# ESP32-CAM

> ESP32-based camera dev board with OV2640 2MP sensor, microSD slot, WiFi, Bluetooth, 4MB flash, and 520KB SRAM. Ideal for DIY security cameras, timelapse, and computer vision projects.

## Quick Facts

- **Brand:** AI-Thinker
- **Board Type:** dev-board
- **Price:** ~$9.95
- **Product Readiness:** developer
- **CPU:** ESP32-S
- **CPU Architecture:** Xtensa LX6
- **CPU Cores:** 2
- **RAM:** 520KB SRAM
- **PSRAM:** 4 MB
- **Flash:** 4MB
- **Power:** 5V via pin header
- **Operating Voltage:** 3.3V
- **SD Card:** microSD

## Connectivity

- **Wifi:** 802.11 b/g/n
- **Bluetooth:** BLE 4.2

## Open Source

- **Firmware:** Yes
- **Schematics:** No
- **PCB Layout:** No

## Compatible Firmware

arduino, esp-idf, micropython, esphome, tasmota

## Use Cases

- security-camera
- timelapse
- computer-vision
- video-streaming
- iot-prototyping

## Components

- **ESP32-S** (mcu): Dual-core Xtensa LX6 microcontroller at 240 MHz with WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2 — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espressif.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fdocumentation%2Fesp32_datasheet_en.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=esp32-cam&source=md-export)
- **OV2640** (sensor): 2-megapixel CMOS image sensor supporting JPEG, BMP, and grayscale output up to 1600x1200 — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uctronics.com%2Fdownload%2Fcam_module%2FOV2640DS.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=esp32-cam&source=md-export)
- **MicroSD Slot** (storage): MicroSD card slot for local image and video storage up to 4GB — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espressif.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fdocumentation%2Fesp32_datasheet_en.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=esp32-cam&source=md-export)
- **LED Flash** (led): Bright white LED flash for low-light camera operation — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espressif.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fdocumentation%2Fesp32_datasheet_en.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=esp32-cam&source=md-export)

## Protocols

- **UART**
- **I2C**
- **SPI**

## Description

## Overview

The ESP32-CAM is one of the most popular and affordable ESP32 camera modules available. Based on the AI-Thinker design, it pairs an ESP32-S chip with an OV2640 2MP camera sensor, making it an excellent choice for image capture, video streaming, and basic computer vision projects.

## Key Features

- **OV2640 camera** — 2MP sensor capable of JPEG, BMP, and grayscale output, with resolutions up to 1600x1200
- **ESP32 dual-core** — 240 MHz Xtensa LX6 processor with WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.2
- **MicroSD card slot** — supports up to 4GB for local image/video storage
- **4MB flash + 520KB SRAM** — plus 4MB PSRAM for frame buffering
- **Deep sleep mode** — as low as 6mA, suitable for battery-powered deployments
- **Compact form factor** — 27mm x 40.5mm, fits in small enclosures

## Specifications

| Spec | Value |
|------|-------|
| MCU | ESP32-S (Xtensa dual-core LX6, 240 MHz) |
| Flash | 4 MB |
| SRAM | 520 KB |
| PSRAM | 4 MB |
| Camera | OV2640 2MP (up to 1600x1200) |
| Storage | MicroSD (up to 4GB) |
| WiFi | 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 (BLE + Classic) |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V |
| Power | 5V via pin header |
| Dimensions | 27 x 40.5 mm |

## Common Applications

- **DIY security cameras** — stream MJPEG over WiFi with motion detection
- **Timelapse photography** — capture images at intervals and store to SD card
- **Computer vision** — run lightweight CV models or stream to a server for processing
- **QR/barcode scanning** — decode QR codes and barcodes in firmware
- **Face detection** — built-in face detection in the Espressif camera example

## Getting Started

The ESP32-CAM does not include a built-in USB-to-serial converter. You will need an FTDI adapter or the matching baseboard (often sold together) to upload firmware. The board is supported by Arduino IDE, ESP-IDF, PlatformIO, ESPHome, and Tasmota.

## Notes

- No onboard USB connector on the base module — use the baseboard or an external FTDI adapter
- GPIO0 must be connected to GND during flashing
- The onboard LED shares a pin with the SD card (HS2_DATA1), which can cause conflicts if both are used simultaneously

## Where to Buy

- [OpenELab](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fopenelab.io%2Fproducts%2Fesp32cam&ref=openhardware.directory&product=esp32-cam&source=md-export) — $9.95

## Resources

- [product](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fopenelab.io%2Fproducts%2Fesp32cam&ref=openhardware.directory&product=esp32-cam&source=md-export)

## Tags

`esp32`, `camera`, `ov2640`, `ai-thinker`, `iot`, `computer-vision`, `security-camera`

## Images

![ESP32-CAM](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/esp32-cam/3a68b55ffca0.jpg)

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