Capturing and documenting visual data in hazardous industrial settings requires more than just a standard camera. The stakes are high and the environment is unforgiving, so you must ensure your camera meets the highest industry safety standards.
Intrinsically safe cameras are your best option for documenting inspections, capturing footage, and recording visuals in hazardous environments. They are designed to capture an accurate visual representation of the unseen with safety and confidence.
At Intrinsically Safe Store, we have a lineup of explosion-proof and intrinsically safe cameras that are suitable for use in a variety of hazardous environments.
Today, we’d like to draw your attention to two options from top brands in the industry: the CorDEX ToughPIX EXTREME TP3EX and the Bartec Pixavi Cam. These cameras boast cutting-edge features, robust certifications, and an unwavering commitment to safety.
We’ll explore their:
- Features
- Specifications
- Similarities
- Differences
We’ll conclude by helping you select the best intrinsically safe camera for your specific industrial photography needs.
What Is an Intrinsically Safe Camera?
An intrinsically safe camera is a specialized camera that meets the specific requirements of various hazardous environments. It complies with the relevant safety standards and regulations set by different governing bodies, such as IECEx (International), ATEX (Europe), and NEC/CEC (North America).
Definition: IECEx is the acronym for the International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres (IECEx System).
These cameras are designed to be used in environments where there’s a risk of explosion or fire due to the presence of flammable gasses, vapors, or dust. They prevent ignition by decreasing the amount of thermal or electrical energy they generate.
Intrinsically safe cameras facilitate visual inspections, monitoring, and documentation in hazardous areas.
The impact resistance, corrosion resistance, and ingress protection (IP) ratings vary between the different camera types.
Hence, there are different types of intrinsically safe cameras suitable for different hazardous environments, such as oil and gas, chemical processing, and power generation.
Using intrinsically safe cameras in hazardous environments helps to:
- Ensure compliance with regulations, which minimizes the risk of being slapped with regulatory penalties
- Enhance the safety of workers tasked with capturing visual information and carrying out inspections in hazardous areas
- Prevent potential damage to regular cameras as well as other equipment in a hazardous environment
- Facilitate real-time monitoring of hazardous areas from remote locations
1 – CorDEX ToughPIX EXTREME TP3EX
The CorDEX ToughPIX EXTREME TP3EX is an intrinsically safe digital camera manufactured for use in Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous locations.
It’s a tough, compact, and reliable pocket-size camera certified by ATEX and IECEx to capture high-resolution digital or thermal images in explosive atmospheres. It also holds a Class I, Division 2 certification, which verifies its use in North America.
Definition: ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres: Directive 99/92/EC (also known as ATEX 137 or the ATEX Workplace Directive) and Directive 2014/34/EU (also known as ATEX 114′ or ‘the ATEX Equipment Directive).
The CorDEX ToughPIX EXTREME TP3EX is priced to go, and its aluminum body ensures it can withstand any extremes it’s placed in—from high drops and freezing temperatures to explosive dust and water exposure.
It has an IP54 ingress protection rating, meaning it’s both waterproof and dustproof. Operators in hazardous areas can hold it securely in their hands when capturing images with the attached camera strap or mount it to a tripod via the tripod mount at the bottom.
It boasts some other impressive features that make it ideal for use in hazardous environments.
Important Features of the CorDEX ToughPIX EXTREME TP3EX
- Auto-adjusting CMOS sensor with 5 MP resolution: This CorDEX digital camera has a 5 MP lens with an automatic and motorized optical focus. The camera captures finely detailed and colorful digital images with a high resolution in both dim and well-lit conditions.
It also has an ultra-bright LED flashlight that ensures you capture high-quality images even in completely dark environments. - Intrinsically safe: It’s certified by ATEX and IECEx, meaning it meets the strict safety standards for use in hazardous environments where ignition or explosion is probable due to the presence of flammable gasses, vapors, dust, or liquids.
- Intrinsically secure: This CorDEX camera is protected using industry-standard encryption technology. This makes it ideal for security-conscious hazardous areas by ensuring it’s impervious to hacking.
- Long-lasting removable and rechargeable battery pack: The ToughPIX EXTREME TP3EX comes with a removable 2,000 mAh battery that lasts up to 8 hours on a single charge. The battery pack can be removed and recharged in 90 minutes using the desktop charger included in the package, then replaced by a backup battery. This ensures continuous operation and reduces downtime in hazardous areas.
- Secure WiFi Hotspot and SD Card Transfer: It can create a secure WiFi hotspot to facilitate the transfer of mission-critical images to a single designated device via a removable SD card.
2 – Bartec Pixavi Cam
The Bartec Pixavi Cam is a pocket-friendly, intrinsically safe camera that looks like a smartphone, complete with an Android 9.0 operating system.
It boasts explosion-proof excellence, backed by ATEX / IECEx Zone 1/21 and the NEC Class I Div 1 certifications.
Definition: NEC refers to the National Electric Code, which is a regionally adoptable standard for the safe installation of electrical wiring and equipment in the United States.
The Bartec Pixavi Cam is made with convenience and user-friendliness in mind.
It has a lightweight and compact design that makes it easy to carry in the field, and an ultrabright AMOLED display with impressive visibility in various lighting conditions. The 5.5” display is also hypersensitive, making it ideal for use even when wearing gloves.
Its user-friendly interface allows for live-streaming or documenting image and video content in the toughest working environments worldwide. A programmable button on the side of the device can be customized for quick access to frequently used functions.
Most importantly, the Bartec Pixavi Cam has front and rear cameras with high-quality imaging capabilities for recording either routine inspections or live streaming events in hazardous areas.
Important Features of the Bartec Pixavi Cam
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor: This digital camera is powered by a powerful processor with an Android 9.0 OS for reliable performance in high-demand applications.
- High-quality imaging: The 12.2 MP back camera allows for accurate documentation and recording of hazardous situations and produces 4K video quality. It also has a bright flash to boost visibility when capturing data in varying lighting conditions.
The 8 MP front camera is impressive with 1080p video-capturing capabilities, a proximity or ambient light sensor, and LED status to ensure clarity and minimal pixelation. - Multiple connectivity options: The Pixami Cam supports WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC, which allow for easy and efficient data transfer and communication in hazardous environments.
- Replaceable battery: Like the Toughpix Extreme digital intrinsically safe camera, the Pixavi Cam also comes with a removable and rechargeable battery. This provides flexibility for extended use in the field without the need for recharging.
- Rugged and reliable: This camera is made to withstand explosive conditions in hazardous environments, including dust, water, and drops. It has an IP68 dust and waterproof rating, which makes it ideal for use in rugged industrial settings.
Similarities Between CorDEX ToughPIX EXTREME TP3EX and Bartec Pixavi Cam
From their designs, it’s easy to conclude that the CorDEX ToughPIX EXTREME TP3EX and the Bartec Pixavi Cam are nothing alike, but upon closer inspection, some similarities become apparent.
They are both reliable and durable intrinsically safe cameras in the same price range.
They can be utilized in numerous hazardous environments, including chemical processing plants, oil and gas refineries, petrochemical facilities, pharmaceutical refineries, utilities, and power generation facilities.
Both cameras are certified with IECEx and/or ATEX Zone 1/21 and NEC Class I Div 1, ensuring their safety in potentially explosive environments.
And again, both come with removable and rechargeable batteries that extend their duration of use and maximize your return on investment. Finally, you can establish a secure WiFi connection on either gadget to facilitate the easy and secure transfer of images and videos.
Differences Between CorDEX ToughPIX EXTREME TP3EX and Bartec Pixavi Cam
While the CorDEX ToughPIX EXTREME TP3EX and Bartec Pixavi Cam have some similarities, they also have major differences that make them preferable in different use cases for different users.
The table below highlights major differences in their specifications and features.
| Specification/Feature | CorDEX ToughPIX EXTREME TP3EX | Bartec Pixavi Cam |
| Weight | Approx. 460 g | Approx. 293 g |
| Operating System | Customized OS | Android 9.0 |
| Camera | 2 MP | 12.2 MP back camera, 8 MP front camera |
| Display | 4.3″ TFT LCD | 5.5″ 1920×1080 AMOLED |
| User Memory | 32 GB + Optional SD Card | 64 GB + Optional SD Card |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, and Ambient Light Sensor | Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Magnetometer, Ambient Light Sensor, and Proximity Sensor |
| Usability | Stylus, gloved fingertip input | Stylus, bare or gloved fingertip input |
Which Camera Should You Choose?
The choice between CorDEX ToughPIX EXTREME TP3EX and Bartec Pixavi Cam depends on your company’s specific needs and preferences.
Even more important are the environmental conditions and the safety regulations of the hazardous areas where the camera will be used.
At Intrinsically Safe Store, we stock intrinsically safe cameras at competitive prices, and make sure that whichever one you order is delivered on time.
For use in industrial settings where a durable, intrinsically safe, and explosion proof camera is necessary, we recommend the CorDEX ToughPIX EXTREME TP3EX.
Its aluminum body is shock, dust, frost, and water-resistant, making it the ideal option for documenting and inspecting operations in the chemical processing, mining, and oil and gas industries.
On the other hand, we recommend getting the Bartec Pixavi intrinsically safe camera if portability and recording high resolution images and videos are of utmost importance.
Its lightweight design, high camera resolution, and advanced sensor capabilities make it the best choice for inspection, data collection, communication, and documentation in industries such as petrochemical and pharmaceutical.
Making Every Shot Count in Hazardous Areas With Intrinsically Safe Stores
At Intrinsically Safe Store, we understand the importance of having safe operations in hazardous working environments.
We bring you intrinsically safe cameras that are suitable for documentation in industrial settings while prioritizing safety.
The two options discussed here meet the stringent safety requirements of equipment used in hazardous areas. They also have the necessary certifications and unique features to enhance worker productivity and documenting capabilities.
The right choice for your company depends on your specific use cases, requirements, and preferences.
We recommend you evaluate your needs and consider the features and specifications of each camera to ensure you select a safe and reliable camera for your hazardous work environment.
Explore our range of intrinsically safe cameras to elevate your hazardous area photography by capturing stunning visuals safely.