SATURNIX: A 3D PRINTED RASPBERRY PI CAMERA THAT SHOOTS RAW AND LOOKS LIKE A FILM PROP
A cassette-futurist camera body around a Raspberry Pi Zero that writes DNG files and looks like it belongs on the set of Alien.
by Yutani140x
Open-hardwareDisplays
- difficulty
- ●●●●○
- time
- a weekend-plus
- license
- MIT
- repo
- repo ACTIVE417 stars
●●●●○ · a weekend-plus · MIT · 417 stars · repo ACTIVE
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- 3D printer + filament — printable parts — files are in the repo
- Electronic parts — full list with part numbers in the repo BOM
- Dev board / microcontroller — runs the project firmware
Partner
COMPAREE VERDICT
SATURNIX is a functional 16 megapixel autofocus camera in a 3D printed body that genuinely looks like a prop from a 1979 science fiction film. It writes DNG raw files alongside JPEG, applies film looks as it shoots, and is operated through five mechanical keys and a small screen with a deliberately retro interface. The repository is complete: firmware, a PDF assembly manual, STL and STEP files for the body, and a BOM with part links. The single thing most likely to go wrong is the wiring between the Pi, the screen, the keys, and the Arducam sensor — the manual has diagrams, but if you have never soldered a ribbon cable or traced a GPIO map, this will be harder than the print. The other trap is cost: the Arducam IMX519 module alone is around dollars 50, and by the time you add the Pi, the screen, the keys, the SD card and shipping you are looking at dollars 120-150 for a camera that takes good photos but will never match the autofocus speed or battery life of a phone. You build this because you want a camera that looks like this and exists nowhere else, not because it is cheaper or better than commercial hardware. If that proposition does not appeal, this is not the project. If it does, the documentation will get you there.
IN THE REPO
NOT IN THE REPO
- —Repository ships STL and STEP files for the body, a complete PDF assembly manual, and MIT-licensed firmware.
- —Hardware is CERN-OHL-S (requires share-alike for derivatives) and documentation/photos are CC BY 4.0 with a specific attribution requirement.
- —BOM is in the README with direct links to the Arducam sensor, Pi Zero 2 W, screen, and mechanical keys.
- —No Gerbers because there is no custom PCB — assembly is the printed body, off-the-shelf electronics, and wiring.
- —Film emulation presets (S-Gold, VHS) and the period interface are in the firmware; you do not configure them yourself.
- —The SATURNIX logo and brand assets are excluded from the open licence and may not be isolated or reused.
Can I build this?
Build at your own risk. Projects involve tools, electronics and sometimes mains voltage — follow the creator’s safety notes.
Partner · KickstarterHeyGears G1: 10M+ colors and transparent parts in one print, plus UV printing on flat objects. Figures, parts and labels — no painting.
Gallery
Start here
Navigation into the creator’s own docs — we don’t rewrite the guide, we route you to the source.
- 1.Read the assembly manual PDF in the repository (The manual has exploded diagrams and the GPIO wiring map; read it before ordering parts to confirm you are comfortable with the soldering and assembly steps.)
- 2.Order the Arducam IMX519 module and other electronics from the BOM(The sensor is the most expensive single part and the project will not work with a cheaper Pi camera module; the firmware is written specifically for the IMX519.)
- 3.Print all six body parts in PLA or PETG at 0.2mm layer height(The lens mount has tight tolerances for the Arducam thread; if your printer is not well calibrated, print a test fit of just the lens mount first before committing to the full 18-24 hour print run.)
- 4.Flash the firmware image to the microSD card and boot the Pi to test the sensor and screen before final assembly (Testing the electronics on a bench before they go into the body will save you from disassembling the camera if a wire is loose or a key is not responding.)
Resources
Documentation, files and community threads for this build — we link straight to the original sources and never rehost the creator’s files.
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KNOWN ISSUES
- The Arducam IMX519 sensor is around USD 50 and the project will not work with a cheaper Pi camera module — the firmware is written specifically for the IMX519 and its autofocus driver.
- The wiring between the Pi, the screen, the keys, and the sensor is not plug-and-play; you will be soldering ribbon cables and mapping GPIO pins, and if a connection is bad the camera will boot but keys or the screen will not respond.
- The lens mount has tight tolerances for the Arducam thread; if your printer is not well calibrated or you print too fast, the mount will either be too loose (lens wobbles) or too tight (cross-threads and jams).
- The film emulation presets are baked into the firmware and not configurable through a settings menu; if you want a different look, you will need to edit the code and reflash.
- Battery life is not mentioned in the documentation and the Pi Zero 2 W is not known for low power draw; expect to carry a USB power bank if you want to shoot for more than an hour.
- The CC BY 4.0 licence on the photos and documentation requires attribution in the exact form the author specifies: 'SATURNIX Camera by Yutani140x' — if you post photos of your build, include that credit or you are not complying with the licence.
Can I use a cheaper Raspberry Pi camera module instead of the Arducam IMX519?
No. The firmware is written specifically for the IMX519 sensor and its autofocus driver. A different sensor will not work without rewriting substantial parts of the code.
How long does the battery last?
The documentation does not specify, and the Pi Zero 2 W is not a low-power board. Expect to carry a USB power bank for anything longer than casual shooting; an hour of intermittent use is a reasonable guess but not verified.
Can I modify the film emulation presets or add my own?
The presets are in the firmware source, so yes, but you will need to edit the code and reflash the SD card. There is no in-camera preset editor.
What resolution and frame rate does it shoot video at?
The repository and manual focus on stills (DNG raw and JPEG); video capability is not mentioned, so assume this is a stills-only camera unless proven otherwise.
Can I sell cameras built from these files?
The hardware is CERN-OHL-S, which allows commercial use but requires you to share any modifications under the same licence. The firmware is MIT (permissive). The SATURNIX logo and brand assets are excluded and may not be used commercially.
Community builds
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Discussion1
FROM THE COMPAREE TEAM
The Arducam IMX519 sensor is USD 50, the Pi is another USD 15-20, and by the time you add the screen and keys you are at USD 120-150 for a camera that will never match a phone's autofocus or battery. Would you build it anyway for the aesthetic, or is that too much for a weekend project?
Yutani140x
Yutani140x designed SATURNIX as a functional camera in a cassette-futurist aesthetic that does not exist in any commercial product. The project combines 3D printed hardware, open firmware, and a deliberate visual and interface design language that prioritises character over convenience.
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DISCLAIMER
- Comparee is not the author of the projects featured here. All rights to each project belong to its creator — every page links to the original source, and we never host creators’ files.
- Information is provided without warranty and may become outdated as projects evolve. Prices are indicative bands only — always check the creator’s parts list for current costs.
- Building and operating any project is at your own responsibility. Protective equipment, safe workshop practice and compliance with local regulations are the builder’s responsibility.
CompareeTEAM15d ago
Practical notes from our verification: the repository is clean and complete — the PDF assembly manual has exploded diagrams and the GPIO wiring map is explicit, which is unusual for a Pi camera project and makes this much more buildable than most. The film emulation presets are in the firmware source as lookup tables, not a separate config file, so editing them is possible but not trivial. The single biggest trap is not mentioned anywhere: the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W has no power management, so battery life will be short and there is no low-battery warning unless you add it yourself. The tight tolerances on the lens mount are real — test-fit that part before printing the full body or you will waste a day reprinting it.