SubC Camera Comparison Guide
Researching, comparing, and choosing the right underwater imaging subsea camera for your project can feel like a monumental task. You might need a subsea camera for marine research. Or, you might be looking for a camera that can mount on an ROV for an offshore energy application.
Whatever your need, our team will work with you to fully understand your situation so we can provide the best recommendation. While it’s always best to speak with a member of our team, today we’ve put together a head-to-head comparison of SubC’s cameras to help you understand your options and inform your choice.
Rayfin Coastal 500m
Rayfin Micro 500m
SubC’s Underwater Cameras
The Rayfin Benthic is rated to 6000m deep, is constructed of Grade 5 Titanium, has the most live video feed options, and comes with up to four aux ports.This model is available with options for live 4K, HD, and IP video formats and is fully compatible with ROV, AUV, tow/drop, autonomous, and observatory systems.
Highlights:
Depth rating: 6000m
Application(s): Live inspections and surveys; battery-powered systems, observatory/cabled array, and more.
Data Storage and Download: For battery-powered setups, the Rayfin Benthic offers an internal storage capacity of up to 40 hours in HD and 10.5 hours in 4K, allowing for post-inspection data download. For live inspections and surveys, the Rayfin Single Channel Inspection option provides instant media access and topside storage.
Data Logging: NMEA 0183 & 2000 format @ 10Hz
Autonomy & Timelapse: Available autonomous scripting and long-term hibernation timelapse with open-source API
Aux Ports: Two aux ports, capable of powering and controlling LED Strobe/Lamps, Lasers, and other devices. Up to four aux ports are available on Observatory models.
Rayfin Rapid Digital Imaging: Configurable, 2Hz (2 per second) to 0.1Hz (1 every 10 seconds)
Compatible SubC Imaging Systems: Autonomous, Observatory, Rayfin Single Channel Inspection, Rayfin 4K and HD Video Survey
The Rayfin Coastal is rated to 500m, constructed of anodized aluminum, and uses SubC Boost-Power Comms (BPC). BPC technology transmits power and data over a low-cost twisted-pair or coax subsea cable. It provides enough power to drive the camera, two LEDs, lasers, and other sensors while enabling live HD video and data to the surface. This can be used in drop/tow camera systems and for ROV 4K and HD upgrades.
Highlights:
Depth rating: 500m
Application(s): Live inspections and surveys
Data Storage and Download: For battery-powered setups, the Rayfin Coastal offers internal storage capacity of up to 40 hours in HD and 10.5 hours in 4K, allowing for post-inspection data download. Alternatively, for live inspections and surveys, the Rayfin Single Channel Inspection option provides instant media access and topside storage
Data Logging: NMEA 0183 & 2000 format @ 10Hz
Autonomy & Timelapse: Available autonomous scripting via open API
Aux Ports: Two ports, capable of powering and controlling LED strobe/lamps, lasers and other devices
Rayfin Rapid Digital Imaging: Configurable, 2Hz (2 per second) to 0.1Hz (1 every 10 seconds)
Compatible SubC Imaging Systems: Tow Camera System, Rayfin Single-Channel Inspection
The Rayfin Micro 500m ROV Camera is a lightweight and compact solution tailored for observation class ROVs. With its high-resolution imaging capabilities and real-time topside media transfer, it offers precise inspections and surveys. Engineered for durability, it seamlessly integrates into your system, providing clear visuals and data annotation, even in low-visibility conditions. Featuring Rayfin Rapid Digital Imaging (RDI), it ensures sharp image capture and instant storage topside, streamlining workflow efficiency during underwater operations.
Highlights
Depth rating: 500m
Application(s): Live inspections and surveys
Data Storage and Download: Uses Rayfin Single Channel Inspection software for instant media access and topside storage
Data Logging: NMEA 0183 & 2000 format @ 10Hz
Autonomy: Not available.
Aux Ports: Two ports, capable of powering and controlling LED Strobe/Lamps, Lasers and other devices
Compatible SubC Imaging Systems: Rayfin Rapid Digital Imaging, Rayfin Single Channel Inspection
LiquidOptics™ Lenses
All Rayfin subsea cameras come with high-quality optics with our water-corrected LiquidOpticsTM. LiquidOpticsTM allows for advanced 1:1 water-corrected sapphire optic, enabling quality that is even higher than normal. It produces outstanding colour accuracy by minimizing chromatic aberration. It also increases the field of view and image sharpness while reducing distortion.
Compared to a generic flat port lens, SubC’s LiquidOptics™ provides sharper images with less distortion.
Camera Comparison Chart
| All Rayfin Models | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lens and Optics | Water-corrected, scratch-resistant sapphire LiquidOptics(TM) | |||
| Angle of View (in water) | 81-degree diagonal with less than 3.4% distortion | |||
| Image Sensor | 12.3MP | 4056 x 3040 pixels | 12-bit CMOS | |||
| Zoom | Digital (5x Optical zoom equivalent) | |||
| Focus Range | 15cm to infinity | |||
| Ethernet Video | RTSP H.264 - 1080p | 720p | 4K coming soon | |||
| Rapid Digital Imaging (RDI) |
Continuous Stills | Configurable, 2Hz (2 per second) to 0.1Hz (1 every 10 seconds) | ||
| Media Transfer | Real-time digital stills and data to topside over Ethernet. Stored on HDD, SSD or NAS. | |||
| Media Formats | Video - MPEG4, H.264, H.265 | Stills - JPEG | Data - CSV | |||
| Control | Over Ethernet with provided SubC software | Rayfin API is available for 3rd party integration | |||
| Data Logging | NMEA 0183 & 2000 format @ 10Hz | |||
| Clock Sources | NTP Server, Time from Data string | |||
| Temperature (in water) | -20˚C to +30˚C | |||
| Protection | Short circuit | Under-over voltage | ESD | Over-temperature | |||
| Aux Ports | Two ports, capable of powering and controlling LED Strobe/Lamps, Lasers and other devices | |||
| Rayfin Micro | Rayfin Coastal | Rayfin Benthic | ||
| Application | Live inspections and surveys | Live inspections and surveys / Battery-powered systems / observatory / and more |
||
| Model Differentiators | Light weight, small size | SubC BPC technology for power and data over twisted pair or coax | Many options including video over HD-SDI or fiber optics and timelapse with low-power hibernation | |
| Internal Storage | 512GB: 10+ hours of 4K video, 40+ hours of HD video and thousands of photos. Optional 1TB upgrade | |||
| Built-in Sensors | Tilt, Roll, Depth and Temperature | Tilt and Roll. Optional Depth and Temperature |
||
| Depth Rating | 500m | 6000m | ||
| Materials | Anodized 6061-T6 Aluminium, Delrin, Sapphire | Grade 5 Titanium, Delrin, Sapphire | ||
| Voltage and Maximum Power | 12 - 32.5 Vdc @ 12Watts | 40 - 78 Vdc @ 18 Watts |
16.5 - 32.5 Vdc @ 13.5 Watts | |
| Weight (in water) | 0.46 Kg | 0.8 Kg | 1.6 Kg | |
| Dimensions | Ø 77.5 | 165mm x 64.5mm | Ø 101 | 241.5mm x 89mm | ||
| All SubC camera products include end-to-end support consisting of warranty, manuals, on-boarding, and technical support. | ||||