Camera Modules for Raspberry Pi Pico
All camera modules you can use to build machine vision and IoT projects with RPi Pico or other RP2040 boards.
Best Cameras for RPi Pico
Arducam designed a series of working out-of-box camera modules for Raspberry Pi Pico and third-party RP2040 based boards. Extremely low-power monochrome camera acts as Always On Service for machine vision applications and up to 5MP color camera for IoT applications.
Arducam Mega Series
- Make CV Hardware Easier
- Support up to 4 cameras to be used with adapter board
- Open source SDK: Fully Open Source SDK/API
- Power Saving: Power consumption low as under 200mW
- Super Quick Response: Wake-up time up to 94ms
- One fit All: Support to be used with Any MCU.
Arducam HM01B0
- Based on Himax HM01B0-MWA
- 320×320, Monochrome, up to QVGA @ 60FPS max
- Designed for Always-on Service Applications
- Configurable 1-bit video data serial interface with video frame and line sync
- Ultra-low power consumption, standby < 200uW, QQVGA < 1.1mW
- Motion detection wakeup interrupt output
Arducam HM0360
- Based on Himax HM0360-MWA
- 640×480, Monochrome, up to VGA @ 60FPS max
- Designed for Always-on Service Applications
- Configurable 1-bit video data serial interface with video frame and line sync
- Ultra-low power consumption, standby < 140uW, VGA < 19.6mW
- Motion detection wakeup interrupt output
Arducam 2MP SPI Camera
- Based on 2MP OV2640 image sensor
- 1600×1200 Color SPI Camera with 8MByte onboard frame buffer
- Onboard ISP sensor that handles AE, AWB, Sharpness, Noise Reduction, Defect Reduction, Gamma, Color Saturation, Special Effects
- I2C for configuration, SPI for data and command
- Single 3.3V/5V tolerant power/IO input/output
Arducam 5MP SPI Camera
- Based on 5MP OV5642 image sensor
- 2592×1944 Color SPI Camera with 8MByte onboard frame buffer
- Onboard ISP sensor that handles AE, AWB, Sharpness, Noise Reduction, Defect Reduction, Gamma, Color Saturation, Special Effects
- I2C for configuration, SPI for data and command
- Single 3.3V/5V tolerant power/IO input/output
Arducam Pico4ML
- Based on Raspberry Pi RP2040.
- Ultra low power onboard camera. (Up to VGA resolution)
- 0.96 inch LCD display at back.
- IMU, Bluetooth and microphone.
- Compatible w/ any pre-trained TinyML model.
FAQs
RPi V1/V2/HQ cameras, do they work on RPi Pico?
With all other Raspberry Pis, even the Pi Zero, being full-fledged SBCs, the RPi Pico is simply an Arduino alternative. The lack of processing power, memory, and an appropriate interface make it impossible for the Pico to work with the official or any MIPI CSI-2 camera modules.
To be brief, neither does Pico have a CSI interface, nor can it handle the amount of data generated by CSI cameras.
Can I use those camera modules from the Arduino platform?
Standard OV7670 camera for Arduino is not recommended due to the insufficient processor memory, its high pin count as well as the EOL sensor.
What kind of camera interfaces should you choose?
Pico’s PIO and SPI interface can be used to connect a serial camera module.
What’s so good about the SPI interface?
All camera modules are connected to Raspberry Pi Pico through the SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) bus. Running at high speeds within short distances, the SPI’s data rate can go up to 60 Mbps, which’s decent enough for interfacing with image sensors.
Are there any cameras originally built for Pico?
The Raspberry Pi foundation doesn’t release an official camera for the Pico yet, but Arducam designs and supports all these camera modules above.
Can I use these camera modules with third-party RP2040 boards from Adafruit, Sparkfun, or Pimoroni?
Yes, the driver is open source, use for free of charge.
What’s the difference between the Monochrome and Color Cameras
The monochrome cameras are designed for machine vision for easy image processing, the color cameras are good for the IoT applications where the resolution matters.
