OV2640 Camera Module

Overview

The OV2640 is a 2-megapixel CMOS image sensor module widely used in embedded and IoT projects. It features a compact form factor and communicates via the SCCB (Serial Camera Control Bus) interface, which is compatible with I2C. It is the standard camera module for ESP32-CAM boards and many other microcontroller-based camera applications.

Key Features

• 2MP resolution (1622x1200 maximum)
• SCCB/I2C interface for configuration and control
• DVP parallel interface for image data output
• Built-in image processing — supports JPEG compression, auto exposure, auto white balance
• Multiple output formats — JPEG, YUV, RGB565
• Low power consumption suitable for battery-powered projects
• Small form factor with standard ribbon cable connector

Specifications

Parameter	Value
Sensor	OV2640 CMOS
Max Resolution	1622 x 1200 (UXGA)
Output Formats	JPEG, YUV422, RGB565
Interface	SCCB (I2C compatible)
Operating Voltage	2.5V - 3.0V (core), 1.7V - 3.3V (I/O)
Lens	Fixed focus

Common Applications

• ESP32-CAM security cameras and doorbells
• Time-lapse photography stations
• QR code / barcode scanning
• Computer vision and image recognition
• Video streaming and surveillance

Getting Started

The OV2640 module is typically used with an ESP32-CAM board or similar development board that provides the DVP camera interface. For ESP32-CAM projects, the Arduino ESP32 library includes camera drivers and example sketches for web streaming and image capture.