NIR (Near-Infrared) cameras collection

NIR (Near-Infrared) cameras

Industrial NIR cameras capture near-infrared light beyond the visible spectrum, helping machine vision systems produce clear monochrome images in low-light and controlled-illumination environments. VA Imaging supplies near-infrared cameras for industrial inspection, transportation systems, biometric imaging, agriculture, scientific imaging, and other applications where visible-light cameras may not provide sufficient contrast.

Our United States collection includes USB3 Vision, GigE Vision, and 10GigE Vision cameras with different resolutions, frame rates, and shutter types. VA Imaging Inc. supports United States customers from our office in Charlotte, North Carolina. Our team can help evaluate the camera, lens, lighting, optical filter, cabling, and software environment.

NIR (Near-Infrared) cameras products

Is a NIR Camera Right for Your Application

An NIR camera may be suitable when the feature you need to inspect becomes more visible under near-infrared illumination than under visible light.

Consider an industrial NIR camera when a standard monochrome camera has insufficient sensitivity, the system must operate with little visible illumination, materials show useful NIR reflectivity differences, or controlled NIR lighting can provide more consistent contrast.

Another technology may be more suitable when temperature must be measured, visible color is essential, or the required wavelengths exceed silicon sensor response. Testing the target with the intended camera, wavelength, lens, lighting, exposure, and filter is the best way to confirm suitability.

What Is an NIR Camera?

An NIR camera is an imaging camera with increased sensitivity in the near-infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Near-infrared light lies directly beyond visible red light and cannot be seen by the human eye.

Unlike a standard color camera, an industrial NIR camera is selected for sensitivity and contrast rather than visible-color reproduction. It can reveal differences in reflectivity, surface condition, or material composition that may be difficult to distinguish under visible illumination.

The cameras in this collection are intended for near-infrared imaging commonly performed around 800 nm to 1000 nm. Exact response differs by sensor, so the spectral-response curve should always be checked at the wavelength used in the application.

Understanding Quantum Efficiency and Spectral Response

Quantum efficiency, or QE, describes how effectively an image sensor converts incoming photons into a measurable electrical signal. QE changes with wavelength, so strong visible-light performance does not automatically mean strong sensitivity at 850 nm or 940 nm.

When comparing NIR cameras, review the sensor’s spectral-response or QE graph at the illumination wavelength. Compare sensors at the same wavelength rather than comparing only peak sensitivity.

Exposure, aperture, lighting intensity, working distance, and filter transmission also affect the image. A high megapixel count alone does not indicate strong NIR performance. Resolution determines spatial detail, while the spectral-response curve shows how effectively the sensor detects the selected wavelength.

Advantages and Considerations of NIR Cameras

Key advantages include increased sensitivity at selected near-infrared wavelengths, improved material contrast, imaging without visible illumination, high-resolution CMOS options, and compatibility with common industrial interfaces.

Important considerations include:

  • Sensitivity varies between sensors and wavelengths.
  • Active NIR illumination may still be required.
  • The target must produce useful NIR contrast.
  • Visible-color information is not available.
  • Lighting, lenses, filters, and exposure settings must be matched.
  • NIR cameras do not measure temperature.

Common Industrial NIR Camera Applications

NIR imaging can help separate materials or reveal surface characteristics that appear similar under visible light. Typical tasks include material sorting, surface inspection, process monitoring, and identifying reflectivity differences.

Near-infrared cameras can support license plate recognition, vehicle monitoring, and traffic imaging in poor lighting or at night. Shutter type, exposure, frame rate, lighting, and synchronization are important for moving vehicles.

NIR cameras are used in iris imaging, facial recognition, eye tracking, and other biometric systems operating under controlled infrared illumination.

Near-infrared imaging can support crop monitoring, plant research, and inspection of fruit and vegetables where damaged or stressed areas produce a different spectral response.

Near-infrared imaging can support crop monitoring, plant research, and inspection of fruit and vegetables where damaged or stressed areas produce a different spectral response.NIR cameras can support microscopy, laboratory instruments, research, monitoring, and inspection with little or no visible light.

How to Choose an NIR Camera in the United States

The correct industrial NIR camera depends on the feature, movement in the scene, and integration requirements.

First, confirm the intended NIR wavelength and check the sensor-response curve at that wavelength.

Next, match the resolution to the field of view and smallest feature that must be detected. Higher resolution increases image detail but also increases bandwidth, processing, storage, and optical requirements.

Choose shutter type and frame rate according to movement. A global shutter is generally preferred for moving objects, conveyor systems, traffic imaging, and synchronized inspection. A rolling shutter can suit stationary or slower-moving subjects.

Select the interface according to bandwidth and cable requirements. USB3 Vision is practical for high data rates over shorter direct connections. GigE Vision supports network integration and longer cable runs. 10GigE Vision provides additional bandwidth for demanding high-resolution or higher-speed systems.

Finally, confirm sensor size, lens mount, working distance, field of view, lighting angle, and filter selection. A suitable camera can still produce poor results when paired with the wrong optics or illumination.

Improve NIR Image Quality with Lighting, Lenses, and Filters

Controlled NIR lighting creates more repeatable illumination and reduces dependence on changing ambient light. Common wavelengths include 850 nm and 940 nm. Match the wavelength to sensor sensitivity, target reflectivity, working distance, exposure time, and filter transmission.

An IR-corrected lens can help maintain sharp focus across the required wavelength range. This is especially important when a system operates under both visible and NIR illumination because the focal position can shift.

Bandpass filters transmit a selected wavelength range while blocking light outside that band. Longpass filters transmit wavelengths above a specified cutoff. These filters can reduce visible ambient light, isolate the NIR illumination wavelength, and improve image contrast.

NIR Cameras vs. Thermal and SWIR Cameras

NIR cameras detect near-infrared light reflected by the target. They are used for low-light imaging, active NIR illumination, machine vision inspection, and material reflectivity differences.

Thermal cameras detect infrared energy emitted by an object and are selected for temperature differences, heat patterns, and thermal monitoring.

SWIR cameras detect wavelengths beyond the typical response range of silicon-based NIR sensors. They are selected when important material properties or spectral contrast cannot be captured effectively with conventional NIR cameras

NIR Camera Support in the United States

VA Imaging Inc. supports machine vision projects across the United States from our office in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Our team can help evaluate the NIR camera, sensor response, resolution, frame rate, shutter type, interface, lens, lighting, optical filter, cabling, software, and documentation required for the application.

The goal is to select a complete imaging system rather than choosing the camera as an isolated component. Compare the NIR cameras in this collection or contact our Charlotte machine vision team for application-specific support.

Frequently Asked Questions About NIR Cameras

The industrial NIR cameras in this collection are intended for imaging commonly performed around 800 nm to 1000 nm. Exact sensitivity depends on the sensor.

An NIR camera can produce an image in complete visible darkness when the target is illuminated with a suitable NIR light source.An NIR camera can produce an image in complete visible darkness when the target is illuminated with a suitable NIR light source.

The correct wavelength depends on sensor sensitivity, target material, ambient conditions, working distance, filter transmission, and required contrast. Testing is recommended.

No. An NIR camera records reflected near-infrared light, while a thermal camera detects emitted infrared energy associated with heat.No. An NIR camera records reflected near-infrared light, while a thermal camera detects emitted infrared energy associated with heat.

A standard lens may work in some applications, but an IR-corrected lens is recommended when focus accuracy across visible and near-infrared wavelengths is important.

USB3 Vision suits high data rates over shorter connections. GigE Vision supports longer cable runs and network integration. 10GigE Vision provides additional bandwidth for demanding systems.

VA Imaging Inc. supports NIR camera and machine vision projects throughout the United States from our office in Charlotte, North Carolina. Our team can help select the camera, lens, lighting, filter, cabling, and software required for the application.

Reviews VA Imaging

  • 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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Vision & Automation Resources

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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