Question about Arducam 2.3MP AR0234 Global Shutter Camera for raspberry PI

Raspberry Pi Cameras
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Hello,

I am considering buying the Arducam 2.3MP AR0234 Global Shutter Camera for the Raspberry Pi 5 with either the MIPI CSI or USB 3.0 connection.

MIPI CSI AR0234: Arducam store link - SKU B0353
USB 3.0 AR0234: Arducam store link - SKU B0495

I have a couple of questions:

  1. For the CSI model, does it support the CSI-to-HDMI Adapter Set?
    Here is the link: CSI-to-HDMI Adapter Set for Raspberry Pi Cameras (Pack of 2, 1 Set) - SKU B0091

  2. For the USB 3.0 connection, does it support H.264 output? I noticed it is not listed in the datasheet.

Thank you.

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Hi @crystal
Thank you for your interest in our AR0234 global shutter cameras. Those are excellent choices for high-speed applications. I can certainly clarify those technical points for you.

  1. CSI-to-HDMI Adapter: This CSI model(B0353) is not compatible with CSI-to-HDMI Adapter set(B0091).Those adapters are designed to work with the Raspberry Pi native camera modules(like IMX219/IMX708/IMX519), whereas B0353 is using the pivariety driver that doesn’t work with adapter boards.
  2. USB H.264 Output: You are correct, the USB 3.0 model(B0495) does not support H.264 hardware encording. The camera outputs raw, uncompressed YUYV video formats, which are ideal for machine vision applications where image fidelity is critical.

To help me guide you to the best possible solution, could you tell me a little more about your project?

Knowing what your main goals are will help me to either confirm if the AR0234 is still the right fit despite these limitations, or recommend another camera from our lineup that might better meet all your requirements.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Dion

3

Thank you for clarifying those details. That helps a lot.

For my project, I’m looking for a camera with global shutter that also supports RAW / MJPEG and preferably H.264 output, so that I can efficiently handle video on a Raspberry Pi 5 without excessive CPU load. Ideally, I would prefer a USB 3.0 connection since the MIPI CSI cable length limitation (~15 cm) that provided by arducam makes placement more difficult in my setup.

Could you recommend a model that meets these requirements, or the closest option available on arducam lineup? Thank you

4

@Dion
May I kindly request a follow-up regarding this matter?
Thank you

5

Hi @crystal
Sorry for the late reply. You’re looking for a very specific combination of features that highlights some of the key trade-offs in UVC camera design.

A UVC camera that can output both uncompressed RAW data and a compressed stream (MJPG/H.264) has two distinct modes. The compressed video is processed by a built-in ISP chip, while the RAW mode bypasses it to deliver pure sensor data. The challenge is finding an off-the-shelf product that combines this with a global shutter sensor.

Let’s look at our portfolio to see what comes closest to your requirements:

Option 1: The Closest Match (with limitations)
Our [200MP USB 3.0 Camera Module]( Let’s look at our portfolio to see what comes closest to your requirements:

Option 1: The Closest Match (with limitations)
Our 200MP USB 3.0 Camera Module is one of the few that can output RAW data over UVC. However, as you rightly noted in your project needs, this camera is not a good fit for two key reasons: it uses a rolling shutter (not global), and its Linux support is currently limited.

Option 2: The Best Global Shutter UVC Option
For your high-speed and trigger requirements, our best off-the-shelf solution is the 1MP OV9782 Global Shutter Color USB Webcam.

  • Pros: It has a true global shutter sensor perfect for capturing fast-moving objects, an external trigger function for precise synchronization, and excellent compatibility (MJPG output on Raspberry Pi and other Linux systems).

  • Cons: It does not output RAW data or an H.264 stream.

Recommendation
If your project’s most critical requirement is high-speed capture with a global shutter , the OV9782 is the strongest candidate.

However, if having both RAW output and compressed video in a single global shutter device is non-negotiable , then this moves into the realm of a custom solution. Our engineering team has experience developing custom camera solutions, and this is a request they could evaluate.

For that, please get in touch with our solutions team at [email protected] . They will be happy to discuss your project’s technical requirements and provide information on the customization process and pricing.

I hope this detailed breakdown is helpful. Let me know if you have more questions.) is one of the few that can output RAW data over UVC. However, as you rightly noted in your project needs, this camera is not a good fit for two key reasons: it uses a rolling shutter (not global), and its Linux support is currently limited.

Option 2: The Best Global Shutter UVC Option
For your high-speed and trigger requirements, our best off-the-shelf solution is the 1MP OV9782 Global Shutter Color USB Webcam.

  • Pros: It has a true global shutter sensor perfect for capturing fast-moving objects, an external trigger function for precise synchronization, and excellent compatibility (MJPG output on Raspberry Pi and other Linux systems).

  • Cons: It does not output RAW data or an H.264 stream.

Recommendation
If your project’s most critical requirement is high-speed capture with a global shutter , the OV9782 is the strongest candidate.

However, if having both RAW output and compressed video in a single global shutter device is non-negotiable , then this moves into the realm of a custom solution. Our engineering team has experience developing custom camera solutions, and this is a request they could evaluate.

For that, please get in touch with our solutions team at [email protected] . They will be happy to discuss your project’s technical requirements and provide information on the customization process and pricing.

I hope this detailed breakdown is helpful. Let me know if you have more questions.