A camera for a vision system for a vehicle includes an imager chip having an at least partially light transmitting substrate having a photosensor array disposed at a second surface of the at least partially light transmitting substrate so as to sense light that passes through the at least partially light transmitting substrate. The imager chip includes electrically conductive pads disposed at the second surface of the at least partially light transmitting substrate. A circuit element includes circuitry disposed at least at a third surface thereof. The imager chip is mounted at the circuit element with the second surface of the at least partially light transmitting substrate opposing the third surface of the circuit element. Electrical connection between the electrically conductive pads and the circuitry of the circuit element is made when mounting the imager chip at the circuit element.