8MP IMX219¶

Introduction¶

The Raspberry Pi Camera Module 2 replaced the original Camera Module in April 2016. The v2 Camera Module has a Sony IMX219 8-megapixel sensor (compared to the 5-megapixel Omni Vision OV5647 sensor of the original camera).The Camera Module 2 can be used to take high-definition video.

Specifications¶

Parameter	Value
Sensor Model	IMX219
Shutter Type	Rolling Shutter
Active Pixels	3280 (H) × 2464 (V)
Resolution	8 Megapixels
Frame Rate (Video Mode)	- 1080p @ 47fps - 1640x1232 @ 41fps - 640x480 @ 206fps
Image Sensor Format	Type 1/4"
Pixel Size	1.12μm × 1.12μm
CSI-2 Data Output	2-Lane
Data Format	10-bit RAW Bayer

Release Time¶

In 2016, the V2 camera (8MP IMX219) was out with upgrades in resolution and image quality.

Product Series¶

Since the release of IMX219, we have designed several versions with different features according to different needs: IR-CUT, Motorized Focus, PT & PTZ , M12/CS .

IR-CUT¶

Arducam 8MP IMX219 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 8MP IMX219 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.

Product List¶

SKU	Pin/Connect Type	Features	Lens Type	Field of View(D/H/V)	Focus Type	IR Sensitivity
B0102	15/Bottom	CS Mount	CS	59°(H )x44°(V)	Manual Focus	650nm IR-cut filter
B0153		Night Vision	CS	59°(H )x44°(V)		without IR-cut filter
B0103		Replaceable Lens	M12	70°(H )x52.6°(V)		650nm IR-cut filter
B0152		Night Vision		100°(H )x75°(V)		without IR-cut filter
B0154		Day And Night Vision		100°(H )x75°(V)		Motorized IR-CUT Filter
B0180	15/NA	Wide Angle	M12	155°(H) x 115°(V)	Manual Focus	650nm IR-cut filter
B0184		Low Distortion		75°(H) x 56.3°(V)		650nm IR-cut filter
B0188		Low Distortion		75°(H) x 56.3°(V)		without IR-cut filter
B0182		Motorized Focus	Stock Lens	77.6°(D) x 65°(H) x 51°(V)	Motorized Focus	650nm IR-cut filter
B0190		Motorized Focus	Stock Lens	65°(H) x 51°(V)	Motorized Focus	without IR-cut filter
B0194		Wide Angle	M12	155°(H) x 115°(V)	Manual Focus	without IR-cut filter
B0286		Fisheye	M12	220°(H) x 165°(V)	Manual Focus	650nm IR-cut filter
B0209/NFS	15/Bottom	Night Vision	Stock Lens	62.2° (H) x 48.8° (V)	Fixed Focus	without IR-cut filter
B0390		Mini Size				650nm IR-cut filter
B039001		Camera Case
B0392		Wide Angle	M12	155°(H) x 115°(V)	Manual Focus
B0394		Low Distortion	M12	75°(H) x 56.2°(V)	Manual Focus
B0395		Night Vision	Stock Lens	62.2° (H) x 48.8° (V)	Fixed Focus	without IR-cut filter
B0393		Auto Focus	Stock Lens	62.1° (H) x 46.5° (V)	Auto Focus	650nm IR-cut filter
B01678MP	15/Bottom	Pan-Tilt-Zoom Kit	CS	H(67°~18°),V(49°~13°)	Motorized Focus	Motorized IR-CUT Filter
B0167B8	15/Bottom	Pan-Tilt-Zoom Kit	CS	H(67°~18°),V(49°~13°)	Motorized Focus	Motorized 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¶

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

Quick Start Guide - Hardware Connection

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 IMX219 camera, followed by instructions on how to use it. The process is divided into three main parts:

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

Open the configuration file for editing:
```
sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt
```
Find the line camera_auto_detect=1 and change it to:
```
camera_auto_detect=0
```
Locate the line [all] and add the following line below it:
```
dtoverlay=imx219
```
Save the changes and exit the editor (in nano, press CTRL + X, then Y, and Enter).
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=imx219,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.

Bookworm OSBullseye OS

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:

Find the line camera_auto_detect=1 and change it to 0.
Find the [all] section and add dtoverlay=imx219 below it.
Save the changes and exit the editor (in nano, press CTRL + X, then Y, and Enter).
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.

Bookworm OSBullseye OS

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

Open the configuration file for editing:
```
sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt
```
Inside the file, find the line camera_auto_detect=1 and change it to 0.
Locate the [all] section and add dtoverlay=imx219 on a new line directly underneath it.
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.

Open the file for editing:
```
sudo nano /boot/config.txt
```
Find camera_auto_detect=1 and change it to 0.
Add dtoverlay=imx219 under the [all] section.
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.

Open the Raspberry Pi Configuration tool in your terminal:
```
sudo raspi-config
```
Navigate to 6 Advanced Options.
Select A3 Glamor.
Choose <Yes> at the prompt to enable Glamor graphic acceleration.
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.

Bookworm OSBullseye OS

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=imx219) and then save and reboot.

Note

If you wish to use the CAM0 interface, append ,cam0 to the overlay line, making it dtoverlay=imx219,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.

Bookworm OSBullseye OS

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

Confirm camera detection by listing available cameras:
```
rpicam-still --list-cameras
```
Start a live preview to see the camera feed (Press Ctrl+C to exit):
```
rpicam-still -t 0
```
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.

Confirm camera detection by listing available cameras:
```
libcamera-still --list-cameras
```
Start a live preview to see the camera feed (Press Ctrl+C to exit):
```
libcamera-still -t 0
```
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:

Common Troubleshooting

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

IMX219 4-lane Configuration¶

Note

Not all Arducam IMX219 cameras support 4-lane configurations. Please refer to the specific product details page to check support status.

Preparation¶

-Hardware Preparation

-Software Version

Please make sure you are using the Raspberry Pi Bookworm OS released after 13 May 2025.

Configuration¶

# open the terminal and edit the config file(based on Bookworm OS)
sudo nano /boot/firmware/config.txt

-For cam0 port

#add dtoverlay=imx219,cam0,4lane to the [all] tag.
dtoverlay=imx219,cam0,4lane

-For cam1 port

#add dtoverlay=imx219,cam0,4lane to the [all] tag.
dtoverlay=imx219,4lane

-Save and reboot

sudo reboot
#save the config file and reboot the device

Preview¶

-Check the Resolution&fps

rpicam-still --list-cameras

-Preview

rpicam-still -t 0

8MP IMX219¶

Introduction¶

Specifications¶

Release Time¶

Product Series¶

IR-CUT¶

Motorized Focus¶

PT & PTZ¶

Product List¶

Supported Platforms and OS¶

Hardware Connection¶

Software Configuration¶

1. System Configuration¶

Raspberry Pi 5 & CM 5¶

Raspberry Pi 4¶

Raspberry Pi Zero to Pi 3¶

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

2. Camera Usage¶

3. Display Issues¶

IMX219 4-lane Configuration¶

Preparation¶

Configuration¶

Preview¶

Related Docs¶