The machine vision industry is experiencing a clear trend toward higher resolutions while also placing greater emphasis on image quality. This increased detail resolution leads to better detection reliability. Many industrial lenses feature fixed apertures and focus, but consumer technology has introduced powerful standards with controllable lenses—now being questioned for their suitability in industrial applications.

The Origins of Micro Four Thirds

Less than ten years ago, Olympus and Panasonic introduced the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) standard for mirrorless cameras. This system defines specifications for building camera systems with interchangeable lenses. Notable optics manufacturers like Schneider Optics, Carl Zeiss, and Sigma have since adopted this standard.

Purpose of MFT

The image circle diameter was fixed at 21.63 mm, and the distance between the lens mount and sensor was minimized to create compact mirrorless systems. The lenses are controlled by internal actuators (each with its own processor) connected via eleven contacts on the mount surface.

MFT in Machine Vision

Machine vision lens manufacturers face large-format high-resolution sensors like Sony’s IMX304, which measures 1.1 inches diagonally and offers up to 12MP resolution. While resolutions of this magnitude are rare and costly, MFT lenses have proven effective due to their compatibility with these specifications.

MFT and MTF

Resolution is traditionally measured by the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF). However, machine vision lens performance often deteriorates toward image edges—a critical issue given larger sensor sizes. The IMX304’s 17.52 mm diagonal fits comfortably within the MFT image circle. Major optics producers provide excellent MFT lenses with outstanding edge-to-edge MTF characteristics, utilizing aspherical elements and low-dispersion glass.

MFT and CMOS

CMOS sensors are increasingly popular due to high-quality models like Sony’s IMX series. Most CMOS sensors use microlenses to enhance light sensitivity—improving pixel-level optical performance by ensuring incident angles align with the sensor plane (telecentric design). This minimizes illumination inconsistencies common in conventional lenses, though adjustments sacrifice some dynamic range.

Mechanical Reliability

MFT lenses present disadvantages for applications requiring permanent focus. Variable AF introduces uncertainty unless disabled—though consumer equipment may not always be handled carefully. Non-representative tests show MFT lenses surviving millions of operations without failure (e.g., inVision 2/2014). Modern magnetic bearings and stringent volume production tolerances contribute to this resilience, with focal lengths ranging from 7mm to 300mm.

New Possibilities for Machine Vision

Machine vision is evolving beyond static imaging geometries toward adaptable systems. Object distances now vary per item rather than remaining constant—requiring focus, zoom, or iris adjustments for each object. MFT-compatible cameras (e.g., the SVS-Vistek EXO304 Tracer) enable these capabilities through GenICam-controlled lens features—a critical advantage for Industry 4.0 and batch size one production.

Economical Value

High-quality industrial lenses traditionally remain expensive, but large-scale volume production on consumer scales has made MFT systems affordable due to mass-market economies of scale. While pricing remains high overall, volume manufacturing now produces exceptional value. These MFT lenses match or exceed many industrial alternatives in quality while offering immediate availability—offering superior cost-to-performance ratios compared to specialized solutions.

Conclusion

Machine vision is transforming both camera and lens technologies as requirements grow more complex. Recent sensor advancements align perfectly with MFT capabilities, enabling focus, zoom, and iris control through standardized interfaces like GenICam. These new features are already available in systems like the EXO304 Tracer—offering system integrators reliable, high-quality tools that simplify integration.

Conclusion

Machine vision is changing rapidly due to advancing sensor technology and stricter performance requirements. MFT lenses represent a cost-effective solution combining reliability and capability for modern industrial applications.

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Last Updated: 2025-09-05 03:44:01