Compare Camera and Hardware Scanners

Mobile camera vs. Hardware barcode scanning

Both camera and hardware scanners offer benefits that appeal to different users and businesses. It's important to understand how each works in varying environments and real-life situations.

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Real scenarios, real testing, real results

The guide below compares and analyzes the testing results of these Socket Mobile scanners:

  • C820 - Free, basic camera-based scanning solution

  • C860 - Industry's best damaged-barcode reader utilizing enhanced camera scanning

  • S700 - Entry-level Bluetooth hardware scanner for 1D barcodes

  • S740 - Universal 1D/2D Bluetooth hardware scanner

Performance results by industry

Retail

  • Scenario

    Lighting condition

    Lux

    Shopkeeper

    Good lighting condition

    Ambient daylight
    10,000-25,000

    Test Barcodes

    Printed Size

    Onscreen Size

    Onscreen Size

    1 cm x 3 cm

    N/A

     

    C820
    c820-barcode-page

    C860
    c860-barcode-page

    S700

    S740

    Maximum decode distance
    Printed UPC-A

    12 in

    +2 ft

    15 in

    19 in

    Minimum decode distance
    Printed UPC-A

    5 in

    6 in

    2 in

    2 in

    Decode time
    Printed UPC-A

    3 min
    17 sec

    1 min
    35 sec

    44 sec

    37 sec

    Note: Scanned 5 different items in rotation 50 times into iOS Stock Count.

Commercial services

  • Scenario

    Lighting condition

    Lux

    Fire inspection

    Fair lighting condition

    Overcast
    1,000

    Test Barcodes

    Printed Size

    Onscreen Size

    Code 39 (smoke detector)

    2 cm x 6 cm

    N/A

     

    C820
    c820-barcode-page

    C860
    c860-barcode-page

    S700

    S740

    Maximum distance
    Code 39

    18 in

    +2 ft

    +2 ft

    +2 ft

    Decode time
    Code 39

    1 min
    10 sec

    24 sec

    25 sec

    21 sec

    Note: Scanned both printed and onscreen 1D or 2D barcode in rotation 50 times into iOS Stock Count.

  • Scenario

    Lighting condition

    Lux

    Event management

    Poor lighting condition

    Sunset/Sunrise
    400

    Test Barcodes

    Printed Size

    Onscreen Size

    Code 128

    2 cm x 5 cm

    2 cm x 5 cm

    QR Code

    1 cm x 1 cm

    2 cm x 2 cm

     

    C820
    c820-barcode-page

    C860
    c860-barcode-page

    S700

    S740

    Decode time
    Mixture of printed and onscreen Code 128

    1 min
    58 sec

    1 min
    55 sec

    48 sec

    34 sec

    Decode time
    Mixture of printed and onscreen QR Code

    1 min
    46 sec

    1 min
    48 sec

    Not supported

    31 sec

    Note: Scanned both printed and onscreen 1D or 2D barcode in rotation 50 times into iOS Stock Count.

  • Scenario

    Lighting condition

    Lux

    Event management

    Fair lighting condition

    Overcast
    1,000

    Test Barcodes

    Printed Size

    Onscreen Size

    Code 128

    2 cm x 5 cm

    2 cm x 5 cm

    QR Code

    1 cm x 1 cm

    2 cm x 2 cm

     

    C820
    c820-barcode-page

    C860
    c860-barcode-page

    S700

    S740

    Decode time
    Mixture of printed and onscreen Code 128

    1 min
    57 sec

    1 min
    45 sec

    46 sec

    37 sec

    Decode time
    Mixture of printed and onscreen QR Code

    1 min
    38 sec

    1 min
    41 sec

    Not supported

    30 sec

    Note: Scanned both printed and onscreen 1D or 2D barcode in rotation 50 times into iOS Stock Count.

Transport & logistics

  • Scenario

    Lighting condition

    Lux

    Delivery

    Bad lighting condition

    Sunset/Sunrise
    400

    Test Barcodes

    Printed Size

    Onscreen Size

    Code 128

    2 cm x 6 cm

    1.5 cm x 5 cm

    Data Matrix

    1.5 cm x 1.5 cm

    2 cm x 2 cm

     

    C820
    c820-barcode-page

    C860
    c860-barcode-page

    S700

    S740

    Maximum decode distance
    Printed Code 128

    12 in

    +2 ft

    18 in

    +2 ft

    Minimum decode distance
    Printed Code 128

    5 in

    6 in

    3 in

    3 in

    Maximum decode distance
    Printed Data Matrix

    18 in

    +2 ft

    N/A

    +2 ft

    Minimum decode distance
    Printed Data Matrix

    5 in

    6 in

    N/A

    3 in

    Note: Scanned printed 1D/2D barcodes 50 times into iOS Stock Count.

  • Scenario

    Lighting condition

    Lux

    Delivery

    Good lighting condition

    Ambient daylight
    10,000 - 25,000

    Test Barcodes

    Printed Size

    Onscreen Size

    Code 128

    2 cm x 6 cm

    1.5 cm x 5 cm

    Data Matrix

    1.5 cm x 1.5 cm

    2 cm x 2 cm

     

    C820
    c820-barcode-page

    C860
    c860-barcode-page

    S700

    S740

    Decode time
    Printed Code 128

    1 min
    26 sec

    28 sec

    26 sec

    25 sec

    Decode time
    Printed Data Matrix

    1 min
    18 sec

    25 sec

    Not supported

    23 sec

    Note: Scanned printed barcode 50 times into iOS Stock Count.

Working with damaged barcodes? The SocketCam C860 is the industry leader for reading difficult-to-scan codes.

The future of your business

Understanding how these scanners perform in different industry scenarios will help you determine which type of scanner will perform best in your working conditions and meet your data capture needs.

Learn more about:

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Guaranteed compatibility

All Socket Mobile data readers have guaranteed scanning and software compatibility. Check out our step-by-step guide to integrate into your application today.

CTA - Guaranteed Compatibility