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Omron / Sentech STC-MBS123BU3V / STC-MCS123BU3V machine vision camera
Omron / SentechHigh-resolution cameras
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Omron / Sentech Sentech STC-MBS123BU3V / STC-MCS123BU3V (12MP USB3 Vision)

STC-MBS123BU3V

The STC-MBS123BU3V (monochrome) and STC-MCS123BU3V (color) use a 1.1-inch Sony IMX253 progressive global-shutter CMOS sensor with 4096 x 3000 active pixels (12.3 MP) and a 3.45 um pixel pitch. They output over a USB3.0 SuperSpeed Micro-B interface compliant with USB3 Vision 1.0 and GenICam, reaching up to 30.4 fps at full resolution in 8-bit. The compact 35 x 35 x 41.5 mm housing weighs about 78 g and uses a C-mount, with power from USB bus (+5V) or an external +8 to +24 VDC source at 6.0 W or less. Exposure ranges from 2 us to 16,777 s with up to 19.2 dB analog gain.

Brand
Omron / Sentech
Camera type
Area scan
Interface
USB3.0 SuperSpeed (USB3 Vision), Micro-B
Resolution
12.3 MP
Horizontal resolution
4096 x 3000 px (4096 H)
Mono / color
Monochrome (MBS) / Color (MCS)
Sensor manufacturer
Sony Pregius (IMX253)
Sensor model
Sony IMX253
Shutter
Global shutter
FPS
Up to 30.4 fps @ 8-bit full resolution
Mount
C-mount
Sensor size
1.1 inch optical format
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Technical overview

At the heart of the Omron Sentech STC-MBS123BU3V (and its MCS color sibling) is a 1.1-inch Sony IMX253 Pregius CMOS sensor delivering 4096 x 3000 active pixels (12.3 MP) on a 3.45 um pixel pitch. The decisive feature here is the global shutter: every pixel starts and stops integrating at the same instant, which means moving parts on a conveyor or an indexing turret are captured without the skew, smear, or geometric distortion that a rolling shutter would introduce. For an installer, that combination of high pixel count and global shutter is what makes this camera credible for measurement work where edge fidelity matters, not just for static, posed images. The 3.45 um pixels and 1.1-inch optical format also set your lens budget: you need C-mount optics that actually resolve a 1.1-inch image circle at this pixel pitch, otherwise the corners go soft and you waste the resolution you paid for.

The interface is USB3.0 SuperSpeed over a Micro-B connector, compliant with USB3 Vision 1.0 and GenICam, and it reaches up to 30.4 fps at full 12.3 MP resolution in 8-bit. USB3 Vision keeps cabling and integration simple at short distances and is genuinely plug-and-play with any GenICam-aware vision software, but the practical reach of a passive USB3 cable is limited (typically a few meters) compared to GigE or CoaxPress, so plan host placement and cable runs accordingly. Power can come from the USB bus (+5V) or from an external +8 to +24 VDC supply, with consumption rated at 6 W or less; the external power option is useful when bus power is marginal or when you want to isolate the camera supply from the host. The exposure range is very wide, from 2 us up to 16,777 s, with up to 19.2 dB of analog gain, giving you headroom to dial in either crisp freeze-frame captures of fast motion (short exposure plus strobed light) or long integrations for dim scenes.

Physically the camera is compact and robust for industrial use: a 35 x 35 x 41.5 mm aluminium housing weighing about 78 g, rated for operation from 0 to +72 degC. The small footprint and light weight make it practical to mount on a robot end-effector or inside a tight inspection station, and the aluminium body helps shed the heat generated by a 12 MP sensor running at speed. Because this is a passive area-scan camera with a global shutter, it pairs naturally with strobed or pulsed lighting synchronized to the exposure window: short, bright flashes let you stop motion while keeping the sensor at low gain for clean, low-noise images. The monochrome MBS version maximizes spatial resolution and light sensitivity for gauging, surface defect detection, and OCR/OCV, while the color MCS version trades some of that for chromatic information when color is part of the inspection criterion.

Best for

  • High-resolution dimensional measurement and gauging of moving or indexed parts, where the global shutter prevents motion distortion across the full 4096 x 3000 frame
  • Surface and defect inspection on electronics, semiconductor, and automotive components that demand fine detail from the 12.3 MP sensor
  • Industrial OCR/OCV of printed codes, date marks, and labels on packaging and printed media, using the monochrome MBS version for maximum legibility
  • Robot guidance and pick-and-place on an end-effector, where the compact 78 g aluminium housing and USB3 Vision simplicity are advantages
  • Color inspection tasks (sorting, print verification, material grading) using the MCS color variant when chromatic differences are part of the pass/fail decision

Selection notes

  • Choose lenses deliberately: the C-mount optics must cover the 1.1-inch image circle and resolve the 3.45 um pixel pitch, or you will lose effective resolution at the frame edges; budget for a high-quality 12 MP-class lens rather than a generic C-mount.
  • Confirm your USB3 host and cabling: the Micro-B USB3.0 SuperSpeed interface is short-reach, so verify host controller bandwidth and keep cable runs within passive USB3 limits, or consider USB3 extension/repeater hardware if the camera sits far from the PC.
  • Decide MBS vs MCS up front: monochrome gives you the full spatial resolution and light efficiency for gauging, defect, and OCR work, while color is only worth the trade-off when the inspection genuinely depends on chromatic information.
  • Plan for strobed or pulsed illumination synchronized to exposure: with a global shutter and exposures down to 2 us, short bright flashes let you freeze motion at full resolution while keeping analog gain (up to 19.2 dB) low for clean images.
  • Account for power and thermal design: a 12 MP sensor at up to 30.4 fps draws up to 6 W, so use the external +8 to +24 VDC input where bus power is marginal, allow airflow around the aluminium body, and respect the 0 to +72 degC operating range.

Specifications: General
BrandOmron / Sentech
Camera typeArea scan

Specifications: Sensor
Resolution12.3 MP
Horizontal resolution4096 x 3000 px (4096 H)
Mono / colorMonochrome (MBS) / Color (MCS)
Sensor manufacturerSony Pregius (IMX253)
Sensor modelSony IMX253
ShutterGlobal shutter
Sensor size1.1 inch optical format
Pixel size3.45 x 3.45 um

Specifications: Performance
FPSUp to 30.4 fps @ 8-bit full resolution

Specifications: Interface
InterfaceUSB3.0 SuperSpeed (USB3 Vision), Micro-B
ProtocolsUSB3 Vision 1.0 / GenICam

Specifications: Optics
MountC-mount

Specifications: Electrical
PowerUSB bus power (+5V) or external +8 to +24 VDC
Power consumption6 W

Specifications: Environment
Operating temperature0 to +72 degC

Specifications: Mechanical
Dimensions35 (W) x 35 (H) x 41.5 (D) mm
Weight78 g
Housing materialAluminium

Frequently asked questions

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