Quick Start
Note
The following applies to the Bullseye system.
General Hardware Connection
Warning
Cameras are sensitive to static. Earth yourself prior to handling the PCB.
A sink tap or similar should suffice if you don’t have an earthing strap.
The Raspberry Pi and the camera module are connected using a flexible cable. The connection to the camera is called CSI interface and the connection to the Raspberry Pi is called MIPI interface.
Platform Introduction
Tip
Here we will display the basic hardware info of the mainly used raspberry pi platforms.
| Model | SoC | Memory | GPIO |
|---|---|---|---|
 Raspberry Pi 5 |
BCM2712 | 4GB 8GB |
40-pin GPIO header |
 Raspberry Pi 4B |
BCM2711 | 1GB 2GB 4GB 8GB |
40-pin GPIO header |
 Raspberry Pi 3B+ |
BCM2837b0 | 1GB | 40-pin GPIO header |
 Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W |
RP3A0 | 512MB | 40-pin GPIO header(unpopulated) |
 Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 |
BCM2837 | 1GB | / |
 Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 |
BCM2711 | 1GB 2GB 4GB 8GB |
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For more details, you can refer to the Raspberry Pi official website:
Raspberry pi official documentation - Computers
Camera Connector
Here we are going to introduce several main types of csi connectors used on camera boards.
Important Note
For any type of camera csi connector, the only principle when using it is to ensure that the silver contacts of the connector and the silver contacts of the flexible cable are in contact. Only when the silver contacts of the two parts are in contact can the current signal be transmitted.
Top-Contact & Bottom-Contact csi connector
In terms of wiring direction, the csi connector on the camera board is divided into two types: top-contact and bottom-contact.
Place the camera face up on the table, insert the flexible cable to connect the camera connector, and make the silver contacts of the flexible cable and the that of the connector contact each other.
If the silver contacts of the connector face up (the silver contacts of the flexible cable face down) when connected, this connector is the top-contact.
If the silver contacts of the connector face down (the silver contacts of the flexible cable face up) when connected, this connector is the bottom-contact.
As shown in the figure below, the camera module on the left uses a 22-pin top-contact connector. The camera module on the right uses a 15-pin bottom-contact connector. The correct wiring method is shown in the figure.
15pin Bottom-Contact csi Connector
Statement
This type of camera connector owes 15 pin data transmission.
When the camera is placed face up, the connection method is that the silver contacts of the flexible cable face up to connect to the camera.
Refer to the figure below for the flexible cable connection:
15pin Top-Contact csi Connector
Statement
This type of camera connector owes 15 pin data transmission.
When the camera is placed face up, the connection method is that the silver contacts of the flexible cable face down to connect to the camera.
Refer to the figure below for the flexible cable connection:
22pin Top-Contact csi Connector
Statement
This type of camera connector owes 22 pin data transmission.
When the camera is placed face up, the connection method is that the silver contacts of the flexible cable face down to connect to the camera.
Refer to the figure below for the flexible cable connection:
Connection Diagram
Tip
There are two different kinds of Raspberry Pi MIPI port connectors: 15-pin and 22-pin. The 15-pin connector is mostly seen on standard Raspberry Pi model; the 22-pin is on Raspberry Pi Zero-W and Compute Module IO Board.
The silver contacts of the cable have different orientations when connecting to different cameras. For specific connection methods, please refer to the introduction on the product page of each camera.
Plug the flex cable into the connector labeled CAMERA on the Raspberry Pi.
Note
Since the camera board designs of different cameras are different, there are two connection methods on the camera side: the upper cable Pin port and the lower cable Pin port.
The camera-side cable connection methods in all the following pictures are for reference only. For specific camera-side connection methods, please refer to the detailed introduction on each product page.
For Raspberry Pi 5:
The Raspberry Pi 5 has two camera csi connectors, both located between the Ethernet and HDMI ports. When you plug in the cable, the silver contacts face the Ethernet port.
- 15pin-22pin Connection
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- 22pin-22pin Connection
For Raspberry Pi 3-4:
The camera connector is between the Ethernet and HDMI ports. When plugging in the cable, the silver contacts must face the HDMI port.
- 15pin-15pin Connection
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- 15pin-22pin Connection
For Raspberry Pi Zero series and Compute Module:
The camera connector is located on the side of the board at the interface labeled camera. When inserting the cable, the board should be facing up and the silver contacts should be facing down.
To open the connector, gently pull upward on the tab on the top of the connector. The flex cable should be inserted firmly into the connector, being careful not to bend the flex cable at too acute an angle. To close the connector, push the top part of the connector down while holding the flex cable in place.
- 22pin-22pin & Pi Zero/ Pi Zero 2 W
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- 22pin-22pin & CM3/CM4
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Software Guide
Raspberry Pi Native Cameras
Tip
Please select the corresponding quick guide page below according to the camera you are using.
- Raspberry Pi Native Camera list:
| Resolution | Sensor |
|---|---|
| 5MP | OV5647 |
| 8MP | IMX219 |
| 12MP | IMX477 |
| 12MP | 477M |
| 12MP | IMX708 |
| 12MP | IMX378 |
| 16MP | IMX519 |
| 64MP | 64MP Hawkeye |
| 64MP | 64MP OV64A40 |
| 0.3MP | OV7251 |
| 1.58MP | IMX296 |
| 1MP | OV9281 |
| 2MP | OV2311 |
| 2MP | IMX290/IMX462/IMX327 |