DIY Raspberry Pi HQ Camera Build with Pi Zero WH

05 August 2025 - less than 1 min read time
Tags: raspberry pi hq camera diy photography maker pi zero

This project walks you through building a portable, high-quality camera using the Raspberry Pi HQ Camera module, Pi Zero WH, and a compact display. The result is a battery-powered camera system with a live view, perfect for experimentation, photography, and maker projects.

🧰 Components

1. Raspberry Pi Zero WH (Zero W with Headers)
2. Raspberry Pi High Quality HQ Camera - 12MP
3. 16mm 10MP Telephoto Lens for Raspberry Pi HQ Camera
4. Raspberry Pi Zero v1.3 Camera Cable
5. Adafruit Mini PiTFT 1.3” - 240x240 TFT Add-on for Raspberry Pi
6. Lithium Ion Cylindrical Battery - 3.7v 2200mAh
7. Power management board or charger (e.g., Adafruit PowerBoost 1000 Basic)

🛠️ Step-by-Step Build

1. Assemble the Camera

• Connect the Raspberry Pi HQ Camera to the Pi Zero using the camera cable.
• Attach the telephoto lens to the camera.

2. Connect the Display

• Attach the Mini PiTFT display to the GPIO pins on the Pi Zero.
• This display will show the live feed from the camera.

3. Power Setup

• Connect the Lithium Ion battery to a power management board (PowerBoost 1000 Basic recommended).
• This ensures a stable power supply to the Pi Zero.

4. Software Setup

• Install Raspberry Pi OS (Lite or Full) using Raspberry Pi Imager.
• Enable the camera interface:

sudo raspi-config

• Install PiTFT display drivers (instructions on Adafruit’s site).
• Use raspistill or raspivid for images/videos, or Python’s PiCamera for scripting.

5. Build the Enclosure

• Design and 3D print, or repurpose a small project box to fit the Pi, battery, camera, and display.

6. Testing and Tweaks

• Test the live view and image capture.
• Adjust camera settings for lighting and desired image quality.

💡 Additional Tips

• Battery Life: Track runtime and consider a higher-capacity battery if needed.
• User Interface: Build a simple GUI with Python + Tkinter to control camera settings.