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12MP IMX708

cm3

General Introduction

Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 is the latest camera model released by Raspberry Pi Official in 2023. The camera series adopts Sony 11.9MP IMX708 Image Sensor which can be used to take full HD video as well as stills photographs, and features an HDR mode up to 3 megapixels.

Camera Module 3 Series

The IMX708 Series includes standrad angle version, standrad angle NoIR version, 102° wide angle version and 102° wide angle NoIR versione. All of these cameras adopt Phase Detection Autofocus technology.
These Cameras are fully supported by the libcamera and Picamera2 library. Camera Module 3 is compatible with all Raspberry Pi computers.

Make Camera Module 3 More Flexible

The goal of our IMX708 line is to make the foundation's first autofocus camera the jack of all trades for all possible MV-based projects, we'd like to see them adopted by industrial practitioners for their quality and incomparable price-performance ratio.

We can even turn them into industrial cameras if needed.

To make the most enthralling features (HDR/PDAF/etc.) of the V3 camera more versatile, we have up-to-2m ribbon cables, adapters that extend them to 5/15 meters, multiplexers you can use to hook multiple ones to a Pi.

Wow

As for the IMX708 sensor the official V3 cameras use, we made variants that are fixed-focus for those who don't want the autofocus function (drone/UAV/etc. applications).
we turned them into standard USB interfaces for builders to use them on boards other than Pi, we make a quad-camera kit so four of them can work in perfect synchronization for robotic applications, and if you want wider FOVs with fisheye lenses, we got that too.

In short, our V3 series expands the camera V3 from four to four options!

Specifications

Parameter Value
Image Sensor IMX708
Resolution 11.9 Megapixels
Optical Format 1/2.43" (7.4 mm diagonal)
Effective Pixels 4608 (H) × 2592 (V)
Pixel Size 1.4μm × 1.4μm
Interface 2-Lane MIPI CSI-2
Shutter Type Rolling Shutter
Color Filter Quad-Bayer Coded Color
Frame Rates (Max) - 2304x1296 @ 56fps
- 2304x1296 @ 30fps
- 1536x864 @ 120fps (HDR)
Output Format RAW10

Products List

Product Image SKU Resolution Sensor Interface Features Focus Type Focus Distance Field of View(DxHxV) IR Sensitivity
B0484 12MP IMX708 MIPI CSI-2 Quad-Camera Kit Autofocus 10cm-infinite 120°(D)x100°(H)x72°(V) Integral IR-cut Filter
B0306 12MP IMX708 MIPI CSI-2 Camera Case Autofocus 10cm-infinite 75°(D)x66°(H)x41°(V) Integral IR-cut Filter
B0307 12MP IMX708 MIPI CSI-2 Wide Angle Autofocus 5cm-infinite 120°(D)x102°(H)x67°(V) Integral IR-cut Filter
B0304 12MP IMX708 USB2.0 UVC Camera Fixed-Focus 1.5m-infinite 75°(D)x66°(H)x41°(V) Integral IR-cut Filter
B0305 12MP IMX708 USB2.0 Wide Angle UVC Fixed-Focus 1.5m-infinite 120°(D)x102°(H)x67°(V) Integral IR-cut Filter
B0308 12MP IMX708 MIPI CSI-2 Mini Size Fixed-Focus 1.5m-infinite 75°(D)x66°(H)x41°(V) Integral IR-cut Filter
B0309 12MP IMX708 MIPI CSI-2 Wide Angle Fixed-Focus 1.5m-infinite 120°(D)x102°(H)x67°(V) Integral IR-cut Filter
B0310 12MP IMX708 MIPI CSI-2 Wide Angle Manual Focus 1m-infinite 152.2°(D)x120°(H)x66.7°(V) Integral IR-cut Filter
B0311 12MP IMX708 MIPI CSI-2 Wide Angle PDAF Autofocus 10cm-infinite 110°(D)x100°(H)x72°(V) Integral IR-cut Filter
B0312 12MP IMX708 MIPI CSI-2 PADF Autofocus 5cm-infinite 75°(D)x66°(H)x41°(V) Integral IR-cut Filter

Supported Platforms and OS

Note for Supported Platform and OS
Platform Bookworm(rpicam) Bullseye(libcamera/rpicam) Buster(raspistill)
Raspberry Pi 5 / CM5 √    
Raspberry Pi 4B / 3B+ / 3A+ / Zero / Zero 2 W √ √ √
Raspberry Pi CM3 / CM3+ / CM4
(extra adapter board required)		 √ √ √

Hardware Connection

Connect your camera module by selecting the tab that corresponds to your Raspberry Pi model.

Diagrams for Illustration Only

The following images are connection diagrams. For precise details on cable types, camera pinouts, and connector shapes, please consult the official product page for your camera module.

Connect the 22-pin to 22-pin/22-pin to 15-pin FPC cable to one of the dual MIPI CSI ports on your Raspberry Pi 5. Ensure the cable's blue/black tab should face the HDMI ports.

Hardware connection diagram for Raspberry Pi 5
Figure 1: Connecting the camera to a Raspberry Pi 5

Connect the flexible flat cable to the full-size MIPI CSI port located between the audio/video jack and the HDMI port. The blue/black tab on the cable should face the Ethernet port.

Hardware connection diagram for Raspberry Pi 4B
Figure 2: Connecting the camera to a Raspberry Pi 4B

Use an adapter cable to connect the camera to the smaller MIPI CSI connector on the Raspberry Pi Zero. Ensure the blue/black tab on the cable faces away from the board.

Hardware connection diagram for Raspberry Pi 4B
Figure 3: Connecting the camera to a Raspberry Pi Zero / Zero 2 W

Connecting the Quad-Camera Kit

For instructions on assembling the IMX708 Quad-Camera Kit, please refer to the Raspberry Pi Multi-Camera Kit Hardware Connection Guide.

Software Configuration

Note

To maintain alignment with the official Raspberry Pi OS release cycle, this documentation exclusively covers setup and configuration for Bullseye (kernel 6.1.21+) and Bookworm.
Instructions for the older Raspberry Pi OS, Buster, have been omitted from this guide. We highly recommend all users migrate to a newer, supported operating system for the best performance and ongoing support.
However, if using Buster is a mandatory requirement for your project, please reach out to us for separate assistance.

This section guides you through the necessary software configuration to enable your IMX708 camera, followed by instructions on how to use it. The process is divided into three main parts:

  1. System Configuration: This is a required first step for the Raspberry Pi to recognize the camera. You need to reboot your Pi to take effect the changes.

  2. Using the Camera: Commands to preview and capture images.

  3. Troubleshooting: Solutions for common display issues.

1. System Configuration

Before you begin, please identify your Raspberry Pi Model and your OS Version (Bookworm or Bullseye), as the instructions vary.

Raspberry Pi 5 & CM 5

The Pi 5 currently supports Bookworm OS only. Its configuration file is located at /boot/firmware/config.txt.

  1. Open the configuration file for editing:

    sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt

  2. Find the line camera_auto_detect=1 and change it to:

    camera_auto_detect=0

  3. Locate the line [all] and add the following line below it:

    dtoverlay=imx708

  4. Save the changes and exit the editor (in nano, press CTRL + X, then Y, and Enter).

  5. Reboot your Raspberry Pi to apply the changes:

    sudo reboot

Note

The Pi 5 has two camera ports. If you have connected the camera to the port labeled CAM0, you must modify step 3. The line you add should be: 

dtoverlay=imx708,cam0

Raspberry Pi 4

The Pi 4 supports both Bookworm and Bullseye OS. The configuration steps are the same, but the location of the config.txt file is different. Select your OS below to get the correct command.

On Bookworm, the file is at /boot/firmware/config.txt. Open it with:

sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt

On Bullseye, the file is at /boot/config.txt. Open it with:

sudo nano /boot/config.txt

Once the correct file is open, make these two edits:

  1. Find the line camera_auto_detect=1 and change it to 0.
  2. Find the [all] section and add dtoverlay=imx708 below it.
  3. Save the changes and exit the editor (in nano, press CTRL + X, then Y, and Enter).

  4. Reboot your Raspberry Pi to apply the changes:

    sudo reboot

Raspberry Pi Zero to Pi 3

These models support both Bookworm and Bullseye OS. The setup process is significantly different for each, especially on Bullseye. Please select your OS below to get the correct instructions.

On Bookworm, the procedure is standard and straightforward. The configuration file is located at /boot/firmware/config.txt.

  1. Open the configuration file for editing:

    sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt

  2. Inside the file, find the line camera_auto_detect=1 and change it to 0.

  3. Locate the [all] section and add dtoverlay=imx708 on a new line directly underneath it.
  4. Save the file and reboot your Raspberry Pi.

On Bullseye, the setup is a two-part process. You must first edit the config.txt file and then enable a special graphics setting in raspi-config. Both parts are required for the camera to work correctly.

Step 1: Edit config.txt

The configuration file is located at /boot/config.txt.

  1. Open the file for editing:

    sudo nano /boot/config.txt

  2. Find camera_auto_detect=1 and change it to 0.

  3. Add dtoverlay=imx708 under the [all] section.
  4. Save the file but do not reboot yet! Proceed directly to Step 2.

Step 2: Enable Glamor Graphic Acceleration

This setting is required for proper camera operation on these models with Bullseye OS.

  1. Open the Raspberry Pi Configuration tool in your terminal:

    sudo raspi-config

  2. Navigate to 6 Advanced Options.

  3. Select A3 Glamor.
  4. Choose <Yes> at the prompt to enable Glamor graphic acceleration.
  5. Select <Finish> in the main menu, and now choose <Yes> to reboot the Raspberry Pi.

Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 & 4 (CM3/CM4)

The CM3 and CM4 support both operating systems and have two camera ports (cam0, cam1). Select your OS below to find the correct config.txt path.

The configuration file is at /boot/firmware/config.txt. Open it with:

sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt

The configuration file is at /boot/config.txt. Open it with:

sudo nano /boot/config.txt

After opening the correct file, apply the standard edits (camera_auto_detect=0 and dtoverlay=imx708) and then save and reboot.

Note

If you wish to use the CAM0 interface, append ,cam0 to the overlay line, making it dtoverlay=imx708,cam0. This applies to both Bookworm and Bullseye.

2. Camera Usage

After completing the system configuration and rebooting, your camera is ready to use. The command you need to execute depends on your operating system version. Please select your OS from the tabs below to view the correct instructions.

On Bookworm, the rpicam-apps suite is used, and the primary command is rpicam-still.

  1. Confirm camera detection by listing available cameras: 

    rpicam-still --list-cameras

  2. Start a live preview to see the camera feed (Press Ctrl+C to exit): 

    rpicam-still -t 0

  3. Capture an image named test.jpg after a 5-second preview: 

    rpicam-still -t 5000 -o test.jpg

On the older Bullseye system, the libcamera-apps are used, and the primary command is libcamera-still.

  1. Confirm camera detection by listing available cameras: 

    libcamera-still --list-cameras

  2. Start a live preview to see the camera feed (Press Ctrl+C to exit): 

    libcamera-still -t 0

  3. Capture an image named test.jpg after a 5-second preview: ```bash libcamera-still -t 5000 -o test.jpg

For more details, you can refer to the following guide: Getting Started with Raspberry Pi

3. Display Issues

If you encounter a black screen or other display issues, it may be due to the camera not being recognized by the system. Here are some troubleshooting steps:

If the issue persists, please reach out to our support team for further assistance.

Video Demonstrations