Camera recommendation for face detection

Raspberry Pi Cameras
1

Hi I am working on a project that involves face detection for people walking through an entry/exit gate.

I am not sure which camera is best for my use case.
I need a Arducam USB camera that handles lighting variations and can capture people faces while they are walking towards the entry/exit gate.
I tried IMX291 but it doesn’t do very well in low lighting. Any suggestions would be really helpful/

Thank You!

2

Hi,
Thank you for your interest in our products.
I would like to know if you have tried this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Arducam-Computer-Automatic-Switching-All-Day/dp/B0829HZ3Q7?th=1

1 Like
3

Thank you for replying.
I have been using this camera: imx291: https://www.arducam.com/product/arducam-1080p-low-light-wdr-usb-camera-module-for-computer-2mp-1-2-8-cmos-imx291-100-degree-wide-angle-mini-uvc-spy-webcam-board-with-microphone-3-3ft-1m-cable-for-windows-linux-mac-os/, it works great in good lighting conditions, but not very well in low lightning conditions. I am using it for face detection for people walking through an entry/exit gate. The background sunlight is distorting the image. here i am attaching the images

walk_image_low_light
walk_image_low_light720×1280 120 KB

.
Do you think the camera you recommended would work nicely in this situation ?

Could I also consider looking into: IMX327 or IMX477

4

Hi,
Yeah, you may need an imx708 module with HDR function. The little heads up that the imx708 module can work well in the situation in the picture you posted but can not work perfectly in darkness.

For now, only resolution 2304x1296 supports HDR function. Hence, you need to choose the resolution above first. Here is a sample code to enable HDR function in python code:

import cv2

# open camera by index
camera = cv2.VideoCapture(0)

# read one frame to start camera
camera.read()

# enable HDR for B0474 (IMX708)
camera.set(cv2.CAP_PROP_BACKLIGHT, 1)

# read frames
while True:
  ret, frame = camera.read()
  # show img
  cv2.imshow("Image", frame)
  key = cv2.waitKey(1)
  if key == ord('q'):
    break```
5

Hi @Dion , thanks for replying.
If HDR offers better quality could we also consider this camera?
Camera: SKU: B0476(IMX390)
https://www.arducam.com/product/arducam-2mp-imx390-hdr-usb-3-0-camera-module-b0476/
Are there any advantages of using IMX708 over IMX390? Thank You!

6

Hi @mdwivedi
Yeah, you can also choose the B0476. Compared with IMX390, the IMX708 module features an autofocus function and higher resolution(2304x1296). There is an M12 lens on the IMX390 module, so you need to screw the lens to focus.

7

Hi @Dion , Thank you for your reply.
I will get both IMX390 and IMX708 and test them, could the other camera that you mentioned earlier be helpful too? https://www.amazon.com/Arducam-Computer-Automatic-Switching-All-Day/dp/B0829HZ3Q7?th=1

8

Hi @mdwivedi

Great!

I mention this camera because you said imx291 doesn’t do well in low-light conditions. After checking the picture you sent, I found that you need the HDR function which imx708 and imx390 will provide.