Using USB cameras

Instead of using the Raspberry Pi Camera Module, it's also possible to use a standard USB webcam to take still images. You should be aware though that the dedicated camera module is far superior to a USB webcam in terms of image quality. Although, you may already have a webcam knocking about in your box of bits, so why not try it?

Installing the webcam

After you've connected your webcam to a USB port on your Pi, you can check whether it's been recognized using the lsusb command:

$ lsusb

I'm using a Logitech webcam that gets reported as follows with lsusb (Device 006):

pi@raspberrypi ~ $ lsusb
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 0424:9514 Standard Microsystems Corp.
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0424:ec00 Standard Microsystems Corp.
Bus 001 Device 006: ID 046d:08d8 Logitech, Inc. QuickCam for Notebook Deluxe

Note

Not all webcams will work with the Raspberry Pi. Even though it may be recognized as a USB device, it might not actually work...