June 21, 2013 – Point Grey announced Grasshopper3 GS3-U3-60S6 cameras, based on color and monochrome versions of the fast and highly sensitive Sony ICX694, a 1" CCD featuring 4.54 micron square pixels and capable of sending 2736 x 2192 images at 13 FPS and maximum bit depth. The ICX694 sensor uses Sony's EXview HAD CCD II technology—a further evolved version of the well-known EXview HAD CCD technology—to improve quantum efficiency, reduce smear, and increase sensitivity, including into the near infrared. The sensor is capable of single tap readout for extended shutter, high gain imaging and multi-tap readout to increase the maximum frame rate. The GS3-U3-60S6 camera allows users to toggle between single and dual tap sensor readout and address both imaging conditions.
The Grasshopper3 uses a USB 3.0 link layer and frame buffer-based architecture for optimal performance and reliability. The Grasshopper3 uses an advanced image processing pipeline to enable color interpolation, look up table, gamma correction and pixel binning. Additional Grasshopper3 models featuring a 9.1 megapixel EXview HAD CCD II sensor and a 4 megapixel global shutter CMOS device will be released later this year.
The Grasshopper3 GS3-U3-60S6 color and monochrome models are list priced at USD $ 3495 and EUR € 2695.
