If arducam low light is exposed to day lights, can it damage the lens?

1

I am looking to buy imx378:

However one person has advised me that buying this camera and using it for day time as well can potentially damage the lense as I am absorbing extra light as its designed for low lighting, not sure if this is true?

Also would it auto adjust its light sensitivity if used for day time?

2

Hi there,
Thank you for your inquiry. I am happy to clarify this for you, as the advice you received is not factually correct and stems from a misunderstanding of how CMOS image sensors work.

Here is the professional breakdown:

1. Will using it in daylight damage the lens or sensor?
Absolutely not. The Arducam IMX378 module will not be damaged by standard daytime usage, nor will it “wear out” from absorbing sunlight.

  • Real-world proof: The Sony IMX378 sensor is the exact same sensor used in the Google Pixel 1 smartphone . Just like your phone can take photos at night and at the beach in full sunlight without breaking, this module is designed to handle both environments perfectly.

  • The “Damage” Myth: Lenses are optical elements (Glass/Plastic); they just focus light. Light does not damage the lens itself. The only scenario where damage can occur (for any camera, not just this one) is if you point the lens directly at the sun for a long period, which acts like a magnifying glass and can burn the sensor. Normal daylight usage is completely safe.

2. Does it auto-adjust for bright light? (Auto-Exposure)
Yes. The camera handles bright light automatically through the software (Libcamera/ISP) on the Raspberry Pi:

  • Auto Exposure Control (AEC): In bright daylight, the camera will automatically shorten its “Electronic Shutter” speed (down to 1/100,000s or faster).

  • Auto Gain Control (AGC): It will drop the ISO (sensitivity) to the lowest possible level.

Conclusion:
You can safely buy this camera for a project that runs 24/7 (Day and Night). The “high sensitivity” simply means you get cleaner images when it gets dark; it does not mean it is fragile when it gets bright.

If you have any further questions about setting it up, feel free to ask.

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Hi mate thank you so much for clarifying this to me. It makes sense that it should be able to support day and night.

I just have one more question. Would this particular camera be clear enough at night time with streetlights to see like this:

image
image1885Ă—949 105 KB

If not the case then can you suggest a similar camera with a similar price that can be this clear during nighttime with street lights?

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I haven’t actually tried that myself, so I can’t say for sure.
Your best bet is to check with our sales team at [email protected] - they can let you know if it’s doable, otherwise, suggest a suitable camera.

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