Python library for taking camera images

Question

I want to get a single image from a camera (e.g. a built-in webcam in a notebook) with Python.

I'm looking for a library that makes this possible in a few lines of code (I'm not looking to write a camera driver or anything like that). The image should be in some standard bitmap format.

Please also

• list requirements (e.g. installed packages, operating system),
• add a link to the documentation

Answer 1

SimpleCV

• Requirements:
  • Packages: simplecv (and Pygame?)
  • Python 2.X only
  • OS: works on Linux (tested with Ubuntu)
• Documenttion: simplecv.org/docs/
• Code: github.com/sightmachine/simplecv

Installation

On Debian-based systems:

sudo apt-get install python-opencv

Code

import time
from SimpleCV import Camera

cam = Camera()
time.sleep(0.1)  # If you don't wait, the image will be dark
img = cam.getImage()
img.save("simplecv.png")

SimpleCV image

Although the lighting situation did not change, the Python image is much darker. I'm not sure why that is the case.

Answer 2

OpenCV

• Requirements:
  • Packages: cv2 (not in PyPI)
  • Python 2.X (not tested with 3 though)
• OS: Works on Ubuntu
• Documentation: http://opencv.org/documentation.html

Installation

On Debian-based systems:

sudo apt-get install python-opencv

Code

import time
import cv2
camera_port = 0
camera = cv2.VideoCapture(camera_port)
time.sleep(0.1)  # If you don't wait, the image will be dark
return_value, image = camera.read()
cv2.imwrite("opencv.png", image)
del(camera)  # so that others can use the camera as soon as possible

Answer 3

i just modified the @Martin Thoma Code.

import cv2
camera = cv2.VideoCapture(0)
while True:
    return_value,image = camera.read()
    gray = cv2.cvtColor(image,cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY)
    cv2.imshow('image',gray)
    if cv2.waitKey(1)& 0xFF == ord('s'):
        cv2.imwrite('test.jpg',image)
        break
camera.release()
cv2.destroyAllWindows()

to resolve the black screen problem. i hope it'll be help. thank you.

Answer 4

PyGame

This answer is partially taken from https://stackoverflow.com/a/11094891/562769 - thanks Froyo!

Thanks to Phani for helping me to improve it.

• Requirements:
  • Packages: pygame (not in PyPI)
  • Python 2.X (not tested with 3 though)
  • OS: Works on Ubuntu
• Documentation: http://www.pygame.org/docs/

Installation

On Debian-based systems:

sudo apt-get install python-pygame

Code

import pygame
import pygame.camera
import time

pygame.camera.init()
pygame.camera.list_cameras()
cam = pygame.camera.Camera("/dev/video0", (640, 480))
cam.start()
time.sleep(0.1)  # You might need something higher in the beginning
img = cam.get_image()
pygame.image.save(img, "pygame.jpg")
cam.stop()

Answer 5

ecapture

Installation

pip install ecapture 

Code

from ecapture import ecapture as ec

ec.capture(0,"test","img.jpg")

Answer 6

I would cut this problem into two pieces.

1. Take a picture from the command line

I hope you use an operating system like linux which has a command line.
AFAIK gphoto2 can do something like this

2. Use the Python subprocess module

   subprocess.call(['yourtoo', 'arg1, ...])

Answer 7

To solve the black screen problem, let the cam warms up.

import time 
import cv2
camera_port = 0
camera = cv2.VideoCapture(camera_port)
time.sleep(0.1)
return_value, image = camera.read()
cv2.imwrite("opencv.jpg", image)
del(camera)  # so that others can use the camera as soon as possible