Editing N900 camera sensor

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It is compatible with the N96, N85, N79 and [[Nokia N900|N900]]. [http://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=383792&eventPage=2]
It is compatible with the N96, N85, N79 and [[Nokia N900|N900]]. [http://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=383792&eventPage=2]
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The service manual for the N900 indicates that the camera can be replaced. In principle this would allow upgrading the camera, however it is perhaps unlikely that a compatible camera of better quality will be easily available. There are also obvious warranty issues - the camera is not a user serviceable part.
It is connected via a multiplexer to the single camera bus on the CPU, along with the front camera. The two cannot be used at once.
It is connected via a multiplexer to the single camera bus on the CPU, along with the front camera. The two cannot be used at once.
This lens is [[:wikipedia:Diffraction-limited system|considerably smaller]] than the minimum physical requirement for a true 5MP camera.
This lens is [[:wikipedia:Diffraction-limited system|considerably smaller]] than the minimum physical requirement for a true 5MP camera.
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=== Replacing the camera ===
 
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The service manual for the N900 indicates that the camera can be replaced. In principle this would allow upgrading the camera, however it is perhaps unlikely that a compatible camera of better quality will be easily available. There are also obvious warranty issues - the camera is not a user serviceable part.
 
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The camera sensor is particularly sensitive to harsh light, and can be damaged easy if one is not careful where the camera is pointed.
 
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Here is an example of a picture from a damaged sensor:
 
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[http://i.imgur.com/YDG8v.jpg]
 
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This one in particular has been sun damaged (dark spot) and UV laser damaged (purple marks). The dark spot was found not to be dust after a thorough disassembly and cleaning of the camera optics.
 
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A suitable camera module replacement (if one cannot find one labeled specifically for the N900) is the camera module from either the N85, N96, or N79. They are all the same.
 
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Here is a N85/96/79 module ordered from ebay:
 
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[http://i.imgur.com/jqSw2.jpg]
 
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Once you have determined that your camera sensor is damaged, disassemble your N900 to this point (google ‘N900 service manual’ for instructions):
 
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[http://i.imgur.com/6ix0z.jpg]
 
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You can pop out the old camera with a razor blade stuck into the edges:
 
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[http://i.imgur.com/lCvit.jpg]
 
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Notice there is a notch on the camera's edge that designates alignment.
 
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[http://i.imgur.com/InKwd.jpg]
 
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Here is the difference between the N85/96/79 Module (left) and the N900 module (right). As you can see, there are some minute differences (serial/model numbers?), but the pinout is the same.
 
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[http://i.imgur.com/74vd2.jpg]
 
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Replacing the camera is as simple as popping the old module out and putting the new module in.
 
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Success! No more damaged sensor!
 
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[http://i55.tinypic.com/2i8hqoj.jpg]
 
==Software==
==Software==

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