German electronics company CircuitValley has launched the CHC5, a modular camera platform that allows users to replace not only the lens, but also the image sensor, lens mount and interface hardware. Currently being funded through Kickstarter, the system is primarily aimed at developers, researchers and machine-vision applications, although its open architecture also makes it relevant for experimental photography and custom imaging projects.

At the center of the CHC5 is a core board based on an AMD/Xilinx Zynq-7020 SoC, combining a dual-core Arm Cortex-A9 processor with an FPGA used for image processing and other low-latency operations. The camera supports RAW8, RAW12 and RAW14 data as well as PWL HDR, while its modular interface boards provide USB 3.0, Gigabit Ethernet and HDMI connectivity. Video can be streamed simultaneously through all three interfaces, with HDMI output reaching 1080p at 60 fps.

The sensor is treated as another interchangeable component. CircuitValley offers a range of Sony IMX modules with resolutions between 5 and 20.3 megapixels, including both rolling- and global-shutter options. Sensor sizes extend from 1/2.3-inch to Micro Four Thirds, with the largest option currently being the 10.7-megapixel Sony IMX294, a sensor designed for high-sensitivity imaging. This approach allows the same camera body to be configured differently depending on whether resolution, low-light performance or global-shutter capture is the priority.

Lens compatibility is similarly modular. Available mounts include Canon RF, Sony E, Micro Four Thirds, M42, C and CS, among others, rather than tying the camera permanently to a single lens ecosystem. The components are housed inside a compact aluminum enclosure with a standard tripod connection and provisions for internal filtering.