Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 Comes in 4 Variants, Features Autofocus

Good news for many Raspberry Pi users: the range of camera modules for use with Raspberry Pi boards (equipped with the necessary FPC connector) has just been extended with the new Camera Module 3. It features many enhancements compared to the previous models and is available in several variants. The PCB size and mounting holes remain the same as for Camera Module 2, but the model 3 is several millimeters taller than Camera Module 2 due to the improved optics.

Four Variants

Camera Module 3 is available in four versions: Normal, NoIR, Wide, and Wide NoIR. The NoIR versions do not have the standard infrared filter mounted, making them sensitive to infrared light. The Wide versions have a viewing angle of 102 × 67 degrees instead of the 66 × 41 degrees of the standard versions.

 

Enhancements

The main enhancements are:

• 12-megapixel image sensor (8 megapixel for Module 2)
• Improved optics
• Autofocus
• HDR mode (up to 3 megapixel output)

A comparison of the four variants is given in the table below.
 

Comparison of Camera Module 3 variants

	Basic	NoIR	Wide	Wide NoIR
Focus range	10 cm – ∞	10 cm – ∞	5 cm – ∞	5 cm – ∞
Focal length	4.74 mm	4.74 mm	2.75 mm	2.75 mm
Diagonal FoV	75°	75°	120°	120°
Horizontal FoV	66°	66°	102°	102°
Vertical FoV	41°	41°	67°	67°
Focal ratio (F-stop)	F1.8	F1.8	F2.2	F2.2
Infrared-sensitive	No	Yes	No	Yes

Based on Sony’s IMX708 sensor, the module provides a 4608 × 2592 (11.9 megapixel, 16:9) array of 1.40 μm pixels. As the pixels are larger than those of the previous model, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is improved too. The 16:9 aspect ratio (4:3 for Module 2) allows capturing HD video using the entire sensor area.

Autofocus

Camera Module 3 is the first Raspberry Pi camera supporting autofocus. Mounted on a voice-coil actuator the lens assembly can move back and forth relative to the sensor. The IMX708 sensor features Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF), an algorithm that allows for continuous autofocus during video recording. Raspberry Pi’s Contrast Detection Autofocus (CDAF) algorithm is used when PDAF results lack confidence.

HQ Camera Evolutions

Besides Camera Module 3, Raspberry Pi also launched two new versions of their High-Quality (HQ) Camera intended for industrial users: the M12-mount and the CS-mount. These new modules allow fitting standard M12 and CS- & C-type interchangeable lenses.
 

All four variants of Camera Module 3 and the new High-Quality Cameras are available now.