IMX290LLR-C - 2.13MP STARVIS Low-Light Mono Sensor | Sony
MPN: IMX290LLR-C β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $32.5 | $32.50 |
| 10 | $29.9 | $299.00 |
| 100 | $27.4 | $2,740.00 |
| 500 | $25.1 | $12,550.00 |
| 1,000 | $22.8 | $22,800.00 |
IMX290LLR-C Overview
A CMOS image sensor is a semiconductor device that converts light into electrical signals using an array of photodiodes and readout circuitry fabricated on a single silicon die. Within the imaging hierarchy, image sensors sit below camera modules and machine-vision systems, and within Sony's portfolio the STARVIS series is the low-light-optimized tier above general-purpose Exmor sensors. Monochrome (the LLR suffix) variants omit the Bayer color filter array, delivering higher quantum efficiency and superior sensitivity for scientific, security, and industrial applications.
Key differentiating characteristics include its STARVIS-class back-illuminated structure, which places the photodiode closer to the microlens for higher light collection; its monochrome pixel array, which increases sensitivity versus the color IMX290LQR-C; and its compact Type 1/2.8 optical format that keeps lens and module cost low. The sensor supports multiple aspect ratio readout modes (4:3, 5:4, 16:9) and multiple exposure drive, allowing the exposure time to be changed frame by frame.
Technically, the IMX290LLR offers Full HD class resolution (1920x1080) with high frame rate operation suited to both still capture and video pipelines, and interfaces to host processors through a high-speed serial output configured via the on-chip timing generator and register set. The -C suffix denotes Sony's ceramic LGA package with infrared-filter-free windowing appropriate for the monochrome die.
Typical applications include security and surveillance cameras operating at night, automotive and traffic imaging, industrial inspection under narrowband or IR illumination, and embedded machine vision on platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson and Raspberry Pi, where IMX290 camera modules are widely supported.
Design consideration: because the die is monochrome and NIR-sensitive, pair it with optics and illumination chosen for the target spectrum, and verify register-level compatibility when moving between IMX290 and IMX327/IMX462 derivatives.
This page synthesizes distributor listings, cross-reference data, drop-in alternatives, and application guidance not consolidated in the manufacturer flyer.
Drop-in alternatives for IMX290LLR-C β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with IMX290LLR-C (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Color / Monochrome, Optical Format, Package, RoHS Status, Series.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
IMX290LQR-C
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
IMX327LLR-C
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
IMX462LLR-C
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
IMX273LLR-C
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$42.25 / Unit
View Datasheet βIMX290LLR-C Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | CMOS Image Sensor (monochrome) |
| Series | Sony STARVIS |
| Optical Format | Type 1/2.8 |
| Diagonal | 6.46 mm |
| Effective Pixels | Approx. 2.13M |
| Resolution (Full HD mode) | 1920 x 1080 |
| Color / Monochrome | Monochrome (no Bayer CFA) |
| Pixel Structure | Back-illuminated (STARVIS) |
| Aspect Ratio Modes | 4:3, 5:4, 16:9 |
| Multiple Exposure Drive | Supported (per-frame exposure change) |
| Package | LGA (ceramic) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per JLCPCB listing) |
IMX290LLR-C lga (ceramic) Pin Configuration Guide
Pin configuration for IMX290LLR-C (lga (ceramic) package). Pin numbering, functions, and connection diagrams are defined in the manufacturer datasheet. Refer to it for the exact footprint and soldering guidelines.
No detailed pinout data available for IMX290LLR-C.
Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.
Typical Applications
IMX290LLR-C is suitable for 6 applications: Security and Surveillance Cameras, Embedded Machine Vision (NVIDIA Jetson / Raspberry Pi), Industrial Inspection under Narrowband Illumination, Automotive and Traffic Imaging, Scientific and Low-Light Measurement, Smart Home and IoT Cameras.
Security and Surveillance Cameras
The IMX290LLR-C is a mainstay of professional night-vision security cameras because its STARVIS back-illuminated monochrome pixels deliver strong signal-to-noise at very low illumination levels. In a typical IP camera chain, the sensor outputs a 16:9 1080p stream through its serial interface to an ISP or SoC, with 850 nm or 940 nm IR illuminators providing nighttime lighting. Because the die has no color filter array, quantum efficiency is maximized exactly where IR illumination concentrates, giving usable images at light levels where color sensors fail. The Type 1/2.8 format also permits compact, low-cost M12 lenses common in dome and bullet camera housings.
Recommended
Embedded Machine Vision (NVIDIA Jetson / Raspberry Pi)
The IMX290LLR-C is one of the most widely supported embedded-vision sensors: commercial MIPI camera modules from e-con Systems, Arducam, INNOMAKER, and Leopard Imaging expose it to NVIDIA Jetson and Raspberry Pi platforms with V4L2-compatible drivers. Its 2.13M pixel, high-frame-rate Full HD output matches the CSI-2 lane budgets of these processors, while the monochrome die suits depth sensing, barcode reading, and inspection pipelines that operate under controlled or IR illumination. Designers should verify module driver support and register configuration files for the specific JetPack or kernel release before production commit.
Recommended
Industrial Inspection under Narrowband Illumination
In factory automation, the IMX290LLR-C excels when paired with monochromatic LED lighting such as 850 nm IR, blue, or UV sources, since the monochrome pixel array avoids Bayer interpolation losses and delivers full spatial resolution at the illumination wavelength. The sensor's multiple exposure drive allows per-frame exposure changes, enabling simultaneous capture of overexposed defect-highlight frames and normally exposed reference frames within one scan cycle. Its 1920x1080 active area provides adequate resolution for line-scan-replacement and surface-defect tasks on conveyorized production lines, while the compact 1/2.8 format fits into confined machine-mounted camera heads.
Recommended
Automotive and Traffic Imaging
STARVIS sensors were originally engineered for automotive-class sensitivity, and the IMX290 family is used in traffic enforcement, license plate recognition, and in-vehicle recording systems. The monochrome IMX290LLR-C captures plate detail at night under IR illumination with minimal noise, and its 120 fps-class capability freezes fast-moving vehicles in snapshot modes. Its multiple exposure drive supports alternating short/long exposures so both headlight-clipped and shadow-detail regions are captured in consecutive frames for fusion algorithms. Designers must validate the operating temperature envelope and qualification grade against the specific Sony datasheet for automotive deployments.
Recommended
Scientific and Low-Light Measurement
Laboratory applications such as fluorescence microscopy adjuncts, chemiluminescence documentation, and astronomical guidance benefit from the IMX290LLR-C's monochrome back-illuminated array. Without a color filter array, photon collection efficiency is uniformly high across the spectrum, and the sensor's low readout noise preserves weak signals from faint emitters. Multiple exposure drive permits frame-by-frame adaptation during titrations or time-lapse experiments, and the compact optical format allows integration into existing microscope ports with relay lenses. For quantitative work, calibrate the sensor's linear response range and dark-frame characteristics under the exact gain and exposure settings used experimentally.
Recommended
Smart Home and IoT Cameras
Consumer smart doorbells, home security hubs, and IoT camera nodes use the IMX290LLR-C where night vision is a core requirement but board space and cost are constrained. The sensor's Type 1/2.8 footprint keeps module height below 25 mm-class lens stacks, and its low illumination performance allows small, power-efficient IR LED clusters instead of white spotlights. Output of 1080p streams directly into ISP pipelines of mainstream Wi-Fi and Ethernet camera SoCs, keeping BOM cost low. Monochrome capture also doubles as a passive-IR motion aid in devices that fuse image-based analytics with PIR sensing for false-alarm reduction.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for IMX290LLR-C β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | IMX290LQR-C | IMX327LLR-C | IMX462LLR-C | IMX273LLR-C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | LGA (ceramic) | LGA (ceramic) - same | LGA (ceramic) - same family | LGA (ceramic) - same family | LGA (ceramic) - same family |
| Brand | Sony | Sony | Sony | Sony | Sony |
| Optical Format | Type 1/2.8 (6.46 mm diagonal) | Type 1/2.8 | Type 1/2.8 | Type 1/2.8 | Type 1/2.8 |
| Effective Pixels | Approx. 2.13M | Approx. 2.13M | Approx. 2.13M | Approx. 2.13M | Approx. 2.13M |
| Color / Monochrome | Monochrome (LLR) | Color (LQR) | Monochrome | Monochrome | Monochrome |
| Pixel Technology | STARVIS back-illuminated | STARVIS back-illuminated | STARVIS (newer generation) | STARVIS 2 class | STARVIS |
| Multiple Exposure Drive | Supported | Supported | Supported | Supported | Supported |
Key Differentiators
- Monochrome die maximizes photon collection (vs IMX290LQR-C)
- Best-supported 2MP STARVIS ecosystem (vs IMX327LLR-C)
- Multiple exposure drive per frame (vs IMX273LLR-C)
Design Notes
The IMX290LLR-C uses a fine-pitch ceramic LGA package; the PCB land pattern and pad geometry must follow the Sony datasheet exactly, and the center land should be tied to the designated ground plane for both mechanical stability and noise performance. Route the high-speed serial output pairs as controlled-impedance differential pairs with matched lengths, and place the decoupling network for each supply rail (per the datasheet's recommended power-up sequence) within a few millimeters of the corresponding balls.
Register compatibility across the IMX290/IMX327/IMX462 family is high but not guaranteed. Firmware written for an IMX290 module may program unsupported registers or miss new ones on an IMX327 or IMX462, producing corrupted frames or wrong frame rates. Validate the register configuration file against the target sensor's datasheet whenever substituting, and re-verify lens optical format coverage (1/2.8) and IR-cut mechanics if switching between mono and color (LQR) variants.
The sensor's high-speed serial output requires attention to eye-diagram margin: keep the differential pair routing short, avoid stubs, use a solid reference plane beneath the pairs, and follow the datasheet-recommended common-mode components at the receiver side. In multi-board module designs (sensor board plus carrier), match the FFC/FPC impedance specification of the module connector and test at the maximum target frame rate and temperature extremes before release.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per JLCPCB part listing C5183030. REACH, lead-free, and halogen-free status not stated in provided data.
