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36S MIPI CSI-2 Camera Support on Raspberry Pi 5

Are all The Imaging Source 36S MIPI CSI-2 cameras supported by the Raspberry Pi 5?

No. Not all 36S MIPI CSI-2 camera models are supported out of the box on the Raspberry Pi 5.

The Imaging Source offers a broad range of 36S MIPI CSI-2 cameras with different image sensors. While these cameras use the standard MIPI CSI-2 interface, Raspberry Pi 5 support also depends on whether the particular image sensor is supported by the Raspberry Pi software stack.

The current 36S product portfolio can be found on our website:

https://www.theimagingsource.com/en-de/embedded/mipi-csi-2/36s/

Therefore, MIPI CSI-2 compatibility alone does not guarantee Raspberry Pi 5 compatibility.

Why are some 36S cameras not supported on Raspberry Pi 5?

The Raspberry Pi 5 uses libcamera as its camera software framework. libcamera works together with the Linux kernel sensor drivers and Raspberry Pi's camera pipeline to initialize and control the image sensor.

Only a limited selection of image sensors currently has the required driver and configuration support in the Raspberry Pi software stack.

The Raspberry Pi firmware documentation provides a list of available camera sensor overlays and supported sensors. For Sony sensors, this includes models such as IMX219, IMX258, IMX283, IMX290, IMX296, IMX327, IMX335, IMX378, IMX415, IMX462, IMX500 and IMX519, among others. The exact list is maintained by Raspberry Pi and may change with future software releases.

Consequently, a 36S camera using a sensor that is not supported by the Raspberry Pi software stack cannot simply be connected and expected to work.

Does this mean that unsupported 36S cameras cannot be used with Raspberry Pi 5?

No.

An unsupported sensor does not necessarily mean that the camera is technically unsuitable for the Raspberry Pi 5.

For an OEM project, The Imaging Source can provide the required software/driver integration for additional 36S camera models, depending on the project requirements.

This means that the complete 36S camera portfolio can potentially be supported on Raspberry Pi 5 as part of an OEM project, even if a particular sensor is not currently supported by the standard Raspberry Pi software stack.

Please contact The Imaging Source to discuss the required camera model, sensor and project requirements.

What is the difference between "supported" and "compatible"?

These terms should not be confused:

MIPI CSI-2 compatible

  • The camera communicates with the host through the MIPI CSI-2 interface and can therefore be connected to a suitable MIPI CSI-2 host.

Raspberry Pi 5 supported

  • The Raspberry Pi 5 software stack additionally needs to be able to identify, initialize, configure and control the specific image sensor.

This normally requires an appropriate Linux kernel sensor driver and the corresponding Raspberry Pi/libcamera configuration.

Therefore:

MIPI CSI-2 interface compatibility ≠ automatic Raspberry Pi 5 software support.

How can I check whether my 36S camera is supported?

The first step is to identify the image sensor used by the camera.

Then check whether this sensor is supported by the Raspberry Pi software stack. Raspberry Pi maintains the current list of available sensor overlays in its firmware documentation:

https://github.com/raspberrypi/firmware/blob/master/boot/overlays/README

Search the document for the sensor name, for example imx296 or imx290.

Please note that the presence of a sensor in the Raspberry Pi documentation does not necessarily mean that every camera using that sensor is automatically plug-and-play. Camera-specific configuration may still be required.

Can The Imaging Source add support for a new sensor?

Yes, this can be addressed as part of an OEM project.

If your application requires a specific 36S camera whose sensor is not currently supported by the standard Raspberry Pi software stack, The Imaging Source can work with the customer on the required driver and software integration.

This is particularly relevant for volume OEM applications, where a specific camera/sensor combination needs to be integrated into a defined Raspberry Pi-based system.

The feasibility and scope of the integration depend on the sensor, camera configuration, required features and target software environment.

What should I provide when asking about Raspberry Pi 5 compatibility?

To determine the best solution, please provide:

  • 36S camera model

  • Image sensor

  • Raspberry Pi 5 model/configuration

  • Raspberry Pi OS / Linux version

  • Required resolution and frame rate

  • Required pixel format

  • Whether triggering, exposure or other camera controls are required

  • Expected project volume and timeline, if this is an OEM application

This allows us to determine whether the camera is already supported or whether an OEM driver integration is required.

Bottom line

The Imaging Source's 36S cameras use the MIPI CSI-2 interface, but Raspberry Pi 5 support also depends on the image sensor and the available Linux/libcamera driver support.

  • Supported sensor → potentially straightforward Raspberry Pi 5 integration

  • Unsupported sensor → additional driver/software integration may be required (including NRE)

  • OEM project → The Imaging Source can support additional 36S camera models through a dedicated integration project

If you have a specific 36S camera in mind, contact us and we can check the Raspberry Pi 5 compatibility for your application.

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