Interfaces & Standards

Choosing the Right Industrial Camera Interface: A Comprehensive Comparison

Choosing the right interface ensures smooth data transfer and optimal vision system performance. Key factors like bandwidth, cable length, and camera count matter when choosing the best option. This guide compares GigE/5GigE, USB 3.0, and CXP-12 to help you understand their benefits and make informed decisions for upgrades and optimize your system.

White Paper

CoaXPress 2.0 as an alternative to Camera Link

Camera Link and CoaXPress are used in applications that require high data rates or resolutions. However, upgrading to CoaXPress 2.0 brings higher performance and lower system costs. In our white paper, we cover the following topics, among others:

Camera Link and CoaXPress: two interfaces for high data rates
Detailed comparison of Camera Link and CoaXPress 2.0
What should be considered when upgrading?

To the CoaXPress White Paper

What are camera interfaces in machine vision?

Camera interfaces bridge cameras and PCs, transferring image data from the sensor to the software for processing. Selecting the right interface balances performance, cost, and reliability based on factors like bandwidth, cable length, and multi-camera requirements. Modern standards like GigE Vision, USB3 Vision, Camera Link and CoaXPress ensure compatibility with standard-conformant components, while older technologies like FireWire and USB 2.0 are less suitable for today’s advanced systems.

The most important vision interfaces

Basler routinely observes and assesses technological changes in the market. USB, CoaXPress and GigE serve well - today and in the future.

How to choose a camera interface: key criteria

Bandwidth

The speed at which image data is transferred from the camera to the host system. The higher the bandwidth, the more data flows from A to B simultaneously.

Cable length

The distance between the vision system and the host system determines the required cable length.

Multi-camera setup

Not all interfaces are equally suitable for operating a multi-camera system; these setups require precise synchronization and real-time capability.

Key features & benefits of major camera interfaces

Choose the right camera interface with Interface Advisor

Upgrade to next-gen camera interfaces

Transitioning to a newer camera interface generation offers significant benefits in performance, speed, and integration simplicity. Whether you’re moving from USB 3.0/GigE to 5GigE or from Camera Link/CXP-6 to CXP-12, each upgrade path is designed to enhance system capabilities while ensuring a smooth transition. The following guide explores the key reasons to upgrade, practical tips for implementation, and the advantages these interfaces bring to your next-generation vision systems.

Basler’s camera interface portfolio

Basler delivers reliable, high-performance industrial cameras paired with expertly tested vision components for versatile applications. Whether you’re optimizing current setups or planning for future advancements, our portfolio ensures seamless upgrades, scalability, and top-tier efficiency for your vision systems.

Future-proof, stable, and powerful interfaces in Basler's camera portfolio.

In-depth insights on leading camera interfaces

The USB3 Vision Standard
The USB3 Vision Standard was defined to create a uniform regulation of USB 3.0 communication and structure. Learn why it has become well established in industrial image processing.
What Is CoaXPress?
When it comes to transmitting large volumes of data at high speed over long distances, the CoaXPress image processing standard is the perfect solution.
From Gigabit Ethernet and GigE Vision to 5GigE
Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) is a camera interface that offers the greatest technical flexibility in terms of bandwidth, cable lengths, and multi-camera functionality.