Raspberry Pi Launches Camera Module 3 Sensor Assemblies
Raspberry Pi launched a follow-up to its Camera Module 3 with the Camera Module 3 Sensor Assembly. Now, Raspberry Pi users can put the camera sensors into their own custom form factors. The move expands the Pi's flexibility, giving users more control over where to place the 11.9MP camera sensor.
"We've found that some of our embedded customers want to integrate our camera technology into smaller form factors than our 25x24mm module footprint can support," wrote Raspberry Pi's Mike Buffham when announcing the launch. He later added, "We are providing reference schematics and a bill of materials to assist you in integrating the required support components onto your own PCB."
The new sensor assemblies have the same Sony IMX708 sensor as the Camera Module 3s. But whereas the full camera module is 25x24mm, the sensor and its small housing are just 10.8x10.8mm. The sensor's diagonal length is 7.4mm for both models.
Raspberry offers the sensor in regular (75° diagonal) and wide (120° diagonal) fields of view. Both options are also available without IR filtering for use in night vision applications. The camera sensors have autofocus. The regular FOV version goes for $15, while the wide FOV model costs $25.
Raspberry Pi 5Credit: Raspberry Pi
The bare sensor probably won't appeal to most customers who use the Raspberry Pi for research or play. The brand is targeting customers who plan to embed Pi hardware into their own devices. General PC users who are curious about the tiny, inexpensive computer will want to stick with the Camera Module 3 and attach it to the flagship Raspberry Pi 5, which is known as "the everything computer." The Raspberry Pi 5 ranges in price from $50 to $120, with your onboard RAM being the deciding factor for the price tag.
As for the full Camera Module 3, which has been around since early 2023, it's a surprisingly good camera for the Raspberry Pi. And like the inexpensive computer, the Camera Module 3 is fairly cheap, at under $30 .
Raspberry Pi also released a standalone radio recently, giving system builders more options when bringing Wi-Fi to their devices. The radio, Raspberry Pi Radio Module 2, supports 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) and Bluetooth 5.2. Some users might balk at a radio that doesn't support Wi-Fi 6, but remember: it's a $4 radio.
