In addition to the brand new 12 Mpix image sensor inherited from the world of smartphones, the new Rasperry Pi camera module brings three big new features: autofocus, the choice of angular coverage and a version without infrared filter.
One sensor, four configurations: the new Raspberry Pi camera module does not come alone. Called (logically) Camera Module 3, this new accessory for image hackers and other robot creators does not play the card of increasing definition. It’s even the opposite: Camera Module 2 displayed 12.3 Mpix against only 12 Mpix for this new module… but the image quality should be very markedly improved. The Sony IMX708 sensor is larger than the IMX477 which fitted the previous version: 1/2.43” compared to 2/4”. This gives photodiodes of 1.4 microns, against only 1.12 microns in the past. Designed on Exmor-R technology, so it is back-illuminated (electronics on the back of the sensor) and generates HDR automatically by stacking
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In addition to this improved image quality, the new camera module offers a major technical advance: autofocus. While the first version was fixed focus, and the second was manually adjustable focus, the Camera Module 3 takes advantage of an optic equipped with a smartphone AF module (we are talking about voice coil actuator or VCA). A motorized mechanism that moves the lenses to vary the focus distance. Thus offering (finally!) a normal AF experience to the Raspberry Pi.
One sensor, four configurations
the Camera Module 3 is not a single module, but a choice of two components forming an offer of four different modules. The first component is the angular coverage since two optical blocks. The “classic” module is equipped with wide-angle optics displayed with a horizontal angular coverage of 66 degrees – or a 28 mm (f / 1.8) equivalent according to our calculations.
The “wide-angle” optics (rather ultra-wide-angle according to photo standards) covers 102° and is equivalent to a 14.5 mm f/2.2 (again according to our calculations). The standard wide-angle module allows focusing from 10 cm to infinity, the ultra-wide-angle module from 5 cm to infinity.
The other variable that can be chosen at the time of purchase is the presence or not of an infrared filter. For conventional imaging, it will therefore be necessary to choose a normal version with a green PCB, for a module sensitive in the infrared (night imaging, etc.), it will be necessary to choose the “NoIR” versions with a black PCB.
A contained price thanks to smartphones
The Sony IMX708 sensor and the autofocus actuator of the optics are two much more high-end components than what was fitted to the previous generation. As we have seen, this Camera module 3 brings motorized autofocus, native hardware HDR, larger photodiodes, and more. However, the classic color module will be launched, like its ancestor at only $25 excl. VAT ($35 excl. VAT for the ultra-wide-angle module due to the greater optical complexity).
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Enjoying so many improvements at a constant price in a context of generalized price increases can be explained in one word: smartphone. The Raspberry Pi development team purchased off-the-shelf modules found in smartphones – the IMX708 was developed for the Oppo Fin X2. A world in which insane volumes and relentless R&D have made it possible to bring down prices in an impressive way in many areas – if electric cars are progressing, it is in particular thanks to smartphone battery technologies!
The rest of the story is now up to the hackers. But one thing is certain: the arrival of new digital “eyes” of such quality and at such an affordable price could be a real springboard for educational and industrial applications in imaging and robotics. Two areas in which the Raspberry Pi ecosystem is, once again, essential.
All camera modules are already available:
- The Camera Module v3 with color sensor and wide-angle optics at 30 €
- The Camera Module v3 with color sensor and ultra wide-angle optics at 39 €
- The Camera Module v3 with sensor without infrared filter and wide-angle optics at 30 €
- The Camera Module v3 with sensor without infrared filter and ultra wide-angle optics at 90 €
Raspberry Pi Foundation
