Raspberry Pi Zero v1.3

Overview

The Raspberry Pi Zero v1.3 is the smallest and most affordable member of the Raspberry Pi family — a fully functional Linux single-board computer measuring 65 × 31 × 5 mm and weighing just 9 grams. Priced at $10, it brought full Raspberry Pi OS compatibility to an ultra-compact form factor suitable for IoT, wearable, and embedded deployments.

Powered by the Broadcom BCM2835 single-core ARM11 processor at 1 GHz with 512MB of RAM, the Pi Zero runs a full Linux operating system from a microSD card. Version 1.3 was the first Pi Zero to include a camera connector (using the smaller Zero-specific flat flex cable), enabling projects that combine full Linux processing with camera vision without dedicated CSI adapters.

Connectivity is provided through two Micro USB ports — one for power input and one for USB data (OTG capable) — and a Mini HDMI port supporting up to 1080p output. The 40-pin GPIO header is unpopulated (sold without pre-soldered headers), providing flexibility for custom installations. WiFi and Bluetooth are absent on this model (found in the Pi Zero W).

The Pi Zero v1.3 is fully software-compatible with all other Raspberry Pi models running Raspberry Pi OS, supporting Python, Node.js, and virtually any Linux software. Its low power draw makes it ideal for battery-operated Linux projects, retro gaming handhelds, and embedded vision applications where computational complexity exceeds what a microcontroller can handle.