Due to the end of production of the Azure Kinect Development Kit (hereinafter referred to as Azure Kinect DK), we have received many questions regarding the Orbbec Femto Bolt as a replacement.
Orbbec Femto Boltuses the same depth camera module as the Azure Kinect DK and offers identical performance and operating modes. Developers using Azure Kinect DK can use the API bridge provided as part of the SDK to improve their existing applications using Azure Kinect DK. Femto Bolt can be migrated to
For example, Femto Bolt supports "Microsoft Body Tracking SDK". Please refer to the manufacturer's website below.
Access AKDK Application Software with Femto Bolt
https://www.orbbec.com/documentation/access-akdk-application-software-with-femto-bolt/
In this article, we will introduce a functional comparison.
*This article quotes the following manufacturer's website.
Orbbec Femto Bolt
https://www.orbbec.com/products/tof-camera/femto-bolt/
Azure Kinect DK documentation
https://learn.microsoft.com/ja-jp/azure/kinect-dk/
Azure Kinect Developer Kit (AKDK) and Orbbec Femto Bolt and Femto Mega Comparison
https://www.orbbec.com/microsoft-collaboration/
table of contents
Differences between Azure Kinect DK and Orbbec Femto Bolt
- Different form factors, Orbbec Femto Bolt is more compact
- Depth camera performance is the same
- Orbbec Femto Bolt's color camera supports HDR and improves image quality
- Orbbec Femto Bolt now features advanced trigger synchronization
- Azure Kinect DK is equipped with a microphone array, but Orbbec Femto Bolt is not equipped with it
HDR (high dynamic range) compatible cameras can capture light with a wide dynamic range, making it possible to depict details even in scenes with high contrast between light and dark.This improves image quality by realizing natural colors and gradations under various lighting environments, such as allowing backlit subjects to appear clearly.
Are there any differences in the operating environment?
Both Azure Kinect DK and Orbbec Femto Bolt operate under the following environmental conditions:
- temperature: 10℃～250C Indoor/Semi-outdoor
- (I.e.: 8-90% relative humidity (non-condensing)
The device is recommended for use under specified environmental conditions.Use outside of the specified conditions may cause malfunction.For example, in closed spaces such as sealed boxes or racks, it is recommended to maintain temperature conditions by cooling with fans or air conditioning.Also, ensure that the cooling channels in the device design are not blocked.
Specification comparison
| Camera specifications | Azure Kinect Developer Kit | Femto Bolt |
|---|---|---|
| Depth Technology | Time-of-Flight | Time-of-Flight |
| Wavelength | 850 nm | 850 nm |
| Depth Range | 0.25-5.46m (depending on depth mode) | 0.25-5.46m (depending on depth mode) |
| Depth Resolution/FPS | Up to 1024×1024@15fps (WFOV) Up to 640×576@30fps (NFOV) |
Up to 1024×1024@15fps (WFOV) Up to 640×576@30fps (NFOV) |
| Depth FOV (HxV) | 120 ° x120 ° | 120 ° x120 ° |
| RGB Resolution/FPS | Up to 3840×2160@30fps (MJPEG) | Up to 3840×2160@25fps (MJPEG/YUY2/H.264/H.265) |
| RGB FOV (HxV) | 90° x 59° | 80° x 51° |
| Processing | External, Host PC | External, Host PC |
| IMU | Supported (6-axis IMU) | Supported (6-axis IMU) |
| Physical parameters | Azure Kinect Developer Kit | Femto Bolt |
|---|---|---|
| data connection | USB3.1 Gen 1 with type USB-C | USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C connector |
| Power Input | External PSU or USB Type-C | USB Type-C/DC 12/2A |
| I/O Connectivity | USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C connector Power through USB-C or external PSU 3.5mm audio jack for frame sync |
USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C connector Power through USB-C or external PSU 8 Pin-Connector for device trigger/sync |
| trigger | Supported | Supported |
| Power Consumption | 5.9 W max |
4.35W Average |
| Operating Environment | 10℃-25℃; 8-90% (non-condensing) Relative Humidity | 10℃-25℃; Indoor/Semi-outdoor; 8-90% (non-condensing) RH |
| SDK Support | Azure Kinect Sensor SDK | Orbbec SDK |
| Data Output | Point cloud, Depth Map, IR and RGB | Point cloud, Depth Map, IR and RGB |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 103x39x126 mm | 115x40x65 mm |
| Weight | 440 g | 335 g |
| Installation | Bottom: 1/4-20UNC / 4x internal screw points | Bottom: 1/4-20UNC Side: 4xM2.5 |
Operating modes and performance
Azure Kinect DK has a built-in 1 megapixel Time-of-Flight (ToF) depth camera designed by Microsoft. Orbbec Femto also has identical operating modes and performance.The viewing angle mode of the depth camera can be set depending on the purpose.
Depth camera operating mode
| Mode/Device | Azure Kinect Developer Kit | Femto Bolt / Femto Mega |
|---|---|---|
| NFOV unbinned | 640×576 @ 5/15/25/30fps | 640×576 @ 5/15/25/30fps |
| NFOV 2×2 binned (SW) | 320×288 @ 5/15/25/30fps | 320×288 @ 5/15/25/30fps |
| WFOV 2×2 binned | 512×512 @ 5/15/25/30fps | 512×512 @ 5/15/25/30fps |
| WFOV unbinned | 1024×1024 @ 5/15fps | 1024×1024 @ 5/15fps |
| Passive IR | 1024×1024 @ 5/15/25/30fps | 1024×1024 @ 5/15/25/30fps |
NFOV (Narrow field-of-view depth mode)
WFOV (Wide field-of-view depth mode)
FOV (Field-of-view)
FPS (Frames-per-second / Number of frames per second)
IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit)
FoI (Field of Illumination)
Operating depth range
| Mode/Device | Azure Kinect Developer Kit | Femto Bolt / Femto Mega |
|---|---|---|
| NFOV unbinned | 0.5 - 3.86 m | 0.5 - 3.86 m |
| NFOV 2×2 binned (SW) | 0.5 - 5.46 m | 0.5 - 5.46 m |
| WFOV 2×2 binned | 0.25 - 2.88 m | 0.25 - 2.88 m |
| WFOV unbinned | 0.25 - 2.21 m | 0.25 - 2.21 m |
Depth and IR FoV
| Mode/Device | Azure Kinect Developer Kit | Femto Bolt / Femto Mega |
|---|---|---|
| NFOV unbinned | 75 ° x65 ° | 75 ° x65 ° |
| WFOV binned | 120 ° x120 ° | 120 ° x120 ° |
| WFOV unbinned | 120 ° x120 ° | 120 ° x120 ° |
Characteristics of color cameras
| Mode/Device | Azure Kinect Developer Kit | Femto Bolt / Femto Mega |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel pitch | 1.25 um | 1.45 um |
| Sensor Size | 5.120×3.132 mm | 5.568×3.840mm |
| F number | 2.2 | 2.7 |
| aspect ratio | 4:3 | 16:9 |
In terms of pixel pitch and F value, Azure Kinect DK's 1.25um and F2.2 are slightly better, while sensor size of Femto Bolt's 5.568 x 3.840mm is slightly better in terms of resolution and low-light performance.However, it is not a big difference, and both products are considered to have a level that does not pose any practical problems.
The 16:9 aspect ratio is the mainstream for video shooting today.When comparing aspect ratios, Femto Bolt's 16:9 can be said to be suitable for video shooting.
Color camera operating mode
| resolution/device | Azure Kinect Developer Kit | Femto Bolt / Femto Mega |
|---|---|---|
| 3840×2160: 4K | 5/15/30fps MJPEG | 5/15/25fps MJPEG/YUY2/H.264/H.265 |
| 2560×1440: WQHD | 5/15/30fps MJPEG | 5/15/25fps MJPEG/YUY2/H.264/H.265 |
| 1920×1080: FHD (Full-HD) | 5/15/30fps MJPEG | 5/15/25/30fps MJPEG/YUY2/H.264/H.265 |
| 1280×720: HD | 5/15/30fps MJPEG/YUY2/NV12 | 5/15/25/30fps MJPEG/YUY2/H.264/H.265 |
| 1280×960: HDTV | Not applicable | 5/15/25/30fps MJPEG/YUY2/H.264/H.265 |
| 4096×3072: wide | 5/15fps MJPEG | Not applicable |
| 2048×1536: QXGA | 5/15/30fps MJPEG | Not applicable |
There is no big difference between the Azure Kinect DK and Femto Bolt color cameras when shooting MJPEG videos at frame rates of 5/15/30fps.However, Femto Bolt supports compression formats such as YUY2/H.264/H.265 in addition to MJPEG, and high frame rate videos of 25fps.Therefore, it can be said that Femto Bolt has a wider selection of operating modes and its video performance is somewhat better than Azure Kinect DK.
Color camera aspect ratio and FOV
| resolution/device | Azure Kinect Developer Kit | Femto Bolt / Femto Mega |
|---|---|---|
| 3840×2160: 4K | 16:9, 90°x59° | 16:9, 80°×51° |
| 2560×1440: WQHD | 16:9, 90°x59° | 16:9, 80°×51° |
| 1920×1080: FHD (Full-HD) | 16:9, 90°x59° | 16:9, 80°×51° |
| 1280×720: HD | 16:9, 90°x59° | 16:9, 80°×51° |
| 1280×960: HDTV | Not applicable | 4:3, 65°x51° |
| 4096×3072: wide | 4:3, 90°x74.3° | Not applicable |
| 2048×1536: QXGA | 4:3, 90°x74.3° | Not applicable |
About connecting multiple devices
Femto Bolt is equipped with an 8-pin synchronization system that supports multi-sensor networks, mainly cameras and other sensors. Users of the Azure Kinect Development Kit can sync with a specific audio cable.Orbbec's Sync Trigger Hub also supports precise synchronization over long distances using common Ethernet cables, and allows switching of trigger levels.
For example for Orbbec Femto BoltMulti-Camera Sync Hub ProSets are useful for efficient synchronization. This set includes one Sync Hub Pro and two Orbbec Sync adapters, allowing you to effectively work together multiple cameras and devices. Compact yet highly functional, it reliably transmits signals between devices using an RJ1 interface or CAT2 or higher cable.
Please refer to the manufacturer page below.
Sync multiple Azure Kinect DK devices
https://learn.microsoft.com/ja-jp/azure/kinect-dk/multi-camera-syncOrbbec Sync Hub Pro (reference product)
https://shop.orbbec3d.com/Sync-Hub-Pro
*For Orbbec Sync Hub Pro, please also refer to the product page below.
For inquiries about Orbbec products, please contact Unipos
Unipos (Tegara Corporation) has delivered Orbbec's 3D camera to many customers. If you are considering purchasing Orbbec products, please feel free to contact Unipos, an expert in overseas product procurement.
Please also refer to the article below.
| ■ Click here for product details and inquiries Orbbec Femto series | ToF depth camera equipped with 6-axis IMU and capable of synchronizing multiple units Manufacturer (Orbbec 3D Tech. Intl. Inc) website
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