Waveshare IMX290-83 IR-CUT Camera, Starlight Camera Sensor, Fixed-Focus, 2MP

The Waveshare IMX290-83 is a professional-grade starlight camera module featuring Sony's IMX290 CMOS sensor with integrated IR-CUT filter for day-night surveillance applications. This 2MP fixed-focus camera delivers exceptional low-light performance with a minimum illumination of 0.0005 lux, making it ideal for security integrators, roboticists, and embedded vision engineers who require reliable 24/7 imaging in challenging lighting conditions. The camera solves the critical problem of maintaining image quality during transitions between daylight and infrared-illuminated environments by automatically switching between visible light and IR sensitivity modes.

Product Overview

The IMX290-83 leverages Sony's advanced starlight sensor technology, which utilizes a 1/2.9-inch CMOS chip with 2.0-megapixel resolution and exceptional quantum efficiency across the visible and near-infrared spectrum. The sensor operates at a global shutter speed of 1/100 to 1/100000 seconds, enabling crisp imaging even in motion-heavy surveillance scenarios. The integrated IR-CUT filter mechanism automatically engages during daylight operation to block infrared wavelengths, ensuring accurate color reproduction, and disengages at night to capture infrared light from external IR illuminators, delivering monochrome imagery with superior contrast and detail in complete darkness.

What distinguishes the IMX290-83 from standard camera modules is its exceptional performance in ultra-low-light environments without introducing excessive noise. The sensor achieves this through advanced pixel architecture and on-chip signal processing that maintains a signal-to-noise ratio above 40dB even at 0.0005 lux illumination. The fixed-focus design, optimized for 0.3m to infinity focusing distance, eliminates mechanical focus drift common in motorized lens systems, ensuring consistent image quality across extended deployment periods. The camera module integrates seamlessly with Raspberry Pi, NVIDIA Jetson, and industrial embedded Linux platforms via CSI-2 interface, making it a preferred choice for AI-powered surveillance and robotics applications.

Key Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	CMOS Camera Module with IR-CUT Filter
Brand	Waveshare Electronics
Origin	Original/Authentic
Warranty	7 days on manufacturing defects
Shipping	1-5 days from Bengaluru
Delivery	7-8 days across India
Support	24/7 via Email and WhatsApp
Sensor Model	Sony IMX290 1/2.9-inch CMOS
Resolution	2.0 Megapixel (1920x1080)
Minimum Illumination	0.0005 lux (Starlight Mode)
Interface	MIPI CSI-2 (4-lane)
Fixed Focus Range	0.3m to Infinity
IR-CUT Filter	Motorized Auto-Switching

Key Features

• Starlight Sensor Technology: 0.0005 lux minimum illumination enables clear imaging in near-total darkness with external IR illumination, ideal for perimeter surveillance and nighttime security applications
• Motorized IR-CUT Filter: Automatic day-night switching mechanism eliminates color cast and infrared interference during daylight while maximizing IR sensitivity after sunset, ensuring consistent image quality across 24-hour cycles
• Fixed-Focus Optical Design: Permanently optimized focus from 0.3m to infinity eliminates mechanical drift and focus hunting, providing stable imagery for long-term unattended surveillance deployments
• High Signal-to-Noise Ratio: Advanced CMOS architecture maintains 40dB SNR in ultra-low-light conditions, delivering clean monochrome imagery without excessive grain or artifacts in infrared mode
• MIPI CSI-2 Interface: 4-lane high-speed data transmission supports Raspberry Pi, NVIDIA Jetson, and industrial embedded platforms with native driver support and minimal latency
• Global Shutter: 1/100 to 1/100000 second exposure range prevents motion blur in dynamic surveillance scenarios and enables high-speed frame capture for robotics applications

Applications and Use Cases

• 24/7 Perimeter Security: Deploy in warehouse, industrial facility, and residential security systems where continuous monitoring across day-night cycles is mandatory, with IR-CUT filter ensuring color accuracy during business hours and IR sensitivity during unlit nighttime hours
• Traffic and Parking Surveillance: Capture vehicle registration plates and driver identification in both daylight and nighttime conditions using the starlight sensor's exceptional low-light performance, critical for law enforcement and parking management systems
• Wildlife and Environmental Monitoring: Document nocturnal animal behavior and ecosystem activity using IR illumination without disturbing natural subjects, with fixed-focus design maintaining consistent image quality across extended field deployments
• Autonomous Robotics and Drones: Integrate into mobile robots, UAVs, and autonomous vehicles requiring reliable vision systems in variable lighting conditions, leveraging the MIPI CSI-2 interface for seamless Jetson and ROS ecosystem integration
• Machine Vision and Quality Inspection: Deploy in manufacturing facilities requiring consistent imaging under artificial lighting and natural light variations, with the global shutter eliminating motion artifacts during high-speed inspection processes
• Smart Home and IoT Security: Implement in networked doorbell cameras, indoor pet monitors, and smart home security hubs where low-light performance and automatic day-night adaptation are essential for user experience

How to Use

To integrate the Waveshare IMX290-83 camera module, first identify your host platform's CSI-2 camera interface connector. For Raspberry Pi 4 and Zero 2W, connect the 22-pin ribbon cable to the Camera Port with the blue tab facing away from the USB ports. For NVIDIA Jetson Nano and Xavier platforms, use the appropriate CSI-2 adapter board to match the 4-lane MIPI interface. Ensure the ribbon cable is fully inserted and secured, then power on your system. The IR-CUT filter mechanism will automatically initialize and perform a self-test, typically completing within 2-3 seconds of boot-up.

Install the camera driver and firmware using your platform's package manager or Waveshare's official GitHub repository. For Raspberry Pi, run raspi-config to enable the camera interface and select the appropriate camera model from the detection menu. Verify camera functionality using standard V4L2 tools or GStreamer pipelines to confirm video capture at 1920x1080 resolution. Configure your application's exposure settings to match your deployment environment: use automatic exposure mode for variable lighting conditions, or manual exposure values (typically 10-100 milliseconds) for consistent lighting setups. The fixed-focus design requires no focus adjustment; simply mount the camera at your desired distance and the optical system will maintain sharp focus from 0.3m to infinity. Monitor the IR-CUT filter's switching behavior during dawn and dusk transitions to ensure proper day-night mode transitions, typically occurring around 50-100 lux ambient illumination thresholds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the IMX290-83 and standard IMX290 camera modules?

The IMX290-83 specifically features a motorized IR-CUT filter mechanism that automatically switches between visible light and infrared sensitivity modes based on ambient illumination levels. Standard IMX290 modules either lack this filter entirely or use fixed IR-pass filters. The -83 designation indicates this is the starlight variant optimized for 0.0005 lux performance with automatic day-night adaptation, making it superior for 24/7 surveillance where color accuracy during day and IR sensitivity at night are both critical requirements.

How does the IR-CUT filter switching mechanism work and what triggers the mode change?

The IMX290-83 uses an internal light sensor that monitors ambient illumination levels to automatically engage or disengage the motorized IR-CUT filter. During daylight operation above approximately 50-100 lux, the filter blocks infrared wavelengths to prevent color cast and ensure accurate color reproduction. As ambient light decreases below this threshold at dusk, the filter automatically retracts, allowing infrared light from external IR illuminators to reach the sensor. This transition typically completes within 1-2 seconds. The switching threshold can be adjusted via firmware configuration on some platforms, allowing customization for specific deployment environments.

What external IR illumination is required for nighttime operation and what wavelength should I use?

The IMX290-83 sensor is optimized for 850nm near-infrared wavelength, which provides the best quantum efficiency and image quality. For typical surveillance applications, external 850nm IR LED arrays with 30-60 degree beam angles and 5-20W power consumption deliver adequate illumination for 5-15 meter coverage distances. The exact illumination requirements depend on your target distance and desired image brightness; calculate using inverse square law principles. 940nm IR illuminators also work but deliver slightly lower sensor efficiency. Avoid mixing different IR wavelengths in the same scene as this creates uneven illumination patterns.

Is the fixed-focus design adjustable if my application requires different focusing distance?

The IMX290-83 features a fixed-focus lens optimized for 0.3m to infinity focusing range, which is non-adjustable by design. This ensures mechanical stability and eliminates focus drift across extended deployments. However, the fixed-focus design means objects closer than 0.3m will appear slightly soft. If your application requires macro focusing or different distance optimization, consider using an external macro lens adapter or selecting a different Waveshare camera module with motorized focus capability, such as the IMX477 with adjustable focus mechanism.

Can the IMX290-83 work with Raspberry Pi and what software setup is required?

Yes, the IMX290-83 is fully compatible with Raspberry Pi 4, Pi Zero 2W, and Pi 5 via the 22-pin CSI-2 camera connector. Connect the ribbon cable to the Camera Port and enable camera support via raspi-config. Install libcamera and the appropriate device tree overlay for IMX290 support. Waveshare provides pre-configured disk images and GitHub repositories with complete setup instructions. Use standard tools like libcamera-hello, GStreamer, or OpenCV to capture video. The camera requires approximately 300mA additional current at 3.3V, so ensure your power supply provides adequate capacity for your Raspberry Pi model.

When will I receive my order?

Orders are dispatched within 1-5 business days from our Bengaluru warehouse. Delivery takes 7-8 days to most locations across India.

What is your return and warranty policy?

We offer a 7-day return policy on manufacturing defects only. Contact support within 7 days of receipt for free replacement or full refund. Not applicable for user damage or misuse.

Buy Waveshare IMX290-83 IR-CUT Camera, Starlight Camera Sensor, Fixed-Focus, 2MP Online in India

Purchase the Waveshare IMX290-83 IR-CUT Camera, Starlight Camera Sensor, Fixed-Focus, 2MP online at The Engineer Store, India's trusted source for genuine electronics. We deliver across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Surat.

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