IMX219 8MP Camera Module - 77° 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): 77° (Distortion-free normal lens)

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

• Operating Voltage: 3.3V to 5V DC

• Dimensions: 25.00mm x 24.00mm

• Mounting Holes: 4 holes (1.8mm to 2.2mm diameter)

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

Key Applications and Projects

• OctoPrint / 3D Printer Timelapses: Capturing high-quality, distortion-free timelapses of your 3D prints to monitor for failures.

• AI Machine Vision: Feeding high-fidelity, undistorted RGB image data into TensorFlow, OpenCV, or edge impulse models for superior object recognition accuracy.

• Security & Surveillance: Building a compact, high-resolution DIY security camera or smart doorbell that integrates easily with Home Assistant.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution)

• Software Integration: Utilise the native libcamera software stack on your Raspberry Pi OS to unlock advanced manual controls for ISO, shutter speed, and white balance without needing custom drivers.

• Platform Upgrade: Pair this reliable sensor with the immense processing power of the Raspberry Pi 5 (using a 22-pin adapter cable) to achieve real-time, high-framerate AI inferencing that was previously impossible on older boards.

Package Includes:

• 1 x IMX219 8MP Camera Module (77° FOV)
• 1 x 15-Pin CSI Ribbon Cable

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

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

2. Which sensor does it use? It uses the highly acclaimed Sony IMX219 CMOS image sensor.

3. Is this compatible with the Raspberry Pi 5? Yes, it is fully compatible with the Raspberry Pi 5. However, because the Pi 5 uses a smaller 22-pin CSI port, you will need a 15-pin to 22-pin adapter cable to connect it.

4. What does "77° FOV" mean? FOV stands for Field of View. A 77-degree angle provides a standard, "normal" perspective without the barrel distortion (fisheye look) common in wide-angle lenses.

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

6. Does it have auto-focus? No, this module features a fixed-focus lens, which is standard for the IMX219 sensor.

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

8. What does Pin 1 do on the ribbon cable? According to the pin definition, Pin 1 accepts the 3.3V to 5V power supply from the host board.

9. What are the SDA and SCL pins used for? Pins 2 (SDA) and 3 (SCL) are the I2C communication lines used by the Raspberry Pi to control camera settings like exposure and gain.

10. Does this camera capture audio? No, standard MIPI CSI-2 camera modules do not include microphones. You must use a separate USB or I2S microphone for audio.

11. Do I need to install special drivers? No, the Sony IMX219 is natively supported by the Raspberry Pi OS and works perfectly out-of-the-box with the standard libcamera stack.

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

13. What is the LDO-PW pin? Pin 5 (LDO-PW) is an enable pin for the camera's onboard low-dropout voltage regulator, allowing the Pi to power down the camera to save energy.

14. How do I mount it? The board features four mounting holes (measuring roughly 1.8mm and 2.2mm in diameter) spaced appropriately for M2 machine screws.

15. Can I change the lens? The lens is typically threaded but factory-glued into the housing to ensure perfect focus. Attempting to unscrew it may break the mount.

16. Why are there so many GND pins? High-speed differential data signals require excellent grounding to prevent signal corruption. Pins 6, 9, 12, and 15 provide these vital ground references.

17. What do P1/N1 and P2/N2 mean? These represent the positive and negative pairs of the MIPI CSI-2 high-speed data lanes used to stream the image data to the processor.

18. Can I use this with an Arduino? No, standard Arduinos lack the processing power, RAM, and the specific MIPI CSI interface required to interface with high-resolution cameras like this.

19. Can I extend the ribbon cable? Yes, you can buy longer 15-pin FFC cables, but keeping it under 30cm is recommended to prevent data degradation.

20. Is this an official Raspberry Pi Camera Module V2? It uses the exact same IMX219 sensor architecture as the official V2 camera, making it a 1:1 functional equivalent for your software and hardware projects.