ESP32-S3-CAM Development Board

Introduction

The ESP32S3-CAM is a high-performance, low-power development board based on the Espressif ESP32-S3 SoC. It features an integrated camera interface, TF card slot, and USB-C USB for easy debugging. Equipped with dual-core LX7 processors and AI acceleration capabilities, it is ideal for AIoT applications such as image recognition, wireless monitoring, and smart home gateways.

Key Features

• Powerful Processing: Xtensa® 32-bit LX7 dual-core processor, up to 240MHz.
• AI Acceleration: Built-in vector instructions to accelerate neural network computing and signal processing.
• Easy Programming: Onboard USB-to-Serial (Native USB) via Type-C interface—no external downloader required.
• Rich Storage: Large 8MB PSRAM and 16MB Flash for complex image processing tasks.
• Expandability: Supports TF card (up to 4G) and features multiple GPIOs for sensors.
• Seamlessly Compatibility: Fully compatible with existing ESP32-S3-CAM models, providing access to a wealth of online tutorials and community resources.
• Applications: Home smart devices & video doorbells; Industrial wireless monitoring; QR code recognition & Face detection; DIY educational robot vision, and more.
• Download: Programming can be done directly via the USB-C port without requiring an external download module. Its usage is fully compatible with commercially available ESP32S3-CAM models.

Hardware

Specifications

Feature	Specification
Microcontroller	ESP32-S3R8 (Dual-core, 240MHz)
Wireless	2.4GHz Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 5 (LE)
SRAM/PSRAM	512KB SRAM / 8MB Octal PSRAM
Flash	16MB
Support Camera	OV3660/0V2640
Interface	Type-C USB, TF Card Slot, PH2.0 Battery JST
Onboard Peripherals	Reset/Boot Buttons, Double LED Flashlight, Power Indicator, Charging Circuit
Digital I/O	GPIO, SPI, I2C, UART, ADC, PWM

Pin Definition

• Camera Interface: DVP 8-bit interface.
• TF Card: SPI/SDIO (Check schematic for specific GPIO mapping).
• USB: GPIO 19 (D-), GPIO 20 (D+).

Camera pin

CAMERA	ESP32S3
I2C_SDA	GPIO4
I2C_SCL	GPIO5
CAM_RST
DVP_VSYNC	GPIO6
DVP_HREF	GPIO7
DVP_Y9	GPIO16(XTAL_32K_N)
XMCLK	CPIO15(XTAL_32K_P)
DVP_Y8	GPIO17
DVP_Y7	GPIO18
DVP_PCLK	GPIO13
DVP_Y6	GPIO12
DVP_Y5	GPIO10
DVP_Y4	GPIO8
DVP_Y3	GPIO9
DVP_Y2	GPIO11

MMC Mode Pin

MMC Mode	ESP32S3
CMD	GPIO38
CLK	GPIO39(MTCK)
DAT0	GPIO40(MTD0)
DAT1	NC
DAT2	NC
DAT3	NC
VDD	3.3V
VSS	GND

Size

Download 3D file

Antenna Switching Instruction

• Option 1: Use Onboard Antenna.
• Option 2: Use IPEX Antenna.

The ESP32-S3-CAM supports both the Onboard PCB Antenna and an External IPEX Antenna. By default, the board is configured to use the onboard antenna. To switch to an external antenna, you need to relocate the 0Ω resistor near the IPEX connector.

Schematics

Download the schematic file

Examples

Software Support

• Official SDK: ESP-IDF
• Third-party Platforms: Arduino IDE, MicroPython

Configure In Arduino IDE

Upload Examples: CameraWebServer

Arduino IDE Config: Board: Tools-->Board-->ESP32-->ESP32S3 Dev Module USB CDC On Boot: Tools-->USB CDC On Boot-->Enabled Flash Size: Tools-->flash Sizes-->8MHZ(64Mb) Partition Scheme: Tools-->Partition Scheme-->8M with spiffs(3MB APP/1.5MB SPIFFS) PSRAM: Tools-->PSRAM-->OPI PSRAM Upload Mode: Tools-->Upload Mode-->UART0/Hardware CDC USB Mode: Tools-->USB Mode-->Hardware CDC and JTAG

Configure Wi-Fi: In the code, replace the values of the SSID and PASSWORD variables with your own 2.4GHz Wi-Fi credentials. Enable Serial Communication: After uploading the program, open the Serial Monitor to view device logs and status. Download the Arduino example

Result

Open the serial monitor, open the web page, Enter the address information displayed by the serial port in the browser.

MicroPython Programming Guide for ESP32-S3-CAM

This guide provides a quick start for using MicroPython on the emakefun ESP32-S3-CAM. Our board is fully compatible with standard ESP32-S3-CAM firmware and existing online tutorials.

Resources & Downloads

• Download MicroPython Firmware

Recommended IDEs

We recommend the following tools for a seamless experience:

• Thonny IDE: Best for beginners. It has built-in support for ESP32S3.
• VS Code (with Pymakr extension): Best for professional developers.

Camera API (MicroPython)

This document describes the API and configuration for the ESP32-S3-CAM camera module.

Core Functions

camera.init(*)

Initializes the camera module, The camera must be initialized before it can be used.

• Key Parameters

  • format: Image data format

    Format	Description
    camera.JPEG	JPEG format (default)
    camera.YUV422	YUV422
    camera.RGB565	RGB565
    camera.GRAYSCALE	Grayscale

  • framesize: Resolution (Frame size)

    Resolution (Frame size)	Description
    camera.FRAME_96X96	96×96
    camera.FRAME_QQVGA	160×120
    camera.FRAME_QCIF	176×144
    camera.FRAME_HQVGA	240×160
    camera.FRAME_240X240	240×240
    camera.FRAME_QVGA	320×240
    camera.FRAME_CIF	352×288
    camera.FRAME_HVGA	480×320
    camera.FRAME_VGA	640×480（default）
    camera.FRAME_SVGA	800×600
    camera.FRAME_XGA	1024×768
    camera.FRAME_HD	1280×720
    camera.FRAME_SXGA	1280×1024
    camera.FRAME_UXGA	1900×1200
    camera.FRAME_FHD	1920×1080
    camera.FRAME_P_HD	2560×1440
    camera.FRAME_P_3MP	2048×1536
    camera.FRAME_QXGA	2048×1536
    camera.FRAME_QHD	2560×1440
    camera.FRAME_WQXGA	2560×1600
    camera.FRAME_P_FHD	2560×1600
    camera.FRAME_QSXGA	2560×2048

  • quality: JPEG quality. Default: 12, Range: 0~63

  • d0: D0 pin. Default: 11 (ESP32S3 CAM pin value)

  • d1: D1 pin. Default: 9 (ESP32S3 CAM pin value)

  • d2: D2 pin. Default: 8 (ESP32S3 CAM pin value)

  • d3: D3 pin. Default: 10 (ESP32S3 CAM pin value)

  • d4: D4 pin. Default: 12 (ESP32S3 CAM pin value)

  • d5: D5 pin. Default: 18 (ESP32S3 CAM pin value)

  • d6: D6 pin. Default: 17 (ESP32S3 CAM pin value)

  • d7: D7 pin. Default: 16 (ESP32S3 CAM pin value)

  • vsync: VSYNC pin. Default: 6 (ESP32S3 CAM pin value)

  • href: HREF pin. Default: 7 (ESP32S3 CAM pin value)

  • pclk: PCLK pin. Default: 13 (ESP32S3 CAM pin value)

  • pwdn: POWER pin. Default: -1 (not used)

  • reset: RESET pin. Default: -1 (not used)

  • xclk: XCLK pin. Default: 15 (ESP32S3 CAM pin value)

  • sda: SDA pin. Default: 4 (ESP32S3 CAM pin value)

  • scl: SCL pin. Default: 5 (ESP32S3 CAM pin value)

  • xclk_freq: XCLK signal frequency. Default: camera.XCLK_10MHz, Options: camera.XCLK_20MHz

  • fb_size: Number of frame buffers. Default: 1

  • fb_location: Frame buffer location. Default: camera.DRAM, Options: camera.PSRAM

• Parameter: type specifies the camera sensor model (e.g., camera.OV2640).

• Return: Returns True if initialization is successful, False otherwise.

camera.deinit()

Deinitializes the camera and releases used resources.

camera.capture()

Captures a single frame.

• Return: A bytes object containing the image data (e.g., JPEG format).

camera.flashlamp(enable)

Controls the onboard LED flash.

• Parameter: True to turn the flash ON, False to turn it OFF.

Frame Configuration Functions

camera.framesize(framesize)

To reconfigure the resolution (frame size), please refer to the specific parameter values mentioned in the preceding section.

camera.quality(quality)

Set the JPEG compression quality using the quality parameter, with an adjustable range of 0 to 63 (where lower values correspond to lower quality and higher compression).

camera.flip(enable)

Flip the image vertically(True or False).

camera.mirror(enable)

Flip the image horizontally (mirror left-right).

camera.contrast(contrast)

Set the image contrast using the contrast parameter. Default value is 0, with an adjustable range of -2 to 2 (where positive values increase contrast and negative values decrease it).

camera.saturation(saturation)

Configure the color saturation using the saturation parameter. Default value is 0, with an adjustable range of -2 to 2, where: -2: Grayscale (fully desaturated)

0: Normal saturation

+2: Maximum color saturation

camera.brightness(brightness)

Set the image brightness using the brightness parameter. Default value is 0, with an adjustable range of -2 to 2 (where positive values increase brightness and negative values decrease it).

camera.speffect(effect)

Apply Image Effects

Effect	Description
camera.EFFECT_NONE	Original Image（Default）
camera.EFFECT_NEGATIVE	Color negative (inverted colors)
camera.EFFECT_GRAYSCALE	grayscale
camera.EFFECT_SEPIA	Sepia tone
camera.EFFECT_RED	Red tint
camera.EFFECT_GREEN	Green tint
camera.EFFECT_BLUE	Blue tint
camera.EFFECT_ANTIQUE	Vintage
camera.EFFECT_SKETCH	Sketch
camera.EFFECT_SOLARIZE	Sunlight
camera.EFFECT_POSTERIZE	Poster
camera.EFFECT_WHITEBOARD	Whiteboard
camera.EFFECT_BLACKBOARD	Blackboard
camera.EFFECT_AQUA	Crystal

camera.whitebalance(whitebalance)

Configure White Balance

Mode	Description
camera.WB_NONE	Automatic white balance（Default）
camera.WB_SUNNY	Sunny/outdoor
camera.WB_CLOUDY	Cloudy
camera.WB_OFFICE	Office/fluorescent
camera.WB_HOME	Home/incandescent