A combination image of four images: a blue car’s headlight, a light brown leather shoe, blades on an aeroplane engine turbine, and a pile of oranges.

Inspection quality, built in

High-quality products deserve high-quality inspection solutions. For precision and reliability at every stage of production, without the complexity.

Inspection as you’ve never seen it

Quality assurance. Quality control. Testing. Whatever your focus, industry 4.0 is changing manufacturing. With Canon’s unique solutions, all your surface imaging needs are built in, ready for the challenge.

Surface inspection can be challenging. Whether it’s achieving consistency across inconsistent subjects, or overcoming reflections on glossy surfaces. Canon’s combination of dynamic auto-focus lenses, larger sensors, and fast processors can deliver.

Canon’s all-in-one solutions are readily available and easier to scale. All while delivering measurable quality. From resolution (MTF) and signal-to-noise ratios, to distortion and colour accuracy: achieve high-quality imaging in the toughest environments, even low light.

And with Canon’s robust SDK software, get greater control over how you image your subject.

Where do you want inspection quality built in?

See how Canon’s solutions add value across seven key areas. Covering pre-production, during production, pre-shipment, and container loading.
An illustration showing seven stages across a manufacturing production line. Hotspots are on the Analysis and the Testing stages.
An illustration showing seven stages across a manufacturing production line. Hotspots are on the Appraisal and the Identification stages.
An illustration showing seven stages across a manufacturing production line. Hotspots are on the Verification, the Maintenance and the Quality Control stages.

  • Analysis

    Analyse an event or behaviour to understand what’s happening on a macro scale.

  • Testing

    Ensure products continuously meet design and engineering specs and regulations.

  • Appraisal

    Confirm a subject matches the master product, meaning standards are maintained.

  • Identification

    Inspect inconsistent subjects using dynamic autofocus for consistent quality images.

  • Verification

    Match subjects against an imaging database to trigger automated actions.

  • Maintenance

    Ensure machinery remains in the best working order with smart, adaptive features.

  • Quality Control

    Identify imperfections easily across many diverse subjects with high accuracy.

Where Canon inspection has made a real difference

We’ve helped many businesses deliver incredible products across categories and conditions. And while they’ve each had different requirements, the Canon team has always found a solution.

Revealing the very best in raw materials

Challenge: To achieve a consistently clear image when faced with the inconsistency of leather.

Detecting the defects

Challenge: To deliver image quality at speed, while dealing with vibrations along the production line.

Capturing surfaces with clarity

Challenge: To capture high-quality images of glossy car parts that produce disruptive reflections.

Bringing consistency to crops

Challenge: To help farmers monitor the health of their crops, bringing higher-quality produce to local communities.

“How Canon cameras are changing the world of manufacturing inspection.”

Canon cameras are designed to work in extreme conditions. Widely available with bigger sensors and higher resolutions, now’s the time to introduce Canon camera innovation to inspection.

The trinity of technology: the best of imaging quality brought together

The lens. The sensor. The processor. Each element inspired by nature, bringing the beauty of imaging, innovation, and intelligence together.

EF and RF Lenses

Canon’s macro lenses can capture the smallest details. With enhanced synchronicity for clarity and faster transfers.

CMOS Image Sensors

Whichever size sensor you require, capture high-quality images that outperform industrial camera resolution.

DIGIC Processors

Subject detection autofocus, noise reduction. Powerful processing means true-to-life colour and correction are built-in.

The elements behind each Canon inspection solution

Canon has been a pioneer for imaging and manufacturing since 1933, and is committed to producing world-class products. Each widely available from retailers for added flexibility.

EOS R System Cameras and Lenses

The award-winning EOS R System offers the high levels of accuracy and precision you need.

Learn more

Canon’s SDK

Remotely control camera and lens aspects easily, with the most open Software Development Kit (SDK).

Learn more

Birger Canon Lens Controller

Bring the excellence of Canon lenses to your existing industrial cameras with a mount that provides dynamic autofocus and enhanced stabilisation.

Learn more

Inspection FAQs

  • Canon’s new compact APS-C or full-frame professional mirrorless cameras produce a much higher level of image quality. In terms of sensitivity, their higher resolution gives you the ability to capture a larger area without losing essential details. They also deliver faster speed through Canon’s uniquely integrated approach to innovation.

  • In three ways, Canon:

    • Design and manufacture the sensor and processor to work together
    • Integrate every lens to enhance performance
    • Give users the freedom to capture an image whichever way they choose, before using Canon’s SDK to simply transfer the data to a third-party analytics programme.

    • Built-in quality: no need to learn the science of imaging and spend time building/outsourcing parts of an image capture solution
    • Scalability: easier and faster to scale camera or multi-camera inspection solutions
    • Quicker deployment: readily available off-the-shelf solutions, allowing faster implementation
    • Cost simplicity: all-in-one solutions that are easier to manage and predict

  • Depending on the surface inspection challenge you’re facing and the cost/performance parameters you work within, Canon provides a range of solutions - from ‘fully integrated’ to ‘lens-only’. They all offer the best balance of resolution, sensitivity, ruggedness, weight, and automation.

  • Canon’s difference is that their SDK offers this in the most open way:

    • Wired: EDSDK for Windows, Mac, Linux (Raspberry Pi OS), on ARM/Linux (Ubuntu OS), on ARM and Intel. The EDSDK is also provided as ‘C’ library, so it can be integrated with industrial applications.
    • Wireless: CCAPI for various operating systems including but not limited to: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux. Additionally, CCAPI is a Web API that can be accessed using HTTP.

  • Through a combination of unique Canon imaging innovations, such as:

    • Dynamic and memory based autofocus
    • Image stabilisation
    • A range of lenses that can handle a variety of working distances
    All are housed within robust weather- and dust-sealed form factors, proven to withstand nature’s harshest conditions.

  • Canon Professional Services act as your imaging specialists, offering their expertise so that you can focus on the business of production.

    Partnering with Canon is as simple and reliable as the quality of their inspection solutions, thanks to their:

    • Test-before-you-purchase loan kit
    • Global support
    • Product availability

  • No problem. With the new Birger mount, Canon lenses can easily be integrated into your industrial camera systems.

Speak to a Canon expert

Achieve consistent quality across production with integrated and lens-only solutions. Whether it’s reduced downtime, defects, or cost savings – our dedicated team is here to support, design, and optimise.

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