Raspberry Pi Cameras - Introduction

Raspberry Pi Camera

Raspberry Pi Camera introduced June 2013. Raspberry Pi Camera is directly attached to GPU via a 15-pin connector. So, Its Data streams directly through GPU. Raspberry Pi GPU encodes H264 video and JPEG images.

Many compatible Raspberry Pi cameras available in market.

 Raspberry Pi has released total 3 camera modules.

1. Camera Module v1

• Released in 2013
• IR Filter and NOIR versions
• OmniVision OV5647 sensor
• 2592*1944 pixels (5 MP)
• 3.76*2.74 mm sensor area
• Discontinued by Raspberry Pi
• Available from other vendors
• Buy from amazon

2. Camara Module v2

• Released in 2016
• IR Filter and NOIR versions
• Sony IMX219 sensor
• 3280*2464 pixels (8 MP)
• 3.86*2.76 mm sensor area
• Official version $25 USD
• Available from other vendors
• Buy from amazon

3. HQ Camara

• Released in 2020
• Current only IR Filter version
• Sony IMX447 sensor
• 4056*3040 pixels (12.3 MP)
• 6.287*4.712 mm sensor area
• Sensor retails $50 USD
• HQ cameras comes without lens
• Uses C-mount lenses
• CS-mount adapter provided
• 6mm & 16mm lenses offered
• 1/4-inch tripod mount
• Buy from amazon

Note that, v1 & v2 cameras use fixed lenses while you have to purchase separate lens for HQ Camera.

Raspberry Pi use 15-pin connector for camera, which uses CSI-2 electrical protocol. 

Raspberry Pi Zero module has smaller connector, for that Adapter cable required for Pi Zero. Its Camera connector cable does not require shielding

Before going for other specs, let know about Camera sensor

Single pixel

• Sensor consists of elements called “pixels”. This Pixels also have micro-lenses to improve sensitivity separate from main lens. (shown in single pixel image)
• Earlier designs of cameras used CCD sensors, but its replaced by CMOS technology. Now, CMOS-based sensors more common
• In Sensor's pixels, Filters or silicon layers used to separate RGB colors, Note that - Not all colors have equal sensitivity to light.



Grid of pixels

• pixels are arranged on grid. This Grid is also called the "frame". And Big frame tends to better performance.Similarly, More pixels tends to higher resolution (Shown in grid of pixel image)

For Camera Interface, Data must conform to standards - JPEG standards for images and H264 standards for video. Other standards for Images are JPEG, GIF, BMP, PNG, RAW, etc. H264 standards for video specify frame rates and size.


 Size standards are as follow:

1. Full HD: 1080p
- pixels: 1920*1080 (2.1 MP)
2. Ultra HD: 4k
- pixels: 3480*2160 (8 MP)

Raspberry Pi Camera video processed by Broadcom VideoCore IV GPU. VideoCore IV GPU only supports H.264 encoding - 1080p at 30fps. Whether, H.265 encoding required for 4k video - 4K at 30fps (not applicable for Raspberry Pi cameras)
HDR (High Dynamic Range) is only supported by Sony IMX477 sensor. But HDR is not supported by VideoCore IV GPU.

Some other keynotes are:

Some manufacturers add better lenses to v1 & v2 modules
Lens quality affects image quality, so check lens specs also before purchasing Raspberry Pi camera
IR filter improves visible light performance, so if possible go for IR filter version, avoid NOIR if possible
And Make sure to get a Raspberry Pi camera (not NVIDIA Jetson)