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Hands-On Test of 6 New 4K USB Cameras: Resolution, Color, Field of View, and Compatibility
Not all 4K USB cameras are designed for the same job. Differences in image sensor, focal length, and field of view can significantly affect how a camera performs in a particular application. This hands-on test compares six camera configurations across resolution, 24-patch color-chart performance, measured field of view, image distortion, Linux compatibility, continuous-operation stability, and image quality under multiple light sources. All six models support driver-free USB connectivity, work with Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android, and offer resolutions up to 3840 × 2160.
Test note: This article preserves the original test methods, data, and conclusions. The iSeetest software used for resolution analysis is not a professional laboratory measurement tool, so the results may include some error. Color reproduction and white balance are also affected by lighting, lens characteristics, and the surrounding environment. Camera settings should therefore be tuned for the actual deployment conditions.
At a Glance: Choosing Among the Six Configurations
In general, the IMX415 series emphasizes value and dependable everyday 4K imaging. The IMX274 series supports higher frame rates, making it better suited to industrial inspection and moving-subject capture. The IMX678 series uses a larger 1/1.8-inch sensor and delivers stronger low-light performance. Lens options provide nominal fields of view from 73° to 130°, allowing the camera to be selected according to the required coverage area.
| Configuration | Nominal FOV | Key Advantage | Recommended Applications | Key Test Findings |
| IMX415, 3mm | 95° | Good value and stable image quality | Office and home use | Resolution generally met expectations; no obvious distortion |
| IMX415, 2.6mm | 120° | Wide-area coverage | Meeting rooms and classrooms | Measured at 117.59°; slight distortion |
| IMX274, 3.25mm | 97° | High frame rate for moving subjects | Industrial inspection and motion capture | Resolution generally met expectations; no obvious distortion |
| IMX274, 2.26mm | 130° | Ultra-wide coverage | Warehouses and large halls | Measured at 119.83°; slight edge distortion |
| IMX678, 6mm | 73° | Better low-light performance | Night monitoring and security | Resolution generally met expectations; no obvious distortion |
| IMX678, 4mm | 95° | Large sensor with a balanced FOV | Residential areas and schools | Resolution generally met expectations; no obvious distortion |
Test 1: Resolution
Test Method
An ISO 12233 resolution test chart was photographed under normal indoor lighting. The camera was adjusted to the best available focus for each shot. The captured images were then imported into iSeetest and evaluated using its resolution-analysis function.
Test Images and Results
1. IMX415 95°
IMX415 95°: The measured pixel count was 10189573, compared with a chart pixel count of 8294400, which was considered generally consistent. The measured chart resolution was 3315×3073 against a reference resolution of 3840 × 2160. The horizontal resolution generally matched the reference, while the vertical resolution measured above the reference.
Overall conclusion: The result generally meets the stated specification.
2.IMX274 97°
IMX274 97°: The measured pixel count was 10189573, compared with a chart pixel count of 8294400, which was considered generally consistent. The measured chart resolution was 3315×2926 against a reference resolution of 3840 × 2160. The horizontal resolution generally matched the reference, while the vertical resolution measured above the reference.
Overall conclusion: The result generally meets the stated specification.
3.IMX274 130°
IMX274 130°: The measured pixel count was 8306737, compared with a chart pixel count of 8294400, which was considered generally consistent. The measured chart resolution was 3044×2728 against a reference resolution of 3840 × 2160. The horizontal resolution measured below the reference, while the vertical resolution measured above the reference.
Overall conclusion: The result generally meets the stated specification.
4.IMX678 73°
IMX678 73°: The measured pixel count was 7783813, compared with a chart pixel count of 8294400, which was considered generally consistent. The measured chart resolution was 2553×3048 against a reference resolution of 3840 × 2160. The horizontal resolution measured below the reference, while the vertical resolution measured above the reference.
Overall conclusion: The result generally meets the stated specification.
5.IMX678 95°
IMX678 95°: The measured pixel count was 8278126, compared with a chart pixel count of 8294400, which was considered generally consistent. The measured chart resolution was 3218×2572 against a reference resolution of 3840 × 2160. The horizontal resolution measured below the reference, while the vertical resolution measured above the reference.
Overall conclusion: The result generally meets the stated specification.
Test 2: 24-Patch Color Chart Analysis
Test Method
A 24-patch color chart was photographed under both a D65 standard light source and the indoor test-room lighting. The camera was adjusted to the best available focus for each shot. The images were then imported into iSeetest for 24-patch color-chart analysis.
Indoor Test-Room Results
Test environment
1.IMX415 95°
IMX415 95°: The overall image appeared underexposed. Color reproduction showed some deviation, likely influenced by the lighting and lens characteristics. The white-balance result showed a green cast. Settings should be adjusted for the actual lighting environment.
2.IMX415 120°
IMX415 120°: The overall image appeared underexposed. Color reproduction showed some deviation, likely influenced by the lighting and lens characteristics. The white-balance result showed a slight green cast. Settings should be adjusted for the actual lighting environment.
3.IMX274 97°
IMX274 97°: The overall image appeared underexposed. Color reproduction showed some deviation, likely influenced by the lighting and lens characteristics. The white-balance result showed a slight green cast. Settings should be adjusted for the actual lighting environment.
4.IMX274 130°
IMX274 130°: The overall image appeared underexposed. Color reproduction showed some deviation, likely influenced by the lighting and lens characteristics. The white-balance result showed a slight blue cast. Settings should be adjusted for the actual lighting environment.
5.IMX678 73°
IMX678 73°: The overall image appeared underexposed. Color reproduction showed some deviation, likely influenced by the lighting and lens characteristics. The white-balance result showed a slight red cast. Settings should be adjusted for the actual lighting environment.
6.IMX678 95°
IMX678 95°: The overall image appeared underexposed. Color reproduction showed some deviation, likely influenced by the lighting and lens characteristics. The white-balance result showed a slight red cast. Settings should be adjusted for the actual lighting environment.
D65 Standard-Light Results
1.IMX415 95°
IMX415 95°: The overall image appeared overexposed. Color reproduction showed some deviation, likely influenced by the lighting and lens characteristics. The white-balance result showed a slight green cast. Settings should be adjusted for the actual lighting environment.
2.IMX415 120°
IMX415 120°: The overall image appeared overexposed. Color reproduction showed some deviation, likely influenced by the lighting and lens characteristics. The white-balance result showed a green cast. Settings should be adjusted for the actual lighting environment.
3.IMX274 97°
IMX274 97°: The overall image appeared overexposed. Color reproduction showed some deviation, likely influenced by the lighting and lens characteristics. The white-balance result showed a slight green cast. Settings should be adjusted for the actual lighting environment.
4.IMX274 130°
IMX274 130°: The overall image appeared overexposed. Color reproduction showed some deviation, likely influenced by the lighting and lens characteristics. The white-balance result showed a slight blue cast. Settings should be adjusted for the actual lighting environment.
5.IMX678 73°
IMX678 73°: The overall image appeared overexposed. Color reproduction showed some deviation, likely influenced by the lighting and lens characteristics. The white-balance result showed a slight blue cast. Settings should be adjusted for the actual lighting environment.
6.IMX678 95°
IMX678 95°: The overall image appeared overexposed. Color reproduction showed some deviation, likely influenced by the lighting and lens characteristics. The white-balance result showed a slight green cast. Settings should be adjusted for the actual lighting environment.
Test 3: Measured Field of View
Test Method
Each camera was tested in both horizontal and vertical orientations. At a camera-to-target distance of 2 m, the maximum width and height visible in the frame were measured. The recorded values were then processed with a Python script to calculate the field of view and generate the diagrams below.
| Configuration | Horizontal Coverage | Vertical Coverage | Measured FOV | Difference from Nominal FOV |
| IMX415 95° | 3.6 m (at 2 m) | 2.25 m (at 2 m) | 93.41° | -1.59° |
| IMX415 120° | 5.6 m (at 2 m) | 3.5 m (at 2 m) | 117.59° | -2.14° |
| IMX274 97° | 3.8 m (at 2 m) | 2.4 m (at 2 m) | 96.66° | -0.34° |
| IMX274 130° | 3.8 m (at 2 m) | 2.4 m (at 2 m) | 119.83° | -10.17° |
| IMX678 73° | 2.45 m (at 2 m) | 1.4 m (at 2 m) | 70.40° | -2.6° |
| IMX678 95° | 3.65 m (at 2 m) | 2.2 m (at 2 m) | 93.63° | -1.37° |
Test conclusion: All configurations generally met the stated FOV specifications except the IMX274 130° version, which showed a larger deviation.
Test 4: Image Distortion
Test Method
A full-frame distortion test chart was photographed to check for visible warping near the edges of the image.
1.IMX415 95°
Test conclusion: No obvious image distortion was observed.
2.IMX415 120°
Test conclusion: Slight image distortion was observed.
3.IMX274 97°
Test conclusion: No obvious image distortion was observed.
4.IMX274 130°
Test conclusion: Slight distortion was visible near the edges.
5.IMX678 73°
Test conclusion: No obvious distortion was observed.
6.IMX678 95°
Test conclusion: No obvious distortion was observed.
Test 5: Linux Compatibility
Test Method
The following commands were used in Ubuntu to identify the camera, check its supported resolutions, and capture a test image:
v4l2-ctl -d /dev/video0 --list-formats-ext //# List supported resolutions
v4l2-ctl --list-devices //# List detected video devices
fswebcam --no-banner -r 1280x720 photo.jpg //# Capture an image at the specified resolution
Test conclusion: The cameras worked with Linux and operated as plug-and-play devices in Ubuntu without requiring an additional driver.
Test 6: Continuous-Operation Stability
Test Method
Each device was connected to a Windows system and operated continuously for more than eight hours. After the test, the built-in Windows Camera app was used to verify that video recording and still-image capture remained functional and that no obvious stuttering had developed.
Test conclusion: After more than eight hours of continuous operation, the devices remained functional with no obvious stuttering. The endurance test was completed successfully.
Test 7: Image Quality Under Different Light Sources
Test Method
Images were captured in a light-source box under F, D65, TL84, CWF, and TL83 illumination, as well as with the illumination switched off (OFF). Particular attention was given to the OFF condition. The images below are presented in the following order: F, D65, and TL84 in the first row; CWF, TL83, and OFF in the second row.
IMX415 95°
2.IMX415 120°
3.IMX274 97°
4.IMX274 130°
5.IMX678 73°
6.IMX678 95°
Summary
The test results show that this family of 4K USB cameras provides plug-and-play operation, broad platform compatibility, and support for resolutions up to 3840 × 2160. The IMX415 series is a practical choice for cost-conscious applications that need dependable everyday 4K imaging. The IMX274 series supports higher frame rates and is better suited to industrial inspection and moving-subject capture. The IMX678 series benefits from a larger sensor and performs better in low-light environments.
In the FOV test, all configurations generally met the stated specifications except the IMX274 130° version, which measured 119.83°—a difference of -10.17° from the nominal value. Slight distortion was observed on the IMX415 120° and IMX274 130° configurations, while the other versions showed no obvious distortion. The color tests also revealed varying degrees of white-balance shift under different light sources, so camera settings should be adjusted to match the lighting conditions at the installation site.
Compare six 4K USB cameras using IMX415, IMX274, and IMX678 sensors across resolution, color, field of view, distortion, Linux, and low-light tests.
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