Depth camera: what it means.
A depth camera provides values that represent distance from the camera. Some devices combine this with a conventional color image, described as RGB-D. Depth measurements can support scene interpretation without being the same thing as an object-recognition result. (RealSense: depth cameras)
Stereo compares views from separated sensors; structured light interprets a projected pattern; time-of-flight systems use light travel measurements. Those methods have different scene and illumination requirements. (RealSense: depth cameras)
Put the definition to work.
Stereo, structured-light, and time-of-flight systems measure depth in different ways. Select the technology for the actual scene and lighting rather than treating all depth cameras as identical. (RealSense: depth cameras)
Questions to ask next.
Use these questions as a reading checklist, not as a device-selection recommendation. Exact manufacturer documentation takes priority over a general definition.
- Depth method and usable range
- Lighting and scene requirements
- Depth/color alignment and data interfaces
For the broader explanation, explore the electronics inside robots. This page defines the term; the companion guide connects it to the rest of the system.
Common Depth camera questions.
Are two depth cameras equivalent if their image sizes match?
No. Resolution alone does not identify the sensing method, usable range or environmental behavior. Review the actual measurement conditions and integration requirements. (RealSense: depth cameras)