vision components for industrial and research projects across Canada.

If you need help specifying the system, contact VA Imaging for your Canadian imaging project.

Frequently asked questions about SWIR cameras in Canada

SWIR cameras detect short-wave infrared wavelengths beyond the visible spectrum. In Canada, they are used for industrial inspection, machine vision and research where conventional visible imaging does not provide enough contrast.

SWIR cameras cost more because they use specialised image sensors designed for short-wave infrared wavelengths. Resolution, speed, cooling, interface, SWIR optics and illumination can also affect the total system cost.

The price of a SWIR camera in Canada depends on sensor technology, resolution, acquisition speed, interface and cooling. Current Canadian pricing is displayed directly on VA Imaging product pages.

SWIR generally covers approximately 900 to 2500 nm, while many industrial InGaAs SWIR cameras operate to around 1700 nm. Always check the spectral response of the individual camera.

You can buy SWIR cameras through the VA Imaging Canadian storefront. VA Imaging also supports customers across Canada with camera, lens, illumination and interface selection.

Yes. The lens should transmit and focus the wavelengths required by the application. Explore SWIR and Visible-SWIR lenses for compatible optics.

Reviews SWIR Cameras

  • 10
    Absolutely thrilled

    I am absolutely thrilled with the MER2-160-227U3M camera I purchased from VA-Imaging. The camera exceeds my expectations in every way. The image quality is sharp and clear, even with fast movements... I am absolutely thrilled with the MER2-160-227U3M camera I purchased from VA-Imaging. The camera exceeds my expectations in every way. The image quality is sharp and clear, even with fast movements. Installation was straightforward. VA-Imaging's customer service was also outstanding. They were very helpful in answering my questions and delivered the camera quickly and securely.

  • 8
    Cameras are a great value for money

    The cameras are a great value for money and the lenses also. The software is outdated and needs refreshing. It took me considerable amount of time to discover how to access the camera features. The cameras are a great value for money and the lenses also. The software is outdated and needs refreshing. It took me considerable amount of time to discover how to access the camera features.

  • 10
    Easy to deal with

    Its a pleasure to contact with the sales department. They are very polite and always ready to help. Our orders are always delivered on time and the communication is easy and simple. High quality pr... Its a pleasure to contact with the sales department. They are very polite and always ready to help. Our orders are always delivered on time and the communication is easy and simple. High quality products.

  • 10
    embedded camera

    We initially explored several embedded vision camera and USB3 camera options for our application. Our main priorities were compact dimensions and keeping the required software development to a mini... We initially explored several embedded vision camera and USB3 camera options for our application. Our main priorities were compact dimensions and keeping the required software development to a minimum. We selected a VEN-161 boardlevel camera. It was easy to integrate and USB3 Vision interface allowed our software team to get started quickly. The sales guy was very helpful with selecting the hardware for us. We are happy that we selected the USB3 board-level camera instead of a Mipi embedded vision camera as we didn't require now the additional driver development.

  • 10
    Excellent

    It was easy and quick process from ordering to receiving. One personal message from the team is making it even better. Thanks It was easy and quick process from ordering to receiving. One personal message from the team is making it even better. Thanks

  • 10
    Excellent quality material and attentive and reliable supplier

    In the commercial phase we had maximum support and delivery times were respected. The material is quite good with low and competitive costs. In the commercial phase we had maximum support and delivery times were respected. The material is quite good with low and competitive costs.

  • 10
    Fast cable delivery

    I had ordered a camera but forgotten to include the required cable. the cable was ordered and delivered very fast. I had ordered a camera but forgotten to include the required cable. the cable was ordered and delivered very fast.

  • 8
    Fast delivery

    Fast delivery even without paying the speed premium Fast delivery even without paying the speed premium

  • 9
    Fast Delivery and good quality!

    A very good company, I will continue to cooperate next time！ A very good company, I will continue to cooperate next time！

  • 10
    Fast service

    Extremely fast service. I got the camera next day. Highly recommend the seller! Thank you! Extremely fast service. I got the camera next day. Highly recommend the seller! Thank you!

  • 8.5
    Good Experience

    Top, good experience. Very attentive and quick to respond. Product arrived in good condition. Top, good experience. Very attentive and quick to respond. Product arrived in good condition.

  • 10
    Good products and services

    Lead time are a bit long but they VA imaging is a reliable provider that simply does what it says. Each time we needed to talk to someone, we had a proper client service with real listening and the... Lead time are a bit long but they VA imaging is a reliable provider that simply does what it says. Each time we needed to talk to someone, we had a proper client service with real listening and the will to find solutions.

  • 8
    Good quality and fast delivery

    So far, all components meet expectation, it would be great, though, if 3d models for all components were available. So far, all components meet expectation, it would be great, though, if 3d models for all components were available.

  • 10
    Great

    These people know their subject. Thanks to their help, I was able to successfully complete my machine vision project. They are competent in optics and that makes the difference. Delivery and post-d... These people know their subject. Thanks to their help, I was able to successfully complete my machine vision project. They are competent in optics and that makes the difference. Delivery and post-delivery service at the highest level.

  • 9
    Great customer service, fast delivery.

    Unfortunately they could not help me finding a suitable camera+lens combination for a specific application, but they even assigned a physicist to my query. Unfortunately they could not help me finding a suitable camera+lens combination for a specific application, but they even assigned a physicist to my query.

  • 10
    Great customer support, products and prices

    I contacted GeT Cameras to help out with selecting the best camera and lens solution for me. They provided great support. I ordered with express and received the products 2 days later :) I contacted GeT Cameras to help out with selecting the best camera and lens solution for me. They provided great support. I ordered with express and received the products 2 days later :)

  • 9
    Great prices, great service, everything great

    Bought quite a few cameras from these guys, prices are great, service is great, delivery times of the hardware is also very nice. Bought quite a few cameras from these guys, prices are great, service is great, delivery times of the hardware is also very nice.

  • 10
    Great products. Excellent support.

    GeT Cameras in Germany made some photo's of our products to show the performance of their cameras and they looked perfect. Recently we purchased a camera with lens, and LED lights. We are not exper... GeT Cameras in Germany made some photo's of our products to show the performance of their cameras and they looked perfect. Recently we purchased a camera with lens, and LED lights. We are not experienced with machine vision but the installation worked out fine. After installation on our laboratory we were surprised again of the high quality of the photos and the versatility of this system. (options in Galaxy viewer and integration in Python. Recently we had an issue with the software and the customer support was able to give us the relevant information to fix it within one day. The next time we need a camera we will not be looking to other suppliers but contact GeT Cameras immediately.

  • 10
    Great service

    I needed a replacement part for a camera - not only was it delivered almost two weeks earlier than expected, but it also arrived well packaged. I needed a replacement part for a camera - not only was it delivered almost two weeks earlier than expected, but it also arrived well packaged.

  • 10
    Great support and inhouse knowledge of the cameras

    First I was a little bit sceptic about buying online industrial cameras. It’s a critical part for our machine. For a new product development there was a lot of price pressure. We needed a cheap cam... First I was a little bit sceptic about buying online industrial cameras. It’s a critical part for our machine. For a new product development there was a lot of price pressure. We needed a cheap camera. I called them and Caspar was providing great support. He even advised a cheaper camera than I had in mind. I was just surprised by the inhouse knowledge of get cameras about machine vision. Never expected this from a webshop. The image an built quality of the camera is also great. The camera feels and operates the same as our Basler cameras.

  • 10
    Great support by email

    I ordered a 20MP USB3 camera including a lens 2 months ago for a datamatrix code reading application. In the beginning I was sceptic because of the low prices, but support by email was great. They ... I ordered a 20MP USB3 camera including a lens 2 months ago for a datamatrix code reading application. In the beginning I was sceptic because of the low prices, but support by email was great. They advise a lens and provided additional technical information. Unfortunately they don't offer a loan service, but I decided to try it. I had the cameras in house within 2 weeks and connection was easy. The SDK looks like the SDK from Basler so I felt directly comfortable with it. The camera and lens was a perfect match and now I'm able to read small DMC codes on large products with just a single camera.

  • 10
    Great support while selecting a lens

    We have bought a 20MP camera and lens with extension tubes to use it as a digital microscope in our lab. The support with selecting a lens was great. Connecting the USB3 camera was easy. We receive... We have bought a 20MP camera and lens with extension tubes to use it as a digital microscope in our lab. The support with selecting a lens was great. Connecting the USB3 camera was easy. We received everything on time.

  • 10
    High quality

    High quality components and service! My order was handled quickly and arrived ahead of schedule. Would recommend. High quality components and service! My order was handled quickly and arrived ahead of schedule. Would recommend.

  • 10
    I like the quality and price of the camera

    I bought a camera and lens. It was delivered fast. Connecting was easy using their quickstep article. The image quality is really great. I bought a camera and lens. It was delivered fast. Connecting was easy using their quickstep article. The image quality is really great.

  • 10
    It is important to have a skilled and efficient team of workers to get the goods efficiently.

    Maintained a good relationship and very good communication from start to finish to purchase the item. Maintained a good relationship and very good communication from start to finish to purchase the item.

  • 10
    Just great

    Needed a customized lens with fixed iris and I just needed 10 pieces. They where able to do it for just a few euro's extra per lens. Great service Needed a customized lens with fixed iris and I just needed 10 pieces. They where able to do it for just a few euro's extra per lens. Great service

  • 9
    Outstanding products and customer service

    The customer service staff was friendly, easy to approach and helped us select the appropriate products which fit our use case perfectly. The customer service staff was friendly, easy to approach and helped us select the appropriate products which fit our use case perfectly.

  • 10
    Outstanding products and customer service

    Get Cameras were extremely kind to sponsor us with some amazing equipment for our RoboCup student team, Delft Mercurians. We had no issues with the cameras, they perform as advertised and enabled u... Get Cameras were extremely kind to sponsor us with some amazing equipment for our RoboCup student team, Delft Mercurians. We had no issues with the cameras, they perform as advertised and enabled us to continue with the project and the company was extremely supportive of us overall. The customer service staff was friendly, easy to approach and helped us select the appropriate products which fit our use case perfectly.

  • 8
    Perfect customer interaction

    Good site and perfect customer interaction. Good site and perfect customer interaction.

  • 10
    Products delivered sooner than promised

    Ordered products were delivered sooner than promised, all ordered items were included in the package and we had no problems to make them work (cameras work with the attached software and with Matlab). Ordered products were delivered sooner than promised, all ordered items were included in the package and we had no problems to make them work (cameras work with the attached software and with Matlab).

  • 10
    Professional support, fast delivery and good product.

    I liked that your team helped me chose the needed equipment by my description. The items that i have ordered are exactly what i have looked for. I liked that your team helped me chose the needed equipment by my description. The items that i have ordered are exactly what i have looked for.

  • 10
    Prompt responses to many questions

    Prompt responses to our many questions. A good selection of cameras despite shortages elsewhere in the industry and we have been able to specify some of these cameras to keep projects moving forwar... Prompt responses to our many questions. A good selection of cameras despite shortages elsewhere in the industry and we have been able to specify some of these cameras to keep projects moving forward. We continue to buy regularly.

  • 10
    Prompt shipment

    Reachable by phone and smooth cooperation. Invoice provided without the need for extra requesting for it. Reachable by phone and smooth cooperation. Invoice provided without the need for extra requesting for it.

  • 10
    Quick responses and good selection of cameras

    Prompt responses to our many questions. A good selection of cameras despite shortages elsewhere in the industry and we have been able to specify some of these cameras to keep projects moving forwar... Prompt responses to our many questions. A good selection of cameras despite shortages elsewhere in the industry and we have been able to specify some of these cameras to keep projects moving forward. We continue to buy from Get-Cameras regularly.

  • 10
    Quick shipping and excellent customer service

    The customer service is quick, friendly and helpful, shipping takes place fast and the quality of cameras and accessoires is excellent. Very useful is also the provided software, including coding e... The customer service is quick, friendly and helpful, shipping takes place fast and the quality of cameras and accessoires is excellent. Very useful is also the provided software, including coding examples to implement the cameras in our systems.

  • 10
    Quick shipping and excellent customer service

    The customer service is quick, friendly and helpful, shipping takes place fast and the quality of cameras and accessoires is excellent. Very useful is also the provided software, including coding e... The customer service is quick, friendly and helpful, shipping takes place fast and the quality of cameras and accessoires is excellent. Very useful is also the provided software, including coding examples to implement the cameras in our systems.

  • 10
    Really nice products

    i called them and they proposed the camera, lens and light setup. I received everything 2 days later. Tested it and it works. I didn't expect such a good image quality for the total set price. They... i called them and they proposed the camera, lens and light setup. I received everything 2 days later. Tested it and it works. I didn't expect such a good image quality for the total set price. They recommended the cheapest camera they had, but it's perfect for detecting the defects on my products.

  • 9
    Suitable product for us

    We already have several of your cameras. These are for stock only. Since we are taking them into stock, that means we are happy with them. Only lead time is little bit longer. We already have several of your cameras. These are for stock only. Since we are taking them into stock, that means we are happy with them. Only lead time is little bit longer.

  • 10
    The German-speaking customer service team is very attentive to our needs.

    We greatly value our collaboration with VA Imaging. The German-speaking account managers always address our individual requirements and consistently find suitable solutions, even for last-minute ch... We greatly value our collaboration with VA Imaging. The German-speaking account managers always address our individual requirements and consistently find suitable solutions, even for last-minute changes. Thanks to their support and flexibility, we have always been able to implement our projects quickly and smoothly. Thank you for the excellent collaboration!

  • 8
    Very good service

    We are very happy with the quality of goods and services. We are very happy with the quality of goods and services.

  • 10
    Very good value for money

    The camera arrived on schedule and gives excellent images. Very good value for money. The SDK makes it very easy to acquire images into a program of my own written using C++Builder (about 2 hours p... The camera arrived on schedule and gives excellent images. Very good value for money. The SDK makes it very easy to acquire images into a program of my own written using C++Builder (about 2 hours programming).

  • 10
    Very happy with the support

    I was using cameras from a German competitor, but I was not happy with the support. They contacted me and we where able to select a camera with the same sensor. I received the camera within 2 days.... I was using cameras from a German competitor, but I was not happy with the support. They contacted me and we where able to select a camera with the same sensor. I received the camera within 2 days. It took me half a day to implement their SDK into my software so it was relative easy.

  • 10
    Very helpful customer service

    We needed a vision camera for our project very urgently. They where able to deliver it in a few days time. They responded quick to my emails also when I needed support. They send me an article how ... We needed a vision camera for our project very urgently. They where able to deliver it in a few days time. They responded quick to my emails also when I needed support. They send me an article how to quickly install the camera and set the most important parameters. it was very helpfull and within half an hour we had a good live view image. We have also ordered the lens they advised. It provides a nice and sharp image.

  • 10
    Very pleasant contact, quick response

    My questions were answered very quickly. The right camera was determined quickly and the order placed immediately. Camera delivered within two days. I hope to do business again in the future! My questions were answered very quickly. The right camera was determined quickly and the order placed immediately. Camera delivered within two days. I hope to do business again in the future!

  • 10
    Very smooth transaction

    Great seller, good comunication, ship very fast. Great seller, good comunication, ship very fast.

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