16MP Camera Module for Raspberry Pi

by Arducam

A high-resolution 16MP autofocus or NoIR camera module, compatible with all Raspberry Pi models.

Fresh from their successful Kickstarter, Arducam's High-Resolution Camera Module has the same footprint as the Raspberry Pi official cameras, but with a snazzy Sony IMX519 camera sensor to give you mobile phone quality photos (IMX519 is the sensor that's found on a OnePlus 6, if you're curious!). The standard version also has autofocus that's adjustable in software.

With a resolution of 16 megapixels (compared to the 8MP and 12MP of the official cameras), a V2-like form factor and boatloads of improvements, the camera provides a great choice for a whole world of industrial and consumer applications. It works with the latest libcamera software from Raspberry Pi, and leverages the same tuning algorithms used in the official camera modules.

The NoIR version has a NoIR (No InfraRed) filter on the lens - ideal for infrared photography and taking pictures in low light (twilight) environments.

Please note: The NoIR version of the 16MP camera comes with a fixed focus lens, only the Standard daylight edition is autofocus!

The package contains a camera board with a Sony IMX519 sensor and an autofocus (or fixed focus NoIR) lens and an FPC cable.

If you'd like a neat protective case for your Arducam, we sell those separately.

Please note: The included cable won't fit the small camera connector on a Pi Zero / W / 2 W, if you want to use this camera with a Zero you'll need a Pi Zero camera cable.

Features

Sensor: Sony IMX519 stacked, back-illuminated sensor
16 megapixels
1.22 µm × 1.22 µm pixel size
7.103 mm diagonal (Type 1/2.534)
Output: RAW10/8, COMP8
Lens: Autofocus, f/1.75
EFL: 4.28
FoV: 80°
Focus Range: 10 cm ~ infinite
IR cut filter: Integrated
Ribbon Cable Length: 150mm

Arducam gave this camera the classic V1/V2 form-factor so you can add hassle-free upgrades to your existing projects.

Arducam vs RPi Camera Module V2 & HQ

Arducam 16MP Camera V2 HQ
Sensor Sony IMX519 Sony IMX219 Sony IMX477
Optical Size Type 1/2.53" Type 1/4" Type 1/2.3"
Sensor Resolution 4656x3496 pixels 3280 x 2464 pixels 4056 x 3040 pixels
Still Resolution 16 Megapixels 8 Megapixels 12.3 Megapixels
Focus Auto (standard) / Fixed (NoIR) Fixed Manual
Video Modes 1080p30, 720p60 1080p30, 720p60 and 640 x 480p60/90 1080p30, 720p60 and 640 x 480p60/90
Linux Integration V4L2 driver available V4L2 driver available V4L2 driver available
Focal ratio (F-Stop) 1.75 2 Depends on lens
Focal length 4.28 mm 3.04 mm Depends on lens

2x higher resolution than the v2 camera, 40% higher than the HQ camera!

It’s not just the resolution bump, the “quality” is way higher than the HQ Camera too!

With the same camera tuning algorithms from the foundation, this module compares well to the Raspberry Pi HQ camera in every aspect (sharpness/saturation/exposure/etc.)

Open Source for Everyone

Arducam want to help push the Raspberry Pi and embedded ML/MV forward, everything about this camera will be truly open source.

Resources

Photo credits

Photos provided by Arducam and our Hodgy.