Show me what you got (if you got cheap camera modules)
Jarrett wrote 01/24/2016 at 21:47 • 2 pointsI'm in the cost analysis stage of a cheap camera array. What cheap CMOS modules are people using? I'm think a cellphone camera of some sort, and $1 or less each. Some sort of available datasheet or previous record of hacking would be good, too, but not required.
AliExpress is not turning up any super great solutions, but maybe I am doing it wrong!
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The best cheap camera modules I've seen available are the Omnivision ones. My short list is: OV7670, OV7675, OV2640, OV5647, OV5642, OV9655, OV9712 Of those the cheapest are the OV7670 and OV7675 which are 640x480. Most of the OV* modules have a very similar interface spec of which there are quite a few existing projects and code showing how to best interface with them.
As far as $1 or less each goes. for the OV7670, I've seen ~$4 for a module on a breakout, ~$2 for just the module, and ~$1.50 for just the sensor via AliExpress. You might be able to get it for less than $1 for a module if you dig deep and and work with a supplier directly, but they would probably expect you to buy a full tray or two to get that kind of price.
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You can get pretty decent (depending on your point of view) cameras as 'key fob camera' or 'key chain spy camera' on aliexpress/ebay. Higher quality ones are more expensive, but the 480p el cheapo ones are still useable, and cost <5 dollars. EG http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-DVR-Camcorder-Car-Key-Chain-Video-Recorder-Spy-Hidden-Pinhole-Camera-CGYG-/381259045981?hash=item58c4cf5c5d:g:qRQAAOSwhwdVU2TB
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-808-Car-Key-Chain-Micro-Camera-HD-720P-H-264-Pocket-Camcorder-Hidden-Cam-TR-/131599329341?hash=item1ea3ee683d:g:G20AAOSwEetV8AtC
Might be worth seeing what you can do with the sensor itself, even if you just end up finding a part number to google for. They do need a micro-sd usually, but maybe you could RE a way to get the image data directly?
NB some advertise 720P when in fact the sensor records at lower resolution and they process it before saving. There re some good group tests showing which are the best bang for the buck.
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Stuff like cell phone cameras are more what I'm looking for. Apple has done some great things for the cheap parts, but I feel like there's gotta be something better, still. An example:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Back-Rear-Camera-Flash-Flex-Cable-Module-Replacement-Parts-For-iPhone-5C-New/32557847563.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.398.uKW5Dg&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_9,searchweb201644_3_10001_10002_10005_301_9909_10006_9706_10003_10004_62,...
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I can't seem to find any good ones on Digikey. They are either really expensive or don't have a datasheet. If you want to see for yourself here is a link: http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en?FV=fff4001e,fff802a2&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=0&page=1&quantity=0&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=25
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