The ESP32-CAM is a compact and powerful WiFi-enabled camera module based on the ESP32 SoC. It integrates a camera interface, WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPIOs on a small form factor, making it ideal for image capture, video streaming, face detection, and IoT surveillance projects. With onboard PSRAM support, it can handle image processing and camera buffering efficiently.
Core Module Specifications
• Main Controller: ESP32 dual-core microcontroller
• Camera Sensor: OV2640 (2 MP, commonly supplied)
• Wireless Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n + Bluetooth
• External Storage: Micro SD card support
Electrical & Interface
• Operating Voltage: 5 V (onboard regulator), 3.3 V logic
• Current Requirement: High peak current during WiFi transmission
• Camera Interface: Dedicated camera pins
• Programming Interface: UART (external USB-to-TTL required)
• GPIO Availability: Limited (shared with camera and SD)
Performance Characteristics
• Image Resolution: Up to 1600 × 1200 (UXGA, sensor dependent)
• Video Streaming: MJPEG over WiFi
• Processing Capability: Supports basic image processing and AI features
• Storage: Images and video can be saved to micro SD card
Physical Characteristics
• Module Type: Compact camera-enabled ESP32 board
• Camera Connector: Ribbon cable connector
• Antenna: Onboard PCB antenna or external antenna (variant dependent)
• Small and lightweight design
Compatibility
• Arduino IDE
• ESP-IDF
• ESP32 libraries and examples
• Web-based camera streaming applications
Key Advantages
• All-in-one WiFi + camera solution
• Supports image capture and live streaming
• Low-cost platform for vision-based projects
• Large community support and examples
Technical Insights
• Requires external USB-to-TTL adapter for programming
• GPIO0 must be grounded to enter flash mode
• Stable 5 V supply is critical due to high current peaks
• Limited GPIO availability due to camera usage
Applications
• Smart surveillance cameras
• Face detection and recognition projects
• IoT image monitoring
• Video doorbells
• DIY computer vision experiments
Pro Tip
• Use a high-quality 5 V power source (≥1 A recommended)
• Use short jumper wires to avoid brownout resets
• Select lower resolution for smoother video streaming
• Add external antenna for improved WiFi range
Package Includes
• 1 × ESP32-CAM WiFi Camera Module