The Raspberry Pi foundation has announced some impressive-sounding new camera modules with higher resolution, larger pixels, wide-angle options, autofocus, high dynamic range and night vision via infrared.
The upgraded Camera Model 3 once again starts at just $25 (around £20), which isn’t bad considering it’s the first major upgrade to the cameras modules since 2016.
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The new module is based upon Sony’s IMX708 sensor. It’s back-illuminated, offers 12-megapixels (up from 8) and larger 1.40μm pixels, as well as some lovely HDR imagery and 16:9 HD video recording.
There are multiple variants on offer. The standard modules slightly improve the field of view from 62-degrees on the predecessor to 66-degrees. However, if you opt for the the wide field of view module you’ll get a much broader 102-degrees. That variant offers digital panning for the first time.
The biggest improvement though, might be the addition of autofocus. In a blog post, Raspberry Pi CEO Eben Upton explains: “Camera Module 3 introduces powered autofocus support for the first time. The lens assembly is mounted on a voice-coil actuator, allowing us to move it backwards and forwards relative to the sensor until a selected area (by default the middle) of the scene is optimally focused.”
You can see a demonstration of the new Autofocus capabilities in the video below.
You can also see a breakdown of the all of the camera modules to date. The Camera Module 3 works with all of the Raspberry Pi computers with CSI connectors (except the 400 and 2016 Zero) and there’s also a new version of the M12 mount available from today. That costs $50.
The new line-up includes four options, with standard and wide-angle options and a NoIR variant available for each. All in all it’s a boon for Raspberry Pi creators who’ll now be able to capture much-improved snaps natively at a typically excellent price point. Happy baking!
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
