Raspberry Pi NoIR Camera Module V2 Board 8MP 1080p

Specifications

• Image Sensor: Genuine Sony IMX219
• Resolution: 8 Megapixels (3280 x 2464 active pixels)
• Video Modes: 1080p30, 720p60, and 640x480p90 (VGA)
• Filter: No IR (Infrared) Cut Filter (Allows IR light to hit the sensor)
• Optical Size: 1/4" format
• Focal Length: 3.04 mm
• Field of View (FoV): 62.2 x 48.8 degrees
• Interface: 15-pin MIPI Camera Serial Interface (CSI-2)
• Dimensions: 25mm x 23mm x 9mm

Applications

• Nocturnal Wildlife Traps: Automatically record animals visiting your garden at night without startling them with visible flashlights.
• Smart Home Security: Build a DIY CCTV camera that monitors pitch-black rooms seamlessly.
• Astrophotography: Capture better night-sky images, as the lack of an IR filter makes the sensor highly sensitive to hydrogen-alpha light from nebulas.
• Agricultural Plant Health (NDVI): Use specific blue filters to monitor crop health and photosynthesis levels.

Unlock New Capabilities

• Past Projects: You’ve likely mastered basic motion detection using standard PIR sensors or daytime timelapses with the standard Pi Camera V1/V2.
• The Feature Upgrade: The NoIR module unlocks night vision and spectral imaging. You can now run OpenCV facial recognition in pitch-black conditions or analyze agricultural health.
• Effort/Requirements: Beginner to Intermediate. You only need a Raspberry Pi, the included CSI cable, and a basic understanding of the Python picamera library. Crucial: To see in absolute zero-light, you must add an external Infrared LED illuminator.

Virtual Technician & Wiring Guide

• ⚠️ Safety Warning: Camera modules are highly sensitive to Electrostatic Discharge (ESD). Touch a grounded metal object before handling the board, and never plug/unplug the camera while the Raspberry Pi is powered on.

Connection Steps:

• Locate the CSI port on your Raspberry Pi (usually between the HDMI and audio ports).
• Gently pull up the plastic locking clip on the CSI port.
• Insert the ribbon cable with the blue tape facing towards the Ethernet/USB ports (and the silver pins facing the HDMI port).
• Push the locking clip down firmly.
• Enable the legacy camera stack or libcamera in your raspi-config.

Package Includes:

• 1 x Raspberry Pi NoIR Camera Module V2 Board 8MP 1080p

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Does this camera work during the day?
  Yes, but because it lacks an IR filter, daytime images will look washed out and have a strong pink/purple tint. It is designed specifically for low-light/IR environments.
• Can it see in complete darkness out of the box?
  No. It can "see" infrared light, but it does not emit it. In a pitch-black room, you must provide an Infrared (IR) LED light source for the camera to see anything.
• Is this compatible with the Raspberry Pi 4?
  Yes, it is fully compatible with the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B via the standard CSI port.
• Is it compatible with the Raspberry Pi Zero?
  Yes, but the Pi Zero uses a smaller 22-pin CSI connector. You will need to purchase a separate "Pi Zero Camera Cable" adapter.
• How do I focus the lens?
  The V2 camera comes pre-focused to infinity. While technically fixed-focus, some users carefully break the glue seal to manually screw/unscrew the lens for macro focusing, though this voids the warranty.
• What is the maximum video framerate?
  It can shoot up to 90 frames per second at VGA (640x480) resolution, perfect for slow-motion capture.
• Does it have a microphone for audio?
  No, the Raspberry Pi camera modules do not feature built-in microphones. You will need a separate USB microphone for audio.
• Which operating systems support this camera?
  It is natively supported by Raspberry Pi OS (formerly Raspbian), Ubuntu for Pi, and most major OS distributions built for the Raspberry Pi.
• Do I need to install drivers?
  No external drivers are needed on Raspberry Pi OS. You simply need to enable the camera interface via the raspi-config tool or the desktop preferences.
• What is the difference between standard V2 and NoIR V2?
  They use the exact same 8MP Sony IMX219 sensor. The only difference is the NoIR version has the infrared cut filter removed from the lens.
• Can I use this with Arduino or ESP32?
  No. This camera uses the high-speed MIPI CSI-2 interface, which microcontrollers like Arduino and ESP32 do not possess. It requires a Linux SBC like the Raspberry Pi.
• How long can the camera ribbon cable be?
  The standard included cable is 15cm. You can reliably extend it up to 50cm. Beyond that, signal degradation may occur unless you use a specialized HDMI-extension adapter.
• What voltage does the camera operate on?
  It is powered directly by the 3.3V rail provided through the Raspberry Pi's CSI ribbon cable.
• Can I use OpenCV with this camera?
  Absolutely. It is highly popular for OpenCV computer vision projects, especially for nighttime facial recognition or object tracking.
• My camera is not detected (Error: no cameras available), what should I do?
  Check the ribbon cable seating on both the Pi and the camera board itself. Ensure it is inserted in the correct orientation. Verify the camera is enabled in raspi-config.
• Does this camera support autofocus?
  No, the NoIR V2 is a fixed-focus camera.