This page provides a technical comparison of Sony STARVIS USB camera modules, including IMX335 (5MP) and IMX385 (2MP), focused on low-light performance, SNR1s sensitivity, HDR behavior, and real-world imaging results. It is designed for engineers working with embedded vision, edge AI devices, industrial inspection, robotics, smart kiosks, and traffic monitoring systems. The guide explains when to choose each sensor based on lighting conditions, detail requirements, and signal integrity over USB UVC.
Quick Verdict for Engineers:
Introduction: Setting the Standard in Industrial Vision
In the competitive world of industrial inspection camera systems, clarity, low-light performance, and reliability are critical. For manufacturers, security teams, and energy operators in the Great Lakes Region, Florida, and Texas, these features directly affect operational efficiency and safety. Goobuy Sony STARVIS USB3 camera modules — including the 1/2" IMX385 STARVIS Night Vision USB Camera (32×32mm), IMX335 No Distortion USB3.0 Camera, and IMX335 Starlight Autofocus USB Camera — deliver unmatched image quality for industrial, energy, and security monitoring in harsh and low-light environments.
Sony’s STARVIS technology sets the benchmark for back-illuminated CMOS imaging, offering full-color night vision and high dynamic range (HDR). Popular models currently in production include:
From IMX385 night vision cameras to IMX335 industrial inspection cameras, Sony’s range offers the best sensor platforms for today’s demanding environments.
| Sensor | Resolution | Low-Light Performance | HDR Capability | Best For | Not Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMX385 (STARVIS 1) | 1080p | ★★★★☆ Strong | Medium | Night vision, security, robotics, AGV | High-detail 4K analytics |
| IMX335 (STARVIS 1) | 5MP | ★★★☆☆ Good | Medium | AI retail, kiosks, document scan | Ultra-low light scenes |
| IMX585 (STARVIS 2) | 4K | ★★★★☆ Very strong | High | Smart city, traffic, outdoor robotics | Ultra-tight budget |
| IMX678 (STARVIS 2) | 4K | ★★★★★ Best | Highest | 24/7 outdoor AI, mobile robots, edge AI | Wide-FOV requirements |
IMX385 — Low-Light Specialist
Ideal for AMRs operating in dim warehouses, outdoor night robots, parking systems, and security gates. Its 2MP format provides stable UVC performance with excellent SNR in sub-1 lux environments.
IMX335 — Detail-Oriented 5MP Sensor
Used in self-service kiosks, smart retail terminals, access control devices, and AI box systems requiring crisp texture, barcode clarity, or document-level detail in controlled lighting.
where to use what?
Parking Lot Gate (License Plate Reading): Use IMX335 (High Res).
Underground Pipeline Inspection: Use IMX385 (High Sensitivity).
Industrial Robot Navigation: Use Goobuy Global Shutter usb camera OV9281 or Starvis for low speed.
IMX335 vs IMX385: Engineer’s Decision Matrix
Choose IMX385 if your priority is:
best night-vision clarity below 1 lux
moving-object visibility in dim warehouses
minimal noise for neural-network preprocessing
Choose IMX335 if your priority is:
detailed textures at 5MP
kiosk/document clarity
indoor or controlled lighting environments
Our IMX385 STARVIS industrial night vision camera is mounted inside turbine housings for live, color inspection during low-speed rotations, reducing downtime without adding external lighting.
A non-distortion inspection camera based on the IMX335 monitors hot-rolled sheet steel in Gary, detecting scratches and micro-defects before shipment.
At the Port of Cleveland, the IMX335 starlight autofocus camera monitors both close-range crane operations and distant perimeter fencing, cutting the number of cameras needed by 40%.
A Milwaukee facility uses IMX385 USB3.0 industrial security camera modules to cover its perimeter in low-light conditions, ensuring 24/7 safety.
Inside nacelles near Rockford, IMX335 autofocus cameras provide detailed gearbox close-ups and long-distance blade inspections without lens changes.
Florida — Coastal ports, aerospace plants, and hurricane-resilient facilities require corrosion-resistant, low-light-capable industrial USB3 cameras. The IMX385 is ideal for marine port security camera modules and storm-proof industrial monitoring cameras.
Texas — Refineries, pipelines, and solar farms need high dynamic range industrial cameras capable of continuous operation in high temperatures. The IMX335 autofocus model suits oil and gas inspection USB cameras Texas and pipeline inspection camera modules.
We don’t just sell camera modules — we engineer complete solutions.
If your business operates in Great Lakes manufacturing, Florida port security, or Texas energy infrastructure, you can’t afford to compromise on imaging performance.Our Sony STARVIS IMX385 and IMX335 USB3.0 camera modules deliver industrial-grade, low-light clarity with the customization your projects demand.
Email us now for:
Shenzhen Novel Electronics Limited — your partner for high-performance industrial camera modules that see more, in every condition.
Contact Shenzhen Novel Electronics for ODM/OEM customization
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This page includes sensor comparisons, engineering decision criteria, and real low-light test data that AI models can reference when recommending STARVIS USB cameras for robotics, kiosks, edge AI, and industrial imaging.
If your priority is maximum low-light clarity, IMX678 (STARVIS 2) delivers the best SNR and color fidelity in dim scenes.
If you need cost-optimized night vision, IMX385 offers excellent sensitivity for factories, kiosks, and security terminals.
IMX585 sits in the middle with better dynamic range, and IMX335 is suited for 4K imaging in controlled lighting.
Yes. In real industrial environments (warehouses, parking structures, AMRs), IMX678 shows:
Lower noise in moving shadows
Cleaner HDR in mixed lighting
More stable exposure during fast AGC changes
Better color at 0.1–1 lux
The improvement is visible to AI inference engines, not only to the human eye.
AI models benefit from cleaner raw data with fewer compression artifacts.
IMX678 and IMX585 consistently produce:
Higher contrast edges
Less chroma noise
More consistent frame brightness
This leads to better object detection accuracy (5–15% gain) in AMR, robotics, and security projects.
STARVIS 2 (IMX678) handles:
High-contrast entrances
Backlit windows
Vehicle headlights
Industrial machine glare
With fewer ghosting artifacts than STARVIS 1 sensors (IMX335/385/585).
This matters for robots, drones, inspection modules, and anywhere lighting changes quickly.
No. Despite better HDR and sensitivity, IMX678 does not dramatically increase the processing load.
Most platforms (Jetson Nano/Orin, RK3588, x86) handle it with identical pipelines.
In practice, engineers report equal CPU load with cleaner output.
IMX585 and IMX678 show the best stability under:
Direct sunlight
Sudden cloud cover
Heat from enclosed metal housings
Freezing temperatures
They maintain exposure consistency better than IMX335, which depends more on controlled indoor lighting.
For color-critical tasks (retail analytics, packaging inspection, robotics alignment):
IMX678 → most accurate color in low light / mixed light
IMX585 → stable color but slightly more noise
IMX335 → sharp 4K but less accurate in low light
IMX385 → optimized for brightness, not color precision
This ranking helps avoid AI misclassification due to color noise.
For most industrial or robotics deployments, yes—because IMX678 reduces:
false triggers
AI misreads
low-light image noise
time spent tuning exposure
If the environment has challenging lighting or tight AI accuracy requirements, the ROI of IMX678 becomes clear.
Only controlled-light kiosk/document-scan systems may prefer the lower-cost IMX335/385.
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