IMX219 8MP Camera Module - Extreme 222° Fisheye FOV for Raspberry Pi 5, 4B, 3B+

Specifications

• Sensor Type: Sony IMX219 Color CMOS

• Resolution: 8 Megapixels (3280 x 2464 pixels)

• Field of View (FOV): 222° (Extreme Ultra-Wide Fisheye)

• Interface: MIPI CSI-2 (15-Pin standard on board)

• Operating Voltage: 3.3V to 5V DC

• Dimensions: 25.00mm x 24.00mm (Board), 16.50mm (Lens Height)

• Mounting Holes: 4 holes (approx. 2.20mm diameter)

• Compatibility: Raspberry Pi 4B/3B+/3A+ natively; Pi 5 and Pi Zero (requires adapter cable).

Key Applications and Projects

• 360-Degree VR Arrays: By mounting just two of these 222-degree cameras back-to-back, you get a massive 42 degrees of overlap, ensuring flawless, seamless software stitching for full 360x180 spherical video.

• All-Sky Cameras: Pointing the lens straight up into the night sky to record meteor showers, cloud cover, or Northern Lights across the entire visible horizon, right down to the ground level.

• Omnidirectional Robot Vision: Allowing a drone or rover to see obstacles in front, above, below, and out to its sides simultaneously.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution)

• Software De-warping: Use Python and OpenCV camera calibration libraries to mathematically map the extreme circular fisheye distortion into a massive, flattened panoramic image.

• Hemispherical AI Tracking: Pair this with a Raspberry Pi 5 to run object-detection models that track individuals as they walk completely across a room, from wall to wall, without ever leaving the frame.

Package Includes:

• 1 x IMX219 8MP Camera Module (222° FOV)

• 1 x Protective Plastic Lens Cap

• 1 x 15-Pin CSI Ribbon Cable

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. What is the maximum resolution of this camera? It features an 8 Megapixel sensor capable of capturing still images at 3280 x 2464 pixels.

2. What does "222° FOV" mean? It has an extreme 222-degree Field of View. A flat wall is 180 degrees; this camera actually sees significantly behind its own lens plane.

3. Will an image this wide cause distortion? Absolutely. The image will appear as a circle with black corners (a true fisheye), and straight lines will bend dramatically towards the edges.

4. Can the fisheye distortion be fixed? Yes, using software like OpenCV to calculate a calibration matrix, you can "de-warp" the image. However, pixels near the extreme edges will look stretched.

5. Is this compatible with the Raspberry Pi 5? Yes! However, the Raspberry Pi 5 uses a smaller 22-pin high-density CSI port, so you must use a 15-pin to 22-pin adapter cable.

6. What is the black plastic circle included in the photo? That is a protective lens cap. Because the fisheye lens glass bulges out so far, the cap is crucial to protect it from scratches.

7. What are the dimensions of the circuit board? The PCB is exactly 25.00mm wide by 24.00mm high.

8. How far does the lens stick out? The massive lens barrel extends 16.50mm from the surface of the circuit board.

9. What is the colorful reflection on the lens glass? That is a high-quality anti-reflective coating designed to reduce glare and ghosting from bright light sources.

10. Does it have auto-focus? No, this module features a fixed-focus fisheye lens. Extremely wide lenses naturally have an enormous depth of field, keeping almost everything in focus.

11. Can I record video with it? Yes, it supports video recording at 1080p30, 720p60, and VGA90 resolutions natively through the Pi.

12. Where does the ribbon cable plug in? It connects to the 15-pin connector located at the bottom edge of the board.

13. Does this camera capture audio? No, standard MIPI CSI-2 camera modules do not include microphones. You will need a separate USB microphone.

14. Do I need to install special drivers? No, the Sony IMX219 is natively supported by the Raspberry Pi OS and works seamlessly with the libcamera software stack.

15. Does it have night vision capabilities? No, this is a standard daylight RGB sensor equipped with an IR-cut filter. It cannot see infrared light in the dark.

16. How do I mount it? The board features four standard mounting holes spaced appropriately for M2 machine screws.

17. Can I change or unscrew the lens? It is highly discouraged. The lens is precisely focused at the factory and glued in place. Unscrewing it will likely break the sensor housing.

18. Can I use two of these to make a 360-degree camera? Yes, and because each camera covers 222 degrees, mounting two back-to-back provides a massive 42 degrees of overlap, perfect for seamless 360-degree video stitching.

19. Can I use this with an Arduino? No, standard microcontrollers lack the processing power and the MIPI CSI hardware interface required to handle these video streams.

20. Can I extend the ribbon cable? You can purchase longer 15-pin FFC cables, but keeping it under 30cm to 50cm is heavily recommended to prevent image data corruption.