3D Camera

Name: 3D Camera
Brand: VA Imaging
SKU: camera-3d
Availability: InStock

3D camera is essential in modern industrial automation, enabling machines to "see" the world in three dimensions. By capturing depth, shape and spatial data, these cameras provide more than just images they deliver insights. Whether you're inspecting parts, guiding robots, or optimizing logistics, 3D vision adds a new level of precision and intelligence to your system.

At VA Imaging, we offer a wide selection of industrial grade 3D cameras designed for speed, accuracy and robustness. Our portfolio includes cameras based on stereo vision, time of flight, structured light and laser triangulation technologies. Each approach has unique advantages depending on your 3D camera application.

Structured Light Camera

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Stereo Vision Camera

Starting at $7898

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How does a 3D camera work?

3D cameras enable machines to perceive depth and height information, making them essential in modern machine vision, automation and robotics. Unlike conventional 2D cameras that capture only color and brightness (pixel intensity), 3D cameras capture the shape, distance and position of objects in space.

By providing precise depth data alongside appearance, 3D cameras allow for reliable object detection, volume measurement, surface inspection and navigation even in complex and dynamic environments. This capability is crucial in industries like robotics, quality inspection, logistics and medical imaging.

With different technologies such as stereo vision, structured light, time-of-flight and laser triangulation, 3D cameras offer varying levels of accuracy and speed to suit specific applications. Their ability to capture spatial information transforms how machines interact with and understand their surroundings, driving efficiency and precision across many fields.

2D Camera vs 3D Camera: Which one do you need?

A 2D camera is usually enough when the inspection depends on contrast, color, or surface details. A 3D camera is the better option when the system needs to measure shape, height, distance, volume, or object position. For many automation and robotics applications, 3D imaging gives the system the spatial information needed to make accurate decisions.

Comparison Point	2D Camera	3D Camera
Captures	Color, contrast, brightness, and surface appearance	Depth, height, shape, distance, and object position
Best for	Label reading, surface inspection, presence detection, barcode reading	Volume measurement, robot guidance, bin picking, shape inspection, object positioning
Main advantage	Simpler setup and lower cost for flat or surface-based inspection	Measures spatial information that a 2D image cannot capture
Limitation	Cannot measure depth or heigh without extra setup	Required choosing the right 3D technology for the application
Typical use case	Checking whether a part, label, code, or surface feature is present	Measuring object dimensions, detecting shape defects, or guiding a robot
Choose this when	The object can be inspected using only visual appearance	The application needs depth, distance, height, volume, or 3D shape data

Overview of 3D Camera Techniques

3D cameras use various technologies to capture depth and spatial information, each suited to different applications and environments. Here is an overview of the most common 3D camera techniques:

These cameras mimic human vision by using two cameras spaced a fixed distance apart to capture images from slightly different angles. By analyzing the disparity between corresponding points, they generate dense 3D color point clouds. They offer high accuracy and perform well over large distances, especially on textured surfaces. To improve performance on low-texture or reflective objects, a projector adds artificial texture. No additional lighting is needed if the object already has sufficient textures.

Structured light systems project known patterns (like grids or dots) onto an object and analyze how these patterns deform to reconstruct the 3D shape. Using multiple patterns or frequencies, they achieve micrometer-level precision, ideal for capturing fine surface details on small to medium objects. However, they are sensitive to direct sunlight and thus less suited for outdoor or long-range applications.

ToF cameras emit modulated infrared light and measure the time it takes for the light to reflect from the object. This allows them to produce real-time, full-frame depth maps even for moving objects. Although ToF cameras can be affected by ambient light and reflective surfaces, modern designs minimize these issues. They excel in fast, dynamic environments but offer lower depth resolution and shorter ranges compared to other methods.

Also known as 3D laser scanners, these cameras project a laser line onto an object while a camera observes the laser’s displacement at a known angle. As the object or camera moves, the system scans line-by-line to build a precise 3D map, achieving micrometer-level accuracy. Laser triangulation is robust against vibrations and well-suited for industrial environments and continuous inline scanning, though it requires controlled motion to capture the 3D data.

3D Camera Technology Overview

There is no single best 3D camera technology for every application. The right choice depends on object size, required accuracy, working distance, surface material, speed, lighting conditions, and whether the object is moving. If the application required very fine measurement, structured light or laser triangulation may be suitable. If the system needs real-time depth data or robot guidance, stereo vision or time-of-flight may be a better fit.

3D Technology	Best suited for	Strengths	Limitations	Typical applications
Stereo vision	Larger working distances and textured objects	Works well over longer distances, can generate 3D point clouds, useful for robotics and object localization	Performs less well on low-texture, reflective, or uniform surfaces unless projection is added	Robot guidance, bin picking, logistics, object positioning
Structured light	High-detail inspection of small to medium objects	High accuracy, good for fine surface details, suitable for precise 3D reconstruction	Sensitive to direct sunlight and less suitable for long-range outdoor use	Quality inspection, dimensional measurement, surface inspection
Time-of-flight	Fast-moving or dynamic environments	Real-time depth capture, full-frame depth maps, useful for motion and presence detection	Lower depth resolution than some other methods can be affected by reflective surfaces or ambient light	Safety monitoring, robotics, people/object detection, logistics
Laser triangulation	Inline inspection and continuous scanning	Very high precision, strong for industrial measurement, suitable for continuous production lines	Requires controlled movement between the object and camera	Inline quality control, profile measurement, surface defect detection

The advantages of a 3D camera

3D cameras enhance machine vision by capturing precise depth information, enabling better measurement, quality control and automation. Their ability to perceive shape, distance and position leads to greater accuracy and efficiency across industries. Key advantages include:

Superior accuracy: Precise object recognition and dimensional measurement
Improved quality control: Detects tiny defects for higher product quality
Increased automation efficiency: Helps robots perform complex tasks reliably
Robustness: Consistent performance despite lighting changes and reflections

By integrating 3D cameras, businesses can reduce errors, boost productivity and achieve automation levels beyond 2D capabilities.

Typical industrial Applications of 3D Cameras

Industrial 3D cameras are increasingly integrated into quality control, automation and smart factory solutions. Common use cases include:

Contact us for your 3D camera application and we will provide you with in-depth support to make sure you implement the right 3D camera technology into your application.

Detecting surface defects, verifying assembly integrity and ensuring dimensional accuracy.

Automated dimensioning of parcels, palletizing, package completeness verification and volume optimization.

Enabling robot guidance for bin picking, welding, assembly and depalletizing tasks.

Preventing collisions with cobots (collaborative robots), ensuring safe human-robot collaboration and monitoring restricted zones.

Tracking product flow, verifying production steps and automating adjustments for greater efficiency.

Which 3D Camera Technology Fits Your Application?

The application should guide the technology choice. Before selecting a 3D camera, define the required accuracy, field of view, working distance, object speed, surface type, lighting conditions, and software integration needs.

Application	What the camera needs to do	Suitable 3D camera technology	Selection notes
Quality control and inspection	Measure shape, height, defects, or dimensions	Structured light or laser triangulation	Choose based on required accuracy, object size, and whether the object moves during inspection
Robot guidance	Locate objects on 3D space and guide robot movement	Stereo vision or time-of-flight	Stereo vision is useful for object localization: ToF is useful for fast depth sensing
Bin picking	Detect object position, orientation, and depth in a bin	Stereo vision or structured light	Surface texture, object overlap, and lighting conditions affect the choice
Logistics and packaging	Measure parcel size, volume, or position	Time-of-flight or stereo vision	Useful when speed and working distance are important
Inline measurement	Scan objects continuously during production	Laser triangulation	Suitable when the object or camera moves in a controlled way
Surface inspection	Detect fine surface shape differences or defects	Structured light or laser triangulation	Better for applications where high precision is required
Safety and monitoring	Detect presence, movement, or distance	Time-of-flight	Useful for real-time monitoring and collision-prevention applications

Need help choosing the right 3D camera?

Choosing between stereo vision and structured light depends on your application, accuracy requirements, working distance, object surface, speed, and integration setup.
Our vision experts can help you compare the options and select suitable 3D camera technology for your project.

VA Imaging can help you with:

Choosing the right 3D camera technology
Checking working distance and field of view
Comparing accuracy and speed requirements
Selecting a suitable camera for inspection, robotics, logistics, or automation
Reviewing software, SDK, and integration needs

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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