ESP32-CAM vs ESP32-S3-CAM: Which Camera Board to Pick
The ESP32-CAM costs $25.99 with an OV2640 camera fitted, 4MB PSRAM, and a micro USB port. The ESP32-S3-CAM starts at $11.97 for the board only, with 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM, dual USB-C ports, and a choice of OV2640 2MP or OV5640 5MP camera. Pick the CAM for a WiFi camera, and the S3-CAM for more memory and the 5MP option.
Quick facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| ESP32-CAM | OV2640 fitted, 4MB PSRAM, $25.99 |
| S3-CAM board only | $11.97, no camera |
| S3-CAM OV2640 | $23.12, 2MP camera |
| S3-CAM OV5640 | $29.99, 5MP camera |
| S3-CAM memory | 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM |
| S3-CAM USB | Dual USB-C, UART and OTG |
What does the ESP32-CAM give you?
The ESP32-CAM runs an ESP32 dual-core processor at up to 240 MHz, with 520KB SRAM and 4MB PSRAM.
The OV2640 camera module comes fitted, with 2.4GHz WiFi, Bluetooth and BLE, a micro USB interface, and a TF card slot.
The board measures about 39.8 by 27 mm and supports UART, SPI, I2C, PWM, ADC, and DAC, with STA, AP, and STA plus AP WiFi modes.
What does the ESP32-S3-CAM add?
The ESP32-S3-CAM runs the ESP32-S3 N16R8 module with 16MB flash and 8MB PSRAM, double the PSRAM of the ESP32-CAM.
It carries dual USB-C ports for USB-UART and USB-OTG, plus a TF card slot and a camera connector.
Pick the board only at $11.97, with an OV2640 2MP camera at $23.12, or with an OV5640 5MP camera at $29.99.
OV2640 or OV5640: which camera?
The OV2640 is a 2MP camera, and the OV5640 is a 5MP camera, so the OV5640 captures more detail per frame.
Both cameras fit the S3-CAM camera connector, and the ESP32-CAM ships with the OV2640 fitted.
The board-only S3-CAM at $11.97 includes no camera module, so choose a camera option when the build needs one.
What projects fit each board?
Use the ESP32-CAM for WiFi video streaming, stills, IoT cameras, doorbell cameras, robot vision, and timelapse projects.
Use the S3-CAM for WiFi video streaming, IoT cameras, image recognition, and ESP32-S3 development, with 5-packs and 10-packs for classrooms and multi-camera builds.
The 5-pack with OV2640 costs $73.62, the 5-pack with OV5640 costs $77.52, the 10-pack with OV2640 costs $137.07, and the 10-pack with OV5640 costs $146.07.
What did we check on the bench?
We checked the ESP32-CAM listing states OV2640 fitted, 4MB PSRAM, dual-core to 240 MHz, and a board size of about 39.8 by 27 mm.
We checked the S3-CAM listing states N16R8, 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM, dual USB-C, and OV2640 or OV5640 options.
We counted 1 image on the ESP32-CAM listing and 10 on the S3-CAM listing.
How the options compare
| Board | Camera | Memory | USB | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESP32-CAM | OV2640 fitted, 2MP | 4MB PSRAM | Micro USB | $25.99 |
| S3-CAM board only | No camera | 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM | Dual USB-C | $11.97 |
| S3-CAM OV2640 | OV2640, 2MP | 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM | Dual USB-C | $23.12 |
| S3-CAM OV5640 | OV5640, 5MP | 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM | Dual USB-C | $29.99 |
| S3-CAM 5-pack OV2640 | OV2640, 2MP | 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM | Dual USB-C | $73.62 |
| S3-CAM 5-pack OV5640 | OV5640, 5MP | 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM | Dual USB-C | $77.52 |
How do you pick a camera board in 4 steps?
- Decide if the build needs a camera fitted or a board to add a camera to.
- Pick the ESP32-CAM for a fitted OV2640 camera and a micro USB port.
- Pick the S3-CAM for 8MB PSRAM, dual USB-C, and the OV5640 5MP option.
- Pick the pack size: single board, 5-pack, or 10-pack for classrooms and multi-camera builds.
Parts that fit this guide
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ESP32-CAM Development Board with OV2640 Camera Module, 4MB PSRAM ($25.99)
ESP32-CAM development board at $25.99. It ships with the OV2640 camera fitted, 4MB PSRAM, WiFi, Bluetooth, a micro USB port, 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 development board from $11.97. It runs the N16R8 module with 16MB flash, 8MB PSRAM, dual USB-C, and a choice of OV2640 or OV5640 camera.
NodeMCU ESP8266 Development Board with 0.96″ OLED Display, ESP-12E, Micro USB ($11.37)
NodeMCU ESP8266 development board from $11.37. It pairs an ESP-12E board with a 0.96 inch OLED display and micro USB.
Shop the full range: ESP32 & ESP8266 at Quality RC Parts. See also: Related guide.
Read the companion version of this guide on MTSUAV.
Frequently asked questions
Does the S3-CAM board-only option include a camera?
No. The board-only option at $11.97 includes no camera module. Choose the OV2640 or OV5640 option when the build needs a camera.
What is the difference between the OV2640 and the OV5640?
The OV2640 is a 2MP camera and the OV5640 is a 5MP camera. Both fit the S3-CAM camera connector.
How much PSRAM does each board have?
The ESP32-CAM has 4MB PSRAM. The ESP32-S3-CAM has 8MB PSRAM with 16MB flash.
Can I buy S3-CAM boards in bulk?
Yes. The S3-CAM comes in single boards, 5-packs, and 10-packs for classrooms and multi-camera builds.
Sources
Last updated: November 11, 2026.