Here are some great news for the photographers/makers out there. Raspberry Pi just released their camera module into the world.
This is a 5MP camera which uses a similar imaging core (though different optics and sensor) to the Nokia N8. The camera module costs $25 and is available to order from MCM or Element 14 (North America) and RS or Farnell (Europe).
The board adds a 5MP camera to the Raspberry Pi board and can take static images with resolution up to 2592X1944, and stream video both 1080p, or 720p and as with any Raspberry Pi project where you take it from here is entirely up to you. Having a fully customizable camera for $60 ($35 Pi board + $25 Camera module) is not a trivial thing.
As you may recall, Raspberry Pi is a standalone computer on its own that runs Linux, so as far as creativity goes, there is a lot that can be done with this relative programming simplicity and easy access.
This is how you would install the camera:
“The flex cable inserts into the connector situated between the Ethernet and HDMI ports, with the silver connectors facing the HDMI port. The flex cable connector should be opened by pulling the tabs on the top of the connector upwards then towards the Ethernet port. The flex cable should be inserted firmly into the connector, with care taken not to bend the flex at too acute an angle. The top part of the connector should then be pushed towards the HDMI connector and down, while the flex cable is held in place. (Please view the video above to watch the cable being inserted.)”#
Raspberry Pi has the rest of the instructions, including enabling the camera, streaming video and obviously, snapping a picture.
[Camera board available for sale! | Raspberry Pi via Lifehacker]
