Raspberry Pi Camera Module V2 – 8MP Sony IMX219

The Raspberry Pi Camera Module V2 is a compact, high-quality 8-megapixel camera featuring the Sony IMX219 image sensor, designed for photography, video recording, computer vision, robotics, and embedded imaging applications.

Equipped with a fixed-focus lens and a dedicated Camera Serial Interface (CSI), this camera connects directly to compatible Raspberry Pi boards, providing high-resolution image capture and video recording.

Its lightweight design and compact dimensions make it ideal for robotics, security monitoring, time-lapse photography, and DIY Raspberry Pi projects.

Key Features

• 8MP Sony IMX219 Sensor: Captures high-resolution images up to 3280 × 2464 pixels.
• Full HD Video Recording: Supports 1080p at 30fps.
• Multiple Video Modes: Supports 720p at 60fps and 640 × 480 at 90fps.
• Fixed-Focus Lens: Compact onboard lens for general imaging applications.
• CSI Camera Interface: Connects directly to compatible Raspberry Pi camera ports.
• Compact Design: Small 25 × 23mm board for space-constrained projects.
• Lightweight Construction: Approximately 3g.
• Raspberry Pi Software Support: Compatible with modern Raspberry Pi camera software, including Picamera2 and rpicam applications on supported operating systems.
• Versatile Applications: Suitable for robotics, image processing, surveillance, and educational projects.

Technical Specifications

Raspberry Pi Compatibility

The Camera Module V2 is compatible with Raspberry Pi boards equipped with a supported CSI camera interface.

Compatible Models:

• Raspberry Pi 5 (requires a compatible 15-pin to 22-pin camera cable)
• Raspberry Pi 4 Model B
• Raspberry Pi 3 Model B / B+
• Raspberry Pi 2 Model B
• Raspberry Pi Zero / Zero W (requires a smaller camera adapter cable)
• Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W (requires a smaller camera adapter cable)

Important: Raspberry Pi 5 and Raspberry Pi Zero models require different camera ribbon cables from the standard 15-pin cable.

Connection and Setup

1. Power off the Raspberry Pi before connecting the camera.
2. Locate the CSI camera connector on the Raspberry Pi board.
3. Insert the camera ribbon cable in the correct orientation.
4. Secure the connector locking mechanism.
5. Power on the Raspberry Pi.
6. Use the Raspberry Pi camera software to test image capture.

Example Camera Test (Raspberry Pi OS):

rpicam-hello

Capture a Photo:

rpicam-still -o image.jpg

Record a 10-Second Video:

rpicam-vid -t 10000 -o video.h264

These commands apply to supported modern Raspberry Pi OS installations.

Applications

• Raspberry Pi Camera Projects
• Robotics and Machine Vision
• Object Detection and Tracking
• Security and Surveillance Systems
• Time-Lapse Photography
• Image Processing and OpenCV Projects
• Remote Monitoring Systems
• Educational STEM Projects
• Smart Home Automation
• Embedded Computer Vision

Important Notes

• This is the standard Camera Module V2 with an infrared-cut filter, not the NoIR version.
• The camera uses a CSI interface and cannot connect directly to a standard USB port.
• Raspberry Pi 5 requires a compatible camera adapter cable.
• Raspberry Pi Zero models require a smaller camera ribbon cable.
• The camera is not directly compatible with standard Arduino UNO boards.
• The camera requires compatible Raspberry Pi software and drivers.
• Legacy raspistill and raspivid commands have been replaced by modern Raspberry Pi camera applications.
• Actual image quality depends on lighting, camera settings, and environmental conditions.
• Handle the ribbon cable and camera connector carefully to avoid damage.

Package Includes

• 1 × Raspberry Pi Camera Module V2 – 8MP Sony IMX219
• 1 × Camera Ribbon Cable