Shenzhen Novel Electronics Limited

Extreme Low-Light 0.001Lux IMX462 STARVIS USB Camera Module

Goobuy IMX462 USB camera module offering 0.001 Lux low-light imaging, strong 850/940 nm NIR response and UVC integration for AI vision, robotics and scientific imaging

Details

 

Goobuy UC-462 IMX462 USB Camera Module is a 0.001 Lux extreme low-light and NIR-optimized camera module with a compact 38×38 mm form factor, UVC USB2.0/USB-C output and M12/CS lens options for machine vision, robotics, scientific imaging and energy infrastructure monitoring.

With its 0.001 Lux sensitivity, high NIR quantum efficiency and noise-optimized HCG readout, the Goobuy UC-462 IMX462 USB Camera Module delivers clear 1080p imaging where conventional sensors fail. The UVC USB2.0/USB-C interface works on Windows, Linux, Jetson and Raspberry Pi, making it suitable for low-light machine vision, robotics navigation, scientific NIR experiments and 24/7 energy facility surveillance.

 

Product Overview

The Goobuy UC-462 STARVIS USB Camera Module delivers reliable performance in extreme low-light (0.001 Lux) and provides outstanding near-infrared (NIR) sensitivity at 850 nm and 940 nm. With its compact 38×38 mm PCB, interchangeable M12/CS lens mount, and UVC-compliant USB2.0/USB-C interface, it integrates seamlessly into UAVs, AMRs, and industrial monitoring systems.

Built for night inspection, robotics navigation, and energy facility surveillance, this module offers both color imaging in near-darkness and high-quality monochrome imaging under IR illumination.

IMX462 USB Camera Module for Extreme Low-Light & NIR Imaging
See in the Dark: Unmatched Vision in Near-Infrared and Extreme Low-Light.
A UVC-compliant 1080p USB camera module, expertly engineered for machine vision, scientific analysis, and surveillance applications where light is a luxury, not a guarantee.

 

Why IMX462 Beats Standard Cameras in the Dark?

  • High NIR Sensitivity: The IMX462 has 2x the sensitivity at 850nm/940nm compared to IMX291. This means you can use fewer IR LEDs to achieve the same brightness, saving power for battery-operated robots.

  • Color in Starlight: Unlike sensors that switch to B&W immediately, the IMX462 maintains color imaging in ambient starlight (0.01 Lux), providing crucial color data for AI object classification.

  • High Quantum Efficiency for NIR Experiments

    The sensor is engineered for near-infrared visibility, offering strong response curves at 850 nm and 940 nm for:

  • scientific optical analysis

  • agricultural NIR imaging

  • biological experiments

  • energy infrastructure cabinets

  • controlled lab environments

 

 

Not Just Bright, But Scientifically Superior: The IMX462 Advantage

Standard cameras fail when light fades. The IMX462 excels. We have engineered this module to harness the full potential of Sony's STARVIS technology, delivering usable data from scenes where other sensors see only noise.

1. King-Class Near-Infrared (NIR) Performance

The IMX462’s core strength is its phenomenal sensitivity in the Near-Infrared spectrum. Its Quantum Efficiency (QE) in the 850nm to 940nm bands is more than double that of conventional CMOS sensors. This means it captures more data from ambient starlight, moonlight, and active IR illumination.

[Clear graph showing the Quantum Efficiency (QE) curve of the IMX462, with a pronounced peak in the NIR region, compared against a curve for a "Standard Sensor".]

Your Benefit: Achieve superior performance in nocturnal surveillance, high-contrast biometric recognition (iris), and industrial applications that rely on NIR illumination for analysis. See farther and clearer with less power consumption from your IR sources.

2. Clean Signal, Clear Vision with High Conversion Gain

Brightness without clarity is useless. The IMX462 integrates Super High Conversion Gain (HCG) technology, which amplifies the image signal at the pixel level before noise is introduced.

[Side-by-side still image comparison. Left image is labeled "Standard Sensor at High Gain" and shows significant digital noise/snow. Right image is labeled "IMX462 with HCG at High Gain" and shows a much cleaner, clearer image under the same lighting.]

Your Benefit: The result is a clean, stable image with fine details preserved, even in challenging low-light conditions. This is crucial for reliable object detection, tracking, and analysis in your application.

3. Seamless Integration with Plug-and-Play Simplicity

This module is fully UVC (USB Video Class) 1.1/1.5 compliant. There are no proprietary drivers to install and no complex software dependencies. It just works.

[A clean graphic showing logos of compatible operating systems and platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, NVIDIA Jetson, Raspberry Pi.]

Your Benefit: Save weeks of driver development time. Our module is instantly recognized by most operating systems, allowing your team to focus on your core application, not on camera debugging and integration headaches.

More Than a Module: An Engineering Partnership

Off-the-shelf hardware is a starting point. A true solution requires a partnership. We provide the engineering support and customization you need to achieve optimal performance.

Expert ISP Tuning

We don’t just ship modules with default Sony settings. Our in-house engineers work with you to custom-tune the Image Signal Processor (ISP). We optimize critical parameters—white balance, exposure algorithms, 2D/3D noise reduction, and color matrix—for your specific lighting conditions and application.

Flexible Customization Options

Your project has unique mechanical and optical requirements. We provide a full range of customization services to ensure a perfect fit:

  • Lens Selection: M12/CS-Mount, a wide range of Field of View (FOV) options, and high-resolution, low-distortion lenses.
  • Cable & Connector: Custom cable lengths, connectors (e.g., USB Type-C), and pinouts to match your enclosure.
  • Form Factor Adjustments: We can discuss minor modifications to the PCBA shape and size to fit into tight spaces.

Rock-Solid Technical Support

Your success is our success. We provide comprehensive support to accelerate your development cycle:

  • Complete Documentation: Get clear, professionally written datasheets and technical manuals.
  • 3D Models: We provide STEP/IGES files for fast and accurate mechanical integration.
  • Direct Engineer Access: Get your questions answered quickly and accurately by the engineers who designed the module.

 

Technical Specifications & Resources

Category

Specification

Sensor

Sony STARVIS IMX462

Resolution

1920 (H) x 1080 (V), 2.13 MP

Pixel Size

2.9 µm x 2.9 µm

Sensor Size

Type 1/2.8"

Frame Rate

Up to 120fps @ 1080p

Interface

USB 2.0 / USB 3.0 (Selectable)

Protocol

UVC 1.1 / 1.5 Compliant

Output Format

YUV / MJPEG

Shutter Type

Rolling Shutter

Lens Mount

M12 (S-Mount) / CS-Mount (Optional)

Dimensions

38mm x 38mm (Standard, custom options available)

Power

5V, via USB Bus

OS Support

Windows, Linux, macOS, Android

 

Sensor vs Module Output (Clarified)

  • Sensor capability (MIPI): 1080p at high frame rates.
  • Module over USB:
    • USB 3.0: up to 1080p@120 fps (MJPEG), YUY2 frame rates vary by resolution
    • USB 2.0: up to 1080p@30–60 fps (MJPEG), depending on bitrate and host bandwidth
  • Tested with UVC 1.1/1.5 on Windows and Linux platforms.

 

Integration & Compatibility

  • Plug-and-play with Windows / Linux / macOS / Android
  • Fully compatible with Jetson Orin/Xavier, Raspberry Pi 5/4, x86 IPCs
  • Supported by OpenCV, GStreamer, and V4L2 pipelines

 

This Goobuy UC-462 IMX462 USB Camera Module with metal case/housing

Main Applications & Use Cases

Low-Light Machine Vision & Inspection

Provides stable imaging for automated inspection, machine guidance and industrial visibility in low-illuminance factories.

Robotics, AGV & AMR Night Navigation

Supports reliable grayscale and NIR-assisted perception for robots operating in dark warehouses, tunnels or outdoor environments.

Scientific & NIR Laboratory Imaging

Ideal for fluorescence, absorption, optical alignment, IR-driven experiments and wavelength-specific testing.

AI Edge Devices & Embedded Vision

Compact design and UVC output make it easy to integrate with Jetson, Raspberry Pi, edge AI boxes and embedded industrial PCs.

Energy / Power Infrastructure Monitoring

Used by energy companies to monitor cabinets, breaker rooms and substations, especially under 940 nm illumination.

Biometric & Iris Recognition Systems

Strong 850/940 nm response enhances eye safety and recognition accuracy.

 

Customization & Engineering Support

Goobuy provides engineering-level customization for OEM customers:

  • PCB shape adjustments

  • USB-C / USB2.0 connectors

  • custom cable length

  • M12 / CS lens selections

  • IR filter / no-IR versions

  • NIR-optimized ISP profiles

  • mechanical housing options

 

Customer story/ case study

A European energy provider deployed the IMX462 module inside substation cabinets. Using 940 nm IR illumination, they achieved non-intrusive night monitoring while reducing false alarms by 35% compared to conventional cameras.

 

Professional FAQ 

1. What makes the IMX462 sensor significantly better in 0.001 Lux low-light environments?

The IMX462 uses a back-illuminated STARVIS architecture with extremely high NIR sensitivity and high conversion gain. This combination keeps noise low, maintains signal clarity, and captures usable 1080p images in lighting conditions where most CMOS sensors collapse into noise.


2. Is it compatible with Raspberry Pi Night Vision?"

Yes. It connects via USB and works out-of-the-box on Raspberry Pi OS. It is a superior upgrade to the standard Pi NoIR camera, offering far less noise and higher dynamic range.


3. Can the IMX462 module operate effectively without additional IR illumination in dark scenes?

In extremely dark settings (0.001 Lux), the IMX462 can still produce visible monochrome imagery thanks to its NIR-optimized sensitivity. However, for complete darkness (0 Lux), even IMX462 benefits from 850 nm or 940 nm IR illumination for stable detail capture.


4. What frame rate can the IMX462 achieve over USB2.0 compared to USB3.0?

Over USB2.0 UVC, typical validated performance is 1080p @ 30 fps using MJPG. Over USB3.0 versions of IMX462 modules, you can reach 1080p @ 60–120 fps, depending on encoding and host bandwidth. USB2.0 performance is limited by interface throughput.


5. How does IMX462 compare to IMX307 for low-light machine vision applications?

IMX307 performs well in dim light, but IMX462 is engineered for extreme low-light and NIR imaging. IMX462 offers superior quantum efficiency in 850/940 nm wavelengths and cleaner signal in near-dark scenes, making it preferable for robotics, surveillance and scientific NIR use.

read this articles here now  IMX462 vs IMX307: Low-Light Starvis Sensor Comparison


6. Can the Goobuy UC-462 IMX462 USB Camera Module be used for scientific NIR experiments?

Yes. The Goobuy UC-462 IMX462 USB Camera Module has high NIR quantum efficiency and clean HCG output, which makes it suitable for research tasks such as fluorescence imaging, IR absorption studies, optical experiments and controlled lab environments requiring 850/940 nm sensitivity.


7. Which computing platforms are officially tested with IMX462 USB camera modules?

Most IMX462 USB modules are validated on Windows (UVC), Linux (V4L2), Ubuntu, NVIDIA Jetson Nano/Xavier, Raspberry Pi 4/5, ARM IPCs and standard x86 PCs. These platforms support stable streaming through MJPG, YUY2 or H.264 pipelines.


8. What lens types work best with the IMX462 for low-light and NIR imaging?

IMX462 benefits from low-F-number lenses (F1.4–F1.8) and NIR-corrected or broadband lenses designed for 850–940 nm. M12 or CS-mount lenses with good NIR transmission can dramatically improve clarity in low-light scenes.


9. Does the IMX462 USB module require ISP tuning for different lighting environments?

For general use, the default ISP pipeline works well. For specialized tasks such as night-time robotics, scientific NIR work or energy infrastructure monitoring, customized exposure curves, gamma settings and IR-specific tuning produce significantly better results.


10. Can the IMX462 module be customized for OEM device integration?

Yes. PCB shape, cable length, connector type, lens mount, IR filter configuration and mechanical dimensions can all be customized for OEM integration into embedded systems, instruments, kiosks, robots or industrial monitoring equipment.

 

Developer Bait

Python

# Example: Max Sensitivity Settings for IMX462
import cv2

cap = cv2.VideoCapture(0)
# Disable Auto Exposure to manually boost ISO
cap.set(cv2.CAP_PROP_AUTO_EXPOSURE, 0.25) # Manual Mode
cap.set(cv2.CAP_PROP_EXPOSURE, -3)       # Longer exposure time
cap.set(cv2.CAP_PROP_GAIN, 100)            # Max Analog Gain

while True:
    ret, frame = cap.read()
    # Optional: Apply Gamma Correction for dark areas
    # frame = adjust_gamma(frame, gamma=1.5)
    cv2.imshow('Ultra Low Light Stream', frame)
    if cv2.waitKey(1) == 27: break

 

Ready to Solve Your Toughest Low-Light Challenge?

Our standard IMX462 module is ready for immediate evaluation, and our engineering team is on standby to discuss your custom requirements. Tell us about your project, and let's build the perfect vision solution together.

For OEM customization, engineering evaluation boards or project inquiries:

office@okgoobuy.com   office phone +86 755 29775656   whatsapp me +86 13510914939
 Global shipment & integration support

 

Relative technical articles and product applications links

1,  IMX462 STARVIS: Low-Light Sensor for Industrial Vision

 

2,  A Deep Dive: Sony IMX462 Starvis for Low Light Vision

 

3,  STARVIS IMX415 vs IMX462 how to choose for your projects

 

4,  Sony STARVIS 2 IMX678 4K USB Camera Module for Edge AI vision  (starvis2 imx678 products)

 

5,  STARVIS IMX307 vs IMX385 vs IMX585 vs IMX678 vs GC2053 Night Vision Performance compare

 

6,  Goobuy — Professional Micro USB Camera for AI Edge Vision

 

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