Arducam 2MP AR0230 WDR USB Camera Module w/ M12 Lens

Yes, this camera is fully compatible with all Raspberry Pi models, including the Pi 4 and Pi 5, as well as older versions. It is a standard UVC (USB Video Class) device, so it will be recognized as a standard USB video input without requiring any special drivers. You can use it with software like VLC, OpenCV, or Motion on Raspberry Pi OS. Simply connect it via the provided USB cable, and it should be detected automatically as a video source in compatible applications.

To adjust the manual focus, gently rotate the outer ring of the M12 lens barrel. It is recommended to view a live video feed on your computer or Raspberry Pi display while making adjustments to achieve perfect focus for your specific application distance. For macro photography, rotate the ring to its closest focus point, and for general use, adjust until distant objects appear sharp. The lens has a focus distance of 2.8mm and an F-number of 2.8, providing good low-light performance.

On Linux systems, including Raspberry Pi OS, you can use several tools. For simple capture, use VLC media player or GUVCview. For programming and computer vision, use OpenCV's VideoCapture function with the appropriate device index. The camera also works with Motion for surveillance streaming and FFmpeg for command-line recording. Since it's a UVC device, it is supported by the standard Linux kernel V4L2 (Video4Linux2) framework, ensuring broad software compatibility without proprietary drivers.

The Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) feature, with a 96dB range, allows the sensor to capture detail in both very bright and very dark areas of a scene simultaneously. This is crucial for applications like outdoor surveillance where a bright sky and a shaded doorway must both be visible, or for dash cams facing into sunlight. It prevents overexposed highlights and underexposed shadows, delivering a more balanced and usable image compared to standard sensors in challenging lighting conditions.