Using iPhone Camera without iPhone

I am doing a pipe inspection project and need a small camera to inspect the inside of the pipe. The camera has to be more than 4 mega pixels. I have found that replacement smartphone cameras are cheap and have the resolution i need, however, I don't want to stick a whole iPhone down the pipe. Has anyone figured out a way to use one of these replacement cameras without a smartphone, is it possible?

Here is an example of a camera i want to use:

http://www.etradesupply.com/nokia-lumia-1020-rear-facing-camera.html



Thanks!

Just a thought, the Raspberry Pi has a number of 5Mp cameras )available at places like SparkFun), for which there should be good documentation, and a users forum, worth a look. The smart phone has a lot of inbuilt code to make the camera work, you will have to understand and replicate quite a bit of it, which is the advantage of going with something like the Raspberry Pi, the code for the cameras will be already out there. You then have to get the signal back up the pipe, what sort of range do you need.
Cheers,
Richard Gabric

Richard,

thanks for the response, the Raspberry Pi cameras look promising, a option we had not yet found so thank you.

We are inspecting an oil drill pipe (out of ground, not in use) that is 30 ft long (4 inch ID). so we either need a 30 ft range or use wires to communicate.

-Mitchell Brower

OK, it is possible that the video from the raspberry Pi would work at that distance (HDMI to an ordinary TV set), working from both ends would obviously halve the cable length if that is possible. If you need anything other than a visual check, then you would need to look at further options. Pi via USB/Ethernet to a tablet or PC would allow you to save an image.
Cheers,
Richard

Sorting out the electronics and camera may prove to be the trivial part of the problem. You don't say what it is you are inspecting for, there is a big difference between say gross blockage or small defects in the pipe wall.
Most of these small camera modules focus at infinity, and rely on a smallish aperture to get adequate depth of field. In your app, you may need to focus much closer. Thus you may need to add some optics, and will need to consider depth of field and field of view. You will also need to consider lighting, the smallish aperture means that you will need LEDs with the camera, and the way these light the viewing area need consideration. Without spelling out what it is you are inspecting for, it is hard to say quite how to go about it. Have you borrowed or hired gear to see what it is that works for you, there should be equipment out there for this sort of application.
Cheers,
Richard

just a thought how is it possible?,I think it it's better to use smartphone with replacement of camera not be more suitable and reasonable.