# Use camera module with pi-pico

**URL:** <https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/use-camera-module-with-pi-pico/22634>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [August 1, 2023, 11:52am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/use-camera-module-with-pi-pico/22634 "2023-08-01T11:52:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lozdown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@Lozdown](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/Lozdown)\
**Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 11:52am UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/use-camera-module-with-pi-pico/22634/1 "2023-08-01T11:52:06Z")

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I want to build a very low power (remotely located solar panel powered) timelapse camera and store the pictures locally (external drive) to be retrieved manually every few days. My ideal choice would be a rpi-pico with a 16MP Camera Module for Raspberry Pi and a Adafruit Universal charger (bq24074) coupled to a solar panel and battery store. I need the system to be as small as practical. I think this should be possible but I can’t see any examples of this being done. Can this be programmed using standard python and appropriate libraries?

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**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\
**Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 12:23pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/use-camera-module-with-pi-pico/22634/2 "2023-08-01T12:23:17Z")

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First hurdle is the Official Pi Camera uses the CSI connector / Interface on the Pi.  
The Pico has no CSI port?

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**Author:** ![Lozdown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@Lozdown](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/Lozdown)\
**Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 1:37pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/use-camera-module-with-pi-pico/22634/3 "2023-08-01T13:37:41Z")

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Maybe I could use another camera with SPI interface although the resolution is a bit low at 5 MP

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**Author:** ![alphanumeric](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forums.pimoroni.com/alphanumeric/32/2729_2.png) [@alphanumeric](https://forums.pimoroni.com/u/alphanumeric)\
**Post date:** [August 1, 2023, 4:54pm UTC](https://forums.pimoroni.com/t/use-camera-module-with-pi-pico/22634/4 "2023-08-01T16:54:54Z")

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Yeah, I took a quick look and all I saw here (other than the thermal) were the Ardacam, which were 5 MP.  
Adafruit “might” have something better?