What type of cable is used to connect cameras? (Source: STC Cable)
Industry: Consumer Electronics
What type of cable is used to connect cameras? The type of cable used to connect industrial cameras depends on the interface standard the camera supports. Here are the most common camera connection cables in machine vision and industrial imaging.
Hong Kong, China (PRUnderground) July 2nd, 2025
What type of cable is used to connect cameras?
The type of cable used to connect industrial cameras depends on the interface standard the camera supports. Here are the most common camera connection cables in machine vision and industrial imaging:
Purpose: High-speed data transfer for industrial cameras.
Connector: MDR-26 (26-pin Micro-D) or HD-26 (High-Density 26-pin).
Cable Type: Shielded twisted-pair (STP) with LVDS signaling.
Max Speed: Up to 6.8 Gbps (Full configuration).
Max Length: Typically 10m (longer with repeaters).
Used For: Machine vision, high-speed imaging, medical cameras.
2. CoaXPress (CXP) Cable
Purpose: Ultra-high-speed imaging over coaxial cables.
Connector: BNC or Mini-BNC.
Cable Type: Coaxial (75Ω impedance).
Max Speed: Up to 12.5 Gbps per lane (CXP-12).
Max Length: 40m+ (depends on speed).
Used For: High-resolution, multi-camera systems (e.g., semiconductor inspection).
3. GigE Vision (Ethernet) Cable
Purpose: Long-distance, cost-effective camera connection.
Connector: RJ45 (standard Ethernet).
Cable Type: Cat5e/Cat6/Cat6a (shielded for industrial use).
Max Speed: 1 Gbps (GigE) / 10 Gbps (10GigE).
Max Length: 100m (with standard Ethernet).
Used For: General machine vision, surveillance, multi-camera setups.
4. USB3 Vision Cable
Purpose: Plug-and-play camera connection (common in labs & light industrial).
Connector: USB Type-B (common) or USB-C (newer models).
Cable Type: Shielded USB 3.0/3.1/3.2 (SuperSpeed).
Max Speed: 5 Gbps (USB3) / 10 Gbps (USB3.1 Gen 2).
Max Length: 3-5m (active cables can extend further).
Used For: Entry-level machine vision, microscopy, R&D.
5. SDI Cable (for Broadcast & High-Speed Video)
Purpose: Real-time video streaming (broadcast, sports, etc.).
Connector: BNC.
Cable Type: 75Ω coaxial (RG-6 or better).
Max Speed: Up to 12 Gbps (6G/12G-SDI).
Max Length: 100m+ (with fiber extenders).
Used For: High-speed video capture, live broadcasting.
6. Power-over-Coax (PoC) & Hybrid Cables
Purpose: Combines power + data in one cable (e.g., for drones, robotics).
Examples:
Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) – Used with GigE cameras.
CoaXPress with Power (PoCXP) – Delivers power over coaxial lines.
Comparison Table: Camera Cable Types
| Interface | Connector | Max Speed | Max Length | Best For |
| CameraLink | MDR-26/HD-26 | 6.8 Gbps | 10m | High-speed industrial imaging |
| CoaXPress | BNC | 12.5 Gbps/lane | 40m+ | Ultra-high-res inspection |
| GigE Vision | RJ45 | 1-10 Gbps | 100m | Multi-camera, long-distance |
| USB3 Vision | USB-B/C | 5-10 Gbps | 5m | Lab/light industrial |
| SDI | BNC | 12 Gbps | 100m+ | Broadcast, high-speed video |
How to Choose the Right Cable?
- Check your camera’s interface (CameraLink, CoaXPress, GigE, etc.).
- Consider speed & distance requirements.
- Industrial environment? Use shielded, ruggedized cables.
- Need power delivery? Look for PoE/PoC options.
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