The Goobuy 4K IMX678 USB Camera Module integrates Sony’s STARVIS 2 8.29 MP 1/1.8″ sensor, delivering true 4K resolution, HDR performance and plug-and-play USB 2.0 UVC interface. Built for machine vision, robotics, automation and embedded devices, the ultra-compact board enables rapid deployment in inspection systems, SLAM robots, kiosks and AI edge platforms

 

Product Overview

The IMX678 STARVIS 2 USB Camera Module is designed for advanced embedded vision systems requiring 4K Ultra HD imaging, excellent low-light sensitivity, and wide dynamic range. Built on Sony’s STARVIS 2 1/1.8” CMOS sensor (2.0 µm pixel), it delivers superior starlight performance while keeping bandwidth optimized with UVC-compliant USB output.

With a 38×38 mm PCB and M12 lens mount, the module integrates easily into drones, robots, and industrial monitoring devices. It is ideal for real-time 4K video streaming, machine vision applications, and 24/7 surveillance of energy facilities.

 

Why Choose the Goobuy 4K IMX678 USB Camera Module?

✔ Ultra-compact + 4K resolution: Power meets miniaturization.
✔ Unmatched low-light imaging with Sony STARVIS 2 technology.
✔ Flexible customization: lens, FOV, interface, cable length.
✔ Industrial-grade reliability: tested for continuous 24/7 operation.
✔ Seamless integration with robotics, smart devices, and industrial PCs.
• Sony STARVIS 2 8.29 MP sensor capturing 3840×2160 at 30fps with exceptional image clarity
• Dual-exposure HDR captures wide dynamic range without motion artifacts
• USB 2.0 UVC interface – driver-free compatibility with Windows, Linux, NVIDIA Jetson and Raspberry Pi
• Ultra-compact board design for embedded integration and space-constrained systems
• M12 lens mount with multiple field-of-view options and low-distortion calibration support
• Ideal for robotics navigation, quality inspection, kiosks, telepresence and smart automation
• Full OEM/ODM customization support (lens, cable length, connector, housing, firmware)

 

Key Highlights of NOVEL imx678 usb camera

• True 4K Ultra HD
  3840×2160 @ 30fps (MJPEG) with multiple resolution options (1080p, 720p, VGA).
  Supports MJPEG / YUV2 formats for seamless integration.
• Sony STARVIS 2 Sensor Advantage
  1/1.8” sensor with 2.0μm pixels.
  Outstanding low-light sensitivity (0.5Lux) and 72dB wide dynamic range, ensuring clear images even in challenging lighting conditions.
• Flexible Optical Design
  Standard 118° wide-angle lens (customizable).
  M12*P0.5 mount for lens flexibility across industrial and robotics use cases.
  High clarity: 600 LW/PH center resolution with minimal distortion.
• Plug & Play USB2.0 Interface
  UVC compliant, compatible with Windows / Linux / Embedded platforms.
  High-speed, stable transmission – ready for robotics, AMR, industrial PCs, and embedded systems.
• Smart Image Control
  Automatic Exposure (AEC), Auto White Balance (AWB), Auto Gain Control (AGC).
  Customizable parameters: brightness, contrast, saturation, sharpness, white balance, backlight compensation, exposure.

 

"Upgrade Path: Why Switch to IMX678?" 

Feature	IMX415 (Old 4K)	Goobuy IMX678 (New 4K)	Benefit for Edge AI
Tech Gen	STARVIS 1	STARVIS 2	Better Low Light
Pixel Size	1.45μm (Small)	2.0μm (Large)	Higher SNR / Less Noise
HDR	DOL-HDR (Ghosting)	SE-HDR (No Ghosting)	Clear Moving Objects
Sensor Size	1/2.8"	1/1.8" (Big)	More Light Intake

Technical Specifications

Transparency is key to a successful engineering partnership. Here are the detailed specifications for our standard module.

Category	Specification
Sensor	Sony IMX678 (1/1.8")
Max. Resolution	3840(H) x 2160(V)
Interface	USB 2.0 High Speed
Output Format	MJPEG / YUV2 (YUYV)
Frame Rate (MJPEG)	3840x2160 @ 30fps, 1920x1080 @ 60fps, 1280x720 @ 60fps
Frame Rate (YUV)	3840x2160 @ 1fps, 1920x1080 @ 5fps, 640x480 @ 30fps
Min. Illumination	0.5 Lux
Dynamic Range	72dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio	30dB
Focus	Fixed
Lens	F2.0 Aperture / 3.05mm Focal Length / 118° D-FOV
OS Support	Windows, Linux, macOS, Android (UVC Compliant)
Adjustable Controls	Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness, White Balance, Exposure, etc.

Integration & Compatibility

• Fully UVC compliant – no drivers required
• Compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, Android
• Works with NVIDIA Jetson Orin/Xavier, Raspberry Pi 5/4, x86 IPCs
• Supports OpenCV, GStreamer, and V4L2 frameworks

 

What problems goobuy imx678 starvis2 usb camera can settle for you well?

This camera module is engineered to be a versatile problem-solver, specifically for industrial and commercial applications where deploying high-resolution imaging has traditionally been limited by cost, system compatibility, or environmental challenges.

Here are the key problems it solves and the demands it meets:

1. Problem: Missed Details in Quality Control & Documentation

Lower-resolution cameras (like 1080p) fail to capture microscopic defects, fine print, or critical component details, leading to inaccurate inspections and poor-quality records.

• Solution: True 4K Resolution for Forensic Detail. With its 3840x2160 resolution, this module captures over 8 million pixels of data. This allows your system to digitally zoom in on specific areas of interest with exceptional clarity, identifying subtle flaws, verifying tiny serial numbers, or creating high-fidelity digital archives of documents and products that are simply impossible to achieve with standard HD cameras.

 

2. Demand: A Cost-Effective Upgrade Path for Legacy Systems

Many factories, labs, and commercial facilities run on industrial PCs and embedded systems that only have USB 2.0 ports. Upgrading this host hardware is expensive and often requires a complete system re-validation.

• Solution: Drop-in 4K Capability for Any USB 2.0 Port. This module's primary advantage is its ability to deliver high-resolution 4K video over the universal USB 2.0 interface. This allows you to instantly upgrade the vision capabilities of your existing infrastructure without the need for expensive hardware overhauls, new drivers, or complex integration, saving significant time and capital investment.

 

3. Problem: A "One-Size-Fits-All" Lens Limits Applications

A fixed, built-in lens means a camera is only useful for one specific distance and field of view. Different tasks often require purchasing entirely different cameras.

• Solution: Optical Versatility with an Interchangeable M12 Lens Mount. This module is not limited to a single perspective. The M12 lens mount allows you to adapt the camera to virtually any task:
  • Use a wide-angle lens for general process monitoring or surveillance of a large area.
  • Use a standard lens for mid-range applications like kiosk user interaction.
  • Use a telephoto or macro lens to get highly magnified, close-up views for detailed component inspection on a production line. This flexibility simplifies inventory and allows one module type to serve multiple roles.

 

4. Demand: Reliable Imaging in Challenging, Uncontrolled Lighting

Industrial and commercial environments rarely have perfect lighting. Glare from windows, deep shadows under machinery, and sudden changes in brightness can render standard cameras useless.

• Solution: A Flagship Sensor Foundation for Superior Image Quality. At its core is the Sony IMX678 STARVIS 2 sensor, which provides an exceptional foundation for handling a wide dynamic range and performing in low light. For OEM clients, this means the module has the potential to be custom-tuned by our engineers to deliver outstanding, reliable images even in the most challenging mixed-lighting scenarios, ensuring your application gets usable data, not just a washed-out or black screen.

 

5. Problem: Slow Development Cycles Due to Complex Software Integration

Proprietary drivers and complex software development kits (SDKs) can delay projects by weeks or months, creating a significant drain on engineering resources.

• Solution: Rapid Prototyping with UVC Plug-and-Play Compliance. This module is fully UVC (USB Video Class) compliant. It works out-of-the-box with native drivers in nearly all modern operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. Your engineers can have a stable, high-resolution video stream running in minutes, not weeks, allowing them to dramatically reduce development overhead and focus on building your value-added application software.

 

Typical Application Scenarios & Industries for the IMX678 USB 2.0 Camera Module

This camera module's core strength is its ability to deliver exceptionally detailed 4K resolution over the ubiquitous USB 2.0 interface. The addition of an interchangeable M12 lens mount radically expands its versatility, allowing the Field of View (FOV) to be tailored for specific tasks. It is the ideal choice for applications where image detail, optical flexibility, and broad system compatibility are prioritized over uncompressed, high-speed data transfer.

 

1. AI Vision Industrial Automation & Quality Control

This module is perfectly suited for static or semi-static inspection tasks where fine detail is critical.

• Visual Quality Inspection: The 4K resolution allows for detailed automated or manual inspection of components, PCBs, textiles, and finished goods. It can detect microscopic defects, scratches, or printing errors that lower-resolution cameras would miss.

• Process Monitoring: Monitor a specific station on an assembly line. With a telephoto M12 lens, it can focus on a critical component from a safe distance. With a wide-angle lens, it can oversee the entire work area.

• Meter & Gauge Reading: The high resolution enables Optical Character Recognition (OCR) or manual reading of analog gauges, digital displays, and meters from across a room.

 

2. Digital Imaging & Documentation

The module's high resolution makes it an excellent engine for a variety of digital capture systems.

• High-Resolution Document & ID Scanning: Integrate into kiosks or desktop systems to capture crystal-clear images of documents, passports, and ID cards for archiving or verification. The 4K detail ensures that all text and security features are perfectly legible.

• Digital Microscopy: A highly cost-effective method to upgrade traditional analog microscopes to 4K digital imaging systems. The interchangeable M12 mount allows for direct coupling to microscope eyepieces or C-mount adapters.

• Scientific & Lab Imaging: For applications like sample monitoring, gel electrophoresis documentation, or general lab observation where high-resolution still images or compressed video are sufficient.

 

3. Security, Access Control & Smart Systems with Edge AI vision

While not a high-speed machine vision camera, its sensor and resolution provide significant advantages in security and monitoring.

• High-Clarity Surveillance: Monitor wide areas like lobbies, warehouses, or retail floors. The 4K resolution allows for effective digital zoom during playback to identify faces, objects, or incidents with much greater detail than 1080p cameras.

• Kiosks, ATMs & Vending Machines: The simple plug-and-play UVC over USB 2.0 ensures easy integration. The underlying IMX678 sensor provides reliable performance even with challenging backlighting (e.g., a user standing in front of a bright doorway).

• Biometric Systems: Use for facial recognition or iris scanning at access points. The high resolution captures the intricate details needed for accurate biometric algorithms. The sensor's strong NIR potential can be leveraged for systems using infrared illumination.

 

4. OEM & Custom Product Integration

The combination of a powerful sensor, standard interface, and optical flexibility makes this an ideal building block for new product development.

• Medical Device Imaging (Non-Diagnostic): Can be integrated into dental cameras, skin analyzers, or telemedicine systems where high-resolution visual documentation is required.

• Agricultural Technology (AgriTech): Monitor plant health, germination, or pests in controlled environments. The ability to use a macro M12 lens allows for detailed close-up views.

• Client-Facing Systems: Integrate into high-end video conferencing bars, interactive displays, or product demonstration tools where superior image quality is a key feature.

 

Integration & Platform Compatibility
Operating Systems
• Windows 10/11
• Ubuntu 18.04–22.04
• NVIDIA Jetson OS
• Raspberry Pi OS
• Android (UVC)

Frameworks
• ROS2 (Foxy, Humble)
• OpenCV 4.x
• GStreamer
• TensorFlow Lite
• PyTorch / ONNX Runtime

Hardware Platforms
• NVIDIA Jetson Orin / Xavier NX / Nano
• Raspberry Pi 5 / 4
• x86 Embedded PC
• ARM industrial boards

 

Customer story/case study

A U.S. robotics integrator deployed the IMX678 module in an autonomous warehouse robot fleet. By leveraging its 4K imaging and low-lux sensitivity, they achieved 40% improvement in navigation accuracy during night shifts while keeping CPU usage low thanks to MJPEG compression.

 

FAQ for Engineers & Integrators
Q1. What advantages does the IMX678 module have over lower-resolution USB cameras?
A1. The 8.29 MP 4K resolution provides ultra-fine detail, enabling accurate text, label and defect recognition, while the STARVIS performance ensures strong low-light capability.
 

Q2. Is the USB2.0 interface sufficient for 4K performance?
A2. Yes — the camera outputs compressed UVC MJPG/YUY2 stream optimized for 4K@30fps USB 2.0. It is optimized for embedded systems and requires no USB3.0 bandwidth.
 

Q3. Can Goobuy UCM-678-4K USB Camera module be integrated easily into a robotics SLAM or VIO pipeline?
A3. Absolutely. It supports M12 lens mount and comes with calibration data (intrinsics/distortion) and is ROS2 compatible, making integration with SLAM frameworks streamlined.
 

Q4. What customization options are available for OEM integration?
A4. Shenzhen Novel Electronics limited supports customized lens/focal length, lens mount type, cable/connector configuration, housing modifications, firmware tuning and full integration support for this starvis2 imx678 UCM-678-4K camera .
 

Q5. What environments is this IMX678 USB module UCM-678-4K suited for?
A5. It is designed for embedded and industrial deployment, including factory automation, inspection systems, robotics in warehouse/field, kiosks, telepresence, and smart city applications.

 

Q6: "Is the 1/1.8" sensor compatible with standard M12 lenses?" 
A6: The 1/1.8" format is larger than standard 1/2.7" or 1/3" sensors. You must use large-format M12 lenses to avoid vignetting (dark corners). Goobuy ships this module with a matched 1/1.8" wide-angle lens by default.
 

Q7: "What is the power consumption of Goobuy Imx678 USB Camera module UCM-678-4K?" 
A7: The IMX678 is a high-performance sensor. Our module typically draws 200mA-300mA @ 5V. Ensure your Edge AI box's USB port can supply stable current, especially when using long cables.

 

GStreamer (Linux)

Bash

# Example: GStreamer pipeline to test 4K stream on Linux/Jetson
gst-launch-1.0 v4l2src device=/dev/video0 ! \
  image/jpeg, width=3840, height=2160, framerate=30/1 ! \
  jpegdec ! videoconvert ! xvimagesink

 

Relative technical Articles and application links

1, Goobuy — Professional Micro USB Camera for AI Edge Vision

 

2,  Choosing 2025 Best USB Camera for Edge AI Retail Systems

 

3,  14*14mm 4K Micro USB Camera for AI Edge vision

 

4, Choosing the Right USB Camera for Edge AI in 2026

 

5, Sony IMX678 Starvis 2 HDMI Camera Module Guide

 

6,  STARVIS 2 vs STARVIS 1 – Low-Light & NIR Advancements

 

7,  Sony STARVIS 2020–2027: Evolution & Future Trends