How to Start with ESP32-CAM for WiFi Camera Projects
Start with an ESP32-CAM board, a camera module, and a 5V power supply. The board streams video over WiFi, so you can watch the feed from a phone or a laptop. The ESP32-CAM costs $25.99 with an OV2640 camera module and 4MB of PSRAM. A PIR sensor wakes the camera when motion crosses its 7m range.
Quick facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| ESP32-CAM board | $25.99, OV2640 camera, 4MB PSRAM |
| ESP32-S3-CAM board | $11.97 board only, 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM |
| Camera options | OV2640 2MP or OV5640 5MP |
| Wireless | WiFi and Bluetooth on both boards |
| Storage | TF card slot on both boards |
| PIR sensor | Up to 7m range, 0.3 to 18 sec delay |
What does the ESP32-CAM board include?
The ESP32-CAM board ships with an OV2640 camera module fitted. It carries 4MB of PSRAM for video frames and a TF card slot for storage.
The board gives WiFi and Bluetooth on one chip. That lets you stream video to a phone or a laptop with no extra radio.
It uses a micro USB port for power and programming. The board costs $25.99 with the camera module included.
How do you power the ESP32-CAM?
Power the board from a stable 5V supply over its micro USB port. A weak supply drops the video feed when the camera captures a frame.
Do not power the camera from a laptop USB hub shared with other parts. A dedicated 5V supply keeps the stream steady.
The PIR sensor in this guide runs on 5V to 20V. That range suits the same 5V supply that feeds the board.
Which camera module fits the ESP32-CAM?
The OV2640 gives 2MP stills and fast video streaming. It suits live feeds where speed matters more than fine detail.
The OV5640 gives 5MP stills for sharper photos. It costs more and suits stills where detail matters.
The ESP32-S3-CAM board takes either camera. The OV2640 version costs $23.12, and the OV5640 version costs $29.99.
How do you add motion detection with a PIR sensor?
The HC-SR501 PIR sensor watches for body heat in its cone. It sees motion up to 7m away inside a cone under 120 degrees.
It runs on 5V to 20V and holds its output for 0.3 to 18 sec. Set a short delay for stills and a long delay for video.
The sensor costs $4.99. Wire its output to a GPIO pin and wake the camera on a rising edge.
How do you view the video stream?
The board serves its video stream over WiFi to a browser. Open the stream address on a phone or a laptop on the same network.
Save stills to the TF card slot when you need photos without a network. The 4MB of PSRAM holds each frame while the board sends it.
Test the stream at 2m from the router first. Move the camera farther only after the near stream runs clean.
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 only | No camera | 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM | $11.97 |
| ESP32-S3-CAM + OV2640 | OV2640 2MP | 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM | $23.12 |
| ESP32-S3-CAM + OV5640 | OV5640 5MP | 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM | $29.99 |
How do you start the ESP32-CAM camera?
- Fit the OV2640 camera module on the board connector.
- Connect the board to a stable 5V supply over micro 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.
- Wire the PIR sensor output to a GPIO pin to wake the camera on motion.
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.
HC-SR501 PIR Motion Sensor Module ($4.99)
PIR sensor at $4.99. It sees motion up to 7m away, with a 0.3 to 18 sec delay.
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 is the difference between the ESP32-CAM and the ESP32-S3-CAM?
The S3-CAM carries 16MB of flash and 8MB of PSRAM, against 4MB of PSRAM on the older board. The S3-CAM board alone costs $11.97.
Can the ESP32-CAM record video to a card?
Yes. Both boards in this guide have a TF card slot for stills and video storage.
How far does the PIR sensor see?
Up to 7m inside a cone under 120 degrees. Mount it where the subject crosses the cone.
Sources
- Espressif ESP32 technical reference
- Espressif ESP32 camera driver
- Espressif Arduino-ESP32 documentation
Last updated: November 10, 2026.