This Guy Built a Compact Camera Using an Optical Mouse

A Reddit user built a functional camera from an optical mouse sensor after 65 hours of work. The device captures 30x30 pixel black-and-white images with 64 shades of gray, features multiple shooting modes including panoramas and quad shots, and includes 32kB storage for up to 48 photos. The 3D-printed camera demonstrates how optical mouse sensors, which typically track movement via photoelectric cells and reflected light, can be repurposed for creative photography projects despite their low resolution.