What’s the Difference Between Network Cameras and Industrial Cameras?

For those who are not familiar with network cameras and industrial cameras, the two types of cameras may seem indistinguishable. Although both are tools for capturing video and images, providing clear visuals, their differences are quite significant. To help everyone understand the distinctions, the following content will analyze them from multiple perspectives to avoid making mistakes in the initial selection.

1.Definition and Purpose

Network cameras (short for IP cameras) are cameras that connect and are remotely controlled through commonly used Wi-Fi. Once network cameras are connected to Wi-Fi signals, people can check on their homes in real-time even when they are not at home, such as whether their dog is causing trouble or if a stranger has entered their home. Of course, network cameras are not only used for homes but also suitable for large-scale applications in offices, commercial places, and other public places. In summary, the goal of network cameras is to monitor and ensure people’s safety and information acquisition in homes or public places.

Industrial cameras, as the name suggests, are closely related to industrial production. They are camera equipment designed specifically for industrial and application purposes, often used in conjunction with automation systems and machine vision technology. The uses of industrial cameras are also very extensive, such as quality control and inspection, semiconductor manufacturing, textile and fabric inspection, printing and packaging, etc., wherever vision is needed in industrial production, it is within the scope of application of industrial cameras.

2.Different Design Requirements

In terms of design, network cameras are designed to be user-friendly and integrative. User-friendliness means that network cameras should be easy to use and install, reducing the difficulty of use for people; in terms of connection methods, they support standard network protocols such as Ethernet (EtherNet/IP), Modbus, or Profinet, and some network cameras use consumer standards like RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) or ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface) to facilitate integration into various video management systems for easy management. Integrativeness means that network cameras should have a wealth of smart features, such as motion detection, night vision, and two-way audio communication capabilities, so that users can better understand the situation on-site. In addition, the appearance of network cameras is often exquisite, with significant differences in appearance and materials to meet different needs and groups.

In contrast, the design requirements for industrial cameras are simpler, with only two aspects:

1. tructurally robust. To cope with harsh working environments, industrial cameras must be designed to be robust (including dust-proof and waterproof sealed housings to cope with extreme industrial environments), ensuring the durability and reliability of the equipment.
2. Good heat dissipation. Additionally, the transmission interfaces and installation methods of industrial cameras are also more professional, requiring fixed brackets or special accessories.

3.Performance Differences

In terms of performance, there are also significant differences between network cameras and industrial cameras. Network cameras usually pursue high resolution and good image quality, which is sufficient to meet the needs of daily monitoring. Industrial cameras, in addition to requiring high resolution, also have very high requirements for the frame rate and stability of shooting. Let’s make a data comparison, and you will understand the performance differences between the two. For example, a common 1080P resolution is 1920×1080 pixels, which is about 2 million pixels. Network cameras can shoot at a speed of 120 frames per second without any video stuttering, and this is its highest shooting speed. A 2-megapixel industrial camera can achieve a frame rate of 170 frames per second, and due to format reasons, the content shot is clearer.

4.Price and Cost

In terms of price, network cameras are generally more affordable due to their large-scale production and popularity. In contrast, industrial cameras, due to their special design and high-performance requirements, are also more expensive.

5.Output Format Differences

Network cameras output video after shooting, with video output formats including AVI, MP4, H.264, and DAV. The video formats shot by network cameras are diverse, and the choice of format depends on specific application needs and compatibility requirements.

Industrial cameras output images after shooting, with image output formats including RAW, RGB, and YUV. As for which format to choose, it depends on specific application needs. If high-quality post-processing is needed, the RAW format may be a better choice; if quick processing and transmission are needed, RGB or YUV formats may be more suitable.

In summary, although network cameras and industrial cameras are both shooting tools, they have essential differences in design, purpose, performance, application fields, and price. Therefore, before choosing them, you need to understand them, and this article can help everyone effectively distinguish between them.