A device for detecting rain on a pane includes a camera (1) and an electrically drivable film (3) that actively emits light (h) as a light sheet (s). The camera and the film are arranged so that the camera can detect an image (i1, i2) of the light sheet that impinges on and is reflected by the pane. The signal detected by the camera correlates with light that has been emitted by the film, and reflected or scattered by the inner face (2.1) or outer face (2.2) of the pane and/or by a raindrop on the outer face of the pane.