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Waveshare OV9281 (USB-C, Global Shutter)

Field Value
Manufacturer Waveshare
Model OV9281 1MP USB Camera (A) (SKU 31671)
Sensor / resolution OV9281, 1280 x 800, monochrome, global shutter
Connection USB-C (UVC, plug-and-play)
Frame rate Up to 120 fps @ 1280x800 MJPEG
Lens mount Stock: small non-M12 holder. Swap for an 18 mm hole-spacing M12 holder (as used on the Arducam) to fit standard M12 lenses.
Approximate price ~£25-30 + lenses
Tested by @dsgnr

Same sensor as the Arducam OV9281

This board uses the same OV9281 sensor as the Arducam OV9281. Everything on that page about global shutter, monochrome sensitivity, frame rate, and lens choice applies here as well. This page focuses on what's different: the form factor and the connector.

Why this one over the Arducam

Going forward this is the board I'm using. The sensor performance is identical to the Arducam OV9281, but the Waveshare has two clear practical advantages:

  • Much smaller footprint. The PCB is noticeably smaller (25mm square instead of 38mm) than the Arducam board.
  • USB-C connector on the board. The Arducam has a USB-A cable with a PH connector that connects to the PCB. The Waveshare exposes a standard USB-C port directly on the board, so:
    • The cable is detachable, which makes routing, replacement, and transport a lot easier.
    • No PH connectors to source, crimp, or worry about pulling.
    • Any off-the-shelf USB-C cable works, so cable length is trivial to change without soldering or extra adapters/extenders
Waveshare OV9281 next to the Arducam OV9281 for size comparison
Waveshare OV9281 (left/right) next to the Arducam OV9281 for scale

What it looks like

Waveshare OV9281 front view, lens facing camera
Front of the board.
Waveshare OV9281 profile view showing the USB-C connector
Profile view.
Waveshare OV9281 alternate profile view
Alternate profile view.
Waveshare OV9281 measured with digital calipers
Size reference, measured with digital calipers.

Lenses

Stock lens holder is not M12

Out of the box, the Waveshare ships with a much smaller lens and lens holder than the standard M12 mount used on the Arducam. The stock lens is fine as a wide-angle but you can't screw a standard M12 lens into it.

The fix is straightforward: unscrew the stock holder from the PCB and replace it with an 18 mm hole-spacing M12 lens holder (the same mounting pattern the Arducam board uses). Once swapped, any M12 lens from the Arducam tests fits directly.

Once the M12 holder is fitted, the lens tests on the Arducam OV9281 apply here as well, since the sensor is identical. The 50 mm M12 lens is currently the most usable option at 25 yards.

Waveshare OV9281 fitted with a 50 mm M12 lens
Waveshare OV9281 with the 18 mm hole-spacing M12 holder swapped in and the 50 mm M12 lens fitted.

Preview through the 50 mm lens at 25 yards:

Waveshare OV9281 preview 50mm lens

3D-printed case

Still to design. The Arducam case linked from the Arducam page won't fit this board because the PCB dimensions and connector location are different. A new case that clamps to a Picatinny rail or Anschutz-style dovetail is the plan.

Still to do

  • Design and print a case with a proper rail-compatible mounting interface (Picatinny or Anschutz dovetail).
  • Mount on the rifle and capture initial test footage.
  • Confirm identical detection behaviour to the Arducam board (expected, since the sensor is the same, but worth verifying end-to-end).
  • Test at 50 m and 100 yards with NSRA targets.
  • Measure the noise floor with the rifle clamped.