A camera system with lighting strength control includes: an image sensor for capturing images of a scene a light source for illumination of the scene and a signal generator, in communication with the image sensor and the light source, for generation of (a) a first signal for controlling image capture by the image sensor and (b) a second signal for controlling a duty cycle of the light source. A method for controlling the lighting strength of a camera system, which includes an image sensor, an associated light source, and an associated signal generator, includes: (a) generating, using the signal generator, a first signal that controls image capture by the image sensor, and (b) generating, using the signal generator, a second signal that controls a duty cycle of the light source.
