KAYA Vision · Iron Series CoaXPress Cameras
Three cameras from the KAYA Iron CoaXPress family, each optimised for a different imaging priority: frame rate, light sensitivity, or spatial resolution. The comparison below outlines how their sensors differ and the applications each is best suited to.
Frame rate
High-speed 14.2 MP BSI imaging
Light sensitivity
High-sensitivity, high-dynamic-range 4 MP
Resolution & NIR
26.2 MP at 150 fps, NIR-enhanced
Applications
The Iron series is used across semiconductor and electronics inspection, scientific microscopy, astronomy and high-speed industrial vision. Each model pairs the same rugged CoaXPress platform with a sensor selected for the demands of the task, whether that priority is throughput, sensitivity or fine detail.
Silicon wafer photograph — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Peellden).
Technical Comparison
All three cameras share the same compact KAYA Iron platform and CoaXPress interface; the sensor is what sets them apart. Highlighted cells indicate the leading specification in each row.
Frame rates shown at the bit depth noted; higher bit depths reduce fps. ROI/windowing trades field of view for speed — the 5514 reaches ~1234 fps at 2048×1080 and ~1300 fps at 1920×1080. Use the KAYA frame-rate calculator for exact figures at your resolution.
Model Selection
The most efficient approach is to start from the constraint that dominates the application: how fast the subject moves, how much light is available, or how much detail must be resolved.
Best suited to fast-moving subjects where motion blur or dropped frames cannot be tolerated. It delivers 275 fps across the full 14.2 MP frame, rising to approximately 1300 fps with a 1080p region of interest, all on a global shutter.
Suited to applications where light is limited or contrast is extreme. Large 6.5 µm back-illuminated pixels and quantum efficiency approaching 95 percent maximise signal, while 88 dB of dynamic range with 16-bit HDR output (dual 11/12-bit ADC) preserves detail across both deep shadows and bright highlights.
Suited to work that demands the finest detail or sensitivity beyond the visible spectrum. It pairs 26.2 MP across a 5120×5120 array with frame rates up to 150 fps and a global shutter, so even high-resolution captures of moving subjects stay sharp, while the IR-enhanced Red Fox sensor extends response into the near-infrared.
Application & SEO FAQ
The best industrial low-light camera depends on your primary bottleneck. In the KAYA Iron series, the lineup breaks down as follows:
For high-altitude, large-area mapping via drones or UAVs, the Iron 0505 NIR is the ideal choice. Its massive 26.2 MP (5120×5120) resolution and global shutter ensure wide, ultra-sharp aerial captures without the rolling shutter distortion common in airborne imaging. Additionally, its near-infrared (NIR) sensitivity makes it highly effective for specialized agricultural mapping and geographic vegetation analysis. For low-light drone operations or night-time aerial surveillance, the high-sensitivity Iron 2020 BSI is preferred.
The Iron 0505 NIR is purpose-built for high-resolution metrology, flat-panel, and PCB inspection. The 26.2 MP sensor allows systems to capture incredibly fine surface details across large boards in a single frame. Because it features a global shutter running up to 150 fps, it seamlessly handles high-throughput automated optical inspection (AOI) lines without requiring the conveyor belt to slow down or stop.
The Iron 5514 BSI is the designated solution for motion analysis, ballistics, and fast-moving industrial sorting lines. Dropping frames or suffering motion blur can ruin data in these environments. The 5514 BSI eliminates this by pairing a global shutter with extreme frame rates—delivering a blazing 275 fps at full 14.2 MP resolution, and scaling up to roughly 1300 fps when cropped to a 1080p region of interest (ROI).
Fluorescence and life-science microscopy are severely photon-starved environments where light sensitivity is paramount. The Iron 2020 BSI excel here by using massive 6.5 µm back-side illuminated pixels that push quantum efficiency up to 95%. Combined with an 88 dB dynamic range and dual-ADC 16-bit HDR output, it captures weak fluorescent signals out of deep shadows without clipping bright highlights, making it equally potent for astronomy and long-exposure applications.
KAYA Iron CoaXPress Cameras
Share your requirements for subject speed, available light and resolution, and our team will recommend the appropriate model: the Iron 5514, the Iron 2020 or the Iron 0505 NIR.
