When selecting a camera for your machine vision system, deciding on a lens mount is one of the first key decisions. Among the options available, Allied Vision offers three primary mounts: C-Mount, CS-Mount, and S-Mount. Each has its own advantages depending on your specific application needs. Regardless of which mount you choose, every Alvium camera ensures highly accurate sensor alignment for crisp images even at the edges.

What Are These Lens Mounts?

C-Mount

The most popular lens mount in machine vision, C-Mount boasts a wide range of compatible lenses and accessories. This flexibility makes it easy to find lenses tailored to specific requirements, including advanced features like liquid lenses for quick autofocus.

Compatible with sensors up to Type 1.3 (24 mm diagonal), C-Mount lenses are designed for industrial applications and often feature robust performance in terms of temperature range and shock resistance. However, compatibility is limited due to fewer adapters on the market.

S-Mount

S-Mount stands out for its compact design and cost-effective lenses, making it ideal for embedded vision systems. It’s suitable for smaller sensors (up to Type 2/3), but caution is needed with larger formats as it may cause vignetting at image edges.

Unlike C-Mount or CS-Mount, focusing on S-Mount requires additional testing due to potential lens protrusion issues in the camera body. This can affect how locking nuts are applied during installation.

CS-Mount

CS-Mount, historically common in security applications, is less frequently used in machine vision despite its compact design. These lenses feature a shorter 5mm length, bringing them closer to the image sensor. They’re compatible with C-Mount or S-Mount lenses via adapters.

While many CS-Mount lenses allow focus adjustment but not iris control, they are often mass-produced and offer good quality-to-price ratios. Some models incorporate advanced aspherical lens technology for higher performance at competitive prices.

Making the Right Choice

If you’re still unsure which mount is best suited for your vision application, contact Allied Vision today. Our team of expert engineers can help determine not only the right lens mount but also lenses, filters, and other accessories tailored to your specific needs.

Last Updated: 2025-09-04 16:50:42