The Camera Module V2 8MP v2 is a small yet powerful camera module built exclusively for the Raspberry Pi single-board computer. Equipped with an 8-megapixel Sony IMX219 image sensor, it excels at capturing incredibly detailed and crisp images. With a maximum resolution of 3280x2464 pixels for still photos, it ensures stunningly clear visuals. it supports various video recording modes, including 1080p at 30 frames per second, 720p at 60 frames per second, and 640x480p at 90 frames per second. Designed to seamlessly integrate with all Raspberry Pi models, this camera module is a versatile choice for a wide range of applications. Whether you're interested in surveillance systems, robotics, home automation, or computer vision projects, the Camera Module V2 delivers exceptional performance, allowing you to capture high-quality images and record videos effortlessly.

 

Package Includes:

• 1 x Camera Module V2 8MP for Raspberry Pi

 

Features:

1. 8-Megapixel Resolution: The camera module utilizes an 8-megapixel image sensor, allowing for high-resolution image capture.
2. Still Image Capture: It enables capturing static images with a maximum resolution of 8 megapixels, providing detailed and clear photographs.
3. Video Recording: The module supports video recording at various resolutions and frame rates, although the specific options may vary. Common video recording options include 1080p at 30 frames per second, 720p at 60 frames per second, and lower resolutions.
4. Compact Design: The camera module is designed to be small and compact, making it suitable for projects with space constraints.
5. Easy Integration: It connects to the Raspberry Pi board through a ribbon cable, ensuring a straightforward integration process.
6. CSI Interface: The camera module utilizes the CSI (Camera Serial Interface) bus interface of the Raspberry Pi, facilitating efficient data transfer between the camera module and the Raspberry Pi board.
7. Compatible with Raspberry Pi: The module is designed specifically for use with the Raspberry Pi single-board computer, ensuring seamless compatibility with all Raspberry Pi models.

 

Description:

Principle of Work:

The Camera Module V2 8MP2v works by utilizing the Camera Serial Interface (CSI) bus interface of the Raspberry Pi to communicate with the board and capture images or record videos. Here's a brief overview of how the module works internally and interacts with the Raspberry Pi:

1. Physical Connection: The camera module is connected to the Raspberry Pi board via a ribbon cable that plugs into the dedicated CSI connector on the board. This cable carries both power and data signals between the module and the Raspberry Pi.
2. Camera Sensor: The camera module features an 8-megapixel Sony IMX219 image sensor. This sensor is responsible for capturing light and converting it into digital image data.
3. Control and Data Transfer: The camera module communicates with the Raspberry Pi through the CSI bus interface. The CSI interface provides a dedicated channel for transferring control signals, image data, and synchronization information between the camera module and the Raspberry Pi.
4. Camera Driver: The Raspberry Pi operating system includes a camera driver that acts as an interface between the camera module and the software running on the Raspberry Pi. The camera driver facilitates communication, configuration, and control of the camera module from the software side.
5. Software Integration: To use the camera module, you can utilize software libraries and APIs provided by the Raspberry Pi operating system or third-party software libraries. These libraries allow you to access the camera module's functionality and control various parameters such as resolution, exposure, white balance, and more.
6. Image and Video Capture: Once the camera module is connected and configured, you can use software commands or programming interfaces to capture still images or record videos. The captured data is transferred from the camera module to the Raspberry Pi, where it can be processed, saved, or displayed as per your application's requirements.

To ensure proper functionality, it is important to correctly connect the ribbon cable. On the camera's PCB, ensure that the blue backing of the cable is facing away from the PCB. On the Raspberry Pi hardware, position the cable with the blue backing facing toward the Ethernet connection. The camera module's sensor plays a crucial role in the image-capturing process. It converts the incoming light from the lens into an electrical signal, which is then further transformed into a digital signal through an internal analog-to-digital conversion (A/D) process. If the sensor lacks an integrated digital signal processor (DSP), the signal is transmitted to the baseband via either the DVP (Digital Video Port) or MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) interface. At this stage, the data format typically remains as RAW RGB.

 

Pinout:

 

Pin #	Name	Description
1	GND	Ground
2	CAM_D0_N	MIPI Data Lane 0 Negative
3	CAM_D0_P	MIPI Data Lane 0 Positive
4	GND	Ground
5	CAM_D1_N	MIPI Data Lane 1 Negative
6	CAM_D1_P	MIPI Data Lane 1 Positive
7	GND	Ground
8	CAM_CK_N	MIPI Clock Lane Negative
9	CAM_CK_P	MIPI Clock Lane Positive
10	GND	Ground
11	CAM_IO0	Power Enable
12	CAM_IO1	LED Indicator
13	CAM_SCL	I2C SCL
14	CAM_SDA	I2C SDA
15	CAM_3V3	3.3V Power Input

 

Applications: 

1. Photography: The camera module allows users to capture high-resolution images with their Raspberry Pi, making it suitable for photography enthusiasts and hobbyists.
2. Video Recording: It enables video recording at different resolutions and frame rates, making it useful for applications such as vlogging, video monitoring, or creating time-lapse videos.
3. Surveillance Systems: The module is often used in security and surveillance systems, allowing users to monitor and record footage for safety purposes.
4. Robotics: With its compact size and high-quality image capture capabilities, the camera module is commonly integrated into robotics projects for visual feedback, object recognition, and autonomous navigation.
5. Home Automation: It can be utilized in home automation systems to monitor and control various aspects of the home, such as security cameras, video doorbells, or smart pet monitoring systems.
6. Computer Vision Projects: A camera module is a valuable tool for computer vision projects, including object detection, image classification, facial recognition, and augmented reality applications.
7. Remote Monitoring: It enables remote monitoring applications, where users can view live or recorded video feeds from the camera module over the internet or local networks.
8. Education and Learning: The camera module is often used in educational settings to teach concepts related to photography, computer vision, image processing, and robotics.

 

Circuit:

To utilize the Raspberry Pi Camera module effectively, it is essential to follow a few steps. Firstly, ensure that the camera software on your Raspberry Pi is enabled. This can be done by accessing the Raspberry Pi Configuration window, located under the Preferences menu in the Desktop environment. Within the Configuration window, navigate to the Interfaces tab and enable the Camera option. Once enabled, reboot your Raspberry Pi to apply the changes. Next, connecting the Camera Module is a straightforward process. Begin by shutting down the Raspberry Pi. Then, carefully connect the camera to the Pi's CSI (Camera Serial Interface) port, taking note of the proper orientation. Refer to the accompanying figure for guidance. It is crucial to ensure that the camera is connected correctly, with the ribbon cable's blue letters facing upward.

By following these steps, you can set up and connect the Raspberry Pi Camera module correctly, allowing you to capture images and record videos effectively.

Library:

If you are using the Raspbian distro, you probably have picamera installed by default. You can find out simply by starting Python and trying to import picamera:

$ python -c "import picamera"

$ python3 -c "import picamera"

If you get no error, you’ve already got picamera installed!

If you don’t have picamera installed

To install picamera on Raspbian, it is best to use the system’s package manager: apt. This will ensure that picamera is easy to keep up to date, and easy to remove should you wish to do so. It will also make picamera available for all users on the system. To install picamera using apt simply run:

$ sudo apt-get update

$ sudo apt-get install python-picamera python3-picamera

To upgrade your installation when new releases are made you can simply use apt’s normal upgrade procedure:

$ sudo apt-get update

$ sudo apt-get upgrade

 

Code:  

Take photos with the camera (this code initializes the Raspberry Pi Camera module, sets the resolution, starts a preview, waits for 2 seconds, and then captures an image, saving it as "test_photo.jpg".)

Open any Python IDE and copy the next code and save

from time import sleep
from picamera import PiCamera
camera = PiCamera()
camera.resolution = (1024, 768)
camera.start_preview()
sleep(2)
camera.capture('test_photo.jpg')

after running the script it will perform the following actions:: 

1. Importing Required Modules: The code imports the necessary modules for the program to function properly. The "time" module is imported to use the "sleep" function, which adds a delay in the program execution. The "picamera" module is imported to access the functions and capabilities of the Raspberry Pi Camera module.
2. Initializing the Camera: The code creates an instance of the PiCamera class and assigns it to the variable named "camera". This allows the program to control and interact with the Raspberry Pi Camera module.
3. Setting Resolution: The code sets the resolution of the camera using the "resolution" attribute of the camera object. In this case, the resolution is set to 1024x768 pixels.
4. Starting Preview: The code initiates a live preview from the camera using the "start_preview()" function. This function opens a preview window on the screen, displaying the camera's current view.
5. Adding a Delay: The code utilizes the "sleep" function to pause the program execution for 2 seconds using the "sleep(2)" statement. This delay allows the camera to adjust and stabilize before capturing an image.
6. Capturing an Image: After the delay, the code uses the "capture" function of the camera object to capture an image. The captured image is saved as "test_photo.jpg" in the current working directory.

 

Technical Details:

• Weight just over 3g
• CCD size: 1/4inch
• Aperture (F): 2.0
• Focal Length: 3.04mm
• Camera resolution: 8 megapixels.
• Supports: 1080p 30fps and 720p 60fps.
• Sony IMX219 image sensor.
• Horizontal field of view: 62.2 degrees.
• Vertical field of view: 48.8 degrees.
• Compatible with Raspberry Pi 4B, Raspberry 3B, Raspberry 3B+, Raspberry 3A+, and Raspberry Zero W.
• 3280 × 2464 still picture resolution
• Dimension: 25mm × 24mm × 9mm

 

Resources:

• Video Streaming Tutorial

Comparisons:

The Camera Module v1.3 is suitable for basic photography and video recording needs. The Camera Module v2 offers improved image quality with its 8-megapixel sensor, while the Camera Module HQ provides professional-grade image quality and advanced video capabilities with its 12.3-megapixel sensor, but at a higher cost. The choice depends on your specific requirements, budget, and the level of image quality and resolution needed for your projects.

Name	Camera Module v1.3	Camera Module v2	Camera Module HQ
Size	Around 25 × 24 × 9 mm	38 x 38 x 18.4mm (excluding lens)
Weight	3g	3g
Still resolution	5 Megapixels	8 Megapixels	12.3 Megapixels
Video modes	1080p30, 720p60 and 640 × 480p60/90	1080p30, 720p60 and 640 × 480p60/90	1080p30, 720p60 and 640 × 480p60/90
Linux integration	V4L2 driver available	V4L2 driver available	V4L2 driver available
C programming API	OpenMAX IL and others available	OpenMAX IL and others available
Sensor	OmniVision OV5647	Sony IMX477
Sensor resolution	2592 × 1944 pixels	3280 × 2464 pixels	4056 x 3040 pixels
Sensor image area	3.76 × 2.74 mm	3.68 x 2.76 mm (4.6 mm diagonal)	6.287mm x 4.712 mm (7.9mm diagonal)
Pixel size	1.4 µm × 1.4 µm	1.12 µm x 1.12 µm	1.55 µm x 1.55 µm
Focal length	3.60 mm +/- 0.01	3.04 mm	Depends on lens
Horizontal field of view	53.50 +/- 0.13 degrees	62.2 degrees	Depends on lens
Vertical field of view	41.41 +/- 0.11 degrees	48.8 degrees	Depends on lens
Focal ratio (F-Stop)	2.9	2	Depends on lens