5.0 out of 5 stars High end camera worth it's price

2026-02-26    -Tswoodshop

This is not a simple basic camera module for cam surveillance. This one shines above other cams I've reviewed on here. Like those cheaper ones, this one is plug and play. Simply connect to your laptop, fire up the Windows Camera app and you're instantly in business. Unlike them, this one can be manually focused to get sharp detailed pics. See the two pics I took using it. But more important to me than a fixed focus is the f-stop that can be adjusted from f1.2 to f16. What this does for you is the ability to take pics in a darker environment than most cheaper cams. This is a solid relatively heavy well built plug and play USB cam that rivals those that are way more expensive. The relatively huge 8MP really show the detail you may need depending on the application. Definitely a five star item.

5.0 out of 5 stars UVC SONY STARVIS 2 IMX585 = Excellent low light C-mount multipurpose camera.

2026-01-17    -350ZMO

The media could not be loaded. UVC USB3 Sony STARVIS 2 IMX585 8MP Ultra Low Light Arducam model# B0498Purchased on 26 Sep 2024 for $229.99 from seller UCTRONICS (Arducam).TLDR: Best C-mount camera I own! I know it is expensive, but consider skipping the others. Not for Android, but it works splendidly on Windows 11. Use USB 3. The USB 2 functionality is pathetic. Yes this camera is great as a low light webcam, but it is also capable of a whole lot more. Note, this camera does not have automatic focus nor a microphone.This camera uses the Sony STARVIS 2 IMX585-AAQJ1 (Color) sensor:1/1.2 Format, 12.84mm Diagonal, 3840(H) x 2160(V) 2.9um x 2.9um pixels, 12 bit dynamic range (HDR)STARVIS and STARVIS 2 use back illumination technology (you have to turn it on in the UVC filter dialog as backlight compensation) giving outstanding low light performance.The software I used includes:AMCAP (can’t record with backlight compensation – resets on start capture).Microsoft Windows 11 Camera App (can’t record video at 3860x2160 & can’t use backlight compensation).POTPLAYER (no limitations).OBS Studio (no limitations – set resolution through custom properties interface not crossbar pin).The camera comes with a very good 16mm F/1.4 prime lens that UCTRONICS (Arducam) sells separately. This lens will accommodate 37mm filters and lens caps. Note, the included lens is NOT F/1.2 it is in fact F/1.4. Kudos to Arducam for including their lens.I also used these lenses for this review:50mm Nikkor F/1.4 Pre-AI Manual Focus (via F-mount to C-mount adapter).900mm Jintu F/8.0 Manual Focus Mirror (via T-mount to C-mount adapter).Orion 130 Space Probe (the old one with spherical mirror and FL=900mm F/6.9) via C-mount to 1.25” tube adapter.8X-100X 43Mm-150Mm C-Mount Zoom Glass Lens for Industry Lab Microscope.Given the large format sensor, try to stick to large format lenses eg 1”, 1/1.1”, 1/1.2”. Smaller formats eg 2/3, 1/2 and etc may not illuminate the entire sensor and may result in vignetting. I will say however, the microscope lens works fine. I will also suggest that older all manual lenses made for 35mm film camera frames (Nikon, Canon etc) work well with the appropriate C-mount adapter.Universal serial bus (USB) Video device Class (UVC) is a camera standard that is supposed to allow compatibility across multiple platforms without the need for special software or drivers. Most of the time this is true. I confirm this IMX585 camera from Arducam works with Windows 11 64bit. However it does not work with Android.I have other CS and C mount cameras (2MP) that work just fine on Android but not this one. I have other USB cameras for microscopy and astronomy (2MP IMX662) that have special features (many seconds long shutter speeds) but are not UVC compliant and do require special software and drivers which also do not work on Android.It is desirable to have a lightweight portable system that can easily record videos from USB cameras with changeable lenses and filters in the field. While built in cameras on phones have improved, they do not have the photon gathering ability of stand-alone cameras with changeable lenses (big objective lens) needed for low light videography whether it is vlogging, DIY instructional, nature or astronomy.This cameras output is 16bit YUY2 and at either 3840x2160@15fps (8.3MP) or 1920x1080@60fps requires a solid USB 3 connection for the required bandwidth. I find it interesting that while the sensor output is 12 bit, the camera output is 16bit as shown in the screen captures with Potplayer using its Playback/System Info dialog. I presume this is evidence of the Arducam ISP.Connecting this camera to USB 2 does work, but the resolution is diminished to 1280x720 at a measly 10fps. On USB3 1280x720 is available at 30, 60, and 90fps. Consequently, I only use USB3 with this camera.Backlight compensation is selectable in the UVC filter configuration dialogue in Potplayer, OBS Studio, and AMCAP. This makes a huge increase in low light videography.UCTRONICS(Arducam) confirmed 2x2 binning is being implemented at 1920x1080 by default. 60fps looks dim in comparison to other frame rates, enable backlight compensation for decent low light 1920x1080@60fps videos. The faster the frame rate, the dimmer the image – less time for each pixel to collect photons and convert them into an electrical signal. Turning on backlight compensation and adding 2x2 binning compensates somewhat for this reduced photon gathering time.The housing for this camera is smaller than my other C or CS mount cameras coming in at essentially 38mm cubed. The housing is CS-mount which allows the use of CS-mount lenses directly and C-mount lenses with a 5mm adapter. This camera comes with that 5mm adapter. There is a tiny Philips screw that locks the 5mm adapter ring in place, but I must confess to having to put the box in a leather jaw lined vise and using channel locks to break the adapter ring free. The bottom foot is threaded 1/4 inch by 20 threads per inch (1/4”-20) female for use on standard tripods and is removable with four tiny screws and adds about 10 mm to the box height. Without the protrusions on the front for the lens mount and on the back for the USB-C connection, the box is 27mm thick. I love this box. Kudos to Arducam for using a CS mount box and including the 5mm adapter ring.Out of the box, this camera would only work in the maximum resolution 3840x2160@15fps. It required firmware and a firmware update tool for the other resolutions and frame rates to function. Kudos to UCTRONICS (Arducam) for making that happen. We had to go outside Amazon mail due to Amazon messaging limitations and had to use Google Drive as Gmail blocks a bunch of file types since 2017. Excellent product support! So if you buy one of these and you have the problem of just the one resolution and frame rate, message UCTRONICS (Arducam) and get the firmware and update tool.For a lightweight, portable, easy to setup and use, inexpensive rig for “lets just look at the moon tonight”, the combination of this IMX585+Beelink+221V8LB+whatever optic works pretty good. Note, with a C mount to 1.25” (or 2”) adapter tube, this camera can be used with any telescope. However, long exposures (sub zero frame rates) are not available, for those look for astronomy specific products and software from other manufacturers and say goodbye to UVC. However, I plan on experimenting with image stacking in the future.For ultra low light wow, the main review video demonstrates a dark room (can’t see with mark 1 eyeball) and the backlight compensation feature. The outdoor videos demonstrating the various resolutions were taken just before sunrise (not bright yet) with a light haze and demonstrate the low light dynamic range without backlight compensation.All pics/videos uploaded with this review except the NIR video were made with the built-into the camera filter intact. Notes: I do not know what the separate sensor cover is made from. The NIR video was made with the included 16mm lens which also has an IR cut filter built-in.After all was done and before the NIR video, I removed the built in camera filter as it was glued to the inside of the box cover where the lens screw in (16x19.97mm window). Now I did break it getting it out but that’s ok for my purposes. So kudos to Arducam for making the built-in filter separate from the sensor cover and…at least removable. I replaced the filter with a BK7 window - a borosilicate microscope slide cover cut to size and glued in. Tools and materials needed shown in included pic, all from right here on Amazon. Scribe the slide cover with minimal pressure, snap with minimal pressure. Scribe on a microscope slide and use another slide as a straight edge. Tiny glue drops in corners after window is laid in box cover. Note: The IMX585 is also IR enhanced. For normal indoor and outdoor use, I use this filter on the included 16mm lens: ICE 37mm UV IR Cut Filter Optical Glass Multi-Coated MC 37 with this lens cap: K&F Concept 37mm Lens Cap Cover both right here on Amazon.I took image captures with potplayer with the lens cap on to inspect for fixed pixels. At 3840x2160, there is one stuck pixel in the upper right corner area with backlighting off. With backlighting on, a few more show up. And there is a difference at 1920x1080 where they are not as noticeable. This may be evidence of 2x2 binning or just an artifact of the Arducam ISP, I’m not sure.Now with all that said, this is a great camera for a wide range of applications and beats all the other lipstick, USB, IP, C/CS mount cameras I own (except the astronomy specific cams). With the right optics, this can be used for multiple purposes. Out of the box, this makes an excellent “webcam” or general purpose low light USB camera. There may be others that are better, but if there is, I don’t know what they are. Just keep in mind, this is entirely manual focus land and there is no built in microphone.Other gear used in this review: I used a Nikon D3300 for looking at this Arducam IMX585 camera and its setup. For the microscope lens video of the Amscope pine leaf prepared slide, I used a ZEERSHEE LED Light Base. The motorized camera mount I use is the YT-1500. For my lightweight computer field rig I use the Beelink S12 Pro N100 16G+500G with Philips 221V8LB monitor. All except the Nikon and Orion from here on Amazon.Edit (21 Feb 2025): This is NOT a "junk" camera. This is a very GOOD camera. If you are stuck on 1280x720 then you are using USB2.0. This camera needs USB3.0 and the correct sofware.Sony STARVIS II backlight compensation does introduce a small amount of noise but the tradeoff is EXCEPTIONAL low light ability i.e. the ability to record videos and actually see things in lower light than any other sensor. Furthermore, you have to enable the backlight so you can record without it default.It's mid IR performance is also exceptional. Far superior to any camera including the more than a dozen IR-illuminated outdoor security cameras I currently have in service. None of those cameras can detect the heating of wires in my APV. This one can. Previous to this camera, I had to use a modified Sony B/W lipstick cam and it was barely able to see the heating wires. This camera does it with ease and I do mean ease.If you are going to write a review, please name the camera you have that is better than this one in passive low light and mid IR for less than $250 so I can get one for myself.

Excellent Low Light Camera

2025-12-28    -Oliver Westby

First impressions are that this works well in all resolutions / frame rates with Windows using Pot Player, but struggles with resolutions above 5 fps (and sometimes even then) when connected to Android (Google Pixel 8 Pro) - Streaming at highest resolution works but image freezes after 5 seconds or so - Setup works with other UVC cameras, so possibly a power consumption issue and may need to try with a powered USB hub, but this somewhat defeats the point of using a phone to record from this camera away from power sources.Low light ability is excellent despite the built in IR filter which I plan to remove - As it is, it is comparable (maybe even better than) to Sionyx Aurora night vision camera, with a much better resolution.Other than the frustration of the feed freezing on the phone, overall very impressed by this camera.

5.0 out of 5 stars UVC SONY STARVIS 2 IMX585 = Excellent low light C-mount multipurpose camera.

2025-12-24    -350ZMO

The media could not be loaded. UVC USB3 Sony STARVIS 2 IMX585 8MP Ultra Low Light Arducam model# B0498Purchased on 26 Sep 2024 for $229.99 from seller UCTRONICS (Arducam).TLDR: Best C-mount camera I own! I know it is expensive, but consider skipping the others. Not for Android, but it works splendidly on Windows 11. Use USB 3. The USB 2 functionality is pathetic. Yes this camera is great as a low light webcam, but it is also capable of a whole lot more. Note, this camera does not have automatic focus nor a microphone.This camera uses the Sony STARVIS 2 IMX585-AAQJ1 (Color) sensor:1/1.2 Format, 12.84mm Diagonal, 3840(H) x 2160(V) 2.9um x 2.9um pixels, 12 bit dynamic range (HDR)STARVIS and STARVIS 2 use back illumination technology (you have to turn it on in the UVC filter dialog as backlight compensation) giving outstanding low light performance.The software I used includes:AMCAP (can’t record with backlight compensation – resets on start capture).Microsoft Windows 11 Camera App (can’t record video at 3860x2160 & can’t use backlight compensation).POTPLAYER (no limitations).OBS Studio (no limitations – set resolution through custom properties interface not crossbar pin).The camera comes with a very good 16mm F/1.4 prime lens that UCTRONICS (Arducam) sells separately. This lens will accommodate 37mm filters and lens caps. Note, the included lens is NOT F/1.2 it is in fact F/1.4. Kudos to Arducam for including their lens.I also used these lenses for this review:50mm Nikkor F/1.4 Pre-AI Manual Focus (via F-mount to C-mount adapter).900mm Jintu F/8.0 Manual Focus Mirror (via T-mount to C-mount adapter).Orion 130 Space Probe (the old one with spherical mirror and FL=900mm F/6.9) via C-mount to 1.25” tube adapter.8X-100X 43Mm-150Mm C-Mount Zoom Glass Lens for Industry Lab Microscope.Given the large format sensor, try to stick to large format lenses eg 1”, 1/1.1”, 1/1.2”. Smaller formats eg 2/3, 1/2 and etc may not illuminate the entire sensor and may result in vignetting. I will say however, the microscope lens works fine. I will also suggest that older all manual lenses made for 35mm film camera frames (Nikon, Canon etc) work well with the appropriate C-mount adapter.Universal serial bus (USB) Video device Class (UVC) is a camera standard that is supposed to allow compatibility across multiple platforms without the need for special software or drivers. Most of the time this is true. I confirm this IMX585 camera from Arducam works with Windows 11 64bit. However it does not work with Android.I have other CS and C mount cameras (2MP) that work just fine on Android but not this one. I have other USB cameras for microscopy and astronomy (2MP IMX662) that have special features (many seconds long shutter speeds) but are not UVC compliant and do require special software and drivers which also do not work on Android.It is desirable to have a lightweight portable system that can easily record videos from USB cameras with changeable lenses and filters in the field. While built in cameras on phones have improved, they do not have the photon gathering ability of stand-alone cameras with changeable lenses (big objective lens) needed for low light videography whether it is vlogging, DIY instructional, nature or astronomy.This cameras output is 16bit YUY2 and at either 3840x2160@15fps (8.3MP) or 1920x1080@60fps requires a solid USB 3 connection for the required bandwidth. I find it interesting that while the sensor output is 12 bit, the camera output is 16bit as shown in the screen captures with Potplayer using its Playback/System Info dialog. I presume this is evidence of the Arducam ISP.Connecting this camera to USB 2 does work, but the resolution is diminished to 1280x720 at a measly 10fps. On USB3 1280x720 is available at 30, 60, and 90fps. Consequently, I only use USB3 with this camera.Backlight compensation is selectable in the UVC filter configuration dialogue in Potplayer, OBS Studio, and AMCAP. This makes a huge increase in low light videography.UCTRONICS(Arducam) confirmed 2x2 binning is being implemented at 1920x1080 by default. 60fps looks dim in comparison to other frame rates, enable backlight compensation for decent low light 1920x1080@60fps videos. The faster the frame rate, the dimmer the image – less time for each pixel to collect photons and convert them into an electrical signal. Turning on backlight compensation and adding 2x2 binning compensates somewhat for this reduced photon gathering time.The housing for this camera is smaller than my other C or CS mount cameras coming in at essentially 38mm cubed. The housing is CS-mount which allows the use of CS-mount lenses directly and C-mount lenses with a 5mm adapter. This camera comes with that 5mm adapter. There is a tiny Philips screw that locks the 5mm adapter ring in place, but I must confess to having to put the box in a leather jaw lined vise and using channel locks to break the adapter ring free. The bottom foot is threaded 1/4 inch by 20 threads per inch (1/4”-20) female for use on standard tripods and is removable with four tiny screws and adds about 10 mm to the box height. Without the protrusions on the front for the lens mount and on the back for the USB-C connection, the box is 27mm thick. I love this box. Kudos to Arducam for using a CS mount box and including the 5mm adapter ring.Out of the box, this camera would only work in the maximum resolution 3840x2160@15fps. It required firmware and a firmware update tool for the other resolutions and frame rates to function. Kudos to UCTRONICS (Arducam) for making that happen. We had to go outside Amazon mail due to Amazon messaging limitations and had to use Google Drive as Gmail blocks a bunch of file types since 2017. Excellent product support! So if you buy one of these and you have the problem of just the one resolution and frame rate, message UCTRONICS (Arducam) and get the firmware and update tool.For a lightweight, portable, easy to setup and use, inexpensive rig for “lets just look at the moon tonight”, the combination of this IMX585+Beelink+221V8LB+whatever optic works pretty good. Note, with a C mount to 1.25” (or 2”) adapter tube, this camera can be used with any telescope. However, long exposures (sub zero frame rates) are not available, for those look for astronomy specific products and software from other manufacturers and say goodbye to UVC. However, I plan on experimenting with image stacking in the future.For ultra low light wow, the main review video demonstrates a dark room (can’t see with mark 1 eyeball) and the backlight compensation feature. The outdoor videos demonstrating the various resolutions were taken just before sunrise (not bright yet) with a light haze and demonstrate the low light dynamic range without backlight compensation.All pics/videos uploaded with this review except the NIR video were made with the built-into the camera filter intact. Notes: I do not know what the separate sensor cover is made from. The NIR video was made with the included 16mm lens which also has an IR cut filter built-in.After all was done and before the NIR video, I removed the built in camera filter as it was glued to the inside of the box cover where the lens screw in (16x19.97mm window). Now I did break it getting it out but that’s ok for my purposes. So kudos to Arducam for making the built-in filter separate from the sensor cover and…at least removable. I replaced the filter with a BK7 window - a borosilicate microscope slide cover cut to size and glued in. Tools and materials needed shown in included pic, all from right here on Amazon. Scribe the slide cover with minimal pressure, snap with minimal pressure. Scribe on a microscope slide and use another slide as a straight edge. Tiny glue drops in corners after window is laid in box cover. Note: The IMX585 is also IR enhanced. For normal indoor and outdoor use, I use this filter on the included 16mm lens: ICE 37mm UV IR Cut Filter Optical Glass Multi-Coated MC 37 with this lens cap: K&F Concept 37mm Lens Cap Cover both right here on Amazon.I took image captures with potplayer with the lens cap on to inspect for fixed pixels. At 3840x2160, there is one stuck pixel in the upper right corner area with backlighting off. With backlighting on, a few more show up. And there is a difference at 1920x1080 where they are not as noticeable. This may be evidence of 2x2 binning or just an artifact of the Arducam ISP, I’m not sure.Now with all that said, this is a great camera for a wide range of applications and beats all the other lipstick, USB, IP, C/CS mount cameras I own (except the astronomy specific cams). With the right optics, this can be used for multiple purposes. Out of the box, this makes an excellent “webcam” or general purpose low light USB camera. There may be others that are better, but if there is, I don’t know what they are. Just keep in mind, this is entirely manual focus land and there is no built in microphone.Other gear used in this review: I used a Nikon D3300 for looking at this Arducam IMX585 camera and its setup. For the microscope lens video of the Amscope pine leaf prepared slide, I used a ZEERSHEE LED Light Base. The motorized camera mount I use is the YT-1500. For my lightweight computer field rig I use the Beelink S12 Pro N100 16G+500G with Philips 221V8LB monitor. All except the Nikon and Orion from here on Amazon.Edit (21 Feb 2025): This is NOT a "junk" camera. This is a very GOOD camera. If you are stuck on 1280x720 then you are using USB2.0. This camera needs USB3.0 and the correct sofware.Sony STARVIS II backlight compensation does introduce a small amount of noise but the tradeoff is EXCEPTIONAL low light ability i.e. the ability to record videos and actually see things in lower light than any other sensor. Furthermore, you have to enable the backlight so you can record without it default.It's mid IR performance is also exceptional. Far superior to any camera including the more than a dozen IR-illuminated outdoor security cameras I currently have in service. None of those cameras can detect the heating of wires in my APV. This one can. Previous to this camera, I had to use a modified Sony B/W lipstick cam and it was barely able to see the heating wires. This camera does it with ease and I do mean ease.If you are going to write a review, please name the camera you have that is better than this one in passive low light and mid IR for less than $250 so I can get one for myself.

Excellent Low Light Camera

2026-02-18    -Oliver Westby

First impressions are that this works well in all resolutions / frame rates with Windows using Pot Player, but struggles with resolutions above 5 fps (and sometimes even then) when connected to Android (Google Pixel 8 Pro) - Streaming at highest resolution works but image freezes after 5 seconds or so - Setup works with other UVC cameras, so possibly a power consumption issue and may need to try with a powered USB hub, but this somewhat defeats the point of using a phone to record from this camera away from power sources.Low light ability is excellent despite the built in IR filter which I plan to remove - As it is, it is comparable (maybe even better than) to Sionyx Aurora night vision camera, with a much better resolution.Other than the frustration of the feed freezing on the phone, overall very impressed by this camera.

2.0 out of 5 stars Very Noisy Camera

2026-02-25    -Frank J.

Very noisy at low light, stuck on 1280x720 junk camera. Looks ok. Couldnt figure out how to contact seller so you can buy it and return it too.

5.0 out of 5 stars High end camera worth it's price

2026-02-19    -Tswoodshop

This is not a simple basic camera module for cam surveillance. This one shines above other cams I've reviewed on here. Like those cheaper ones, this one is plug and play. Simply connect to your laptop, fire up the Windows Camera app and you're instantly in business. Unlike them, this one can be manually focused to get sharp detailed pics. See the two pics I took using it. But more important to me than a fixed focus is the f-stop that can be adjusted from f1.2 to f16. What this does for you is the ability to take pics in a darker environment than most cheaper cams. This is a solid relatively heavy well built plug and play USB cam that rivals those that are way more expensive. The relatively huge 8MP really show the detail you may need depending on the application. Definitely a five star item.

2.0 out of 5 stars Very Noisy Camera

2026-01-07    -Frank J.

Very noisy at low light, stuck on 1280x720 junk camera. Looks ok. Couldnt figure out how to contact seller so you can buy it and return it too.