Raspberry Pi’s new 12-megapixel digital camera modules present powered autofocus | Engadget

Raspberry Pi has launched the Camera Module 3 with massive enhancements, together with larger decision, infrared, HDR, autofocus, a large angle FOV and extra, the corporate announced. Not counting the interchangeable lens mannequin launched in 2020, it is the corporate’s first new digital camera module in six years.

The earlier Module 2 cameras used a Sony IMX219 8-megpixel sensor. However, the brand new fashions carry Sony’s new 12-megapixel IMX708 chip, which isn’t solely bigger however has extra decision. That interprets to sharper photos and likewise higher low-light sensitivity. It additionally has a 16:9 facet ratio, so HD video as much as 1080p50 could be captured utilizing your complete sensor space. 

Better nonetheless, the place the earlier module had mounted autofocus, Module 3 has built-in powered autofocus functionality. That makes them a bit thicker (as much as 12.4mm in comparison with 9mm) however extra versatile, letting you concentrate on objects ranging in distance from 5cm (2 inches) to infinity. 

The customary field-of-view (FoV) variants present a 66 diploma horizontal subject of view, roughly equal to a 28mm full-frame lens. The broad angle model, nevertheless, bumps that to 102 levels horizontal (a 14mm full-frame lens). With a “more expensive and complex optical stack,” the wide-angle model is a bit thicker, 12.4 in comparison with 11.5mm, in accordance with Raspberry Pi. 

It additionally provides HDR functionality, taking a number of simultaneous exposures with completely different publicity instances. That permits you to seize inside pictures, for example, with the proper publicity on each inside and exterior particulars. And lastly, the NoIR (no infrared filter) sensors, first launched with the Module 2, can successfully convert your Raspberry Pi right into a night-vision digital camera. 

The launch consists of a minimum of 4 modules, together with customary and broad angle fashions, each in seen gentle and NoIR infrared variations. Both the traditional fashions begin at $25, whereas the broad angle variations price $35. They’re now accessible at Raspberry Pi’s store .