OS02C10 vs IMX307 (with GC2053): A Technical Sensor Comparison for Night Vision and Industrial Applications

In industrial vision, security, and robotics, selecting the right CMOS image sensor is critical to balancing cost, performance, and reliability. Among the many 2MP sensors available, three are particularly popular:

• Sony IMX307 (STARVIS family) – renowned for starlight night vision and HDR.
• GalaxyCore GC2053 – cost-effective mainstream option for budget surveillance.
• OmniVision OS02C10 – designed for smart security and industrial IoT, with high NIR sensitivity.

This blog will examine the core parameters of OS02C10 and IMX307, then compare all three sensors (IMX307, GC2053, OS02C10) in a table. Finally, we map the results to real-world applications across industries.

Core Parameters of Sony IMX307

The IMX307 is part of Sony’s STARVIS family, optimized for low-light color imaging. It is widely used in smart city projects, automotive recorders, and industrial cameras.

• Resolution: 1920 × 1080 (2.1 MP)
• Optical format: 1/2.8"
• Pixel size: 2.9 μm × 2.9 μm (back-illuminated BSI)
• Frame rate: Up to 60 fps at 1080p
• Dynamic range: ~120 dB with DOL HDR
• Minimum illumination: ~0.01 lux (color, starlight)
• Spectral response: Visible light optimized; moderate NIR response
• Key strengths: Delivers clean color images under starlight; excellent HDR.
• Limitations: Costlier than GC2053; rolling shutter limits high-speed use.

Core Parameters of OmniVision OS02C10

The OS02C10 is a 2MP CMOS sensor from OmniVision, designed with AI-driven security and IoT applications in mind, with a focus on low-light and NIR sensitivity.

• Resolution: 1920 × 1080 (2.1 MP)
• Optical format: 1/2.9"
• Pixel size: 2.9 μm (PureCel architecture)
• Frame rate: Up to 60 fps at 1080p
• Dynamic range: ~120 dB (with HDR mode)
• Minimum illumination: ~0.006 lux (enhanced low-light)
• Spectral response: Strong NIR response (850–940 nm) for IR-assisted vision
• Key strengths: Excellent performance in both visible and NIR bands; optimized for 24/7 surveillance with or without IR LEDs.
• Limitations: Slightly more complex ISP tuning compared to Sony; mid-range cost.

Core Parameters of GC2053

For context, the GC2053 is a popular low-cost CMOS sensor often used in budget surveillance and consumer products.

• Resolution: 1920 × 1080 (2.1 MP)
• Optical format: 1/2.9"
• Pixel size: ~2.8 μm
• Frame rate: 30 fps at 1080p
• Dynamic range: ~80 dB
• Minimum illumination: ~0.1 lux (requires IR LEDs for night use)
• Spectral response: Standard visible; weak in NIR
• Key strengths: Extremely cost-effective, simple integration.
• Limitations: Limited true night vision capability, weaker HDR, not ideal for IR-based or very dark scenarios.

Comparative Table: IMX307 vs OS02C10 vs GC2053

Feature	Sony IMX307	OmniVision OS02C10	GalaxyCore GC2053
Optical Format	1/2.8" BSI CMOS	1/2.9" PureCel CMOS	1/2.9" CMOS
Resolution / Frame Rate	1080p @ 60 fps	1080p @ 60 fps	1080p @ 30 fps
Pixel Size	2.9 μm BSI	2.9 μm PureCel	~2.8 μm
Dynamic Range (HDR)	~120 dB	~120 dB	~80 dB
Minimum Illumination	~0.01 lux (color, starlight)	~0.006 lux (enhanced low-light)	~0.1 lux (needs IR LEDs)
NIR Sensitivity	Moderate	High (850–940 nm optimized)	Weak
Night Vision Capability	Strong (color at starlight)	Very strong (NIR-assisted color)	Basic (IR required, grayscale)
Typical Cost	Mid/High	Mid	Low
Best Use Cases	Smart cities, automotive DVRs	24/7 surveillance, IoT, IR systems	Budget CCTV, consumer electronics

Night Vision Performance Differences

• IMX307: Delivers excellent color video under starlight (~0.01 lux). Suited for urban environments where some ambient light is always present.
• OS02C10: Improves on IMX307 in extreme darkness (~0.006 lux) and adds strong NIR sensitivity. With 850–940 nm IR LEDs, it produces clear, low-noise color images in total darkness.
• GC2053: Limited to ~0.1 lux; requires external IR illumination. In practice, images may shift to monochrome at night with higher noise.

In short:

• IMX307 = Starlight performer
• OS02C10 = Starlight + IR hybrid performer
• GC2053 = Budget option requiring IR

Application Recommendations

1. Smart Cities and Urban Surveillance

• Best sensor: IMX307
• Rationale: Cities always have ambient light (street lamps, signage). IMX307 balances cost and proven reliability.

2. Critical Infrastructure & 24/7 Security

• Best sensor: OS02C10
• Rationale: For airports, ports, borders, and high-security sites, IR-assisted monitoring is essential. OS02C10 excels with NIR performance.

3. Industrial Automation & Robotics

• Best sensor: OS02C10
• Rationale: In warehouses or factories with uneven lighting, pairing IR illumination with OS02C10 ensures robust detection for AGVs, AMRs, cobots.

4. Automotive Dashcams & ADAS

• Best sensor: IMX307
• Rationale: Proven performance in traffic surveillance and automotive recorders under starlight.

5. Budget Consumer CCTV / IoT Cameras

• Best sensor: GC2053
• Rationale: Lowest BOM cost; suitable for small businesses or residential monitoring with IR LEDs.

Conclusion

Each sensor represents a different balance of cost, performance, and night vision capability:

• GC2053: The budget option—adequate in daylight, dependent on IR at night.
• IMX307: The proven workhorse—excellent starlight imaging, ideal for smart cities and automotive.
• OS02C10: The hybrid performer—strong in both visible and NIR bands, excelling in 24/7 monitoring, IR-assisted industrial vision, and high-security applications.

Guideline:

• If cost is the priority, use GC2053.
• If starlight clarity is critical, use IMX307.
• If IR-assisted or total darkness performance is essential, choose OS02C10.