A scanning camera upgrade adaptor system provides backwards compatibility when an existing scanning camera subsystem is replaced or upgraded in automated sorting equipment with a newer camera having a different data format. The adaptor system allows sorting equipment such as mail sorting equipment to be upgraded or repaired with a new camera while providing compatibility and optional fallback to a previous mode of operation of the existing equipment. The upgrade system enables legacy equipment and newly added sorting/processing equipment to be utilized in conjunction, while reducing cost of upgrade and necessity for completely new equipment as desirable features are added.