Raspberry Pi Global Shutter Camera: specs
A 1.6-megapixel Raspberry Pi camera built on the Sony IMX296 global shutter sensor, which exposes every pixel at once so fast motion is not skewed. It has a C/CS lens mount (no lens included) and an external trigger input.
Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | Sony IMX296LQR-C, 1.58 megapixel colour, 1456 x 1088 pixels, 6.3 mm diagonal, pixel size 3.45 um x 3.45 um, output RAW10 | source Specification (page 3) |
| Shutter | Global shutter; exposure as short as 30 us with adequate lighting | source Overview (page 2) |
| Video mode and exposure | 1456 x 1088 at 60 fps; maximum exposure 15.5 s | source Hardware specifications table |
| Lens mount | CS mount, C mount via the included C-CS adapter; back focus adjustable 12.5 mm to 22.4 mm; no lens included | source Specification (page 3) |
| IR cut filter | Integrated (Hoya CM500); removal is possible but permanent and voids the warranty | source Specification footnote; https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/accessories/camera.html Global Shutter Camera > Transmission characteristics |
| Size and weight | 38 x 38 x 19.8 mm (29.5 mm with adapter and dust cap); 34 g (41 g with adapter and dust cap); 1/4 inch-20 tripod mount | source Specification (page 3) |
| Ribbon cable | 150 mm | source Specification (page 3) |
| External trigger input | Pad marked XTR, a 1.8 V input; exposure equals the low-pulse width plus 14.26 us; needs a level shifter or divider from 3.3 V logic | source Global Shutter Camera > External trigger |
Pinout
We don't publish a pin table for this part: no official source we could verify gives one. Check the labels printed on your module, and see the notes below.
The Raspberry Pi documents give no pin table for the camera board (the brief lists a 150 mm ribbon only). Test points XTR, XVS, XHS, MAS and GND are named in the documentation for synchronisation, but no full pin table is published there.
Build with it
Project ideas for the Raspberry Pi Global Shutter Camera. Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.
- Externally triggered fast capture: Raspberry Pi's documentation uses a Pico PWM pin into XTR through a divider to 1.8 V. It needs an SMD part removed on some boards, so only attempt it if you are comfortable soldering. A C/CS lens (not included) is also needed. The divider uses 1.5 kohm in series and 1.8 kohm to ground from the Raspberry Pi example; the stocked resistor pack's 10 values are not listed, so check it contains them, or make each from series pairs of other values (for example 1 kohm + 470 ohm for about 1.5 kohm and 1 kohm + 820 ohm for about 1.8 kohm), and measure the XTR pad at no more than 1.8 V before connecting.
- Small-parts tray checker: The low 1.58-megapixel resolution with large 3.45 um pixels suits machine vision, where the image can be processed natively. A C/CS lens is needed (not included).
- Fast-motion still capture rig: The global shutter avoids rolling-shutter skew, with exposures down to 30 us given enough light. Use bright, steady lighting and a C/CS lens.
Common mistakes
- Buying it expecting a lens: the camera has a C/CS mount, but the brief lists only a C-CS adapter and a screwdriver as included accessories (source: link, page 3).
- Driving XTR with 3.3 V logic: XTR is a 1.8 V input, and the documentation divides a Pico pin down with a 1.5 kohm series resistor and 1.8 kohm to ground (source: link, Global Shutter Camera > External trigger).
- Starting external trigger without checking the board: if transistor Q2 is fitted, R11 must be removed (an SMD soldering job) before the camera works in trigger mode (source: link, same section).
Not covered by the official source
- No connector pin table for the camera board is published in the brief or documentation, so no pinout is given.
- No supply voltage or current figure is published in the Raspberry Pi documents.
- The brief names Sony IMX296LQR-C; the documentation table names IMX296.
- The stocked resistor variety pack lists no individual values, so 1.5 kohm and 1.8 kohm are not shown to be in it.