5MP OV5647

Introduction

5MP OV5647 cameras, namely the V1 camera series, are used a lot on Raspberry Pi camera applications. Unlike the V2 cameras which are encrypted on the camera board with a chip, the 5MP OV5647 cameras can be easily modified and customized by third-party manufacturers, thus you will see a lot of variations of this series.

Image Sensor

Sensor Model	OV5647
Shutter Type	Rolling Shutter
Active Pixels	2592×1944
Resolution	5MP
Frame Rate	1080p30, 640x480p60, 640x480p67
Image Sensor Format	Type 1/4″
Pixel Size	1.4μm×1.4μm

Release Time

OminiVision launched this sensor in late 2009, it became popular since RPi foundation’s release of the OV5647-powered camera module V1,in 2013.

Product Series

Since the release of OV5647, we have designed several versions with different features according to different needs: IR-CUT, Motorized Focus, PT & PTZ , M12/CS .

IR-CUT

Arducam 5MP OV5647 Motorized IR-CUT Camera Modules are designed for both daylight and night vision photography. The motorized IR cut filter can be switched ON/OFF automatically, and the infrared LEDs are automatically ON/OFF according to the light environment. The cameras in this serial are fully supported by all the Raspberry Pi board versions including Pi 4, Pi 3 and Pi Zero. They can be widely used in wildlife photography, agriculture NDVI applications and etc.

Motorized Focus

Arducam 5MP OV5647 Motorized Focus Camera Modules are designed for you to control the focus via software, so you can see closer and see where you want to see.

PT & PTZ

Arducam PT camera can move in two dimensions with 180 degrees horizontal and 145 degrees vertical movements. So it can be used to monitor places that should be covered by multiple ones commonly in the surveillance system.

Arducam PTZ cameras are the complete solution to turn your Raspberry Pi cameras into a fully functional surveillance camera that covers 360 degrees space. With the software autofocus function, you can clearly focus on your target when zooming. The IRCUT control also helps both the daylight and night vision.

Platform Compatibility

Supported Operating Systems

Platform	Trixie	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 Requires adapter board	✅	✅	✅	✅

Operating System Support

This documentation focuses on Trixie, Bookworm , and Bullseye (kernel 6.1.21+) to align with the official Raspberry Pi OS release cycle. While Buster instructions are not included, we recommend migrating to a supported OS for optimal performance. For Buster-specific assistance, please contact our support team.

Product Catalog

Product Image	SKU	Pin/Connect Type	Features	Lens Type	Field of View(H x V)	Focus Type	IR Sensitivity
	B0033	15/Bottom	Mini Size	Stock Lens	54° (H) x 41° (V)	Fixed Focus	650nm IR-cut filter
	B003301						without IR-cut filter
	B0033C		Acrylic Case				650nm IR-cut filter
	B0033PT		Pan-Tilt Kit
	B0033R		3D Printer
	B0033+B0087	22/bottom	For Pi Zero
	B0176	15/Bottom	Mini Size		54°(H)x44° (V)	Auto Focus
	B0176R		3D Printer
	B0370		Wide Angle	M12	155°(H) x 116°(V)	Auto Focus
	B0032	15/Bottom	CS Mount	CS	58°(H) x 44°(V)	Manual Focus	650nm IR-cut filter
	B0036		Night Vision				without IR-cut filter
	B0031		Repalceable Lens	M12	56°(H) x 42°(V)		650nm IR-cut filter
	B0035		Night Vision		110 ° (H) x 83°(V)		without IR-cut filter
	B0055		Wide Angle		194 ° (H) x 142°(V)		650nm IR-cut filter
	B0404			M8	210° (H) x 154°(V)
	B003504		Day and Night Vision	M12	105° (H) x 78°(V)		Motorized IR-CUT Filter
	B003507				140° (H) x 105° (V)
	B0151				100° (H)x75° (V)
	B0167B5		Pan-Tilt-Zoom Kit	varifocal lens	67°~18°(H) x 49°~13°(V)	Motorized Focus
	B01675MP
	B006603	22/NA	Miniature Camera	M6 Lens	72.4°(H) x 54.3°(V)	Fixed Focus	650nm IR-cut filter
	B006604				120°(H) x 90°(V)
	B006603N				64°(H) x 48°(V)		without IR-cut filter
	B006604N				96°(H) x 72°(V)
	B006605			M7 Lens	128°(H) x 96°(V)	Manual Focus	650nm IR-cut filter
	B0066	15/NA	Miniature Camera	Stock Lens	62°(H) x 47°(V)	Fixed Focus
	B0066-02						without IR-cut filter
	B0428	15/Bottom	Wide Angle	M12	220° (H) x 165°(V)	Manual Focus	650nm IR-cut filter

Hardware Connection

Please refer to the following doc for common hardware connection method of RPI Camera:

Quick Start Guide - Hardware Connection

Software

This section guides you through the necessary software configuration to enable your OV5647 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.

System Configuration

Important

You must reboot your Raspberry Pi after making configuration changes for them to take effect.

Raspberry Pi 5 & CM5

Pi 5 supports both Trixie and Bookworm OS. The configuration file is located at /boot/firmware/config.txt for both systems.

1. Open the configuration file:

   sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt
   

2. Disable camera auto-detection:

   camera_auto_detect=0
   

3. Add OV5647 overlay under the [all] section:

   dtoverlay=ov5647
   

4. Save and reboot:

   sudo reboot
   

Camera Port Configuration

For Pi 5 with cameras connected to CAM0 port, use:

dtoverlay=ov5647,cam0

Raspberry Pi 4

Pi 4 supports Trixie, Bookworm and Bullseye OS with different configuration file locations.

Trixie & Bookworm OSBullseye OS

sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt

sudo nano /boot/config.txt

Configuration steps (same for all OS versions):

1. Set camera_auto_detect=0
2. Add dtoverlay=ov5647 under the [all] section
3. Save the file and reboot:

   sudo reboot
   

Raspberry Pi Zero to Pi 3

These models support all operating systems with different setup procedures.

Trixie & Bookworm OSBullseye OS

Standard configuration using /boot/firmware/config.txt:

sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt

1. Set camera_auto_detect=0
2. Add dtoverlay=ov5647 under [all] section
3. Save the file and reboot:

   sudo reboot
   

Two-step process required:

Step 1: Edit config.txt

sudo nano /boot/config.txt

1. Set camera_auto_detect=0
2. Add dtoverlay=ov5647 under [all] section
3. Save the file but do not reboot yet - proceed to Step 2

Step 2: Enable Glamor Graphics

sudo raspi-config

Navigate to 6 Advanced Options → A3 Glamor → Enable → Reboot

Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 & 4

CM3 and CM4 support all operating systems with dual camera ports (cam0, cam1).

Trixie & Bookworm OSBullseye OS

sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt

sudo nano /boot/config.txt

Configuration steps (same for all OS versions):

1. Set camera_auto_detect=0
2. Add dtoverlay=ov5647 under [all] section
3. Save the file and reboot:

   sudo reboot
   

Camera Port Selection

For CAM0 interface usage, modify the overlay line to:

dtoverlay=ov5647,cam0

Camera Usage

After system configuration and reboot, your camera is ready for operation.

Trixie & Bookworm OSBullseye OS

Using rpicam-apps suite:

1. List available cameras:

   rpicam-still --list-cameras
   

2. Live preview (Ctrl+C to exit):

   rpicam-still -t 0
   

3. Capture image with 5-second preview:

   rpicam-still -t 5000 -o test.jpg
   

Using libcamera-apps suite:

1. List available cameras:

   libcamera-still --list-cameras
   

2. Live preview (Ctrl+C to exit):

   libcamera-still -t 0
   

3. Capture image with 5-second preview:

   libcamera-still -t 5000 -o test.jpg
   

For comprehensive usage instructions, refer to the Raspberry Pi Camera Documentation.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter display issues such as black screens, the camera may not be properly recognized by the system.

Common troubleshooting resources: - Common Troubleshooting Guide

For persistent issues, please contact our support team for additional assistance.

Related Documentation

• Native Pi Camera Quick Start Guide
• libcamera User Guide
• PiCamera2 User Guide