Sony IMX178 · 6.4MP 1/1.8" rolling-shutter CMOS image sensor
IMX178 Sensor Specifications & Compatible M12 and C-Mount Lenses
The IMX178 is a Sony 1/1.8-inch rolling-shutter CMOS image sensor from the back-illuminated Exmor R line used in embedded camera modules. It resolves 3096x2080 (6.4 MP) on 2.4 um pixels across an 8.95 mm diagonal at up to 60 fps over Sub-LVDS, in color or mono. Commonlands pairs it with M12 Lenses that cover the 8.95 mm image circle and publishes the calculated field of view for every option.
IMX178 specifications
| Part number | IMX178 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sony |
| Family | Exmor R |
| Resolution | 3096x2080 (6.4 MP) |
| Optical format | 1/1.8" |
| Active area | 7.43 × 4.99 mm |
| Sensor diagonal | 8.95 mm |
| Pixel size | 2.4 µm |
| Shutter | Rolling |
| Max frame rate | 60 fps |
| Interface | Sub-LVDS |
| Color / mono | Color / Mono |
Manufacturer datasheet: Sony IMX178 product page
Lens selection for the IMX178 with calculated field of view
Each field of view below is calculated for the IMX178 active area (7.43 × 4.99 mm) from Commonlands’ per-lens field-of-view data, which reflects each lens’s real distortion rather than a focal-length-only estimate. Alongside the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal field of view, each row lists focal length, mount, aperture (F#), and coverage. Follow the product links for distortion, ingress protection, dimensions, and resolution specifications. Coverage compares the lens image circle with the 8.95 mm sensor diagonal. Entries marked Circular image do not cover the full diagonal; part of the sensor lies outside the image circle. Run working-distance and object-size numbers through the field of view calculator.
Engineering picks for the IMX178
- Best ~30° HFoV: Telephoto 14.2mm M12 Lens (CIL142) (14.2 mm, f/2.6). Why: the closest covering option to 30° horizontal, chosen for tight inspection framing and long read ranges. Field of view on the IMX178: 29° H × 20° V (35° diagonal). The image circle covers the full sensor (verified 2026-07-02).
- Best ~60° HFoV: Low Distortion 6.2mm M12 Lens (CIL062) (6.2 mm, f/2.8). Why: the closest covering option to 60° horizontal, chosen for general-purpose machine-vision framing. Field of view on the IMX178: 62° H × 44° V (72° diagonal). The image circle covers the full sensor (verified 2026-07-02).
- Best ~120° HFoV: Wide-Angle 3.9mm M12 Lens (CIL339) (3.9 mm, f/1.6). Why: the closest covering option to 120° horizontal, chosen for wide navigation and room-scale coverage. Field of view on the IMX178: 111° H × 74° V (135° diagonal). The image circle covers the full sensor (verified 2026-07-02).
- Lowest distortion: Low Distortion 4.2mm M12 Lens (CIL042) (4.2 mm, f/1.9). Why: measured -1% TV distortion, the flattest image among covering lenses. Field of view on the IMX178: 84° H × 62° V (94° diagonal). The image circle covers the full sensor (verified 2026-07-02).
- Best low light: 8mm C-Mount Lens (CIL521) (8 mm, f/1.5). Why: the fastest covering aperture (f/1.5), which collects the most light per pixel. Field of view on the IMX178: 50° H × 35° V (58° diagonal). The image circle covers the full sensor (verified 2026-07-02).
Find a lens for the IMX178 in the M12 Lens collection or the C-Mount Lens collection. The covering options below run from 1.3 mm to 100 mm focal length and span 4° to 198° horizontal field of view on the IMX178 active area.
| Commonlands Lens | Focal Length | Mount | F# | Horizontal FoV | Vertical FoV | Diagonal FoV | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fisheye 1.3mm M12 Lens (CIL293) | 1.3 mm | M12 | f/2.2 | 184° | 175° | 184° | Circular image |
| Fisheye 1.75mm M12 Lens (CIL818) | 1.75 mm | M12 | f/2 | 198° | 182° | 198° | Circular image |
| Low Distortion 3mm M12 Lens (CIL030) | 3 mm | M12 | f/2.1 | 108° | 82° | 120° | Covers |
| Fisheye 3.1mm M12 Lens (CIL231) | 3.1 mm | M12 | f/1.9 | 147° | 95° | 184° | Covers |
| Wide-Angle 3.5mm M12 Lens (CIL334) | 3.5 mm | M12 | f/2.2 | 130° | 84° | 162° | Covers |
| Wide-Angle 3.9mm M12 Lens (CIL339) | 3.9 mm | M12 | f/1.6 | 111° | 74° | 135° | Covers |
| Wide-Angle 4mm M12 Lens (CIL340) | 4 mm | M12 | f/2 | 106° | 72° | 128° | Covers |
| 4mm C-Mount Lens (CIL529) | 4 mm | C-mount | f/2.8 | 89° | 65° | 100° | Covers |
| Low Distortion 4.2mm M12 Lens (CIL042) | 4.2 mm | M12 | f/1.9 | 84° | 62° | 94° | Covers |
| Wide-Angle 4.5mm M12 Lens (CIL344A) | 4.5 mm | M12 | f/2.7 | 96° | 64° | 117° | Covers |
| 4.9mm C-Mount Lens (CIL505) | 4.9 mm | C-mount | f/2.2 | 89° | 59° | 108° | Covers |
| Low Distortion 5.2mm M12 Lens (CIL052) | 5.2 mm | M12 | f/3.4 | 71° | 51° | 82° | Covers |
| Wide-Angle 5.8mm M12 Lens (CIL358) | 5.8 mm | M12 | f/1.9 | 78° | 50° | 96° | Covers |
| Low Distortion 5.9mm M12 Lens (CIL059) | 5.9 mm | M12 | f/1.7 | 66° | 47° | 77° | Covers |
| Low Distortion 6.2mm M12 Lens (CIL062) | 6.2 mm | M12 | f/2.8 | 62° | 44° | 72° | Covers |
| 8mm C-Mount Lens (CIL521) | 8 mm | C-mount | f/1.5 | 50° | 35° | 58° | Covers |
| 8.1mm M12 Lens (CIL083) | 8.1 mm | M12 | f/2.8 | 49° | 34° | 58° | Covers |
| 8.5mm C-Mount Lens (CIL508) | 8.5 mm | C-mount | f/2.4 | 48° | 33° | 57° | Covers |
| 9.1mm M12 Lens (CIL092) | 9.1 mm | M12 | f/2.6 | 45° | 31° | 54° | Covers |
| Telephoto 12mm M12 Lens (CIL122) | 12 mm | M12 | f/2 | 35° | 24° | 42° | Covers |
| 12mm C-Mount Lens (CIL552) | 12 mm | C-mount | f/2.8 | 34° | 24° | 41° | Covers |
| Telephoto 14.2mm M12 Lens (CIL142) | 14.2 mm | M12 | f/2.6 | 29° | 20° | 35° | Covers |
| Telephoto 16mm M12 Lens (CIL160) | 16 mm | M12 | f/1.9 | 26° | 18° | 31° | Covers |
| 16mm C-Mount Lens (CIL553) | 16 mm | C-mount | f/2.8 | 26° | 18° | 31° | Covers |
| Telephoto 21.6mm M12 Lens (CIL121) | 21.6 mm | M12 | f/2.8 | 20° | 13° | 23° | Covers |
| Telephoto 25mm M12 Lens (CIL250) | 25 mm | M12 | f/2 | 17° | 11° | 20° | Covers |
| 25mm C-Mount Lens (CIL554) | 25 mm | C-mount | f/2.6 | 17° | 11° | 20° | Covers |
| Telephoto 35mm M12 Lens (CIL350) | 35 mm | M12 | f/2.4 | 12° | 8° | 15° | Covers |
| 35mm C-Mount Lens (CIL555) | 35 mm | C-mount | f/2.6 | 12° | 8° | 15° | Covers |
| Telephoto 50mm M12 Lens (CIL051) | 50 mm | M12 | f/2.8 | 9° | 6° | 10° | Covers |
| 50mm C-Mount Lens (CIL556) | 50 mm | C-mount | f/2.8 | 8° | 6° | 10° | Covers |
| Telephoto 75mm M12 Lens (CIL076) | 75 mm | M12 | f/3.4 | 6° | 4° | 7° | Covers |
| 75mm C-Mount Lens (CIL557) | 75 mm | C-mount | f/3 | 6° | 4° | 7° | Covers |
| Telephoto 100mm M12 Lens (CIL100) | 100 mm | M12 | f/3.6 | 4° | 3° | 5° | Covers |
Covers in the table means the lens image circle is at least as large as the 8.95 mm sensor diagonal. Confirm corner illumination and MTF at your aperture, wavelength, and working distance. A complete circular fisheye image fits inside the sensor only when its diameter is no larger than the sensor's short side. Need a focal length or coverage that is not listed here? Ask our engineers to confirm a match.
How to choose a lens for the IMX178
Start from the field of view and working distance your application needs. Confirm that the lens image circle covers the active sensor diagonal and that the mount provides the required focus travel and rear clearance. A lens megapixel rating alone does not establish resolution on this sensor. Compare measured MTF at the spatial frequencies your task needs, at the intended aperture, wavelength, distance, and field position, accounting for the 2.4 µm pixel pitch. Estimate framing with the Commonlands field of view calculator.
Sourcing a camera module around the IMX178? Commonlands manufactures M12 lenses and C-mount lenses and ships from San Diego, with same-day shipping on in-stock lenses ordered before 12 PM PST. We also design and build custom MIPI CSI-2 camera modules that integrate the lens, the IMX178 sensor, and the carrier board, available from 1,000 units per year, and assemble consigned IMX178 boards with Commonlands lenses in our San Diego ISO 6 cleanroom from 100 to 100,000 units per year. Talk to an applications engineer.
Related guides and tools
IMX178 lens and camera module FAQ
What lens fits the IMX178 sensor?
A lens match requires sufficient image-circle coverage, suitable MTF, and mechanical clearance. Use the coverage column and calculated field of view to shortlist lenses, then verify the operating conditions on each product page.
What is the IMX178 sensor size?
The IMX178 is a 1/1.8" format sensor with a 7.43 × 4.99 mm active area and a 8.95 mm diagonal, built on 2.4 µm pixels at 3096x2080 resolution.
Does Commonlands build a custom MIPI camera module for the IMX178?
Yes. Commonlands designs and builds custom MIPI CSI-2 camera modules that integrate the lens, the IMX178 sensor, and the carrier board, available from 1,000 units per year with active lens-to-sensor alignment and 100% MTF testing. Consigned assembly of your IMX178 boards with Commonlands lenses runs from 100 to 100,000 units per year in our San Diego ISO 6 cleanroom. Talk to an applications engineer to scope a module.
Match a lens to your IMX178 camera
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