Raspberry Pi Camera NOIR V2 - 8MP IR Module

The primary difference is the absence of an infrared (IR) cut-off filter in the NOIR V2. This makes it sensitive to IR light, enabling night vision and specialized IR photography, unlike the standard V2 which blocks IR for true-color daylight images. Both utilize the same 8MP Sony IMX219 sensor.

The Raspberry Pi Camera NOIR V2 is compatible with all models of Raspberry Pi 1, 2, and 3, as well as newer models like Raspberry Pi 4 and 5, that feature a CSI camera connector. The included ribbon cable is standard 15-pin and not compatible with Raspberry Pi Zero models, which require a specific smaller cable.

For night vision, pair the Pi NoIR V2 with external infrared LEDs to illuminate the scene. For plant health, the included blue gel filter can be used. Plants reflect IR light strongly, and this filter, combined with the camera's IR sensitivity, helps visualize plant vitality by enhancing contrast in the IR spectrum.

The camera is fully supported by the latest versions of Raspberry Pi OS. You can access it through the MMAL and V4L APIs. Popular third-party libraries like Picamera for Python offer easy programmatic control. Basic capture commands like `libcamera-still` and `libcamera-vid` are also available for direct use.

While the Pi Camera NOIR V2 can capture images in daylight, pictures will appear with unusual color casts due to its sensitivity to infrared light and lack of an IR cut-off filter. It is specifically designed for applications where IR sensitivity is desired, rather than accurate color reproduction in visible light.