Note: There are 4 variants of Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3, please choose the preferred option:

Camera Module 3, 75º, Visible Light	Camera Module 3, 75º, NoIR	Camera Module 3, 120º, Visible Light	Camera Module 3, 120º, NoIR

Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3

• 12MP (megapixel) of SONY IMX708 image sensor
• Phase Detect Autofocus Lens (PDAF)
• Improved low-light sensitivity
• On-Chip Video High Dynamic Range (HDR) support
• Visible Light and NoIR (No IR filter)
• 75º and 120º (Wide Angle)

Raspberry Pi Camera Module V3 features an ultra-high quality 12MP(megapixel) SONY IMX708 image sensor with HDR, and a phase detection autofocus lens. Camera Module 3 is available in standard (75º) and wide-angle (120º) variants, both of which are available with or without an infrared cut filter (NoIR). The new V3 camera module is capable of 4608 x 2592 pixel static images, and also supports 1080p @50fps, 720p@100fps, and 480p @120fps video.

You can check out the "Hot from Oven" on this product by Cytron Technologies too:

The camera module interfaces with Raspberry Pi by way of a 15-pin Ribbon Cable (FFC-Flexible Flat Cable), to the dedicated 15-pin MIPI Camera Serial Interface (CSI), which was designed especially for interfacing with cameras. The CSI bus is capable of extremely high data rates, and it exclusively carries pixel data to the Raspberry Pi's processor. A 200mm long CSI cable is included with every camera module 3.

You can check out what Jeff Geerling has to say about the new Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3. Jeff compared the pictures taken by Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 and the iPhone 13 Pro's camera:

12 Megapixel IMX708 Image Sensor

This is a huge upgrade in image resolution from its' pre-successor, the camera module V2 which has only 8MP of image resolution, which is a 50% improvement. Here is the photo taken using the latest Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 (on the left) and Raspberry Pi Camera Module 2 (V2.1) (on the right).

1st Raspberry Pi Camera Module with Autofocus

The Camera Module V3 comes in the classic V1/V2 form factor and PCB size, and mounting holes, so you can use back most of the brackets or mounting structures. However, the camera autofocus lens is slightly bigger and higher, so that might affect the fitting of certain brackets. It comes with a Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) lens within the compact size. The autofocus lens is powered and controllable from Raspberry Pi via the standard 15-pin FFC cable, simple and straightforward to install. No messy additional cable wires. 

Visible Light or NoIR

Similar to the V1 and V2 camera modules, the V3 module comes in two variants: the module with a visible light lens (with an IR filter) and another with a NoIR lens (without an IR filter). The visible light lens module will provide images without infrared which looks more natural for human eyes.

While the NoIR lens allows InfraRed to go through, this is perfect for doing Infrared photography and taking pictures in low light (twilight) environments. There is a little square of blue gel sheet with the NoIR camera module, which you can use with the camera to monitor the health of green plants. The NoIR camera module is very popular among wildlife hobbyists: with a few infrared LEDs, you can monitor what nocturnal animals are doing in your garden without disturbing them.

75º or 120º Viewing Angle Lens

On top of visible light or NoIR lens, there are two more variants of lenses to choose from, Raspberry Pi Camera Module V3 comes with either a 75º or a 120º lens. Making a total of four variants of camera module V3 to fulfill your projects.

As a summary:

The module itself is tiny, at around 25mm x 24mm x 11.5mm (12.4mm height for the Wide lens variants), and weighs just ~15g, making it perfect for mobile or other applications where size and weight are important.

Here is the mechanical drawing of the camera module 3: measurement in mm

Note: Due to slight differences in the lens size and height, the following Brackets and Casing/Enclosures are NOT compatible with Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3:

• Official Raspberry Pi Zero Case
• Acrylic Case Holder for Camera Module

The latest Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 is compatible with:

• Raspberry Pi 5, you will need a smaller pitch-to-pitch CSI cable
• Raspberry Pi 4 Model B 8GB, 4GB, 2GB, 1GB
• Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+
• Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
• Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+
• Raspberry Pi Zero 2 WCH (Wireless with Colored Header), you will need a smaller pitch-to-pitch CSI cable
• Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, you will need a smaller pitch-to-pitch CSI cable
• Raspberry Pi Zero WH (Wireless and Header), you will need a smaller pitch-to-pitch CSI cable
• Raspberry Pi Zero W (Wireless), you will need a smaller pitch-to-pitch CSI cable
• Raspberry Pi Zero V1.3, you will need a smaller pitch-to-pitch CSI cable

You might want to get different lengths of 15-pin Ribbon/FFC cable for better handling of the camera module 3. We have tried up to 2 meters and it works fine:

• 2-meter 15-pin FFC for Raspberry Pi Camera
• 1-meter 15-pin FFC for Raspberry Pi Camera
• 50cm 15-pin FFC for Raspberry Pi Camera

Note: The Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 can only work with the latest Picamera2 Python library. You will have to update the Raspberry Pi OS in the microSD card or any operating system drive of the Raspberry Pi computer to get the latest driver/library for this new camera module 3. Please check out this link from Raspberry Pi.

Demo:

We tested Camera Module 3 (all available variants) with the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B in Maker Box (Red color box), 1-meter 15-pin FFC for Raspberry Pi Camera and 3D printed camera module bracket. It works seamlessly. Just remember to update the Raspberry Pi OS to get the latest libcamera driver.

You can get the 3D printable Camera Module bracket (the files are open source and provided as it is):

• CAD file
• STL file