Raspberry Pi has launched the Camera Module 3 with major improvements including higher resolution, infrared, HDR, autofocus, a wide-angle FOV and more, the company says announced. Not counting the interchangeable-lens model introduced in 2020, it’s the company’s first new camera module in six years.
The previous Module 2 cameras used a Sony IMX219 8 megapixel sensor. However, the new models carry Sony’s new 12-megapixel IMX708 chip, which is not only larger but also has a higher resolution. That means sharper images and better low-light sensitivity too. It also has a 16:9 aspect ratio, so it can capture HD video up to 1080p50 using the full sensor area.
Better still, where the previous module had fixed autofocus, Module 3 has built-in electric autofocus capability. That makes them a bit thicker (up to 12.4mm compared to 9mm) but more versatile, allowing you to focus on objects from 5cm (2″) to infinity.
The standard field of view (FoV) variants offer a horizontal field of view of 66 degrees, which is approximately equivalent to a full-frame 28mm lens. However, the wide-angle version increases that to 102 degrees horizontally (a full-frame 14mm lens). With a “more expensive and complex optical stack”, the wide-angle version is slightly thicker, 12.4 compared to 11.5mm, according to the Raspberry Pi.
It also offers HDR capability and captures multiple simultaneous exposures with different exposure times. This allows you, for example, to shoot indoors with the right exposure for interior and exterior details. And finally, the NoIR sensors (no infrared filter) first introduced with Module 2 can effectively turn your Raspberry Pi into a night vision camera.
The launch features no fewer than four modules, including standard and wide-angle models, in both visible light and NoIR infrared versions. Both regular models start at $25, while the wide-angle versions cost $35. They are available now at Store of Raspberry Pi .
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