Recently, Raspberry Pi has introduced its AI-powered Camera. The camera is priced at $70, by look it seems like a normal one but leverages advanced AI capabilities.
Raspberry Pi is known for its IoT products, offering tiny, affordable single-board computers that power a range of innovative projects.
Raspberry Pi’s new AI camera, powered by Sony’s IMX500 smart vision sensor and an RP2040, features a 12.3-megapixel CMOS image sensor and can handle local inference processing. This reduces the load on Raspberry Pi’s CPU, making it ideal for heavy visual AI tasks.
Key Features of Raspberry Pi’s AI Camera
The AI camera features a 12MP Sony IMX500 sensor with impressive resolutions of 4056×3040 and 2028×1520, a manually adjustable focus, and a 78-degree field of view. The integrated RP2040 microcontroller efficiently manages neural networks and firmware for smooth operation.
Raspberry Pi’s advanced AI camera supports neural network models while operating with low power consumption and minimal latency, allowing it to handle complex tasks effortlessly.
Talking about connectivity, the Raspberry Pi AI Camera easily hooks up to any Raspberry Pi model using a standard camera ribbon cable.
What’s more exciting is that with Sony’s AI tools, users can either convert their existing neural network models to run smoothly on the AI Camera or create new ones to fully tap into the AI accelerator’s powerful features. It’s a game-changer for AI enthusiasts.
This isn’t Raspberry Pi’s first camera module. The company continues to offer the Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3, a straightforward 12MP Sony (IMX708) sensor mounted on a small add-on board that connects to a Raspberry Pi via a ribbon cable.
The new AI camera works with all Raspberry Pi devices and includes a 200mm connection cable. It’s compatible with the “mini” interface on the Raspberry Pi 5 and Zero, as well as the wider “standard” interface on other models.
At $70 (plus local taxes), it’s pricier than non-AI camera modules. For example, the Camera Module 3 starts at $25, and the HQ Camera Module costs around $50.
If you’re only looking to take photos, the AI Camera might not be the best option. The Camera Module 3, with its autofocus, offers better value for that purpose. However, for AI projects, the extra features could be worth the investment.
With a commitment to long-term production, Raspberry Pi ensures that the Camera Module 3 will remain available for around $25 for years to come.
If your project involves image classification, the AI Camera is worth a look, especially for its user-friendly design. Eben Upton, CEO of Raspberry Pi, noted that this camera is commonly paired with the Raspberry Pi Zero 2W.
Since its launch in June, the AI kit designed for the Raspberry Pi 5 has gained a lot of popularity. Upton is confident that the AI Camera will be even more successful!
