After my experience with the Waveshare fisheye Pi camera, I’m starting to re-evaluate the pros and cons of several different camera models.
[table]
Camera,Viewing Angle,Price,Image Quality, Multiplexer Compatibility
Waveshare Fisheye,160°,$38.99,5 megapixels, Unknown
Raspberry Pi 8MP,72°,$25.39,8 megapixels, Yes – IV2
Arducam 5MP,72°,$14.99,5 megapixels, Yes – IV1 & Arudcam Multi
[/table]
Notes: The larger the viewing angle, the fewer cameras Il’ll (theoretically) need. Higher image quality and lower price are obviously preferable. To resolve the One Camera per Pi problem, the camera must be compatible with a Multiplexer.
The Waveshare fisheye camera is among the most expensive Pi cameras, and its only real benefit is it’s wide viewing angle. This camera’s unreliability/fragility and (presumed) incompatibility with a multiplexer make it impractical for this project.
At 8 megapixels, the Raspberry Pi 8MP camera is the highest quality Pi camera that I can find on the market. It is, however, limited in its multiplexer compatibility, and the IV2 multiplexer will cost almost $100, including shipping and tax.
The 5 megapixel Arducam is the cheapest option and the most support. The comparative cheapness of the Arducam multiplexer ($52.99) makes it a more financially appealing choice. Based on its viewing angle on 72°, I’d likely need at least 6 of these cameras.
Number of Cameras Needed
This brings me to my next concern – how many cameras and Pis will be required? In order to make videos without any gaps/holes, I’ll need to cover 360° (+Z) and at least 180° (+Y). The 5MP Arducam has a approximate viewing angle of 72°. 360/72 works out nicely to 5, so in theory, without any overlap, I’ll need five of these cameras to cover the Z rotation. Unfortunately, I will need some overlap so that the photos can be stitched into an equirectangular format. I’l need to do some tests with one of these cameras to determine if their overlap will be sufficient or if I’ll need a 6th camera on that axis.
I can’t cover 180° with just 2 cameras (72°*2=144°), but I can easily cover it with three. Three cameras gives me a combined theoretical viewing angle of approximately 216°, providing a symmetrical 18° below the horizon. It will be difficult to know how this looks before I take any pictures/videos. Two of these three cameras are already accounted for in the Z axis.
Quality
I know quantitatively that the 8MP camera takes better pictures than the 5MP. And while I know, quantitatively, exactly how much better the pictures will be, I don’t qualitatively how much of a difference those 3 megapixels will make. I’ll need to do some tests to see if the 5 MP camera has sufficient quality for this project.