An intro to using the ESP32 Camera module. Very simple to set up and use, this example uses the is the AI Thinker Module. Camera’s are ridiculously cheap and small nowadays and with small power consumption you could use them from battery power for many hours. The video below takes you through all the steps you need, but there are also some notes and affiliate links below as well.
Affiliate links
ESP32 Camera: https://amzn.to/36O5yr2
FTDI232 USB to Serial programmer : https://amzn.to/3mRPyK9
Connections
In order to program the camera module you must connect it to an FTDI serial to USB module. These are cheap and easy to connect up, see below. The reason is because the camera module does not have a USB chip on it. Which saves power and space.
IMPORTANT- LIKE REALLY IMPORTANT
As you can see above GPIO connected to ground. This is only when you want to program, for it to run your uploaded code you must disconnect it from ground (leaving floating is fine). Otherwise your camera will not work. Just remember to connected to ground if you want to re-program.
Epilogue
And that’s it, all you need to know is in the video or here or both. Enjoy 🙂