1. Overview of USB and MIPI Camera Interfaces

USB (Universal Serial Bus) cameras are external plug-and-play devices commonly used with PCs and embedded boards. MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) CSI cameras are internal modules that connect directly to the processor via a CSI-2 interface, enabling low-latency, high-performance applications.

2. Key Differences and Comparison

Ease of Integration:
- USB: Plug-and-play, UVC supported, great for quick prototyping.
- MIPI: Requires driver and hardware tuning, suitable for mass production.

Performance & Latency:
- USB: Higher latency (~80–150ms), limited bandwidth.
- MIPI: Ultra-low latency (~30ms), high speed, optimized for inference.

Power:
- USB: Typically 150–500mA.
- MIPI: Lower power draw, integrated with SoC.

Software Support:
- USB: Broad compatibility via UVC and OpenCV.
- MIPI: Requires board-specific drivers and pipelines.

Cable & Form Factor:
- USB: Long cable, larger size.
- MIPI: Short FPC cable, compact size.

3. Typical Applications

- PC-based Vision System: USB Camera
- Raspberry Pi Face Recognition: MIPI Camera
- Jetson Nano AI Box: MIPI Camera
- Factory Inspection: USB Camera
- Automotive: MIPI (for integration and power efficiency)

4. How to Choose?

Choose USB Camera if:
- You need plug-and-play capability.
- You are connecting to PC or Linux SBC.

Choose MIPI Camera if:
- You are building a compact embedded system.
- You need low latency and real-time performance.

5. Recommended Products

USB 5MP, UVC, Sony IMX335 camera module, UC-501 15*15mm micro USB camera 2MP
MIPI 2MP Global Shutter, optimized for Jetson, Pi

6. Final Thoughts

USB and MIPI cameras both have value in embedded vision. USB is easier for beginners or PC-based setups. MIPI is the go-to for low-power, real-time AI devices. The right choice depends on your platform, goals, and project scale.

Comparison Diagram

Novel Manufacture Ltd offer various Miniature USB camera and UVC camera module for Embedded Vision systems,

visit  www.ogoobuy.com/micro-usb-cam.html)