Those are great cameras but they are not open source / customizable.

The "shoestring" version could have a sturdy but very light plastic case - for lightweight applications such as quadcopters or cheap motorized gimbals.

Of course. A smaller diameter sensor could even be useful for some applications. Maybe 16mm or even 8mm. The throughput would automatically be lower then, I suppose. Resolution should be HD at least.

That's great to hear! Another huge wish for the future: an entry level model with a cheaper sensor and a lower price tag.