Now that we know how to open 12-bit raw files captured with the new Raspberry Pi High Quality Camera, we can learn a bit more about the capabilities of its 1/2.3″ Sony IMX477 sensor from a keen photographer’s perspective. The subject is a bit dry, so I will give you the summary upfront. These figures were obtained with my HQ module at room temperature and the raspistill – -raw (-r) command:
| Raspberry Pi HQ Camera | raspistill --raw -ag 1 | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Black Level | 256.3 DN | 256.0 - 257.3 based on gain |
| White Level | 4095 | Constant throughout |
| Analog Gain | 1 | Gain Range 1 - 16 |
| Read Noise | 3 e-, gain 1 1.5 e-, gain 16 | 1.53 DN from black frame 11.50 DN |
| Clipping (FWC) | 8180 e- | at base gain, 3400e-/um^2 |
| Dynamic Range | 11.15 stops 11.3 stops | SNR = 1 to Clipping Read Noise to Clipping |
| System Gain | 0.47 DN/e- | at base analog gain |
| Star Eater Algorithm | Partly Defeatable | All channels - from base gain and from min shutter speed |
| Low Pass Filter | Yes | All channels - from base gain and from min shutter speed |