Get your camera version information in a few simple steps!

Learn how to check the version of your Raspberry Pi camera using the terminal command line. This article will show you step-by-step instructions on how to find out which camera module is connected to …

Updated August 19, 2023

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Are you unsure about the camera module installed in your Raspberry Pi? Maybe it’s a brand new device and you need to know whether it has a built-in or external camera, or if it supports infrared sensing. Or maybe you just want to check the version of your existing camera module. Whatever the reason, this article will guide you through finding out the details about your Raspberry Pi’s camera using the terminal command line.

First, open up a terminal window on your Raspberry Pi. You can do this by clicking on the “Terminal” icon in the menu bar at the top left of your screen or by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
Next, you need to make sure that your camera module is enabled in the system configuration. Type the following command into the terminal:
```
sudo raspi-config
```
This will open up a new menu where you can configure various settings for your Raspberry Pi. Navigate to “Interfacing Options” and select “Camera”. If the camera is not enabled, you’ll see an option to enable it. Choose this option and reboot your device when prompted.
Now that the camera module is enabled, you can check its version using the following command:
```
vcdbg_decode -d /dev/vchiq_arm
```
This will output a lot of information about your camera module, including the firmware and hardware versions. Look for lines that say “firmware version” and “hardware version”. For example:
```
Firmware Version:   2730416 (0x000420)
Hardware Version:  544 (0x000000220)
```
The firmware version is the software running on the camera module, while the hardware version is the model of camera module you have.
To decode these version numbers into more meaningful information, use the following command:
```
vcdbg_decode -d /dev/vchiq_arm | grep Camera
```
This will output a line that tells you the name of your camera module and its specifications, for example:
```
[Camera] MIPI CSI2 (Sony IMX219) v1.3 (Rev 0) - Sony IMX219 (3840 x 2160, 16-bit, RGB565/YUV4222)
```
This indicates that the camera module is a “Sony IMX219” with a resolution of 3840x2160 and a 16-bit color depth. You can use this information to choose which Python libraries or applications are compatible with your camera.

That’s it! Now you know how to check the version of your Raspberry Pi camera using the terminal command line. If you have any trouble, make sure that your camera module is properly connected and powered on, and try again. Good luck with your projects!