This DIY Raspberry Pi Camera Prioritizes Fun Over Pixels
Bring back the joy of photography with Optocam Zero, a pocket-sized Raspberry Pi camera built for pure fun.
The latest smartphone models come equipped with incredibly good cameras. With arrays of 48-megapixel image sensors, optical zoom, and AI-powered processing algorithms, they take better pictures than just about any camera of the past. Even so, there is a growing trend of photography enthusiasts and casual users turning back to dedicated cameras. These people find photography more fun when their camera fits in their hands better and isn’t cheapening the experience by snapping a dozen images at a time.
Some of these discontented smartphone photographers turn to vintage cameras, while others pick up a standalone commercial camera that was designed to ride this trend. Yet others, such as Doruk Kumkumoğlu, decide to build their own camera from scratch, so that it can fit their own unique tastes perfectly. Kumkumoğlu’s creation, called the Optocam Zero, isn’t the highest quality camera around, but it looks like a lot of fun to use and you can build one using off-the-shelf parts.
The project is built around a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W paired with a Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3. The hardware is packaged into a pocket-sized enclosure measuring 51×71×18 mm, not including the camera and display protrusions. Those specifications won’t challenge modern smartphones, but that wasn’t the goal. Optocam Zero was designed to be a playful, carry-everywhere camera inspired by devices like the Kodak Charmera and other toy cameras that prioritize the shooting experience over technical perfection.
The camera captures square 2592×2592 JPEG images using an autofocus image sensor and provides a live preview through a 1.3-inch, 240×240-pixel LCD. The preview frame rate is roughly 15 to 20 frames per second, which is plenty for casual photography. The software also includes eight built-in photo filters, enabling users to experiment with different looks without having to edit images later on a computer.
Instead of requiring cables or removing the microSD card to transfer files, the camera can create its own Wi-Fi hotspot, allowing photos to be transferred directly to a phone, tablet, or computer. That gives the device some of the convenience people have come to expect from smartphones while still maintaining the feel of a dedicated camera.
The build uses readily available components, including Waveshare display and battery HATs, a standard Raspberry Pi camera module, and a 14500 lithium-ion battery. Most of the customization comes from a collection of 3D-printed parts that form the enclosure and mounting system.
Battery life is approximately 70 to 80 minutes per charge, and the design supports hot-swappable batteries for longer shooting sessions. There is also an optional TPU protective sleeve and lanyard attachment for those who want to carry it around like a commercial point-and-shoot camera.
The project repository includes a bill of materials, printable enclosure files, CAD models, software, and a detailed step-by-step assembly guide for those who would like to build their own Optocam Zero.