The ESP32-CAM [2M] with Original OV3660 Camera is a compact, high-performance development board that combines the powerful ESP32-S dual-core microcontroller with a 3-megapixel OV3660 camera sensor, creating a complete standalone camera solution for IoT, surveillance, and embedded vision applications. Measuring just 27 × 40.5 × 4.5 mm, it is one of the smallest fully functional camera development boards available, making it ideal for space-constrained projects.
At its core, the board is built around the ESP32-S chip, featuring a dual-core 32-bit LX6 microprocessor running at up to 240 MHz, with 520 KB SRAM and 4 MB PSRAM (on certain variants) for image buffering and processing. It supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth v4.2 BR/EDR + BLE, enabling wireless image transmission, remote monitoring, and integration with IoT platforms.
The board features an original OV3660 camera sensor capable of capturing images at up to 2048 × 1536 (3MP) resolution. The OV3660 uses OmniBSI backside illumination technology, providing superior low-light sensitivity compared to standard sensors. It supports hardware JPEG compression, which significantly reduces bandwidth requirements for streaming and storage. The camera connects via a 24-pin DVP interface and supports multiple output formats including JPEG, BMP, and Grayscale.
A MicroSD card slot supports up to 32 GB cards (FAT32 format), allowing you to store captured images, video recordings, and logged data locally without requiring an external storage module. The board also includes an onboard flash LED for low-light illumination, an onboard red LED for status indication, and a reset button for easy operation.
The board exposes 16 GPIO pins for external connections, including UART, SPI, I2C, and PWM interfaces. It can be programmed via an FTDI programmer or an ESP32-CAM-MB shield (sold separately), as it does not include a built-in USB-to-serial converter.
Supported development environments include Arduino IDE and ESP-IDF, with extensive community libraries including the esp32-camera library for rapid camera project development. The OV3660 is a drop-in upgrade for designs originally using the OV2640, sharing the same 24-pin DVP connector and SCCB control interface.
Whether you are a beginner exploring IoT camera projects, a hobbyist building a home monitoring system, or a business purchasing in bulk for product development, the ESP32-CAM with OV3660 offers a practical, high-resolution foundation for embedded vision applications. It is suitable for individual makers, students, and businesses alike.
Features
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ESP32-S dual-core processor — 32-bit LX6 at up to 240 MHz, with 520 KB SRAM and 4 MB PSRAM (variant dependent)
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Original OV3660 3MP camera — Captures images up to 2048 × 1536 with OmniBSI low-light technology and hardware JPEG compression
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Superior low-light performance — OmniBSI backside illumination provides better sensitivity than standard sensors
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MicroSD card slot — Supports up to 32 GB FAT32 cards for local image and video storage
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Wi-Fi & Bluetooth connectivity — 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth v4.2 BR/EDR + BLE for wireless transmission
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Onboard flash LED — Provides illumination for low-light image capture
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16 GPIO pins — Exposed for UART, SPI, I2C, PWM, and external peripherals
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Compact form factor — 27 × 40.5 × 4.5 mm, ideal for space-constrained projects
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Drop-in OV2640 upgrade — Same 24-pin DVP connector and SCCB interface as OV2640 designs
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Wide development support — Arduino IDE and ESP-IDF compatible, with esp32-camera library
Technical Specifications
| # | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microcontroller | ESP32-S, dual-core 32-bit LX6, up to 240 MHz |
| 2 | Camera Sensor | Original OV3660, 3MP (2048 × 1536) |
| 3 | Memory | 520 KB SRAM + 4 MB PSRAM (variant dependent) |
| 4 | Storage | MicroSD card slot, up to 32 GB (FAT32) |
| 5 | Wireless | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.2 BR/EDR + BLE |
| 6 | Power Supply | 5V via pins; 3.3V logic |
| 7 | GPIO Count | 16 pins exposed |
| 8 | Dimensions | 27 × 40.5 × 4.5 mm |
