PlayStation Camera

This article is about the Sony PlayStation 4 accessory. For the PlayStation 2 camera, see PlayStation EyeToy. For the PlayStation 3 camera, see PlayStation Eye.

The PlayStation Camera is a motion sensor and camera accessory for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, developed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is the successor to the PlayStation Eye for the PlayStation 3, which was released in 2007. It is also the motion sensor used to track the PlayStation VR virtual reality headset.

PlayStation Camera

Developer	Sony Computer Entertainment
Product family	PlayStation
Type	Motion sensor Camera
Generation	Eighth and ninth
Release date	15 November 2013
Camera	1280×800 pixels @ 60 Hz[1] 640×400 pixels @ 120 Hz[1] 320×192 pixels @ 240 Hz[1]
Connectivity	AUX Port (A proprietary version of the USB 3.0 standard without USB 2.0 compatibility)
Platform	PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5
Dimensions	186 mm × 27 mm × 27 mm (18.6 cm × 2.7 cm × 2.7 cm)
Predecessor	PlayStation Eye
Related	PlayStation Move EyeToy PlayStation VR

History

The PlayStation VR headset, which requires the camera

Redesigned version on a TV

On February 21, 2013, a day after the PlayStation 4 was announced,^[2][3] a camera was revealed to be in development for the PlayStation 4, nicknamed the "PlayStation 4 Eye" after its predecessor, the PlayStation Eye.^[4] It was also featured in the trailer that teased the PlayStation 4. The PlayStation Camera was released on November 15, 2013, alongside the PlayStation 4.

In March 2014, Sony announced that over 900,000 PlayStation Cameras were sold alongside the PlayStation 4 console, leading to shortages of stock supply.^[5] It was estimated that 15% of PlayStation 4 owners also owned a PlayStation Camera.^[6][7]

Alongside the unveiling of the PlayStation 4 Pro and PlayStation 4 Slim on September 7, 2016, a design revision of the PlayStation Camera was unveiled for release on September 15, 2016. The new design has a cylindrical shape instead of the rectangular shape of the original revision, and now features a stand that can be used to adjust the camera's angle, instead of a movable part of the camera itself.^[8][9]

Hardware

PlayStation Camera has two 1280×800 pixel cameras with lenses having an f f/2.0, with a 30 cm focusing distance, and an 85° field of view.^[1] With the dual camera setup, the camera can operate at different modes, depending on the target application.^[10] The two cameras can be used together for the depth perception of objects in its field of vision,^[11] akin to the Xbox's Kinect peripheral.^[12] Alternatively, one of the cameras can be used for recording video, and the other for motion tracking.^[13]

The camera features a four-channel microphone array,^[1] which reduces background noise and may even be used to receive voice commands.^[10] It is 186 mm × 27 mm × 27 mm (7.3 in × 1.1 in × 1.1 in) (width × height × depth), with a weight of 183 grams (6.5 oz).^[1] It records video in RAW and YUV formats and connects to the console via its specified port.^[1][14][15]

Compatible games

The following is a list of PlayStation 4 games and software with Camera functionality, some of which were not specifically developed for the PlayStation Camera. All PlayStation VR games require the camera for head tracking as well as the Move controllers, if they are used.^[16]

• Alien: Isolation
• Angry Birds Star Wars
• Baila Latino
• Burnout Paradise Remastered
• Commander Cherry's Puzzled Journey
• Dreams
• FIFA 15, 16 and 17
• Just Dance 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022
• LittleBigPlanet 3
• NBA 2K15, 2K16, and 2K17
• Octodad
• Omega Quintet
• Rabbids Invasion: The Interactive TV Show
• Singstar, SingStar Celebration
• SHAREfactory (Software, not game)
• Sportsfriends
• Super Stardust Ultra
• Surgeon Simulator
• Tearaway Unfolded
• The Playroom
• Until Dawn
• War Thunder

The PlayStation 4 system menu supports motion controls and voice commands via the PlayStation Camera (the latter is supported using any microphone).^[17]

PlayStation VR

Since the release of PlayStation VR virtual reality headset on October 13, 2016^[18] the PlayStation Camera is used as a major component of the PlayStation VR system. The camera detects LEDs embedded in the headset for the purposes of motion tracking.^[19] A USB dongle is required for the camera to be used on the PlayStation 5. This dongle was freely available from Sony directly, provided the user could supply the serial number of their VR breakout box, but as of Nov. 26, 2024 this adapter will no longer be provided by Sony, although third-party options also exist.

References

1. "SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INTRODUCES WIRELESS CONTROLLER FOR PLAYSTATION®4 (DUALSHOCK®4) AND PLAYSTATION®4 EYE" (Press release). Sony Computer Entertainment. February 21, 2013. Archived from the original on February 24, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
2. Bishop, Bryan (February 20, 2013). "Sony announces the PlayStation 4". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2016 – via Vox Media.
3. Blake, Meredith (February 20, 2013). "Sony unveils PlayStation 4 in New York". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
4. Cooper, David (February 21, 2013). "Sony reveals how the PlayStation 4 Eye works". Engadget. AOL Inc. Archived from the original on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
5. "Sony has sold over 900,000 PS4 cameras to date, resulting in stock shortage". VG247. March 20, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
6. Paul Tassi. Why Is PS4's Camera So Unexpectedly Popular?, forbes.com, March 20, 2014.
7. Dunning, Jason (August 18, 2014). "LittleBigPlanet 3 Will Use the PlayStation Camera". PlayStationLifeStyle. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
8. "4 New PS4 Peripherals Announced". IGN. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
9. "The PlayStation Camera's getting a redesign (update)". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
10. Kyle MacGregor (February 21, 2013). "PlayStation 4 Eye: Applications of PS4's twin cameras". Destructoid. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
11. Scullion, Chris (February 21, 2013). "Eye spy: Has Sony found its answer to Kinect?". Computer and Video Games. Future plc. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
12. Buckley, Sean (February 20, 2013). "PS4 Eye promises to unlock your PlayStation at a glance, tips hat to Kinect". Engadget. AOL. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
13. Conditt, Jessica. "PS4 Eye has two cameras: One to watch you, one to make you pretty". Joystiq. AOL. Archived from the original on May 8, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
14. "PlayStation 4 (PS4) Design and Price Unveiled, Available at $399 in U.S. and at €399 in Europe" (PDF) (Press release). Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. June 11, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 13, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
15. "PLAYSTATION®4 (PS4™) DESIGN AND PRICE UNVEILED" (PDF) (Press release). Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 13, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
16. Hunt, Cale (August 3, 2016). "Here's why you need the PS4 camera for PlayStation VR". VRHeads. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
17. "PlayStation Camera". Playstation.com. Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC. Archived from the original on December 19, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
18. "Sony Corporation of America: PlayStation®VR Launches October 2016 Available Globally At 44,980 Yen, $399 USD, €399 And £349". www.sony.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
19. O'Kane, Sean (March 15, 2016). "Sony's PlayStation VR costs $399 and is coming on October". The Verge. Retrieved March 17, 2016.