Super Low Light Surveillance Guide

IT
IPVM Team
•Published Aug 06, 2020 19:51 PM

Historically, low light performance of megapixel cameras was terrible, cameras either ghosting due to super slow shutter speed or not producing images at all.

But the introduction of 'super low light' image processing changed this, with drastic increases in camera low light performance not previously possible.

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In this guide, we explain super low light covering:

  • Enhancements in image processing / gain control
  • Advanced digital noise reduction
  • Expansion of cameras with larger imagers
  • Introduction of professional photography sensors to security cameras
  • Image quality relative to conventional cameras, integrated IR and thermal cameras

Super *** ***** ******

** ************, '***** *** *****' *** no ******** **********, *** ** ******* used ** ***** ** ******* ***** provide ****** ** *** ***** ****** that '*******' ******* ******, ***** ** color. ***** ********** **** ** ***** low ***** ****** ****, *** ********* fall **** *** **********: ******** **** control *** ******** ******* ***** *********.

Enhanced **** *******

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'*****' *** ***** ******* *** **** / ***** ********** **** '*******' *** light ******* *** *** **** ************* gain ******* *** ********* ***** ********* techniques.

Improved ******* ***** *********

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*** *******, ** *** ***** *****, the ****** ************* ******* *** ****** on *** ******* ****** ******* *** scene. **** ****** ********* ****** **** caused ** **** *** ******, *** adds **** ******* *****, **** ****** the *******.

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~1/3" ******* **** ******

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Larger ******* ***** ********

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******** ******* **** *********** ******* ********* deliver *** **** ***** *** ***** performance.

*** **** ********* ** ****, **** their *********** *******, **** **** ** be **** ***** *** *** **** expensive. ***** ** * **** ********** between * **** ******** ******, ** APS-C ******** ******, *** * ************ box ******, ******* **** **** **********:

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Super *** ***** ******** ** *******

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Integrated ** *********

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** **** *****, ********** ** ******** more ******* **** ***** *** *****. For *******, *** *******'* ******** *** features *** ** **** ** *** comparison *****. *******, ******* **** *** cameras, ***** ********** ** ****** ** drop ***, ******* ********* ** *** cameras *** **** *******.

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*******, **** **** *********** ** ********** IR ******* ****** ******, ********* ** range, ******** *******, *** ****. *** more ******* ** ********** ** ******, see ***** ************ *****.

Super *** ***** ******

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******* ****** **** *** *** ***** of ***** *****-****** ******, ***************** **** ** *** ****** ******,**** **** ***** ****** ******, ********* ** / **** ****** ******.

Comments (10)
Avatar
Ricardo Souza
•Aug 04, 2017
Motorola Solutions • IPVMU Certified

Much helpful guide. Thanks.

(1)
Avatar
Jim Kirk
•Aug 06, 2017

FYI,

Clicking on the link "Infrared IR Surveillance Tutorial" takes you to a page giving this message:

"This report has not been published. Check back later."

 

JH
John Honovich
•Aug 06, 2017
IPVM
In reply to Jim Kirk

Clicking on the link "Infrared IR Surveillance Tutorial" 

This has been fixed, thanks. Link is here

UE
Undisclosed End User #1
•May 27, 2018

Integrated IR image seemed better.

U
Undisclosed #2
•Nov 20, 2018

Great and helpful guides. Thank you.....

AS
Alfredo Santiago
•Feb 19, 2019
ALFREDO'S TELEPHONE SERVICE

They are getting better but will the customer be willing to pay the additional cost.

Avatar
Timothy Andrasek
•Sep 16, 2021
IPVMU Certified

The issues with sensor image size is interesting as I'm an amateur astronomer and CCD astronomy has taken off such that no one uses film anymore. Hence the interest in smaller sized pixels are used.

JH
John Honovich
•Sep 16, 2021
IPVM
In reply to Timothy Andrasek

Tim, thanks! I am curious. Any specific models of telescopes or cameras being used for 'CCD astronomy'?

U
Undisclosed #3
•Sep 17, 2021
IPVMU Certified
In reply to John Honovich

Looks like CCDs are often used because of sensitivity/low noise, but CMOS is now coming on strong:

While CCDs remain the most popular technology for ground-based astronomy, image sensors based on traditional CMOS technology now offer a viable alternative. “CMOS image sensors have not generally been suitable for astronomy because they are front illuminated, and are both less sensitive and more noisy than CCDs,” says McClure. “But more advanced CMOS imaging chips are now emerging that rival the performance of CCD and EMCCDs, while also overcoming the common limitations of these technologies.”

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Edit: Article is a sponsored article.

Avatar
Timothy Andrasek
•Sep 17, 2021
IPVMU Certified
In reply to John Honovich

This is a good place to start as this website has lots of CCD eye candy;

CCD Cameras, CMOS Cameras for Astrophotography | Buy Advanced Astronomy Telescope Cameras at High Point Scientific

So many CCD choices and filter wheels and autoguiders to choose from, oh my!

NOW this is a telescope with the CCD sensor builtin, very hitech, and everyone in the community is abuzz...lol

Unistellar's eVscope 2 & eQuinox Telescopes | The Universe Awaits

The information about the sensors in these scopes is here;

IMX224 - Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation | CMOS Image Sensor

https://www.sony-semicon.co.jp/products/common/pdf/IMX347LQR_Flyer.pdf

You have to look but I heard there's another company on the horizon that will have a similar product.

NOTE: I HAVE NO CONNECTIONS WITH VENDORS

Now, back to the readings...

Enjoy!