ESP32-S3 ESP32 S3 CAM Board, Dual-core 32-bit 240 MHz Microcontroller, Onboard Camera Wireless, Python C Code, Example Projects Tutorial

Worked great for my diy home security camera project streaming to a web ui. Bought 3 and had zero issues. Would buy again. Also I should mention I’ve bought probably 20 different brands of esp32’s over the years and have seen a wide range of different quality boards, these are definitely higher quality boards. Would buy again

I have always had great luck ordering and using Freenove products, and I've ordered a ton of stuff from them over the years.

I have tested a few different ESP32 cameras, and this is the best I have found so far. The links in the documentation provided with the product are good (not dead), and the on-line info is very helpful. My only issue was that one of the example programs would not compile in the Arduino IDE. I contacted Freenove and they responded right away and resolved the issue with a configuration change (see image). I think this product would be challenging for a newbie to use, but if you start with the simple code examples that are provided you should be OK. Also note: the on-board antenna can interfere with video capture. I found some resources on line that described a fix: cover the antenna with tape, then put a layer of copper foil on top of the tape (see photo). Not a problem if you have these materials laying around. This is probably going to limit the range of the onboard WiFi, but it is working OK for my purposes.

The ESP32 S3 CAM Board WIFI is a bit slow. I modded an antenna connector to the board and gained a stronger signal.

Am VERY pleased with this device. Example code all works :-) and IS educational. Had the opportunity to test out their support for the breakout board (not this item, no issues with it) which had a very minor issue, probably only me :-), The response time was QUICK and the resolution fixed the problem for me. HappyDance :-). Yes, I am pleased and will acquire a few more and probably get their Ultimate Starter Kit as well (2 is 1 and one is none, :-)). Also comes with a number of useful items and I am sure any examples will be as robust as the ones with this item. And I may have talked a tekkie friend into joining the club :-). Thanks Freenove!

Absolutely do not even consider buying this trash. Right out of the box it is rebooting on every code I flash to it, and after getting the blink sketch to run, it absolutely refuses to connect to WiFi and gets stuck in a reboot loop. I was relying on this for a final project and it absolutely screwed me and is now a piece of junk that will spend its whole life in the junk drawer. Please do not buy this item if you need a functioning ESP32!!

I first purchased an off brand ESP32 cam for use with my Prusa mk3. However, after hours of futzing about with trying to upload the firmware, being unable to install drivers, and general instability, I was at my limit, and just decided to by this model, hopping spending a few extra bucks would help ease the installation process. Thankfully, I was right! While it was more expensive than the off-brand cam, the fact that I was able to actually use it made it worth it. It even came with a whopping 1gb SD card, oh joy!

In a few weeks of here and there reading and experimentation, I have established proof of concept for the project I want to build. It can take a photo and post that photo to a php page on a raspberry pi web server. The tutorial Freenove provides is excellent. That combined with a RandomNerd tutorial or two and I had what I needed. I programmed in the Arduino 2.0 IDE. I am showing how I joined two breadboards together ( a +, - rail was removed from one of them), and taped the two to cardboard. Why? Because the board is a bit wide for a standard breadboard. Some have indicated they think the photo isn't very good, yet I feel it is quite good, especially considering my needs. I think, key for me, is that photos be taken in sufficient light. If light is sufficient, the photo should be plenty good. I like this so much, I bought a second! The second I bought with Freenove's Basic Kit, so I can get the fixture that the board plugs into. I cannot think of the name of that fixture now. But with it, there will be less breadboard fit challenges