Polarization Cameras

VA Imaging offers industrial machine vision polarization cameras for glare reduction, reflective surface inspection, transparent material analysis, surface defect detection, and advanced surface characterization. These cameras capture polarization information alongside image intensity and help reveal reflections, material differences, and distortion patterns that are often difficult to detect with conventional imaging.

Learn more in our Polarization Camera Whitepaper and Polarization in Your Machine Vision Application article.

Why Use a Polarization Camera ?

In many industrial machine vision applications, standard monochrome or color imaging does not provide enough information to reliably inspect the target. Reflections, glossy surfaces, transparent materials, fine scratches, and subtle surface differences can limit contrast and hide important details. A polarization camera captures additional polarization data alongside image intensity, making it easier to reduce glare, improve contrast, and reveal image features that conventional intensity-only imaging can miss. This makes polarization cameras especially valuable for reflective surface inspection, transparent object inspection, surface defect detection, and other applications where conventional imaging is not sufficient.

USB3 and GigE Polarization Cameras

VA Imaging offers both USB3 polarization cameras and GigE polarization cameras to support different system requirements. USB3 camera models are a strong fit for compact, high-speed local integration, while GigE cameras are well suited to installations that benefit from longer cable runs, network-based layouts, or greater installation flexibility. This makes it easier to match the camera interface to the inspection system without giving up the benefits of polarization imaging.

Applications of Polarization Imaging

Polarization imaging is used in machine vision to capture surface and material information that is difficult to see with conventional imaging, with the following examples showing where it can add value in practice.

Reflective materials such as metal, coated parts and glossy products are often difficult to inspect with standard machine vision cameras. Polarization imaging helps reduce unwanted reflections and improves usable contrast on the target surface.

Transparent objects can be challenging because transmitted and reflected light often reduce conventional contrast. Polarization cameras help reveal defects, marks, foreign material and subtle surface features in glass and other transparent products.

Polarization can help highlight scratches, stains, contamination, texture changes and other surface-related details that may go unnoticed under normal illumination.

Because different materials interact with polarized light in different ways, polarization imaging can help distinguish similar-looking materials and reveal distortion or structural behavior that is difficult to capture with standard monochrome imaging alone.

Polarizing Filters vs. Polarization Cameras

Polarizing filters and polarization cameras are closely related, but they do not do the same job. A linear polarizing filter is used to control the light entering the lens. It helps reduce reflections, improve contrast and reveal surface details, making it a useful option when the main goal is glare control in an existing imaging setup.

A polarization camera goes further than a lens filter. Instead of only filtering incoming light, it captures polarization information directly at the sensor level. This makes it possible to measure polarization-related image data in a single shot and use that information for advanced inspection tasks such as material differentiation, transparent object analysis, distortion inspection and fine surface characterization.

In simple terms: use a polarizing filter when the main goal is reflection control and use a polarization camera when polarization itself is part of the measurement.

Sony MZR Polarization Sensors vs Standard Sony Sensors

Standard Sony machine vision sensors are designed for high-quality industrial imaging, but they do not measure polarization. Sony MZR polarization sensors are different because they are designed specifically for polarization imaging. They integrate polarization functionality at the sensor level, allowing the camera to capture multiple polarization directions in one exposure.

This means a camera based on a Sony MZR sensor does more than produce a standard monochrome image. It also captures polarization information that can be used for glare suppression, reflective surface inspection, transparent object analysis, distortion observation and other advanced machine vision applications.

That is why a -POL model is not simply a regular camera with a filter in front of it. It is a technically different imaging solution built for one-shot polarization capture and analysis.

Cross-Polarization and Lighting Considerations

Polarization performance depends not only on the camera, but also on the optical setup. In glare-reduction applications, cross-polarization is often used to block specular reflections and improve contrast. This setup typically uses polarizing elements in both the lighting path and the imaging path. It is also important to consider the tradeoff: polarization can reduce transmitted light, which means the system may require stronger illumination or longer exposure times to maintain image brightness. Including this consideration helps users understand that polarization performance is often a system-level result involving the camera, lens, filter and lighting together. For a practical explanation of this setup, read "Polarization in Your Machine Vision Application".

Learn More About Polarization Imaging

To better understand how polarization works in machine vision, explore our educational resources:

Polarization Camera Whitepaper – an introduction to polarization imaging principles and industrial application examples
Polarization in Your Machine Vision Application – practical guidance on glare reduction, cross-polarization and setup considerations
Linear Polarizing Lens Filter – a useful option for controlling reflections and improving contrast in existing imaging systems

FAQ for polarization cameras

A machine vision polarization camera captures polarization information in addition to image intensity. This helps reveal reflections, material differences and surface features that are difficult to detect with a standard camera.

A polarizing filter controls the light entering the lens to reduce reflections and improve contrast. A polarization camera captures polarization information directly at the sensor for measurement and analysis.

Yes. VA Imaging offers polarization cameras in both USB3 and GigE interface options,
including models suited for PoE-based installations.

Sony MZR sensors are built for polarization imaging. They capture multiple polarization
directions in one shot, while regular Sony machine vision sensors capture
standard image intensity only.

Use a polarization camera when your application involves glare, reflections, transparent materials, subtle surface defects, or material behavior that cannot be reliably separated with conventional imaging.

Need Help Selecting the Right Polarization Camera?

Not sure whether a standard monochrome camera, a polarization camera, or a polarizing filter is the best fit for your application? Contact VA Imaging for help selecting the right camera, lens, filter and lighting configuration for your machine vision setup.

Reviews VA Imaging

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

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.
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 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 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

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.
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

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.
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

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 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.

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VA Imaging stands at the intersection of creativity and practical applications, delivering image-processing products designed for use in advanced machines. We provide you with machine vision products that enable you to bring your ideas to life in innovative ways. With our cameras, lenses, and lighting, your creativity takes concrete form in the world of Vision & Automation Imaging.

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