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MIPI Cameras

Raspberry Pi MIPI camera

MIPI Camera Modules for Development with Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi MIPI Cameras enable quick and easy development of embedded vision projects with Raspberry Pi® Zero V1.3, Compute Module 3, 3+ and 4s as well as Raspberry Pi 5. With the VC MIPI® Camera Modules, Vision Components offers the largest variety of embedded cameras for direct connection to the Raspberry Pi processor boards.
Vision Components IMX568 MIPI Kameramodul

VC MIPI IMX568

Vision Components IMX226 MIPI Kameramodul

VC MIPI IMX296

Vision Components IMX296 MIPI Kameramodul

VC MIPI IMX226

Vision Components IMX335 MIPI Kameramodul

VC MIPI IMX335

Designed for Prototyping, industrial and serial Products

All VC MIPI® Camera Modules fit perfectly with Raspberry Pi® processor boards with MIPI CSI-2 interface, from the Raspberry Pi Zero V1.3 to the RPi Compute Modules and the new Raspberry Pi 5. With available image resolutions from 0.3 MPixel to 20 MPixel, in monochrome and color variants as well as with global shutter, rolling shutter or global reset shutter, they offer maximum flexibility.

The VC MIPI® Cameras are developed and manufactured in Germany, with the highest industrial quality and long-term availability. They are suitable for numerous Raspberry Pi camera projects, from functional prototypes to product series.

How do I connect the MIPI Camera to a Raspberry Pi Board?

Install Raspberry Pi OS

Connect MIPI camera

Install driver

An initial test provides information if the image data is correctly recorded and transmitted to the processor board. Once this is verified, a demo and access to the sensor configuration allow you to quickly start developing your applications. All steps for the setup of a Raspberry Pi MIPI camera are shown in detail in the VC hardware and software documentation.

Suitable Accessories for a quick Development Start

VC offers lens holders for standard S-, C- and CS-mount lenses for the cameras, as well as cables, lighting, adapter boards and other accessories. The corresponding driver in source code are available for download.

This allows you to quickly and easily get to proof-of-concept or your industrial embedded vision solution with Raspberry Pi and MIPI cameras. The MIPI camera modules are powered via the VC MIPI® FPC cable.

Raspberry Pi MIPI Camera Kit for Embedded Vision

The VC MIPI® Embedded Vision Kit for the Raspberry Pi® Compute Module 3 or 3+ contains perfectly matching components to set up prototypes for industrial embedded vision solutions. Simply plug your Raspberry Pi into the VC Compute Module Interface Board and start developing your application. 

 

The adapter board is integrated into the MIPI data stream between the camera and processor board and allows access and control of trigger and flash functionality. It also offers Ethernet and USB interfaces, a RealTime Clock and a programmable FPGA for individual image acquisition modes and I/Os. LED illumination and a lens holder for standard lenses are available as accessories.

Raspberry Pi MIPI camera

How the Embedded Vision Kit works

VC MIPI® Compute Module Interface (CMI) Board für das Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 und CM 3+

Sven Klette-Matzat - Sales Manager - OEM Solutions - Vision Components

Would you like to develop an embedded vision solution with Raspberry Pi and MIPI Cameras?

We’re happy to support you with our know-how, embedded vision components and individual solutions.

VC MIPI Success Stories

Projects with VC MIPI® Cameras and various processor boards are already successfully used in numerous industries and applications. This includes automation and quality assurance as well as robots, intelligent household devices and solutions for smart cities, drones and special vehicles, medical technology and laboratory equipment. 

Nanosatellites for Earth observation - a view from space

Space operation: VC MIPI for Satellite Images of Earth

Interconnected nano-satellites use VC MIPI® and Raspberry Pi.

Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) Arculee for Intralogistics

Flexible Intralogistics: Precise Navigation for arculus AMRs

Positioning mobile robots to the millimeter with NVIDIA Jetson and VC MIPI® Cameras
Reading engraved characters

Find and read engraved characters? Deep learning helps!

A system with NVIDIA Jetson processor and VC MIPI® cameras identifies barely legible characters.

Frequently asked questions about MIPI CSI Cameras

Do you have further questions?

For camera projects with Raspberry Pi processor boards various camera types can be used. As an alternative to the Raspberry Pi Camera Module v3 and the Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera, Vision Components offers around 50 different MIPI CSI cameras. The range extends from cameras for extremely price-sensitive projects to high-end cameras with 20MPixel resolution and global shutter. All VC MIPI® Cameras for Raspberry Pi processor boards are supplied with drivers and can be connected directly to the MIPI port of the Raspberry Pi boards using suitable MIPI FPC cables

 

The cameras are characterized by their industrial quality and long-term availability. They have been designed for professional products and industrial applications.

Not every MIPI camera is automatically compatible with a Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi boards usually use 2 CSI lanes. A camera for connection to the Raspberry Pi must be adapted to this and be able to be connected via an appropriate cable. The camera must also be supported by the Raspberry Pi OS or a compatible Linux driver. Vision Components supplies the corresponding cables and drivers for its industrial-grade MIPI camera modules for the Raspberry Pi.

In spring 2023, the Raspberry Foundation presented the “Raspberry Pi RS Camera Module” - the “first” global shutter camera for the maker board. In fact, the VC MIPI IMX296 Camera Module with the same SONY image sensor and the same specifications has been available for almost four years at that time. Vision Components also offers other high-resolution global shutter cameras for Raspberry Pi, including 5 MPixel (VC MIPI IMX250 / VC MIPI IMX 264 / VC MIPI IMX 567 / VC MIPI IMX 568), 8 MPixel (VC MIPI IMX566) and 12 MPixel resolution (VC MIPI IMX565).

 

Numerous sensors with up to 20 MPixel resolution are available as cameras with rolling shutter or global reset shutter for Raspberry Pi, making them an industrial-grade counterpart to the Raspberry Pi Camera Module RS. Another advantage of the VC MIPI® modules: They are available with lens holders for standard lenses with S, C and CS mounts.