How to Choose ESP32-CAM Boards for WiFi Camera Projects
Choose an ESP32-CAM board by memory and camera. The ESP32-CAM costs $25.99 with an OV2640 camera and 4MB of PSRAM. The S3-CAM board costs $11.97 with 16MB of flash and 8MB of PSRAM. Add an OV2640 camera for $23.12, or an OV5640 camera for $29.99.
Quick facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| ESP32-CAM | $25.99, OV2640 camera, 4MB PSRAM |
| ESP32-S3-CAM board | $11.97 board only, 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM |
| S3-CAM + OV2640 | $23.12, 2MP camera |
| S3-CAM + OV5640 | $29.99, 5MP camera |
| Storage | TF card slot on both boards |
| Wireless | WiFi and Bluetooth on both boards |
Which ESP32-CAM board fits your project?
The ESP32-CAM costs $25.99 with an OV2640 camera module and 4MB of PSRAM. It suits a first WiFi camera.
The ESP32-S3-CAM board alone costs $11.97 with 16MB of flash and 8MB of PSRAM. It suits a new build with more memory.
Both boards give WiFi, Bluetooth, and a TF card slot. Pick the S3-CAM when the older board drops frames.
Should you pick the OV2640 or the OV5640 camera?
The OV2640 gives 2MP stills and fast video streaming. It costs $23.12 with the S3-CAM board and suits live feeds.
The OV5640 gives 5MP stills for sharper photos. It costs $29.99 with the S3-CAM board and suits stills where detail matters.
Both cameras fit the same board connector. Pick the OV2640 for video and the OV5640 for stills.
How much memory do you need for a camera?
The ESP32-CAM carries 4MB of PSRAM for video frames. That suits a basic stream at modest resolution.
The S3-CAM carries 16MB of flash and 8MB of PSRAM. More PSRAM means smoother video at higher resolution.
The 16MB of flash holds the sketch and camera settings. The 8MB of PSRAM holds each frame while the board sends it.
How do you add a display to a camera project?
The NodeMCU ESP8266 board gives WiFi with a built-in 0.96 inch OLED. It costs from $11.37 with an ESP-12E chip.
Use the NodeMCU as a second board to show camera status. It reads the same WiFi network as the camera board.
The S2 Mini costs $11.16 with 4MB of flash and 2MB of PSRAM. It suits a small display controller over USB-C.
How do you power a camera board?
Power the ESP32-CAM from a stable 5V supply over its micro USB port. A weak supply drops the video feed.
Power the S3-CAM over either USB-C port from a stable 5V supply. Dual USB-C ports give you a spare port for a serial link.
Do not power the camera from a laptop USB hub shared with other parts. A dedicated 5V supply keeps the stream steady.
How the options compare
| Board | Camera | Flash and PSRAM | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESP32-CAM | OV2640 2MP included | Not listed flash, 4MB PSRAM | $25.99 |
| ESP32-S3-CAM board | No camera | 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM | $11.97 |
| S3-CAM + OV2640 | OV2640 2MP | 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM | $23.12 |
| S3-CAM + OV5640 | OV5640 5MP | 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM | $29.99 |
| NodeMCU ESP8266 | No camera, built-in OLED | Not listed | From $11.37 |
| S2 Mini, 1-pack | No camera | 4MB flash, 2MB PSRAM | $11.16 |
How do you set up an ESP32-CAM board?
- Pick the ESP32-CAM or the S3-CAM board at checkout.
- Fit the camera module on the board connector if it ships loose.
- Connect the board to a stable 5V supply over USB.
- Load the camera sketch from the Arduino-ESP32 examples.
- Join the board to your WiFi network with your network name and password.
- Open the stream address in a browser on the same network.
Parts that fit this guide
In-stock parts ship from the New York, USA warehouse in 1-2 business days. Prices below are the live store prices we verified on November 10, 2026.
ESP32-CAM Development Board with OV2640 Camera Module, 4MB PSRAM ($25.99)
ESP32-CAM board at $25.99. It ships with an OV2640 camera module, 4MB of PSRAM, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a TF card slot.
ESP32-S3-CAM Development Board N16R8 – Board, OV2640 or OV5640 Camera, 1/5/10-Pack ($11.97)
ESP32-S3-CAM board at $11.97 for the board only. It carries 16MB of flash and 8MB of PSRAM, with OV2640 or OV5640 camera options.
NodeMCU ESP8266 Development Board with 0.96″ OLED Display, ESP-12E, Micro USB ($11.37)
NodeMCU ESP8266 board at $11.37. It carries an ESP-12E chip with a built-in 0.96 inch SSD1306 OLED display.
ESP32 SuperMini Development Board, C3 / C6 / S3 / H2 + Expansion Boards, WiFi + Bluetooth ($9.99)
ESP32 SuperMini at $9.99 to $17.99 by version. It comes in C3, C6, S3, and H2 versions, each with WiFi and Bluetooth.
ESP32 DevKit V1 Development Board, 30-Pin WROOM-32, WiFi + Bluetooth ($11.99)
ESP32 DevKit V1 at $11.99 listed, with board versions at $15.99 to $17.99. It is a 30-pin WROOM-32 board with WiFi and Bluetooth.
ESP32-S2 Mini Development Board, WiFi, 4MB Flash, 2MB PSRAM, USB-C ($11.16)
ESP32-S2 Mini at $11.16 for a 1-pack. It gives 4MB of flash and 2MB of PSRAM with WiFi over USB-C.
Shop the full range: ESP32 and ESP8266 at Quality RC Parts. See also: Related guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does the ESP32-CAM board include a camera?
Yes. The $25.99 board ships with an OV2640 camera module and 4MB of PSRAM.
What does N16R8 mean on the S3-CAM?
It names the memory: 16MB of flash and 8MB of PSRAM on the ESP32-S3-CAM board.
Which camera gives sharper stills?
The OV5640 at 5MP. The OV2640 at 2MP suits faster video streaming.
Can I buy the S3-CAM in a pack?
Yes. A 5-pack of boards costs $46.17, and a 10-pack with OV2640 cameras costs $137.07.
Sources
- Espressif ESP32 technical reference
- Espressif ESP32 camera driver
- Espressif ESP32-S3 technical reference
Last updated: November 10, 2026.