**Raspberry Pi Camera Pinout: A Practical Guide to CSI Connector Setup**
[**Raspberry Pi camera pinout**](https://www.vadzoimaging.com/post/raspberrypi-camera-pinouts-vadzos-mipi-csi-connector-boards) boards come with dedicated CSI (Camera Serial Interface) connectors that allow camera modules to be linked directly to the board for video and image applications. The camera pinout depends on the model and connector type, either 15-pin or 22-pin, making it important to check compatibility before connecting any module. This guide explains how to identify, connect, and work with camera pinouts on different Raspberry Pi models.

**Introduction to Raspberry Pi Camera Pinout**
The Raspberry Pi has become a widely used tool for projects involving image capture and video processing. Its CSI camera port allows developers and hobbyists to connect dedicated camera modules. These connections are made using a flat ribbon cable attached to the CSI interface, which comes in two main types: 15-pin and 22-pin.

**Types of CSI Connectors on Raspberry Pi Boards**
Most Raspberry Pi boards use the standard 15-pin CSI connector. Boards like the Raspberry Pi Zero, Raspberry Pi 4, and earlier versions fall into this category. However, newer boards such as the Raspberry Pi 5 and Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W come with a 22-pin CSI connector, which supports more data lines and newer camera modules.

**15-Pin CSI Connector Pinout**
The 15-pin camera connector typically includes the following pins:

Ground (GND)

Camera Clock (CAM_CLK)

Camera Data Lines (CAM_D0, CAM_D1, etc.)

Camera Control Lines (I2C - SDA and SCL)

3.3V and 1.8V Power Supplies

These pins are arranged in a single row and connect directly to the Raspberry Pi board through a ribbon cable.

**22-Pin CSI Connector Pinout**
The 22-pin layout provides more channels, allowing advanced features and support for high-performance camera modules. This is commonly used on the Compute Module IO boards and the Raspberry Pi 5. The additional pins include more data lanes and dedicated synchronization signals for more complex camera operations.

**Matching Camera Modules with Pinouts**
Before connecting a camera module to a Raspberry Pi, it’s important to verify the connector type and pin alignment. A 15-pin camera module will not fit a 22-pin CSI port without an adapter. The same applies when using a 22-pin module with a 15-pin board. Matching the connector properly prevents physical damage and ensures that the signals reach the correct pins.

**Using Adapter Boards**
Adapter boards are available to convert between 15-pin and 22-pin connectors. These boards allow flexibility when using different types of camera modules or Raspberry Pi models. For example, if you have a 15-pin camera module but want to use it with a Raspberry Pi 5 (which has a 22-pin connector), you’ll need a 15-to-22-pin adapter.

**Final Notes Before Setup**
When connecting a camera to a [**Raspberry Pi camera pinout**](https://www.vadzoimaging.com/post/raspberrypi-camera-pinouts-vadzos-mipi-csi-connector-boards):

Make sure the board is powered off

Insert the ribbon cable with the correct orientation (usually blue side facing the Ethernet port or HDMI, depending on the board)

Power on the board and enable the camera using the configuration settings (raspi-config)

Once everything is connected correctly, the camera should be ready for use in applications such as motion detection, time-lapse photography, or video streaming.