Intel realSense vs. iOS LiDAR Vs. DPI: Which 3D camera is best for me?

THE CONTESTANTS:

RealSense D455, RealSense D415, iOS LiDAR, DPI Kit (X or 10), DPI-SR Kit (X or 10)

Let's rank them! As the list of 3D cameras supported in Dot3D continues to grow, it's helpful to take a closer look at which options perform best in each of the following categories:

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ATTAINABLE MEASUREMENT ACCURACY:

1. ​DPI-10SR / DPI-XSR Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.09)
2. DPI-10 / DPI-X Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.082)
3. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D455 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)
4. iOS LiDAR Camera (embedded into recent Pro model iPhones & iPads)
5. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D415 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)

NOTES: The DPI and DPI-SR Kits are arguably all tied for 1st here, with 2-5 mm attainable accuracies. The Intel RealSense D455 and iOS LiDAR are also arguably tied for 2nd: While each has its own +/-, the overall accuracies are relatively comparable. With either, reference constraints are recommended for the most accurate results.

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MAXIMUM RANGE:

1. iOS LiDAR Camera (5 m / 16.5 ft)
2. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D455 (​4.2 m / 14 ft)
3. DPI-10 / DPI-X Kit (3.7 m / 12 ft)
4. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D415 (3.0 m / 10 ft)
5. DPI-10SR / DPI-XSR Kit (2.0 m / 6.5 ft)

NOTES: In addition to one of the longest ranges, the Intel RealSense D455 also offers the widest field of view.

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MINIMUM RANGE:

1. DPI-10SR / DPI-XSR Kit (0.25 m / 0.75 ft)
2. iOS LiDAR Camera (0.33 m / 1 ft)
3. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D455 (​0.33 m / 1 ft)
4. DPI-10 / DPI-X Kit (0.5 m / 1.5 ft)
5. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D415 (0.5 m / 2 ft)

NOTES: The DPI-10SR / DPI-XSR stands out as the best option for close range scanning.

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CLEANEST DATA (LEAST NOISE / STRAY POINTS):​

1. DPI-10 / DPI-X Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.082)
2. iOS LiDAR Camera (embedded into recent Pro model iPhones & iPads)
3. DPI-10SR / DPI-XSR Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.09)
4. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D455 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)​
5. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D415 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)

NOTES: Not to be confused with level of detail / overall accuracy (separate categories for those).

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SMALLEST / LIGHTEST:

1. iOS LiDAR Camera (embedded into recent Pro model iPhones & iPads)
2. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D415 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)
3. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D455 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)
4. DPI-X / DPI-XSR Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.08/1.09)
5. DPI-10 / DPI-10SR Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.08/1.09)

NOTES: Smaller/lighter = More practical for use with phones and/or extension poles.

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INDOOR ROOM-SCALE SCANNING:

1. DPI-10 / DPI-X Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.082)
2. iOS LiDAR Camera (embedded into recent Pro model iPhones & iPads)
3. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D455 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)
4. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D415 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)
5. DPI-10SR / DPI-XSR Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.09)

NOTES: The iOS LiDAR and RealSense D455 are relatively comparable here. While the RealSense D455 may provide more details on some areas/components, the iOS LiDAR will typically still provide even more accurate global measurements (i.e. wall to wall dimensions, etc.), especially across larger scan areas.

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OUTDOOR SCANNING IN DAYLIGHT:

1. iOS LiDAR Camera (embedded into recent Pro model iPhones & iPads)
2. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D455 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)
3. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D415 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)
4. DPI-10SR / DPI-XSR Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.09)
5. DPI-10 / DPI-X Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.082)

NOTES: The iOS LiDAR and Intel RealSense D455 perform comparably outdoors, however, the colors from from the iOS LiDAR are more reliable. In direct sunlight, D455 data will sometimes have a pink/purple tint to it. This is not the case with the D415. Options 3-5 will not work in direct sunlight at all.

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DISCRETE DETAIL SCANNING (OBJECTS/EQUIPMENT):

1. DPI-10SR / DPI-XSR Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.09)
2. DPI-10 / DPI-X Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.082)
3. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D455 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)
4. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D415 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)​
5. iOS LiDAR Camera (embedded into recent Pro model iPhones & iPads)

NOTES: The DPI-10SR / DPI-XSR stands out as the best option for discrete detail scanning.

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LARGE AREA SCANNING (INDOORS AND OUTDOORS):

1. iOS LiDAR Camera (embedded into recent Pro model iPhones & iPads)
2. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D455 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)
3. DPI-10 / DPI-X Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.082)
4. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D415 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)​
5. DPI-10SR / DPI-XSR Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.09)

NOTES: The iOS LiDAR is currently by far the best option here (as a result of Dot3D 5.0), but the others may catch up soon (or at least get closer) with the release of Dot3D 5.0 on Android and Window.

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EASE OF TRACKING:

1. iOS LiDAR Camera (embedded into recent Pro model iPhones & iPads)
2. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D455 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)
3. DPI-10 / DPI-X Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.082)
4. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D415 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)​
5. DPI-10SR / DPI-XSR Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.09)

NOTES: The iOS LiDAR is assisted by the intertial sensors of the iPhone/iPad, as well as the longer range of the camera. The D455 is assisted by its wide field of view and longer range than most of the others.

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VARIED/CHALLENGING SURFACES (BLACK/GRAY/SHINY/WHITE):

1. iOS LiDAR Camera (embedded into recent Pro model iPhones & iPads)
2. DPI-10 / DPI-X Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.082)
3. DPI-10SR / DPI-XSR Kit (DP-calibrated PrimeSense Carmine 1.09)
4. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D455 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)
5. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D415 (mountable to Windows/Android devices)​​

NOTES: The DPI-10 / DPI-X is the most versatile indoors. The iOS LiDAR is the most versatile outdoors.

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PRICE:

1. iOS LiDAR Camera (embedded into recent Pro model iPhones & iPads)
2. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D415: $259 (without DP-calibration/mounting kit)
3. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D455: $419 (without DP-calibration/mounting kit)
4. Intel® RealSense™ Depth Camera D455: $795 (with DP-calibration/mounting kit)
5. DPI-10 / DPI-X Kit (Carmine 1.082): $2500 / $995 (with DP-calibration & case)
6. DPI-10SR / DPI-XSR Kit (Carmine 1.09): $2500 / $995 (with DP-calibration & case)

NOTES: ​DP-calibration adds quality control and sensor-specific accuracy improvement. It is included with all DPI Kits and the Intel RealSense D455 Kit if ordered from DotProduct or a DotProduct reseller.

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You may notice we do not include the RealSense D435 / D435i on any of these lists. While these cameras are supported, they are not recommended over any of the above, and would not take the top spot in any of these categories. We also fully support the RealSense LiDAR Camera L515, but do not mention it here as it has been designated End of Life by Intel. The L515 offers long range and high accuracy in fully indoor conditions without dark black or shiny surfaces. For more information on each supported camera, please click here.