Compact multi-zone infrared laser illuminator

Methods, devices and systems are described for selectively illuminating different zones of a field of view by a multi-zone illumination device. In one aspect, a multi-zone illuminator may include a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs), and a plurality of micro-optical devices aligned with apertures of individual or groups of VCSELs, which are configured to be individually activated to provide adjustable illumination to different zones of a field of view of an image sensor. In another aspect, a method of selective illumination may include receiving information specifying a field of view of a camera, and controlling at least two sub arrays or individual illuminators of an illuminating array to output light at independently adjustable illumination powers, wherein each of the at least two sub arrays are independently configurable to illuminate at least one of a plurality of separate zones corresponding to the field of view of the camera.