In the field of industrial inspection, the choice of camera shutter type directly impacts image quality and detection accuracy. When faced with the technical differences between global shutter and rolling shutter cameras, users often experience image distortion and detection failures due to improper selection.

I. Technical Principles

1. Global Shutter: Instantly Freezing Dynamic Scenes

Global shutter captures an “instant snapshot” by simultaneously exposing and de-exposing all pixels across the sensor. Its operation resembles the mechanical shutter in traditional cameras: all pixels synchronously receive light within a preset timeframe, temporarily storing the charge in their internal memory cells before sequentially reading the data line by line. This mechanism ensures identical exposure times across every area of the image, eliminating motion distortion caused by timing differences.

2. Rolling Shutter: The “Curtain Effect” of Line-by-Line Exposure

Rolling shutter employs sequential row-by-row (or column-by-column) exposure, starting from the topmost row of the sensor and progressing downward to complete exposure and readout. Each row experiences microsecond-level exposure delays, resembling the rolling effect of curtains or blinds. This sequential scanning mechanism results in varying exposure times across different areas of the frame, often causing image distortion in high-speed motion scenes.

II. Model Selection Recommendations

1. Global Shutter: The preferred choice for high-speed dynamic scenes

• Applicable Scenarios: High-speed production line inspection (e.g., food packaging, pharmaceutical sorting), traffic monitoring (vehicle tracking, license plate recognition), measurement of moving objects (speed, position, dimensions), multi-camera collaborative systems.
• Advantages: No jelly effect, no ghosting, sharp edges, high temporal consistency.

2. Rolling Shutter: The Cost-Effective Choice for Static or Low-Speed Scenes

• Applicable scenarios: Static product display, document scanning, low-light environments (such as nighttime surveillance), high-resolution requirements (such as medical imaging, scientific microscopy).
• Advantages: Simple architecture, low cost, high sensitivity.

3. Global Reset Rolling Shutter: Balancing Performance and Cost

• Applicable scenarios: Certain motion capture requirements (e.g., low-speed rotating equipment), detection of medium-speed moving objects (e.g., slow-moving packaging lines), and scenarios requiring a balance between cost and performance.
• Advantages: Reduces the jelly effect, minimizes motion blur, and maintains high resolution.

III. Core Principles for Model Selection

1. Detection Accuracy Requirements: For measuring minute defects at the 0.05mm level (e.g., PCB circuit inspection), prioritize global shutter cameras to avoid measurement errors caused by rolling shutter effects.

2. Object Movement Speed: When production line speeds exceed 0.5m/s, global shutter cameras are the only viable option. For stationary or slow-moving objects (<0.1m/s), rolling shutter cameras can meet requirements.

3. Budget Constraints: Global shutter cameras typically cost 20%-50% more than rolling shutter models. If budget is limited and the application permits, rolling shutter cameras should be prioritized.

In industrial inspection, shutter type selection directly impacts image quality and detection accuracy. Global shutter cameras deliver distortion-free, clear images for high-speed dynamic scenes through synchronized exposure mechanisms. Rolling shutter cameras, leveraging their cost advantage, are suitable for static or low-speed scenarios.