Best Raspberry Pi 4 and 4b Cameras

Raspberry pi has been around for a while now. It took the industry by storm when it launched back in 2012. Today, it’s 4, and 4b models are one of the most widely used single-board computers in the market. They’re most powerful and utilize DDR4 RAM for better performance. The camera module is the most important one that you’d want to buy among all its accessories.

If you don’t own a camera for your Raspberry Pi 4, all the reasons why you should buy one will make a long and detailed list. Whether you want to record stellar videos, time-lapses, or simply want to create a smart home security system, consider getting a quality camera for your Raspberry pi 4.

Today, we are sharing the top five best Raspberry pi 4 cameras that money can buy. We have also included a short buyer’s guide to help you decide which camera module will be suitable for your projects. So, without any further ado, let’s jump straight onto our list.

1. Raspberry Pi 4 & 4b High-Quality Camera

The Raspberry pi high-quality camera is the first raspberry camera on our list. Manufactured by the Raspberry Pi Foundation itself, it has a cool specs sheet across the board, which is why it’s a better choice than the predecessor Raspberry pi camera module V2.

The main difference between the two is, of course, the camera quality. While the Raspberry pi camera module V2 had an 8 mp camera, the Raspberry pi high-quality camera features a better 12.3 mp camera to float your boat. It can record videos up to 1080p@30 fps. Cool! Isn’t it?

When it comes to low-light performance, the Raspberry pi high-quality camera does a pretty decent job. The big pixel size of 1.55 umx 155 um ensures top quality low light performance.

Another cool thing about the Raspberry pi high-quality camera is that it boasts the ultimate adjustable back focus. This is something that is missing in those cheap quality cameras. Furthermore, it has the latest Sony IMX477 sensor, suitable for all industrial and commercial applications.

Besides, the Raspberry pi high-quality camera is designed to support the CS-mount and C- mount lenses. In the case of C- mount lenses, you may need to use a supplied adapter. While most cameras of this price range come with lenses included in the package, unfortunately, that’s not the case here.

Overall, the Raspberry pi high-quality camera is a good choice if you’re looking for a camera for good video quality.

Buy Here: Amazon

2. Raspberry Pi Noir Camera Module

Moving on to the next product, we have the Raspberry pi Noir camera module. What sets it apart from the rest is that it boasts infrared lighting support. This feature enables the camera to take excellent photos in the dark. Therefore it’s an ideal choice for low light and wildlife photography.

Moreover, the Raspberry pi Noir camera module comes with an 8 mp camera capable of taking amazing pictures. It’s certainly not the best in the market, but it does a great job most of the time. It uses the Sony IMX219 sensor, which can capture 3280 x 2464 pixel static images.

What about the video quality?

Well, the Raspberry pi Noir camera module can record 1080p @ 30 fps, 720p @60 fps, and 640x480p90 videos. Thus recording good quality videos won’t be a problem either. You can easily attach it to your Raspberry pi using the CSI interface.

Fly in the ointment here is that this camera is not ideal to be used in the daytime. While the infrared lighting support makes it perfect for low lighting conditions, it will disappoint you in the daytime. Its performance is not terrible, but certainly not up to the mark.

The Raspberry pi Noir camera module is a great choice for low light and wildlife photography thanks to the infrared lighting support.

Buy Here: Amazon

3. XYGStudy 5MP USB Camera Module

Need a tiny camera module to work with Lightburn and save some major bucks? Get the XYGStudy’s 5MP USB camera module. This little thing performs exactly as it should, supporting both Jetson Nano and Raspberry Pi in the process.

The 5 MP camera utilizes the OV5648 sensor. It’s capable of capturing high-quality still images at 2592×1944 resolution in MJPEG or YUY2 formats. And not just that, it can also take 720p HD video at 60 fps (frames per second) and 1080p HD videos at 30 fps.

Other than this, the XYGStudy USB camera module supports the UVC protocol and is capable of autofocus. Besides, it’s plug-and-play. You don’t need to install any drivers to use its services.

With dimensions of 9mm x 62mm, the XYGStudy camera module is one of the smallest camera modules featured here. That makes it fairly easy to incorporate into any project.

However, our only disappointment is that the 100cm cable included in the package could have been longer.

Overall, it’s an excellent purchase if you are looking for a versatile camera module capable of not just surveillance but more!

Buy Here: Amazon

4. Makerfocus Raspberry Pi 4 Night Vision Camera

The Raspberry Pi night vision camera is the next option on our list. As its name suggests, it’s suitable to be used in the dark. Like the Raspberry pi Noir camera module, it also comes with infrared lighting support. So, if you want a camera to see in the dark, get the Raspberry Pi night vision camera. Plain and simple!

You get a 1.8 F aperture with a 3.6 mm adjustable focal length, which is great. You don’t generally get these features in the cameras of this price bracket.

What’s more, it comes with a decent 5 MP camera. It will capture crisp images in favorable conditions but struggles in harsh conditions. But we have what we have. Thankfully, it has a 1080p sensor that kind of makes up for the low megapixel count.

Another good thing about the Makerfocus Raspberry Pi night vision camera is that it supports all the Pi 5 megapixel’s OV5647 sensor revisions. Whatever model you have, it’s up for the task.

Simply put, the Raspberry Pi night vision camera is the best RPi 4 camera for seeing in the dark. Its excellent non-IR and IR quality leave little to be desired.

Buy Here: Amazon

5. Arducam Mini Camera Module

There are several options available in the market when it comes to spy cameras. None better than this. Its tiny size is perfect for security purposes. Measuring at 8.5mm x 11.3 mm, it’s so small that it’s around the size of a mobile camera.

Talking about the camera quality, the Raspberry pi spy camera has a 5 mp camera. It actually may take you by surprise as it’s capable of capturing outstanding shots in good lighting conditions. You can easily take 2592 x 1944 pixel static images. However, its performance is a bit hit and miss in harsh weather conditions. What else can you expect from a 5 mp camera?

As for video quality, it can record 1080p @ 30 fps, 720p @60 fps, and 640x480p 60/90 videos. For a hassle-free connection, you get an 11.4-inch long cable that lets you install this camera at a distance from your Raspberry pi. Furthermore, the adhesive sticker enables you to mount it wherever you want. Like most other Raspberry pi cameras, it can also be connected to the computer using the CSI interface.

The elephant in the room is that it’s not compatible with the Raspberry pi zero models. It’s one of the older models by Raspberry but is still used by thousands of people worldwide. So you’d need to look elsewhere if you own the model mentioned above.

All in all, because of its tiny size, the Raspberry pi spy camera is a great choice for spying. The camera resolution is decent enough that you can use it in a home security system.

Buy Here: Amazon

Buyer’s Guide – Best Raspberry Pi 4 & 4b Camera

If you have made up your mind to get a camera for your raspberry pi 4, the bad (or good?) news for you is that you’d have to go through a dilemma as there are a plethora of models available in the market. However, there are three main factors that you should consider before buying a camera for the Raspberry pi. This will help you make an informed decision.

Video Resolution and Frame Rate:
Video resolution and frame rate play a vital role in the overall video quality. When looking for a surveillance camera, make sure you choose the one which has a higher resolution and frame rate. It will make the movements in the video look smooth.

Autofocus:
Cameras nowadays boast the autofocus feature for better performance. Flagship-level cameras can autofocus quickly with more accuracy. However, the cheaper models may not be able to autofocus. Autofocus is most useful when you are shooting high-contrast videos/photos. Otherwise, you can skip this feature to save some bucks.

Field of View
Field of view or FoV refers to the area that a camera can capture. The camera having a wide-angle lens captures more area. There are plenty of options available, and you can buy any of them according to your budget and needs.

Final Thoughts

A camera module helps supe up your mini PC project. But, considering all the bells and whistles, it’s sometimes quite challenging to choose a camera for your Raspberry pi 4. We have reviewed some of the most popular models in the market. The Raspberry Pi foundation’s high-quality camera is our top pick as it comes with a top-of-the-line camera. However, the other cameras on our list are also very capable.

Moreover, as you must have noticed, some of the best Raspberry Pi cameras are also the best cameras for Raspberry Pi 4 and 4b models. So, make sure you have enough storage for all of your footage. That’s all for now. Don’t forget to check related articles on LinuxHint to stay up to date on all things Pi.