Optocam Zero: a pocket DIY camera built from a Pi Zero and printed parts

Doruk Kumkumoglu has published Optocam Zero, a compact digital camera built around a Raspberry Pi Zero and parts you can source anywhere. The design targets a playful, carry-everywhere shooter in the spirit of toy cameras like the Kodak Charmera, and the whole project is open on GitHub so others can replicate it. Every case piece prints on a standard 3D printer, the electronics rely on common modules, and only fasteners fall outside the printable parts list.

The specs land squarely in the fun-gadget category rather than the prosumer one. An autofocus module captures 2592x2592 JPEGs that save in the background while a 1.4-inch 240x240 LCD keeps a 15 to 20 fps live preview running. The software bundles eight filters, recent GIF recording and playback, and a built-in hotspot interface for pulling images to a phone or desktop. A 14500 li-ion cell runs it for 70 to 80 minutes, charges over USB-C while in use, and swaps out when drained. The body measures 51x71x18mm and boots in about 22 seconds.

The repository ships everything a builder needs: a bill of materials to gauge cost, a step-by-step PDF build guide, Bambu Studio project files and individual STLs, editable CAD for customization, and the camera software with an install guide. A printable TPU sleeve and lanyard round out the hardware. The appeal is less about image quality than about a low-barrier maker project that turns cheap, available components into a working camera.