(^40) The Official Raspberry Pi Projects Book raspberrypi.org/magpi
he PolaPi-Zero is the
second iteration of Pierre
Muth’s exploration into
portable photography with the
Raspberry Pi and thermal printer.
No stranger to thermal printing
builds, he’s previously created
such wonders as a camera booth
lottery ticket system. Take your
photo and if your thermal printout
displays another’s face, locating
them grants you both a free beer.
So while his original PolaPi
model also housed a Raspberry
Pi – the version 2, with a full-size
casing – the newer model allows
for a smaller body with its use of
the Raspberry Pi Zero.
We’ve seen many digital camera
builds using the Raspberry Pi and
Camera Module. From 3D-printed
Projects SHOWCASE
The tiny Pi Zero-powered thermal-printing camera that recreates
the joy of using a Polaroid
Pierre installed
an on/off
switch for
shutdown
He printed
the case via
an online
3D-print service
Everything is
available from
his GitHub repo
magpi.cc/
2ndslE3
You can
navigate past
images via
button press
Watch the
camera in
action here
youtu.be/
8D-sL3GoFZM
Quick
Facts
Since his last thermal printing camera
build, the release of the Pi Zero
allowed Pierre to shrink the build size
POLAPI-ZERO
Pierre kept the LCD display in
black and white to give a better
impression of the final print result
T
PIERRE MUTH
Pierre Muth is an electronic
technician with a love for making
things, thermal printers, and the
Adafruit Big Red Button.
magpi.cc/2ndiKg8
cases to retrofit vintage classics,
the majority act as simple point-
and-shoot cameras. The PolaPi-
Zero, however, takes its lead
from the iconic Polaroid camera,
utilising a thermal printer inside
its body to deliver instant prints of
your subject matter.
In his original PolaPi build,
Pierre had been forced to
cannibalise a retail-grade thermal
receipt printer, leaving the unit
bulky and weighty. With the new
model, following in the footsteps
of the small-bodied Raspberry Pi
Zero, he managed to acquire the
Nano Thermal Receipt Printer
from Adafruit: a smaller device
marketed specifically for use with
boards such as the Raspberry Pi
and Arduino. Coupled with a Sharp
The small size of the Adafruit
Nano Thermal Printer makes
it the perfect partner for the
Raspberry Pi Zero