AI Thinker ESP32-CAM

Development Board

Code name: ESP32_DEV

AI Thinker ESP32-CAM is a development board based on the ESP32 microcontroller using XTENSA architecture.

This board features a maximum CPU frequency of 240 MHz and 4MB flash memory.

About AI Thinker ESP32-CAM

The ESP32-CAM (also written as ESP32CAM, ESP 32 CAM, or ESP-CAM) is a low-cost Wi-Fi + Bluetooth camera module powered by Espressif’s ESP32-S chip. It comes with an OV2640 camera, microSD slot, and GPIO pins, making it perfect for IoT, security, and AI vision projects. In this guide, you’ll find the ESP32-CAM pinout, wiring diagrams, datasheet, technical specs, and setup instructions for AI Thinker and similar modules.

Where to Buy AI Thinker ESP32-CAM

Starting from

10$ per unit

Amazon.com Ships worldwide

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Technical Specifications

Complete technical specification details for AI Thinker ESP32-CAM

Connectivity

WiFi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz)

Bluetooth 4.2

BLE 4.2

Microcontroller

Model esp32

Clock Speed 240 MHz

Flash Size 4MB

Architecture xtensa

✨ Features & Pins

Digital IO 40

Analog Input 16

PWM 19

Interrupts 16

Download Full Datasheet

Quick Setup

Copy-paste configs for AI Thinker ESP32-CAM - auto‑generated from this board's exact hardware specs.

ESP32 240 MHz 4MB DIO Xtensa

In Arduino IDE 2 select Esp32 Dev from the esp32 by Espressif package. In PlatformIO use board = esp32dev. ESP32 · 240 MHz · 4MB · DIO.

Tools menu settings

Board (select in Arduino IDE) Esp32 Dev

CPU Frequency 240 MHz

Flash Size 4MB

Flash Mode DIO

Upload Speed 921600

Architecture Xtensa

In Arduino IDE 2, open Boards Manager, search "esp32" by Espressif and install it. Then go to Tools → Board and select "Esp32 Dev" for the AI Thinker ESP32-CAM.

platformio.ini


[env:esp32cam]
platform  = espressif32
board     = esp32dev
framework = arduino

; Exact hardware config for AI Thinker ESP32-CAM
board_build.mcu        = esp32
board_build.f_cpu      = 240000000L
board_build.flash_size = 4MB
board_build.flash_mode = dio
board_upload.flash_size = 4MB

The board value is a close generic match - check PlatformIO board registry for an exact fit.

esp32: block (YAML)


esp32:
  board: esp32dev
  framework:
    type: arduino   # or "esp-idf"

# AI Thinker ESP32-CAM - 240 MHz ESP32
# Flash: 4MB | USB: N/A

Paste into your device's .yaml. See ESPHome ESP32 docs for full options.

esptool.py - flash command


esptool.py \
  --chip esp32 \
  --baud 921600 \
  write_flash \
    --flash_mode dio \
    --flash_size 4MB \
    0x1000 bootloader.bin \
    0x8000    partitions.bin \
    0xe000    boot_app0.bin \
    0x10000   firmware.bin

Install: pip install esptool - replace firmware.bin with your binary - bootloader at 0x1000

AI Thinker ESP32-CAM Pinout Diagram

Complete pin reference for AI Thinker ESP32-CAM

The ESP32-CAM pinout is designed to provide versatile functionality for camera-based IoT applications. It features essential power pins like 5V, 3.3V, and GND, ensuring stable power delivery for both the ESP32 chip and connected peripherals.

For communication, the ESP32-CAM (also written as ESP32CAM, ESP 32 CAM, or ESP-CAM) includes RX and TX for UART, making it easy to connect to external serial devices. Additionally, SDA and SCL support I2C communication, while SPI pins like MISO, MOSI, SCK, and SS enable high-speed data transfer for sensors, displays, and storage.

One of the key features of the ESP32-CAM is its dedicated camera interface, which includes multiple GPIOs for connecting the OV2640 camera module. It also has a microSD card slot, allowing you to store captured images and videos easily.

Since the ESP32-CAM does not have a built-in USB-to-serial converter, programming requires an external FTDI or USB-to-TTL adapter connected to the RX and TX pins. Proper boot mode selection is also necessary when flashing firmware.

⚠️ Pins to Avoid or Use with Caution

Pin Name	Label	Reason to Avoid
IO0	BOOT	Must be pulled low to enter flash mode. Avoid using as a regular GPIO.
IO4	CAM_D2	Used by the camera module. Avoid using if the camera is in use.
IO12	MTDI	Bootstrapping pin. Can cause issues if pulled high at startup.
IO13	MTCK	Used for flash mode configuration. Avoid using if unsure.
IO14	MTMS	Connected to the camera. Avoid using as a general GPIO.
IO15	MTDO	Strapping pin. Can interfere with boot mode if pulled incorrectly.

For general GPIO usage, IO2, IO16, and IO17 are the safest and most flexible choices. 🚀

Useful Links

Datasheets and resources for AI Thinker ESP32-CAM

Board Datasheet

Technical specifications

ESP32 Datasheet

Microcontroller reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about AI Thinker ESP32-CAM

What is the ESP32-CAM used for?

The ESP32-CAM is a low-cost Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled camera module designed for IoT, security, and AI vision applications. It includes an OV2640 camera, a microSD card slot, and GPIO pins for connecting sensors and peripherals.

What voltage does the ESP32-CAM require?

The ESP32-CAM operates on a 5V supply through its 5V pin. The onboard voltage regulator provides 3.3V to the ESP32 chip and connected components.

What is the resolution of the ESP32-CAM's OV2640 camera?

The default OV2640 camera module supports resolutions up to 1600×1200 pixels (UXGA), with common modes including 640×480 (VGA) and 800×600 (SVGA) for streaming.

Does the ESP32-CAM have Bluetooth?

Yes, the ESP32-CAM supports Bluetooth 4.2 BR/EDR and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) via the integrated ESP32-S SoC.

How do I program the ESP32-CAM?

Since it lacks a built-in USB-to-serial converter, the ESP32-CAM must be programmed using an external FTDI or USB-to-TTL adapter connected to its RX and TX pins. IO0 should be pulled low to enter flashing mode.

Pin Mappings

Complete pinout and GPIO mapping for AI Thinker ESP32-CAM

Digital I/O Pins

Interrupt Pins

Analog Inputs

PWM Pins

Pin	Analog	Touch	PWM	Other
0	A11	T1
1			PWM	TX
2	A12	T2	PWM
3			PWM	RX
4	A10	T0	PWM
5			PWM	SS
12	A15	T5	PWM
13	A14	T4	PWM
14	A16	T6	PWM
15	A13	T3	PWM
18			PWM	SCK
19			PWM	MISO
21			PWM	SDA
22			PWM	SCL
23			PWM	MOSI
25	A18		PWM	DAC1
26	A19		PWM	DAC2
27	A17	T7	PWM
32	A4	T9	PWM
33	A5	T8	PWM
34	A6
35	A7
36	A0
39	A3

Legend

A0 Analog input

T0 Touch sensor

PWM PWM capable

RX/TX Serial pins

LED Built-in LED

# Pin number

Default Tools & Configuration

Build and upload settings for AI Thinker ESP32-CAM

Setting	Value
Bootloader tool	esptool_py
Uploader tool	esptool_py
Network uploader tool	esp_ota
Bootloader address	`0x1000`
Maximum upload size	3072 KB (3145728 bytes)
Maximum data size	320 KB (327680 bytes)