Rolling shutter camera

Rolling shutter cameras capture images by scanning the sensor line by line in rapid sequence. This design makes them a highly cost-effective solution for applications where objects are stationary or move at moderate speeds. Thanks to their simpler sensor architecture, rolling shutter cameras offer excellent image quality at higher resolutions and lower prices, making them the preferred choice as an industrial camera for many inspection, microscopy and general machine vision tasks.

At VA Imaging, our rolling shutter camera range is designed for machine vision, laboratory imaging, automation, electronics inspection and other applications where resolution, sensitivity and cost efficiency are key priorities.

How Rolling Shutter Technology Works

Unlike global shutter sensors that expose all pixels at the same time, rolling shutter sensors expose and read out the image line by line. Each row of pixels starts and ends its exposure slightly after the previous one as the readout “wave” moves across the sensor. This sequential exposure method enables simpler sensor construction, lower power consumption and reduced cost, especially for high-resolution sensors.

Key characteristics of rolling shutter operation:

Higher resolutions available at lower price points
Excellent image quality for static and slow-moving scenes
Lower sensor complexity and reduced heat generation
Well suited for continuous lighting environments

Because each line is exposed at a slightly different moment, rolling shutter sensors may introduce distortion when imaging fast-moving objects or under rapidly changing lighting. However, in stable conditions, they deliver outstanding performance and value.

Benefits of Rolling Shutter Machine Vision Cameras

Rolling shutter machine vision cameras are an ideal solution when extreme motion-freezing is not required. Their main advantages include:

Lower cost, particularly above 1.6 MP resolutions
Very high resolutions for detailed inspection
Lower noise and heat generation due to simpler pixel design
Excellent sensitivity in well-controlled lighting
Wide availability across many sensor formats and interfaces

For example, a 12 MP rolling shutter industrial camera is typically several times more affordable than an equivalent global shutter model, making rolling shutter the most economical choice for high-resolution imaging. Request a Camera Recommendation.

Industrial Applications for Rolling Shutter Cameras

Rolling shutter imaging is widely used in applications where motion is limited and lighting conditions are stable. In these environments, rolling shutter industrial cameras deliver excellent image quality, high resolution and low noise while remaining a highly cost-effective alternative to global shutter technology. This makes them ideal for inspection, measurement and imaging tasks where extreme motion-freezing is not required.

Want to see how rolling shutter cameras are applied in machine vision? Check our Machine Vision Applications & Solutions blog.

High-resolution imaging of fine traces and components

Detailed capture of static samples

Distortion-free results for stationary objects

Cost-efficient quality control

High pixel density for fine detail

Stable, low-noise image capture

Rolling Shutter Sensors for Industrial Cameras

Our rolling shutter machine vision cameras are built on advanced CMOS sensor families from Sony and onsemi, two of the most trusted names in industrial imaging. Sony’s rolling shutter sensors are based on the Exmor architecture and include the high-sensitivity STARVIS family, which is widely used for low-light machine vision, electronics inspection, microscopy and laboratory imaging. For cost-efficient automation and embedded vision systems, onsemi’s AR-series rolling shutter sensors deliver reliable image quality, flexible readout options and excellent price-to-performance. Together, these rolling shutter sensor families allow VA Imaging to offer high-resolution, low-noise and cost-optimized solutions for industrial inspection, Automated Optical Inspection and scientific imaging.

Rolling Shutter vs Global Shutter

Rolling and global shutter sensors serve different purposes. Rolling shutter is optimized for affordability and resolution, while global shutter is designed for motion-critical applications.

Rolling shutter uses a line-by-line sequential exposure method and can show motion distortion during fast movement, making it best for static or slow-moving scenes. It is typically more cost-effective and often offers higher resolution at the same price point, with good light sensitivity. Global shutter exposes all pixels simultaneously and produces no motion distortion, making it ideal for fast motion, robotics, and high-speed inspection. It generally costs more, may offer slightly lower resolution due to its complex design, and typically provides higher light sensitivity thanks to larger pixels.

If your application involves fast-moving objects, strobed lighting, or precision motion
analysis, global shutter is recommended. For stationary objects and cost-sensitive systems, rolling shutter is often the best choice.

For high-speed motion applications, explore our Global shutter cameras.

Using Strobe Lighting with Rolling Shutter

In certain cases, rolling shutter distortion can be reduced or eliminated by using synchronized strobe lighting. When a short flash illuminates all sensor lines simultaneously during their exposure overlap, motion distortion can be minimized.

Important considerations when using strobe with rolling shutter:

The flash duration must be short enough to “freeze” motion
Exposure time and readout timing must overlap correctly
The strobe must be capable of microsecond-level switching

While this method can improve results, it does not fully replace the benefits of a true global shutter in high-speed applications.

When to Choose a Rolling Shutter Machine Vision Camera

Choose a rolling shutter camera when:

Objects are static or slow-moving
High resolution is more important than motion freezing
Budget is a key factor
Lighting conditions are stable and controlled
You need maximum image detail at minimum cost

Our rolling shutter camera portfolio offers the perfect balance of resolution, sensitivity and affordability for a wide range of industrial and scientific applications.

Talk to our vision experts

Not sure if a rolling shutter camera is the right fit for your application? Our vision specialists are ready to help you select the ideal industrial camera based on your resolution, lighting and budget requirements. Get personalized advice and a fast recommendation, contact us today.

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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