IMX585 vs IMX678: Choosing the Right Sony Sensor for Industrial Vision

Introduction

Selecting the right image sensor is one of the most critical decisions for engineers working on industrial cameras for challenging lighting conditions. In recent years, Sony has released several new STARVIS and STARVIS 2 sensors that push the limits of low-light imaging, dynamic range, and resolution. Two of the most discussed sensors are the IMX585 and the IMX678 Starvis 2 camera.

Both offer high resolution and impressive low-light performance, but they are optimized for different priorities. This blog will examine their core parameters, performance characteristics, and real-world applications, followed by a side-by-side comparison to guide project leaders.

IMX585: Core Parameters and Strengths

The Sony IMX585 is a back-illuminated CMOS sensor designed as the successor to the IMX485. Its key strengths lie in resolution and 4K video capture, making it a strong candidate for surveillance and industrial inspection tasks.

Key Specifications (IMX585):

• Resolution: 8.3 MP (4K, 3864 × 2176)
• Optical Format: 1/1.2-inch
• Pixel Size: 2.9 μm
• Dynamic Range: Excellent, >100 dB
• Low-Light Performance: Classified as a 4K low light camera, strong starlight capability in color at ~0.01 lux
• Frame Rate: Up to 90 fps at 1080p

Strengths:

• High sensitivity with larger pixel size (2.9 μm)
• Well-suited for starlight cameras in security, ITS, and traffic monitoring
• Robust option for 4K low-light industrial sensor needs

The IMX585 remains one of the best options when color fidelity and high sensitivity at night are more important than compact sensor size.

IMX678: Core Parameters and Strengths

The IMX678 camera module is part of Sony’s STARVIS 2 family, which improves on traditional STARVIS by delivering both enhanced low-light sensitivity and a Starvis 2 wide dynamic range. This makes it especially valuable for embedded vision applications where lighting conditions change rapidly.

Key Specifications (IMX678):

• Resolution: 8.3 MP (4K, 3840 × 2160)
• Optical Format: 1/1.8-inch
• Pixel Size: 2.0 μm
• Dynamic Range: Improved with Sony Starvis 2 wide dynamic range (>120 dB)
• Low-Light Performance: Optimized by STARVIS 2 technology, handles extreme contrasts better than IMX585
• Frame Rate: Up to 60 fps at 4K

Strengths:

• Compact format, making it ideal for IMX678 for embedded vision in robotics and IoT
• Superior HDR for environments with mixed lighting (e.g., bright sunlight and shadows)
• Better suited for AI-driven edge devices that require balanced performance across conditions

The IMX678 is positioned as a versatile 4K low light camera with better HDR and a smaller form factor, perfect for robotics and automation.

IMX585 vs IMX678: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature/Metric	IMX585	IMX678 (Starvis 2)
Resolution	8.3 MP (4K UHD)	8.3 MP (4K UHD)
Optical Format	1/1.2-inch	1/1.8-inch
Pixel Size	2.9 μm (larger pixels)	2.0 μm (smaller, higher density)
Low-Light Performance	Excellent color at starlight levels	Excellent, but with better HDR balancing
Dynamic Range (HDR)	~100 dB	>120 dB, Starvis 2 wide dynamic range
Strength	Sensitivity, starlight imaging	HDR + versatility in embedded vision
Best Use Case	Security, surveillance, ITS, starlight cam	Robotics, automation, IoT, smart industry

Night Vision Performance Differences

When it comes to night vision and starlight cameras:

• IMX585: Larger 2.9 μm pixels make it slightly superior in pure low-light sensitivity. For applications like traffic monitoring, security cameras, or outdoor industrial surveillance, the IMX585 provides excellent 4K low-light industrial sensor performance.
• IMX678 Starvis 2 camera: While its 2.0 μm pixels are smaller, the Sony Starvis 2 technology compensates with improved sensitivity algorithms and HDR balancing. This makes the IMX678 superior in environments with complex lighting transitions, such as indoor/outdoor robotics or factories with mixed light sources.

Industry Applications: Which Sensor Should You Choose?

When to Choose IMX585

• Surveillance and Security: For city monitoring, parking lots, or highways.
• Starlight Camera Applications: Where low-light fidelity is more important than compact sensor size.
• Industrial Inspection: Where industrial cameras for challenging lighting focus on detail at night.

When to Choose IMX678

• Robotics and AMR Vision: The IMX678 for embedded vision is compact and supports AI-powered robotics where size and dynamic range are critical.
• Cobots and Automation: Works well in mixed factory lighting, ensuring objects are visible regardless of shadows or bright lights.
• Smart Cities and IoT: As a compact, efficient IMX678 camera module, it integrates well into embedded platforms with USB or MIPI interfaces.
• AI Edge Devices: Optimized for 4K low light camera performance while maintaining balance in HDR conditions.

Conclusion

Both the IMX585 and IMX678 are powerful 4K sensors, but their strengths target different needs:

• If you require maximum starlight sensitivity and don’t mind a larger sensor format, the IMX585 is the right choice.
• If your application involves dynamic lighting, embedded vision platforms, or robotics, the IMX678 Starvis 2 camera with its Sony Starvis 2 wide dynamic range is the clear winner.

For engineers and product managers, the decision should be based on the balance of low-light vs. HDR needs, form factor constraints, and integration requirements.