Guide · 6 steps

Machine Vision Camera Selection Guide

Size an industrial inspection camera and lens: sensor size, working distance, focal length, camera field of view, mm/px, placement, depth of field, and bandwidth. Not a photography or CCTV FOV calculator.

Work the steps in order if you are quoting a new inspection cell. The lens step uses sensor size and working distance. The FOV step checks coverage and mm/px for that same mount. Skip ahead if you already have a lens and only need bandwidth or placement. Every step opens a live calculator — no signup.

1. Step 1 of 6 · Size lens

   Lens Calculator

   Start from part size, sensor size, and working distance. This machine vision lens calculator gives a focal-length shortlist before you open a catalog.

   Open Lens

2. Step 2 of 6 · FOV specs

   Camera FOV Calculator

   Use the camera field of view calculator to confirm scene coverage and mm/px. Back-solve working distance or FOV if the first focal length is too tight for the sensor size.

   Open Camera FOV

3. Step 3 of 6 · Resolution

   Pixel Accuracy Calculator

   Check that the smallest defect or measurement spans enough pixels for your algorithm — not just that the part fits in frame.

   Open Pixel Accuracy

4. Step 4 of 6 · Cell layout

   Camera Placement Planner

   Move from optics to the cell: mount height, belt offset, and whether the inspection zone sits inside the FOV footprint.

   Open Camera Placement

5. Step 5 of 6 · Focus

   Depth of Field Calculator

   If part height varies or you need stack-up margin, verify near/far focus limits at the aperture you can actually light.

   Open Depth of Field

6. Step 6 of 6 · Bandwidth

   Camera Bandwidth Calculator

   Size GigE, USB3, or CoaXPress from resolution and frame rate so the interface is not the surprise after the camera arrives.

   Open Camera Bandwidth

Need the full toolbox? Browse all machine vision tools.