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.
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
10,000-25,000Test Barcodes
Printed Size
Onscreen Size
Onscreen Size
1 cm x 3 cm
N/A
C820
C860
S700
S740
Maximum decode distance
Printed UPC-A12 in
+2 ft
15 in
19 in
Minimum decode distance
Printed UPC-A5 in
6 in
2 in
2 in
Decode time
Printed UPC-A3 min
17 sec1 min
35 sec44 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
1,000Test Barcodes
Printed Size
Onscreen Size
Code 39 (smoke detector)
2 cm x 6 cm
N/A
C820
C860
S700
S740
Maximum distance
Code 3918 in
+2 ft
+2 ft
+2 ft
Decode time
Code 391 min
10 sec24 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
400Test 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
C860
S700
S740
Decode time
Mixture of printed and onscreen Code 1281 min
58 sec1 min
55 sec48 sec
34 sec
Decode time
Mixture of printed and onscreen QR Code1 min
46 sec1 min
48 secNot 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
1,000Test 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
C860
S700
S740
Decode time
Mixture of printed and onscreen Code 1281 min
57 sec1 min
45 sec46 sec
37 sec
Decode time
Mixture of printed and onscreen QR Code1 min
38 sec1 min
41 secNot 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
400Test 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
C860
S700
S740
Maximum decode distance
Printed Code 12812 in
+2 ft
18 in
+2 ft
Minimum decode distance
Printed Code 1285 in
6 in
3 in
3 in
Maximum decode distance
Printed Data Matrix18 in
+2 ft
N/A
+2 ft
Minimum decode distance
Printed Data Matrix5 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 - 25,000Test 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
C860
S700
S740
Decode time
Printed Code 1281 min
26 sec28 sec
26 sec
25 sec
Decode time
Printed Data Matrix1 min
18 sec25 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:
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.