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easytarget/esp32-cam-webserver

Free

Expanded version of the Espressif ESP webcam

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source

About easytarget/esp32-cam-webserver

An expanded open-source ESP32-CAM web server sketch based on Espressif's official CameraWebServer example. It adds features such as persistent settings (saved and restored across reboots), control of onboard lamps, browser-based view rotation, a dedicated standalone stream viewer, and Over The Air (OTA) firmware updates. The codebase is simplified by removing face recognition features, which were limited and impractical for real-world use. Designed primarily for the AI-THINKER ESP32-CAM board but includes default pinouts for WRover Kit, ESP Eye, and M5Stack modules. Note: This sketch is now obsolete and only works with the old ESP32 Arduino core 2.0.2; the author recommends looking for more modern alternatives.

Key Features

More options for default network and camera settings
Save and restore settings across reboots
Control of on-board lamps
Rotate the view in the browser
Dedicated standalone stream viewer
Over The Air (OTA) firmware updates
Lots of minor fixes and tweaks
Simplified codebase by removing face recognition
Default pinouts for AI-THINKER, WRover Kit, ESP Eye, M5Stack

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Persistent settings that survive power cycles
  • Built-in OTA firmware updates for easy maintenance
  • Browser interface allows rotation of video stream
  • Supports controlling onboard lamps for illumination
  • Works with affordable AI-THINKER ESP32-CAM modules
  • Good documentation with multiple board pinout definitions
Cons
  • Obsolete – only compatible with ESP32 Arduino core 2.0.2
  • Missing improvements from modern Espressif camera library versions
  • No face recognition features (intentionally removed)
  • May be outdated for new users; alternatives recommended

Best For

Simple home webcam or surveillance cameraRemote video monitoring with ESP32-CAMEducational projects exploring ESP32 camera capabilitiesLightweight streaming server for IoT applications

FAQ

Which ESP32 camera boards are supported?
Primarily the AI-THINKER ESP32-CAM, but default pinouts are included for WRover Kit, ESP Eye, and M5Stack camera modules.
Why was face recognition removed?
The face recognition features were a demo that only worked in low-resolution modes, did not preserve the face database between power cycles, and were of little use in real-world applications. They were removed to simplify the webcam functionality.
Is this sketch still maintained?
No, it is now considered obsolete and only works with ESP32 Arduino core 2.0.2. The author is archiving the repository and may provide links to alternative, up-to-date sketches.