The Goobuy UC-532 IMX291 USB Camera Module features Sony’s STARVIS 1/2.8″ 2MP sensor, delivers full-HD 1920×1080 resolution in extremely low light environments, and is built with a rugged metal housing, M12 lens mount and USB-UVC plug-and-play interface. Ideal for 24/7 industrial monitoring, machine vision, robotics and embedded systems, this module allows engineering teams to integrate low-light imaging easily into Windows, Linux, Jetson and Raspberry Pi platforms.

 

Product Overview

The Goobuy IMX291 STARVIS USB Camera Module combines low-light imaging performance with a rugged metal enclosure designed for industrial environments. Equipped with a Sony STARVIS 1/2.8" CMOS sensor, a compact 38×38 mm PCB, and an interchangeable M12 lens mount, it is built for 24/7 monitoring, UAV inspection, and robotics vision systems.

With UVC-compliant USB 2.0 output, the camera works plug-and-play across Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and embedded AI platforms. The metal case ensures durability, while STARVIS technology captures clear images in starlight conditions down to 0.01 Lux.

The Sony IMX291 USB Camera Module with sturdy metal housing is designed for industrial-grade low-light imaging. Equipped with Sony’s renowned Starvis sensor, this module excels in ultra-low-light environments while delivering full HD clarity. Its plug-and-play USB interface and robust build make it ideal for integration into robots, surveillance systems, traffic monitoring, and embedded devices.

 

 

Why Choose IMX291 over Newer Sensors?

• True 60fps Performance: Unlike many newer 2MP sensors limited to 30fps, the IMX291 delivers smooth 1080P at 60fps, critical for capturing fast conveyor belts or reducing motion blur in robotics.

• Proven Legacy Compatibility: The industry-standard choice for retrofitting older machines. It offers identical optical format and pixel performance to legacy systems, ensuring a drop-in replacement without software recalibration.

• Rugged Metal Enclosure: Ships with a durable aluminum case for immediate industrial mounting, protecting the PCB from dust and impact.

 

Key Features

• ✅ Sony IMX291 STARVIS Sensor – Superior low-light performance with high sensitivity
• ✅ Metal Housing – Industrial durability for rugged environments
• ✅ Low-Light Night Vision – Crisp imaging in <0.01 lux conditions
• ✅ Compact Size – Easy to embed into robots, drones, kiosks
• ✅ UVC-Compliant – No driver needed for Windows, Linux, macOS
• ✅ OEM/ODM Friendly – Custom design, branding, and housing support

 

Technical specification

Integration & Compatibility

• Plug-and-play with Windows / Linux / macOS / Android
• Works with NVIDIA Jetson Orin/Xavier, Raspberry Pi 5/4, and x86 IPCs
• Supports OpenCV, GStreamer, V4L2 pipelines
• Customizable lens, housing, and cable options available

 

The following images are screenshoot image that imx291 starvis usb camera made video in the night ( pictured had been compressed much)

 

 

Use Scenarios

1. Low-Light Industrial Surveillance Systems
   • Ideal for capturing clear images in dimly lit environments such as factories, warehouses, or nighttime construction sites.
2. Robotics Navigation & Vision Recognition
   • Integrated into mobile robots, AMRs, or AGVs for navigation, object avoidance, and path detection.
3. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
   • Used in traffic monitoring for license plate recognition, traffic signal enforcement, and vehicle counting.
4. Outdoor Security Camera Modules
   • Enclosed in weatherproof metal housing for residential, commercial, or government surveillance in harsh environments.
5. Drone / Vehicle-Mounted Imaging Systems
   • Applied in drones or specialty vehicles requiring high-resolution night vision imaging.
6. Medical Imaging & Research Recording
   • Capturing imagery in medical instruments like microscopes or diagnostic devices.
7. Wildlife Monitoring & Observation
   • Suitable for long-term outdoor monitoring and night-time observation of wildlife behavior

 

FAQ (Engineer-Focused)

Q1. What advantages does the Goobuy UC-532 IMX291 USB camera provide over a standard consumer webcam for industrial use?
A1. It offers low-light sensitivity down to 0.001 Lux, metal housing, M12 lens mount, industrial board format and USB-UVC compatibility—designed for machine vision and embedded applications rather than general consumer use.

 

Q2. Can the IMX291 USB camera module be used with NVIDIA Jetson or Raspberry Pi systems?
A2. Yes. It conforms to USB-UVC standard and is compatible with Jetson Orin/Xavier/Nano and Raspberry Pi 4/5, and supports vision frameworks like OpenCV and GStreamer for AI and inspection tasks.

 

Q3. What is the minimum illumination and how does it perform in near-dark conditions?
A3. Typical minimum illumination is around 0.001–0.01 Lux, thanks to the STARVIS sensor architecture. This means it can capture usable imagery in very low light factory areas or energy site enclosures.

 

Q4. Are lens and board size customizable for OEM integration?
A4. Yes. While the standard board size is 38×38 mm and lens mount M12, Goobuy supports cable lengths, connector types and board layout variations for OEM customers.

 

Q5. Is the metal housing suitable for long-term 24/7 operation in industrial environments with dust and vibration?
A5. Yes. The metal case provides robust protection and the board is designed for continuous operation in harsh environments such as factories, warehouses and substations.

 

Q6. What resolution and frame rate does the IMX291 support, and is it suitable for automated inspection?
A6. The module supports 1920×1080 resolution at 30fps (or higher in some versions). This full-HD output is sufficient for many inspection, robotics and embedded applications without overwhelming data throughput.

 

Q7: "Is the 60fps frame rate stable on USB 2.0?"

A7: Yes. The IMX291 module uses efficient MJPEG compression to deliver a stable 1920x1080 @ 60fps stream over standard USB 2.0, providing double the temporal resolution of standard 30fps cameras.

 

Q8: "How does IMX291 low-light compare to IMX307?"

A8: Both are STARVIS 1 sensors with similar sensitivity. However, the IMX291 is preferred for dynamic low-light scenes due to its higher frame rate capability, which allows for smoother motion capture even in dim environments.

 

Q9: "Can I remove the metal case?"

A9: Yes. The metal housing is removable. Inside is a standard 38x38mm board layout (compatible with 32x32mm mounting), making it easy to embed into custom robotic heads or kiosks if space is tight.

 

Developer Bait
Bash

 

# Example: Testing 60fps Capability on Linux (v4l2-ctl)
# List supported formats to verify 60fps availability
v4l2-ctl --list-formats-ext

# Set to 60fps MJPEG
v4l2-ctl --set-fmt-video=width=1920,height=1080,pixelformat=MJPG
v4l2-ctl --set-parm=30
# Note: Some drivers map 60fps to interval 1/60

 

 

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