Overview of ESP32 CAM
The ESP32-CAM is equipped with an ESP32 microcontroller, an OV2640 image sensor, and a three-dimensional antenna. It also includes a microSD card slot, GPIOs, and other peripherals. The ESP32-CAM can be programmed using the Arduino IDE or MicroPython and can be connected to a Wi-Fi network or Bluetooth devices. The module is small and affordable, making it an ideal option for IoT projects.
Drawbacks of ESP32 CAM
The ESP32-CAM is a popular development board due to its low cost and ease of use. However, like any other technology, the ESP32-CAM has certain limitations or disadvantages that users must know. Here we have highlighted some of the major drawbacks one should know about before buying this board.
- Limited Field of View
- Short Cable Length
- No Night Vision Capability
- Limited RAM
- Limited Image Sensor Support
- Limited I/O Pins
- Lack of Built-in USB Port
Limited Field of View
One of the significant limitations of the ESP32 CAM is its narrow field of view (FoV). The standard module’s lens offers only a 65-degree FoV, which may fall short of the requirements for many home monitoring projects. This may cause a problem when trying to capture a wider area with a single camera.
While it is possible to use other lenses or camera modules with the ESP32-CAM, this requires additional hardware and can add to the cost of the project.
Short Cable Length
Another limitation of the ESP32-CAM is the short ribbon cable that connects the camera module to the main board. This cable is just too short to allow for changing the orientation or camera direction. To change the camera angle, we have to completely rotate the ESP32-CAM board. This can be particularly frustrating when trying to mount the camera in a specific location or angle. One solution is to use a longer ribbon cable, but this requires additional hardware and can add to the complexity of the project.
No Night Vision Capability
The ESP32-CAM does not have built-in night vision capability, which can be a significant limitation for projects that require low-light or nighttime monitoring. While it is possible to add infrared (IR) LEDs to the board for night vision, doing so requires manually removing the IR-blocking filter from the camera module. This is a risky process that can damage the lens or image sensor and may result in dust getting on the surface of the image sensor.
Limited RAM
The ESP32-CAM has limited RAM, which can cause problems for projects that demand image processing or video streaming. The microcontroller has only 520 KB of SRAM available for general use, which may not be sufficient for some applications. This can lead to slower performance, stuttering videos, and other issues.
Limited Image Sensor Support
The ESP32-CAM is designed to work with the OV2640 camera module, which has a resolution of 2 megapixels. While this is sufficient for many applications, it may not be suitable for projects that require higher resolution or more advanced image processing. The board also has limited support for other image sensors, which can be a limitation for projects that require specialized sensors or advanced image processing.
Limited I/O Pins
The ESP32-CAM module has fewer I/O pins than the base ESP32 module. Moreover, many of the GPIO pins are reserved for internal use by the camera and microSD card port. This limitation can be challenging when you need to connect multiple sensors or other devices to the board.
Lack of Built-in USB Port
Unlike other ESP32 modules, the ESP32-CAM does not have a built-in USB port, making it somewhat difficult to program. You will need to use an external USB-to-serial converter or a dedicated programmer to upload your code to the board.
Conclusion
The ESP32-CAM is a popular and affordable Camera module that offers many advantages for IoT and home automation projects. However, it also has several drawbacks that users should be aware of, including the limited field of view, short cable length, no night vision capability, limited RAM, limited connectivity options, and limited image sensor support. When considering the ESP32-CAM for a project, it’s important to check these drawbacks to achieve desired results in a project.
