U3CMOS Series

Product Introduction

The U3CMOS series represents C-mount USB3.0 CMOS cameras featuring Aptina (onsemi) high-sensitivity, low-noise image sensors designed for laboratory research and industrial inspection applications. Through 5 Gbit/s USB3.0 high-speed links, these cameras achieve high frame rate and stable image/video output. Resolution coverage spans 3.1–18 MP with aluminum alloy CNC precision construction for durability and long-term deployment capability.

The built-in Ultra-Fine color processing engine completes demosaicing, auto exposure/gain, one-touch white balance, and color/gamma/contrast processing within the camera, delivering more natural color presentation while reducing host CPU utilization. Products include ToupView/ToupLite software and cross-platform SDK support (Windows/Linux/macOS/Android) for seamless system integration and secondary development.

Product Features

  • Sensors: Aptina (onsemi) high-performance CMOS (depending on model) with high sensitivity and low noise
  • Interface: USB3.0 high-speed transmission (5 Gbit/s) for stable real-time preview and acquisition
  • Resolution: 3.1–18 MP (depending on model) meeting microscopy and industrial general imaging requirements
  • Ultra-Fine color engine: Demosaic, AE/AGC, AWB, one-touch white balance, color/gamma/brightness/contrast, LUT
  • Bit depth and data: Support for 8/12-bit (depending on model) with RAW/Bayer output capability
  • Image functions: Arbitrary ROI/windowing, mirror flip (depending on model)
  • Construction: Aluminum alloy CNC integrated housing with excellent heat dissipation and anti-interference performance
  • Software and ecosystem: Bundled ToupView/ToupLite with Windows/Linux/macOS/Android SDK (compatible with DirectShow/TWAIN)

Product Models

Select the U3CMOS Series that fits your application requirements

Product Model Effective Pixels Sensor Size Shutter Type Frame Rate (FPS) Sensor Type Data Interface Color Actions
U3CMOS18000KPA 18M (4912×3684)
6.14 mm × 4.61 mm 1/2.3"
Rolling Shutter
5.6 fps@4912×3684 18.1 fps@2456×1842 32.2 fps@1228×922
AR1820 (C) USB3.0 Color View Details
U3CMOS16000KPA 16M (4632×3488)
6.18 mm × 4.66 mm 1/2.33"
Rolling Shutter
6.0 fps@4632×3488 15.0 fps@2320×1740 26.0 fps@1536×1160
MN34120 (C) USB3.0 Color View Details
U3CMOS16000KPB 16M (4648×3506)
17.60 mm × 13.30 mm 4/3"
Rolling Shutter
6.0 fps@4648×3506 15.0 fps@2304×1750 30.0 fps@1536×1168
MN34230PLJ (C) USB3.0 Color View Details
U3CMOS16000KMB 16M (4640×3506)
17.60 mm × 13.30 mm 4/3"
Rolling Shutter
22 fps@4640×3506 36 fps@3840×2160 43 fps@2304×1750 43 fps@1920×1080 49 fps@1536×1168
MN34230ALJ (M) USB3.0 Monochrome View Details
U3CMOS14000KPA 14M (4096×3286)
5.73 mm × 4.60 mm 1/2.3"
Rolling Shutter
6.2 fps@4096×3286 20.8 fps@2048×1644 53.3 fps@1024×822
MT9F002 (C) USB3.0 Color View Details
U3CMOS12000KPA 12M (3840×3040)
5.95 mm × 4.71 mm 1/2.1"
Rolling Shutter
8.5 fps@3840×3040 49 fps@1920×1516 137 fps@960×758
IMX577 (C) USB3.0 Color View Details
U3CMOS10000KPA 10M (3664×2748)
5.68 mm × 4.26 mm 1/2.3"
Rolling Shutter
8.5 fps@3664×2748 49 fps@1832×1374 137 fps@912×686
IMX577 (C) USB3.0 Color View Details
U3CMOS10000KMA 10M (3584×2746)
5.98 mm × 4.58 mm 1/2.3"
Rolling Shutter
7.2 fps@3584×2746 24.5 fps@1792×1372
MT9J003 (M) USB3.0 Monochrome View Details
U3CMOS08500KPA 8.5M (3328×2548)
5.16 mm × 3.95 mm 1/2.4"
Rolling Shutter
10 fps@3328×2548 56 fps@1664×1272
Special (C) USB3.0 Color View Details
U3CMOS05100KPA 5.1M (2592×1944)
5.70 mm × 4.28 mm 1/2.5"
Rolling Shutter
15.5 fps@2592×1944 49.5 fps@1296×972 97.5 fps@648×486
AR0521 (C) USB3.0 Color View Details
U3CMOS04100KPA 4.1M (2688×1536)
7.795 mm × 4.408 mm 1/1.8"
Rolling Shutter
20 fps@2688×1536 30 fps@2048×1536 40 fps@1536×1536 100 fps@1344×768
IMX347 (C) USB3.0 Color View Details
U3CMOS03100KPA 3.1M (2048×1534)
4.51 mm × 3.38 mm 1/3"
Rolling Shutter
27.3 fps@2048×1534 53.3 fps@1024×770
AR0330 (C) USB3.0 Color View Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the professional features of U3CMOS series microscopy imaging cameras

The U3CMOS series is a high-speed USB 3.0 microscopy digital camera launched by Tucsen, featuring Aptina/Sony back-illuminated CMOS sensors with integrated Ultra-Fine color processing engine. Resolution coverage ranges from 3.1 to 18 megapixels, achieving "plug-and-play" high-speed data transmission and smooth real-time preview while maintaining research-grade imaging quality.

  • USB 3.0 High-Speed Interface: 5 Gbps bandwidth, 18 MP still achieves >20 fps real-time frame rate
  • Full-Frame High-Speed Imaging: 16 MP @ 22 fps, 4K resolution @ 36 fps
  • High-Speed ROI Mode: Local regions can reach >49 fps
  • Large Buffer Design: Ensures stable data transmission without frame drops

Hardware-level color correction with 3A algorithms (Auto Exposure/Auto White Balance/Auto Gain Control) ensures stable, realistic microscopy images under different light sources. Compared to software processing, color consistency and contrast are significantly improved without post-processing adjustments.

Widely used in life sciences for live cell observation and histopathology; industrial inspection for PCB solder joints and semiconductor defect analysis; research and education for high-resolution image recording; and digital archiving of ancient books and cultural artifacts.

High Speed and High Resolution Combined: Maintains >20 fps at 16 MP for real-time observation.

Plug-and-Play: Ready-to-use ToupView software with measurement, annotation, and fluorescence pseudo-color functions.

High Cost-Performance: Provides research-grade image quality at more competitive costs.

In-Depth Product Introduction

USB 3.0 SuperSpeed High-Speed Transfer

Uses USB 3.0 interface technology providing 5 Gbps ultra-high bandwidth, a 10× improvement in transfer speed compared to USB 2.0. Even at 18 megapixel full resolution, maintains smooth preview above 20 fps. Large buffer design ensures stable data transmission, completely eliminating stuttering and frame drop phenomena.

Aptina/Sony Back-Illuminated Sensors

Features carefully selected Aptina MN34/AR series and Sony back-illuminated CMOS chips with 3.8 µm large pixel design balancing high sensitivity and low dark current. Back-illuminated structure improves quantum efficiency to over 70%, wide dynamic range ensures both bright and dark details are clearly presented, particularly suitable for demanding microscopy imaging requirements.

Ultra-Fine Intelligent Color Processing

Proprietary Ultra-Fine color engine integrates hardware-level color correction with 3A algorithms (Auto Exposure AE/Auto White Balance AWB/Auto Gain Control AGC). Real-time optimization of image contrast, saturation, and color accuracy ensures consistent imaging effects under different light sources including LED and halogen lamps.

Flexible ROI and Binning Functions

Supports arbitrary Region of Interest (ROI) selection for free image cropping to achieve higher frame rates. Provides 2×2/3×3/4×4 hardware pixel binning to improve sensitivity and frame rates while maintaining large field of view. 8-bit/12-bit depth dynamic switching meets different application dynamic range requirements.

Robust and Reliable Integrated Design

Features aerospace-grade aluminum alloy CNC one-piece molded housing combined with optimized heat dissipation fins for fanless passive cooling. Zero mechanical vibration design ensures long-term stable imaging, particularly suitable for microscopy observation. Comprehensive cross-platform SDK supports Windows/Linux/macOS, providing multiple interfaces including C/C++, C#, and DirectShow for easy system integration.

Applications

U3CMOS series applications across various microscopy imaging fields

U3CMOS Series Core Advantages

USB 3.0 High Speed

5 Gbps bandwidth, 20+ fps real-time preview

Back-Illuminated CMOS

Aptina/Sony high-quality sensors

Ultra-Fine Engine

Hardware-level color optimization

Flexible ROI

Arbitrary regions + pixel binning

Multiple Resolutions

3.1 - 18 megapixel options

Metal Housing

Aluminum alloy CNC one-piece molding

Complete SDK

Multi-platform multi-language support

High Cost-Performance

Research-grade quality economical choice