ESP32 CAM - 10 Dollar Camera for IoT Projects

Today we are working with the ESP32-CAM, an amazing 32-bit microcontroller module with a built-in camera and microSD card interface that retails for less than 10 dollars!

Quick quiz - what has a camera, a microSD card socket, several GPIO pins, WifI and Bluetooth and costs less than 10 bucks? Answer - the ESP32-CAM module from A-Thinker!

We have already worked with the ESP32, it’s a 32-bit microcontroller from Espressif Systems that has a wealth of features. The ESP32 is a perfect choice to build WiFi-enabled or IoT projects, and it can be programmed using the familiar Arduino IDE.

There are many different modules that use the ESP32, and today we will look at one of the most popular ones - the ESP32-CAM. As its name would imply this module has a built-in 2-megapixel camera, as well as a microSD card and provisions for using an external antenna.

The demo sketch that comes with the module creates a full-featured Camera Web Server, complete with a control panel and advanced features like face detection. All you need to do to get it working is to add your WiFi credentials.

One thing that is missing from the ESP32-CAM module, however, is a USB connector. To program this device you’ll need to use an FTDI adapter, the same type you would use when programming an Arduino Pro Mini.

Today I’ll show you how to hook up that FTDI adapter and program the ESP32-CAM. I’ll also show you how to add an external antenna, and how to troubleshoot any “brownout condition” errors you might get when experimenting with this device.

Here is what we will be covering today:

00:00 - Introduction
03:23 - ESP32-CAM Introduction
08:18 - Using the FTDI Adapter
09:28 - Camera Web Server Example
15:44 - Resolving Brownout Problems
22:39 - Using an External Antenna

I hope you enjoy the video!

[johnmcclain]

I'm in my sixties, getting back into electronics, and ran across "Arduino", and have found your tut's among the best I've watched. I especially enjoy the clarity of the sketches and explanations, you are very clear and exact with the pieces putting the program together, connecting the pieces with what they do. Thanks very much.

[zsoltibitter]

Let me drop a message here. I am hungarian and i handle written english well. But when it comes to listening and understanding i have difficulties. There are a lot of english speaking youtubers i cant fully understand (i cant even practice here in our country) Its very important how you speak when you are educating people. Your speech and style is clear, i believe that its understandable for people all over the world, and your voice is calming as well. You are a pro in education. Congratulations and thank you for the valuable videos. Keep the good work.

[trevorjanes]

I can't get over the quality of these videos. So much useful information presented clearly and thoroughly. So glad I found this channel!

[MattDLD]

He's the Bob Ross of electronics.

[mustafa-]

I am a students of Robotics and AI, and believe me this video taught me literally everything about esp32 cam. Hats Off to you, sir

[gibsonsimpson]

I thought your videos were high quality tutorials. Then I went to your website. You have put a lot of work into making a polished written tutorial! Thank you for all your work.

[peta]

I am impressed with this gentleman. I have seen lots of his videos in the past couple of years, but never had time to "like" them, never mind "subscribe". You cannot hear a single false info on his channel, as opposed to most of the similar videos on the same subjects. The verbal part is just perfectly proper...not too much, not insufficient. If he is not an engineer (or other post-graduate), he certainly thinks like one. I wish I had professionals like him working in my team.

Absolutely fantastic introduction to the ESP32-CAM, thank you so much for pointing out all the small quirks like the brown-outs and the modifications you need to do to use an external antenna.

[deasafryda]

Your videos motivate me to stop laying on the bed, buy the tools and start to made something

[duncancampbell]

Got mine today (also in my sixties and getting back into electronics after many years away).
A note quick note for anyone with issues getting the PC to even recognise (beep) that something's been plugged in. Double and even triple check your micro-USB cable. I say that because the 1st 2 cables I tried produced the same result ... no beep from PC when ESP32-CAM plugged in, so I had almost given up. I remembered another cable that I had in my travel kit that I had bought directly when I had forgotten a cable whilst on holidays ages ago. Bingo ... it worked. Turns out the 1st 2 were charging cables only and were probably provided with phones sometime in the past.
Once that was sorted, everything worked perfectly.
Brilliant video ... working through the examples now (it's only midnight ... plenty of time yet :) )

[OcenaSoft]

Hi Bill, I just received this in the post today and by the time I had watched your video I had this all working just fine. Thanks so much for these great videos...

[japienolte]

Thank you for this video! It helped me to get going with the ESP32-CAM. One note: I had to change the 3.3V power from the USB interface board to 5V and connected this power to the VCC pin of the ESP board and then the programming worked.

[vilkspilks]

Thank you VERY much for this video. I had this exact module laying around for more than a month now, could not get it working. Now my project is moving on, thanks to your tutorial. Very precise, very interesting learning material, thank you for sharing!

[TheRainHarvester]

17:20 actually high gauge = thinner wire. Great video. I just got an esp8266 going last night to make an info center for my house. They are fun!

[CodingScientist]

Hello Sir, I have seen 1000's of tutorial videos about Arduino, ESP, RasPi etc etc but being honest, your tutorial videos are THE BEST, Very Clear and Detailed with circuit, codes, troubleshooting etc etc. Please keep up the great work for the community. You should come up with more number of projects using ESP32 Cam for Robotics etc

[buildfrom]

The tidiness and organisation of that workshop is amazing.

[lwo]

I love.... LOVE.... your videos, youre so detailed, you dont make any assumptions on our abilities and explain everything

Seriously, thank you

[omenechris]

You are just a father!
I cannot wait to subscribe to your channel.
In fact, i will go through all your videos, and not this alone.
Live Long Father!

[TinFoot]

I am continually stunned by the clever introductions and how they accurately portray the coming attractions. "We're taking pretty pictures today...." I so look forward to your videos. Stay safe.

[DIYElectronicCircuits]

its very good that u give so much info without acting all emotional and excited, i learned so much.