Raspberry Pi AI Camera (IMX500) | 12MP Intelligent Vision Sensor
Raspberry Pi AI Camera (IMX500) | 12MP Intelligent Vision Sensor
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Short Product Description
Short Product Description
The Raspberry Pi AI Camera is a revolutionary 12-megapixel vision module powered by the Sony IMX500 Intelligent Vision Sensor. By offloading complex neural network inferencing directly to the camera's on-board accelerator, it frees up your Raspberry Pi's CPU for other critical tasks. Fully compatible with all Raspberry Pi computers and seamlessly integrated with libcamera and Picamera2, this module is the ultimate tool for advanced machine vision projects. Available in-stock at Sun Cheong Computer Co. Ltd. (新昌電腦有限公司) in Sham Shui Po, our 20+ years of technical expertise ensures you get the best hardware and advice for your next AI robotics build.
Key Features
Key Features
- Sony IMX500 Sensor: Combines a high-resolution 12.3MP CMOS image sensor with a dedicated on-board AI inferencing engine.
- Zero CPU Bottleneck: Outputs image data alongside tensor metadata, leaving the host Raspberry Pi processor completely free for other operations.
- Manual Adjustable Focus: Features a precise manual focus dial with a range from 20cm to infinity, perfect for close-up inspection tasks.
- Extensive Software Support: Natively supported by libcamera, Picamera2, and rpicam-apps for effortless integration into existing projects.
- Universal Compatibility: Works with all Raspberry Pi models using standard 200mm FPC ribbon cables (15-pin 1mm or 22-pin 0.5mm).
Full Product Description
Full Product Description
On-Board AI Inferencing Acceleration
The Raspberry Pi AI Camera offloads neural network processing directly to the Sony IMX500 sensor, freeing up your host board's CPU. Traditional machine vision projects often bottleneck the main processor, leading to dropped frames and sluggish performance. By utilizing the IMX500's integrated inferencing engine, this camera transparently augments captured video with tensor metadata (up to 640x640 resolution) in real-time. This allows developers to run sophisticated object detection, pose estimation, and image classification models without requiring an external USB AI accelerator.
Universal Raspberry Pi Compatibility
This 12MP camera module is fully compatible with all Raspberry Pi computers, utilizing the same mounting footprint as the Camera Module 3. Whether you are using a legacy Raspberry Pi 4, the latest Raspberry Pi 5, or a compact Pi Zero, this camera integrates flawlessly using standard 15x1mm or 22x0.5mm FPC cables. While the PCB outline matches previous modules, the overall depth is slightly increased (11.9mm) to accommodate the powerful IMX500 sensor and its manual adjustable focus lens.
Pro Tip from Our Technicians
Always update your Raspberry Pi OS and libcamera libraries before connecting the AI Camera to ensure seamless tensor metadata extraction. Our Sham Shui Po DIY robotics specialists at Sun Cheong Computer Co. Ltd. recommend utilizing the rpicam-apps suite for initial testing, as it provides out-of-the-box support for the IMX500's metadata, making it incredibly easy to verify your neural network models before writing custom Python scripts.
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications
- Sensor: Sony IMX500 Intelligent Vision Sensor
- Resolution: 12.3 Megapixels (4056 × 3040 pixels)
- Sensor Size: 7.857 mm (Type 1/2.3)
- Pixel Size: 1.55 μm × 1.55 μm
- Focus System: Manual Adjustable Focus (20 cm to infinity)
- Focal Length / Ratio: 4.74 mm / F1.79
- Field of View: 66° ±3° (Horizontal) / 52.3° ±3° (Vertical)
- Input Tensor Maximum Size: 640(H) × 640(V) (int8 or uint8)
- Memory Size: 8,388,480 bytes (Firmware, network weights, working memory)
- Output Formats: Bayer RAW10, ISP output (YUV/RGB), ROI, Metadata
- Dimensions: 25 mm × 24 mm × 11.9 mm
- Cable Compatibility: 15 × 1 mm FPC or 22 × 0.5 mm FPC (200mm length included)
Delivery Options
Delivery Options
- Local delivery within Hong Kong and in-store pickup.
- Free shipping for orders of HK$400 or above; HK$35 shipping fee for orders below HK$400.
- Shipped by SF Express, usually dispatched the same day for orders confirmed before 6:00 PM (Mon–Sat).
- Estimated delivery time: 1–3 business days after dispatch (Hong Kong).
- In-store pickup details (location and time) will be confirmed by email or phone message.
- Delivery times are estimates and may be affected by weather or unforeseen circumstances.
FAQ Section
FAQ Section
- Is the Raspberry Pi AI Camera compatible with older Raspberry Pi models like the Pi Zero?Yes, the Raspberry Pi AI Camera is compatible with all Raspberry Pi models, provided you use the appropriate 15-pin or 22-pin FPC ribbon cable for your specific board.
- How does the AI Camera differ from the standard Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3?The AI Camera features an integrated Sony IMX500 sensor that processes neural networks on-board, whereas the Module 3 relies entirely on the Raspberry Pi's CPU for image processing.
- How do I adjust the focus on the Raspberry Pi AI Camera?You can manually adjust the focus of the Raspberry Pi AI Camera by rotating the lens dial, allowing for precise clarity from 20cm to infinity.
- Can I get technical support for setting up AI models on this camera at your Hong Kong store?Yes, our technical staff at Sun Cheong Computer Co. Ltd. in Sham Shui Po can provide expert advice on utilizing libcamera and rpicam-apps for your AI vision projects.
- What is the maximum input tensor size supported by the IMX500 sensor?The integrated IMX500 sensor supports a maximum input tensor size of 640x640 pixels using int8 or uint8 data types for neural network inferencing.
Target Users / Applications
Target Users / Applications
- Robotics engineers developing autonomous navigation systems that require real-time object detection without CPU latency.
- Industrial automation specialists building quality control inspection cameras using custom neural network models.
- STEM educators teaching advanced machine vision and AI inferencing using the accessible Raspberry Pi ecosystem.
