Raspberry Pi releases four camera modules with better sensors and autofocus

The Raspberry Pi Foundation has released four new camera modules for its development boards. The new modules use a Sony sensor again, but one with more megapixels. The cameras now also support autofocus and HDR.

The Camera Module 3 series consists of Sony’s IMX708 sensor with normal lens and a NoIR infrared sensor with normal lens, and these two sensors but with wide-angle lens. At 11.9 megapixels, the IMX708 sensor has a higher resolution than the IMX219 8.1-megapixel sensor that Raspberry Pi uses for the Camera Module 2. The better sensor also performs better in low-light environments.

Previous camera modules did not have focus, but the Camera Module 3 does. For this purpose, the camera modules use the phase detection autofocus of the IMX708 sensor. The foundation has also developed a contrast detection autofocus algorithm for when the sensor cannot focus. The module can also maintain continuous focus while filming.

The Camera Module 3 is compatible with all Raspberry Pi boards with CSI connections, so not with the Raspberry Pi 400 and the 2016 version of the Zero. The dimensions of the sign and the location of the mounting holes are the same as the previous modules. The sensor does have different dimensions and is placed slightly differently on the board, which means that it is not fully compatible with the Raspberry Pi Zero Case, for example. The new camera module is only supported by libcamera and Picamera 2.

The four camera modules are available for immediate purchase and cost $25 for the regular lens versions or $35 for the wide-angle variants. Converted with VAT, this is 28.16 euros or 39.41 euros. In addition to the new camera modules, the foundation announces an improved version of the High Quality Camera, a module with IMX477 sensor that now supports M12 lenses. This camera costs 56.31 euros converted with VAT.