The Raspberry Pi Foundation has announced the availability of an infrared camera module for the Raspberry Pi dubbed Pi NoIR and interested customers can buy it for as low as £16.80.
The Pi NoIR is a high-definition infrared-sensitive video camera and works with both model A and B of the Raspberry Pi. The camera has a 5-megapixel Omnivision 5647 sensor and is capable of capturing still images with 2,592 x 1,944 resolution. The camera can also record videos at a maximum of 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second (fps). The module connects to the Raspberry Pi board on the 15-pin MIPI Camera Serial Interface (CSI) connector S5 through a flat ribbon cable.
The newly announced camera is sensitive to short-wavelength IR radiation having 880nm wavelength which are produced by infrared emitting LEDs. The camera doesn’t come with any IR illuminator and hence customers are required to buy them separately, which are available through RS Components.
Some of the applications of the Pi NoIR include ability to check on health of plants (Infragrams), keep watch on burglars through Night security, wildlife photography among others.
You can order the Pi NoIR in the UK through RS Components and Premier Farnell and their subsidiaries and from Adafruit in the US.
