Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 Standard Lens

Specifications

• Sensor: Sony IMX708 Quad Bayer (Back-illuminated)
• Resolution: 11.9 Megapixels (4608 × 2592 pixels)
• Focus System: Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) with powered lens movement
• Lens Type: Standard Field of View (75° Horizontal)
• HDR Mode: Supported (up to 3 megapixels output)
• Video Modes: 1080p50, 720p100, 480p120
• Focus Range: 10cm to Infinity
• Connector: Standard 15-pin CSI connector (Compatible with Pi 3B/4B)
• Dimensions: 25 × 24 × 11.5mm

Applications

• Smart Agriculture: Monitor plant health with high-res, focused close-ups of leaves and pests.
• Industrial Quality Control: Use the autofocus to inspect parts on a moving conveyor belt at varying distances.
• Home Security: HDR capabilities allow for clear facial recognition even when the subject is backlit by a window.
• Robotics: Give your robot true depth perception and the ability to focus on objects it is interacting with.

Project Evolution

• The Prerequisites: If you have mastered the Raspberry Pi Camera Module V2 (8MP) and found the fixed focus limiting for moving objects...
• The Upgrade: The Camera Module 3 unlocks Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF). This allows your code to dynamically adjust focus via software, enabling professional-grade photography and more accurate computer vision models that require sharp details.
• Effort Level: Intermediate. Requires moving from the legacy camera stack to the new libcamera library.
• Minimum Hardware: Raspberry Pi 3B+ or newer recommended for smooth HDR processing.

Virtual Technician & Wiring Guide

• Software Warning: The Camera Module 3 does NOT work with the old raspistill or raspivid commands. You must update your OS to the latest Raspberry Pi OS (Bullseye or newer) and use the libcamera suite (e.g., libcamera-hello, libcamera-still).

      Connection Guide:

• Pi 3B/4B: Use the included 15-pin ribbon cable. The Blue side of the cable faces the Ethernet/USB ports.
  Pi 5 / Zero 2 W: You will need a separate 15-pin to 22-pin adapter cable (sold separately).

Package Includes:

• 1x Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 Standard Lens

Frequently Asked Questions (Technical FAQs)

• Does this camera work with Raspberry Pi 5?
  Yes, but the Pi 5 uses a smaller 22-pin connector. You must purchase a "Pi Zero/Pi 5 Camera Cable" separately.
• Can I use the old raspistill command?
  No, Module 3 requires the new libcamera or rpicam-apps software stack.
• Does it support night vision (NoIR)?
  This is the Standard version with an IR filter. For night vision, you need the "NoIR" variant of Module 3.
• What is the minimum focus distance?
  The autofocus lens can focus as close as 10cm from the subject.
• How do I enable autofocus in Python?
  Using the Picamera2 library, autofocus is enabled by default in "continuous" mode, or can be controlled manually.
• Does HDR reduce the resolution?
  Yes, when HDR is enabled, the output is typically limited to roughly 3MP due to the sensor's quad-bayer processing.
• Is the ribbon cable included?
  Yes, a standard 15-pin ribbon cable (approx 15-20cm) is included in the box.
• Can I manually control the focus?
  Yes, libcamera allows you to set the lens position to a specific value (0.0 to 1.0) via software.
• Is this compatible with Raspberry Pi Zero W?
  Yes, but you need the specific camera adapter cable for the Pi Zero.
• Does it work with Jetson Nano?
  Not out of the box. It requires specific drivers which are primarily developed for the Raspberry Pi ecosystem.
• What is the Field of View (FoV)?
  This Standard version has a 75° Horizontal Field of View. The "Wide" version (sold separately) has 120°.
• Does it overheat during 1080p video?
  The module runs warm but is designed to operate safely without a heatsink under normal conditions.
• Can I change the lens?
  No, the lens is integrated into the autofocus mechanism and is not user-replaceable.
• Is the sensor larger than Module V2?
  Yes, the IMX708 sensor is physically larger, providing better light gathering capability.
• Does it support 4K video?
  No, the maximum video resolution is generally limited by the Pi's encoder, typically up to 1080p or slightly higher raw dumps.
• Why is my image blurry out of the box?
  The lens floats. You must run a preview window (like libcamera-hello -t 0) to activate the autofocus mechanism.
• Can I use this for timelapse photography?
  Yes, libcamera-still --timelapse is fully supported.
• Is the connector the same as the V1/V2 camera?
  Yes, the connector on the board itself is the standard 15-pin CSI found on Module V1 and V2.
• Does it have a global shutter?
  No, the IMX708 uses a Rolling Shutter.
• What is the max frame rate at full resolution?
  At full 12MP, the frame rate is approximately 10-15 fps depending on the Pi model.