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Quick Start

Note

The following applies to the Bullseye system.

Hardware Connection

Warning

Cameras are sensitive to static. Earth yourself prior to handling the PCB.
A sink tap or similar should suffice if you don’t have an earthing strap.

Connection Details

The Raspberry Pi and the camera module are connected using a flexible cable. The connection to the camera is called CSI interface and the connection to the Raspberry Pi is called MIPI interface.

  • Connect to Camera

There are two different kinds of Raspberry Pi CSI camera connectors: 15-pin and 22-pin.

The silver contacts of the cable have different orientations when connecting to different cameras. For specific connection methods, please refer to the introduction on the product page of each camera.


  • Connect to Raspberry pi

Tip

There are two different kinds of Raspberry Pi MIPI port connectors: 15-pin and 22-pin. The 15-pin connector is mostly seen on standard Raspberry Pi model; the 22-pin is on Raspberry Pi Zero-W and Compute Module IO Board.

Plug the flex cable into the connector labeled CAMERA on the Raspberry Pi.

For Raspberry Pi 3-4:

The camera connector is between the Ethernet and HDMI ports. When plugging in the cable, the silver contacts must face the HDMI port.

For Raspberry Pi 5:

The Raspberry Pi 5 has two camera connectors, both located between the Ethernet and HDMI ports. When you plug in the cable, the silver contacts face the Ethernet port.

For Raspberry Pi Zero series and Compute Module:

The camera connector is located on the side of the board at the interface labeled camera. When inserting the cable, the board should be facing up and the silver contacts should be facing down.

To open the connector, gently pull upward on the tab on the top of the connector. The flex cable should be inserted firmly into the connector, being careful not to bend the flex cable at too acute an angle. To close the connector, push the top part of the connector down while holding the flex cable in place.

Note

Since the camera board designs of different cameras are different, there are two connection methods on the camera side: the upper cable Pin port and the lower cable Pin port.

The camera-side cable connection methods in all the following pictures are for reference only. For specific camera-side connection methods, please refer to the detailed introduction on each product page.

  • 15-22 pin on Pi5

(15pin-22pin FPC Cable)

  • 15-15 pin and Pi3/Pi4

motherboard-pi-4-1536x1052

pi-4-to-cam-connection-1536x552

  • 22pin and Pi Zero/ Pi Zero 2 W

pi-zero-board-pinout-3

no name

  • CM3/CM4

pi-compute-module-pinout-1536x1050

Connection schematic

Note

Since the camera board designs of different cameras are different, there are two connection methods on the camera side: the upper cable Pin port and the lower cable Pin port.

The camera-side cable connection methods in all the following pictures are for reference only. For specific camera-side connection methods, please refer to the detailed introduction on each product page.

  • Pi5

  • Pi3/Pi4

pi4-1

pi4-2

  • Pi Zero/ Pi Zero 2 W

pizero-1

  • CM3/CM4

cm3-1

Software

Raspberry Pi Native Cameras

  • Native Camera Board list:
Resolution Sensor
5MP OV5647
8MP IMX219
12MP IMX477
12MP 477M
12MP IMX378
64MP OV64A40
0.3MP OV7251
1.58MP IMX296
1MP OV9281
2MP OV2311
2MP IMX290/IMX462/IMX327

SOFTWARE GUIDE for Native Camera

Please refer to the official Raspberry Pi documentation:

Raspberry Pi Native Camera Doc

picture11
Specially, the 477M/477P Camera needs different operation, please refer to the following link for details:
Quick Start Guide for 477M/477P Camera Module


IMX519 Cameras

  • IMX519 camera list:
Resolution Camera Module
16MP imx519

Supported Platforms and OS

Note for Supported Platform and OS
Platform Bookworm(rpicam/libcamera) Bullseye(libcamera) Buster(raspistill)
Raspberry Pi 5 √    
Raspberry Pi 4B / 3B+ / 3A+ / Zero / Zero 2 W √ √  
Raspberry Pi CM3 / CM3+ / CM4
(extra adapter board required)		 √ √  

SOFTWARE GUIDE for IMX519 Autofocus Camera

Product Image SKU Pin/Connect Type Features Lens Type Field of View(D/H/V) Focus Type IR Sensitivity
Image B0371 15/Bottom High Resolution Stock Lens 66°(H) x 49.5°(V) AutoFocus 650nm IR cut filter

Abstract

We have adapted our camera driver to the latest Raspberry Pi Bullseye OS and integrated it into the Raspberry Pi kernel. Therefore, there are currently two ways to use it depending on the system version. Please refer to the following content:

Raspberry Pi Bullseye OS 6.1.21 and Later/Bookworm OS

Step 1. Download the bash scripts

wget -O install_pivariety_pkgs.sh https://github.com/ArduCAM/Arducam-Pivariety-V4L2-Driver/releases/download/install_script/install_pivariety_pkgs.sh

chmod +x install_pivariety_pkgs.sh

Step 2. Install libcamera

./install_pivariety_pkgs.sh -p libcamera_dev

Step 3. Install libcamera-apps

./install_pivariety_pkgs.sh -p libcamera_apps

Step 4. Modify .Config file

  • For Raspberry Pi Bookworm users running on Pi 5, please do the following:
sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt 
#Find the line: [all], add the following item under it:
dtoverlay=imx519
#Save and reboot.

If you want to enable the camera kit on the cam0 port of Pi5, please refer to the following modifications:

sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt 
#Find the line: [all], add the following item under it:
dtoverlay=imx519,cam0
#Save and reboot.
  • For Raspberry Pi Bookworm/Bullseye users running on Pi 4, please do the following:

Bookworm OS on Pi4

sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt 
#Find the line: [all], add the following item under it:
dtoverlay=imx519
#Save and reboot.

Bullseye OS on Pi4 (Bullseye 6.1.21 and later versions)

sudo nano /boot/config.txt 
#Find the line: [all], add the following item under it:
dtoverlay=imx519
#Save and reboot.
  • For Bullseye users running on Pi 0 ~ 3, please also: 
Open a terminal 
Run sudo raspi-config
Navigate to Advanced Options 
Enable Glamor graphic acceleration 
Reboot your Pi

If you encounter the display issues, please also execute the following steps:

Open a terminal
Run sudo raspi-config
Navigate to Advanced Options
Navigate to GL Driver
Select GL (Full KMS)
Reboot your Pi

Step5. Use libcamera to access IMX519 Camera

Preview 5 seconds.

libcamera-still -t 5000

If you don't have a display screen, you can save an image without displaying it. And an image of test.jpg will be saved in the current directory.

libcamera-still -t 5000 -n -o test.jpg

For more instructions, please refer to: libcamera User Guide


Before Raspberry Pi Bullseye OS 6.1.21

Step 1. Download the bash scripts

wget -O install_pivariety_pkgs.sh https://github.com/ArduCAM/Arducam-Pivariety-V4L2-Driver/releases/download/install_script/install_pivariety_pkgs.sh

chmod +x install_pivariety_pkgs.sh

Step 2. Install libcamera

./install_pivariety_pkgs.sh -p libcamera_dev

Step 3. Install libcamera-apps

./install_pivariety_pkgs.sh -p libcamera_apps

Step 4. Install Camera drivers

./install_pivariety_pkgs.sh -p imx519_kernel_driver_low_speed

Please reboot your Pi when you finish the installation.

sudo reboot

Step5. Use libcamera to access IMX519 Camera

Preview 5 seconds.

libcamera-still -t 5000

If you don't have a display screen, you can save an image without displaying it. And an image of test.jpg will be saved in the current directory.

libcamera-still -t 5000 -n -o test.jpg

For more instructions, please refer to: libcamera User Guide


SOFTWARE GUIDE for IMX519 Fixed-focus Camera

Product Image SKU Pin/Connect Type Features Lens Type Field of View(D/H/V) Focus Type IR Sensitivity
Image B0386 15/Top MIni Size Stock Lens 66°(H) x 49.5°(V) Fixed Focus without IR-cut filter
Image B0389 15/NA Miniature Camera 65°(H) x 48.8°(V) Fixed Focus without IR-cut filter
B0391 22/NA
Image B0449 15/Top Wide Angle M12 Lens 140°(D)×120°(H)×95°(V) Manual Focus 650nm IR-cut filter

Abstract

We have adapted our camera driver to the latest Raspberry Pi Bullseye OS and integrated it into the Raspberry Pi kernel.

Raspberry Pi Bullseye OS 6.1.21 and Later

Step 1. Download the bash scripts

sudo nano /boot/config.txt 
add dtoverlay=imx519,vcm=off under the line [all]
#Save and reboot.

Step2. Use libcamera to access IMX519 Camera

Preview 5 seconds.

libcamera-still -t 5000

If you don't have a display screen, you can save an image without displaying it. And an image of test.jpg will be saved in the current directory.

libcamera-still -t 5000 -n -o test.jpg

For more instructions, please refer to: libcamera User Guide


AF/Manual Focus Function

Abstract

For cameras with focus motors, we have added autofocus parameters to enable single autofocus and continuous autofocus functions.

Please refer to the following doc for details:

Autofocus/Manual Focus Function for Arducam 16MP Autofocus Camera


PDAF Guide for IMX519 autofocus Camera

  • Supproted Cameras
Product Image SKU Pin/Connect Type Features Lens Type Field of View(D/H/V) Focus Type IR Sensitivity
Image B0371 15/Bottom High Resolution Stock Lens 66°(H) x 49.5°(V) AutoFocus 650nm IR cut filter
  • What is PDAF

PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus) works by employing a sub-mirror behind the regular mirror. Light is focused into two distinct beams for determining the subject range on an autofocus sensor.

You can refer to the following link to get more info about PDAF and CDAF:

Big Leap with PDAF Armed Bestseller Got Enhanced Arducam IMX519 AF Camera Module

  • Why release Dual Mode(PDAF + CDAF)?

Many users reported that the focusing time of imx519 is too long, so we changed the focusing algorithm from the original CDAF to the current Dual Mode(PDAF + CDAF).

Now the focus time is shorter and the effect is better.

Note

If you want to use imx519 PDAF, you need to install the corresponding driver and Libcamera. (The new PDAF algorithm is written by Raspberry Pi.)

  • How to install the latest Dual Mode(PDAF + CDAF)?

Info

Please reinstall the driver and libcamera package even if you have installed before.

Prerequisites Required

First of all, you need to make sure that your version is above 5.15.84

uname -r

Install the Camera Driver

wget -O install_pivariety_pkgs.sh https://github.com/ArduCAM/Arducam-Pivariety-V4L2-Driver/releases/download/install_script/install_pivariety_pkgs.sh

chmod +x install_pivariety_pkgs.sh

./install_pivariety_pkgs.sh -p imx519_low_speed_driver

libcamera-dev and libcamera-apps Installation

./install_pivariety_pkgs.sh -p libcamera

./install_pivariety_pkgs.sh -p libcamera_apps


Arducam Pi Hawk-eye 64MP Cameras

  • Pi hawkeye 64mp camera Board list:
Resolution Camera Module
64MP hawkeye-64mp

Supported Platforms and OS

Note for Supported Platform and OS
Platform Bookworm(rpicam/libcamera) Bullseye(libcamera) Buster(raspistill)
Raspberry Pi 5 √    
Raspberry Pi 4B / 3B+ / 3A+ / Zero / Zero 2 W √ √  
Raspberry Pi CM3 / CM3+ / CM4
(extra adapter board required)		 √ √  

SOFTWARE GUIDE for 64MP Camera

Abstract

The earliest Raspberry Pi Bullseye version supported is 5.15.30 the version before it can not be supported.

After Raspberry Pi Bullseye 6.1.21 kernel, Arducam 64MP Camera starts to support PDAF function.

Raspberry Pi Bullseye OS 6.1.21 and Later/Bookworm OS

Step 1. Download the bash scripts

wget -O install_pivariety_pkgs.sh https://github.com/ArduCAM/Arducam-Pivariety-V4L2-Driver/releases/download/install_script/install_pivariety_pkgs.sh

chmod +x install_pivariety_pkgs.sh

Step 2. Install libcamera

./install_pivariety_pkgs.sh -p libcamera_dev

Step 3. Install libcamera-apps

./install_pivariety_pkgs.sh -p libcamera_apps

Step 4. Modify .Config file

  • For Raspberry Pi Bookworm users running on Pi 5, please do the following:
sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt 
#Find the line: [all], add the following item under it:
dtoverlay=arducam-64mp
#Save and reboot.

If you want to enable the camera kit on the cam0 port of Pi5, please refer to the following modifications:

sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt 
#Find the line: [all], add the following item under it:
dtoverlay=arducam-64mp,cam0
#Save and reboot.
  • For Raspberry Pi Bookworm/Bullseye users running on Pi 4, please do the following:

Bookworm OS on Pi4

sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt 
#Find the line: [all], add the following item under it:
dtoverlay=arducam-64mp
#Save and reboot.

Bullseye OS on Pi4 (Bullseye 6.1.21 and later versions)

sudo nano /boot/config.txt 
#Find the line: [all], add the following item under it:
dtoverlay=arducam-64mp
#Save and reboot.
  • For Bullseye users running on Pi 0 ~ 3, please also: 
Open a terminal 
Run sudo raspi-config
Navigate to Advanced Options 
Enable Glamor graphic acceleration 
Reboot your Pi

If you encounter the display issues, please also execute the following steps:

Open a terminal
Run sudo raspi-config
Navigate to Advanced Options
Navigate to GL Driver
Select GL (Full KMS)
Reboot your Pi

Step5. Use libcamera to access Arducam 64MP Camera

Preview 5 seconds.

libcamera-still -t 5000

If you don't have a display screen, you can save an image without displaying it. And an image of test.jpg will be saved in the current directory.

libcamera-still -t 5000 -n -o test.jpg

For more instructions, please refer to: libcamera User Guide

Before Raspberry Pi Bullseye OS 6.1.21

Step 1. Download the bash scripts

wget -O install_pivariety_pkgs.sh https://github.com/ArduCAM/Arducam-Pivariety-V4L2-Driver/releases/download/install_script/install_pivariety_pkgs.sh

chmod +x install_pivariety_pkgs.sh

Step 2. Install libcamera

./install_pivariety_pkgs.sh -p libcamera_dev

Step 3. Install libcamera-apps

./install_pivariety_pkgs.sh -p libcamera_apps

Step 4. Install Camera drivers

./install_pivariety_pkgs.sh -p 64mp_pi_hawk_eye_kernel_driver

Please reboot your Pi when you finish the installation.

sudo reboot

Step5. Using libcamera to Access Arducam 64MP Camera

Preview 5 seconds.

libcamera-still -t 5000

If you don't have a display screen, you can save an image without displaying it. And an image of test.jpg will be saved in the current directory.

libcamera-still -t 5000 -n -o test.jpg

For more instructions, please refer to: libcamera User Guide

AF/Manual Focus Function

Abstract

For cameras with focus motors, we have added autofocus parameters to enable single autofocus and continuous autofocus functions.

Please refer to the following doc for details:

Autofocus/Manual Focus Function for Arducam 64MP Camera