Technical data

Security-Vision-Systems
www.mobotix.com
71
Why Light Sensitivity Is So Important
One of the most important features that determines the quality of a security camera is its light sensitivity. A
high light sensitivity allows for short exposure times, thus reducing motion blurring. This makes it easier to
evaluate security-relevant footage, making details visible without the need for additional, expensive illumination.
6MP Moonlight Technology
The new MOBOTIX 6MP cameras have an outstanding increase of light sensitivity of more
than 100-times than the former 3MP cameras. The monochrome version reaches even a
300-times higher sensitivity than the previous series. Instead of one second of exposure time
the new 6MP systems can select only 1/100 s which results in capturing even fast moving
objects in low light conditions.
In security every single frame of a video recording has to be as sharp as possible. For moving
objects short exposure time is the key. Unfortunately short exposure time of 1/100 s grabs 10-times
less light than 1/10 s. Especially in low light conditions, the lens, the image sensor and the image
processing have to be very sophisticated to generate sharp images of the moving object.
In dark scenes long exposure times of up to one second create bright images and visible
static objects. This is perfect to acknowledge objects in darkness. But if objects are moving,
long exposure times will create blurring, and make verification nearly impossible. In security
applications moving objects are of utmost importance, therefore short exposure times are
essential. Some brands are using a combination of technologies (for example Lightfinder,
HDR, etc.). However, with this adding and overlaying of subsequent frames, small details
could be suppressed, which is not acceptable in security applications.
This huge increase in light sensitivity was achieved by several means: wider sensor with bigger
pixels, hardware noise reduction, new sophisticated lens with better light transmission, and
an improved image processing reducing noise of low light images. This is called the new
MOBOTIX Moonlight Technology because it enables the camera to generate color video of
moving objects even in low light scenarios like moonlight.
3MP color sensor
0.5 lux
5MP color sensor
0.5 lux
6MP color sensor
0.5 lux
6MP B&W sensor
0.5 lux