Cameras, Compatibility, and Standards
There’s a lot of confusion out there about camera standards, compatibility, and quality. To cut through the noise, I’ve been exploring the different camera options and why some setups—like many RPi-compatible ones—seem limited or “toy-like” compared to industrial solutions. With AI-driven video analytics on the rise, and with companies like Tesla relying heavily on vision systems, understanding these camera standards is more important than ever.
Key Emerging Camera Standards:
- MIPI CSI-2
- USB 3.0
- GigE
- GMSL (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link)
If you’re looking to move beyond basic, short-range camera modules and into high-performance, long-distance, or industrial-grade solutions, these standards are the place to start. GMSL cameras, for example, offer robust, high-quality imaging over longer distances—no more 30cm cable limits at a premium price. The maximum cable length for a standard MIPI CSI-2 camera connection is 30 cm.
Check out these links for a deep dive into GMSL cameras and how they compare to MIPI and other interfaces:
- GMSL Cameras over MIPI Camera
- Why GMSL Cameras Are Becoming Popular & Industrial Use Cases
- MIPI camera vs USB camera – a detailed comparison.
For some real-world context, here’s a video showcasing multi-camera setups in agricultural applications—see what tractor manufacturers are doing with cutting-edge vision systems.
After seeing what’s possible with these more advanced standards, you may never look at a typical RPi camera the same way again! Here’s a GMSL camera module with an enclosure that’s shaped similarly to a reCamera unit, but dedicated purely to high-quality video (not an AI camera like reCamera).
I want to have reCamera control two of these maybe…hmm?
This information should help anyone seeking top-tier cameras for computer vision projects, whether for AI, robotics, or industrial automation. As for testing and compatibility, I’m curious if Seeed Engineering has evaluated GMSL cameras with their “J series” carrier boards. The industry buzz frequently mentions NVIDIA compatibility, especially with the Jetson ecosystem. Personally, I’m saving up for the NVIDIA® Jetson Orin™ Nano Super Developer Kit—it seems like the best place to start if you’re serious about vision-based projects, rather than dealing with the pitfalls and limitations of lower-end systems.
Hope this helps! Good luck, and happy building. 
PJ & Ai
Looks like they Have this for the industrial server, I would like one for the “Super” Dev KIT 