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CAM-IMX577 12MP MIPI Camera Module

CAM-IMX577

1. Product Overview

The CAM-IMX577 is a high-performance 12.3MP MIPI CSI-2 camera module featuring the Sony IMX577 (IMX477 variant) back-illuminated CMOS sensor. Designed for professional imaging applications on Raspberry Pi 5 and other embedded Linux systems, it delivers exceptional image quality with support for multiple video formats ranging from Full HD to 4K UHD.

With a 1/2.3" optical format, 1.55μm pixel size, and RGGB Bayer pattern, the CAM-IMX577 provides excellent low-light performance, high dynamic range support, and flexible RAW output options (8-bit, 10-bit, 12-bit). The module is fully compatible with the libcamera ecosystem and supports offline compilation for maximum flexibility.

1.1 Key Features

  • 12.3MP High Resolution with 4056 × 3040 native resolution
  • Back-illuminated CMOS Sensor for exceptional low-light performance
  • RGGB Bayer Pattern for full-color imaging
  • Multiple RAW Output Formats (8-bit, 10-bit, 12-bit)
  • Flexible Video Formats - Full resolution to low-power modes
  • MIPI CSI-2 4-lane high-speed interface
  • On-board Calibration Support via I2C EEPROM
  • Compatible with Raspberry Pi 5 and Linux-based embedded systems

1.2 Industry Applications

  • Professional Photography & Videography
  • Security & Surveillance Systems
  • Industrial Machine Vision
  • Drone & UAV Imaging
  • Scientific & Research Imaging
  • Automotive Vision Systems

2. Hardware Specifications

2.1 Sensor Specifications

Parameter Specification
Product Model CAM-IMX577
Sensor Model Sony IMX577 (IMX477 variant)
Sensor Type CMOS Image Sensor (Back-illuminated)
Resolution 12.3 Megapixels
Max Resolution 4056 × 3040 pixels
Optical Format 1/2.3"
Pixel Size 1.55μm × 1.55μm
Pixel Layout RGGB (Bayer Pattern)
Dynamic Range High-performance WDR support
Low-light Performance Excellent (back-illuminated technology)
Shutter Type Rolling shutter

2.2 Video Format & Resolution

Pixel Format Resolution Description
SRGGB12_CSI2P 4056 × 3040 12-bit RAW Full Resolution
SRGGB12_CSI2P 4056 × 2160 12-bit RAW 4K UHD
SRGGB12_CSI2P 2028 × 1520 12-bit RAW 2K
SRGGB12_CSI2P 2028 × 1080 12-bit RAW Full HD
SRGGB12_CSI2P 1332 × 990 12-bit RAW Low Power
SRGGB10_CSI2P 4056 × 3040 10-bit RAW Full Resolution
SRGGB8 4056 × 3040 8-bit RAW Full Resolution

Note: The 12-bit RAW format provides maximum dynamic range and post-processing flexibility.

2.3 Interface & Physical Specifications

Parameter Specification
Interface Type MIPI CSI-2
Data Lanes 2-lane
Connector 22-pin 0.5mm Pitch FPC / 15-pin 1.0mm Pitch FPC
Dimensions 38mm × 38mm
Lens Mount CS-mount / M12

2.4 Strobe & XVS (Vertical Sync) Output

The CAM-IMX577 provides two hardware synchronization signal pads on the PCB:

  • Strobe: A flash/strobe trigger output signal that pulses in sync with each exposure. It can be used to drive an external LED flash or strobe light, ensuring the illumination is precisely aligned with the camera's exposure window.
  • XVS (Vertical Sync): The vertical synchronization signal output from the Sony IMX577 sensor. XVS pulses once per frame at the start of each vertical blanking period, making it ideal for multi-camera synchronization, external trigger coordination, and precise frame timing.

CAM-IMX577 Strobe & XVS Pads

Note: Both Strobe and XVS are exposed as solder pads on the PCB (as shown in the image above). They are intended for advanced users who require hardware-level synchronization.


3. Software Support

3.1 Repository Contents

This repository provides pre-built drivers, IPA modules, runtime packages, and libcamera source for Raspberry Pi 5 with Debian Trixie.

CAM-IMX577/
├── README.md
├── prebuild-driver-ipa/                                          ← Pre-compiled kernel driver + IPA bundles
│   ├── imx577-driver-pi5-k6.12.47+rpt-rpi-2712-20260720-140056.tar.gz
│   ├── imx577-driver-pi5-k6.12.47+rpt-rpi-2712-20260720-140056.tar.gz.sha256
│   ├── imx577-driver-pi5-k6.12.75+rpt-rpi-2712-20260720-140520.tar.gz
│   └── imx577-driver-pi5-k6.12.75+rpt-rpi-2712-20260720-140520.tar.gz.sha256
├── imx577-runtime-pi5-libcamera0.7.0-debian13-20260720-005005.tar.gz   ← libcamera 0.7.0 runtime
├── imx577-runtime-pi5-libcamera0.7.0-debian13-20260720-005005.tar.gz.sha256
├── pkg2-libcamera-imx577-source.tar.gz                          ← libcamera source (offline build)
├── pkg2-libcamera-imx577-source.tar.gz.sha256
└── camera_lens/                                                  ← Compatible lens documentation

Available Components:

  • prebuild-driver-ipa/ - Pre-compiled kernel driver + IPA bundles (ready-to-install)

    Package OS Kernel
    imx577-driver-pi5-k6.12.47+rpt-rpi-2712-20260720-140056.tar.gz Debian Trixie 6.12.47+rpt-rpi-2712
    imx577-driver-pi5-k6.12.75+rpt-rpi-2712-20260720-140520.tar.gz Debian Trixie 6.12.75+rpt-rpi-2712
  • imx577-runtime-pi5-libcamera0.7.0-debian13-20260720-005005.tar.gz - libcamera 0.7.0 runtime package (install without recompiling)

  • pkg2-libcamera-imx577-source.tar.gz - libcamera source with IMX577 IPA support (for offline compilation)

  • camera_lens/ - Compatible lens specifications and documentation

3.2 Driver Installation

Option A: Use Pre-built Driver (Recommended)

⚠️ Important: Pre-compiled driver packages are built for specific OS versions and kernel versions. Before installation, verify that your system's OS version and kernel version match exactly. Check with:

cat /etc/os-release   # Check OS version
uname -r              # Check kernel version

Extract and install the matching package:

cd prebuild-driver-ipa
tar -xzf <matching-package>.tar.gz
cd <extracted-folder>
sudo ./scripts/install.sh
sudo reboot

# After reboot, verify installation
./scripts/verify.sh

Option B: Install Runtime Package (libcamera 0.7.0)

If your kernel driver is already installed and you only need to update the libcamera runtime:

tar -xzf imx577-runtime-pi5-libcamera0.7.0-debian13-20260720-005005.tar.gz
cd <extracted-folder>
sudo ./scripts/install.sh
sudo reboot

Option C: Offline Compilation from Source

For advanced users who need to compile libcamera from source:

tar -xzf pkg2-libcamera-imx577-source.tar.gz
cd <extracted-folder>
chmod +x build.sh
sudo ./build.sh           # Full mode with Qt support
sudo ./build.sh --lite    # Lite mode (minimal dependencies)

Build Time: ~30-40 minutes (full mode) or ~15-20 minutes (lite mode)

3.3 Manual Configuration

Edit your /boot/firmware/config.txt and add one of the following:

For CAM0 port:

camera_auto_detect=0
dtoverlay=imx577-overlay,cam0

For CAM1 port:

camera_auto_detect=0
dtoverlay=imx577-overlay,cam1

Reboot your Raspberry Pi for the changes to take effect:

sudo reboot

4. Testing the Camera

After installation and rebooting, verify the camera detection and test functionality using rpicam-apps.

4.1 Verify Detection

List available cameras:

rpicam-hello --list-cameras

4.2 Capture Commands

Live Preview:

rpicam-hello -t 0

Capture Full Resolution Image (12MP):

rpicam-still -o 12mp_image.jpg --width 4056 --height 3040

Capture 4K Image:

rpicam-still -o 4k_image.jpg --width 4056 --height 2160

Record 4K Video:

rpicam-vid -t 10000 --width 4056 --height 2160 -o 4k_video.h264

Capture 12-bit RAW:

rpicam-raw -t 5000 --width 4056 --height 3040 -o raw_image.dng

5. Compatible Lenses

The camera module supports multiple lens options for different applications:

  • D1326 Lens - Standard lens configuration (see camera_lens/D1326镜头.pdf)
  • YT10089 8MP+ Lens - High-performance lens with IR-CUT filter (see camera_lens/YT10089-8MP+H93+IR0160(01.10089.014.08)-8MP座子是IR-CUT.pdf)

For lens selection and compatibility details, refer to the lens documentation in the camera_lens/ directory.


6. Preset OS Image

A pre-configured Raspberry Pi OS image with all drivers and software pre-installed is available for download:

Download: https://www.jianguoyun.com/p/DWqJpGAQpdSrBxil9p8GIAA
Password: exgk55


7. Support

For technical support, product inquiries, and source code access requests, please visit:

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