OV2640 2MP Camera Module - 160° Ultra-Wide Angle Lens, 21mm 24-Pin FPC

Specifications

• Sensor Type: OmniVision OV2640 1/4" Color CMOS

• Resolution: 2 Megapixels (UXGA 1600 x 1200)

• Field of View (FOV): 160° Ultra-Wide Angle

• Cable Length: 21mm (Short version)

• Interface: 24-Pin FPC (0.5mm pitch)

• Output Formats: Onboard JPEG, YUV(422/420), RGB565, Raw RGB Data

• Operating Voltage: 3.3V DC

Key Applications and Projects

• DIY Smart Doorbells: Capturing a visitor from head to toe, as well as packages left on the porch, thanks to the massive 160° FOV.

• Compact Surveillance Nodes: Designing extremely small, stealthy security cameras where the lens and the MCU board must be tightly packed in a tiny enclosure.

• Autonomous Rovers: Providing ultra-wide peripheral vision for robotic obstacle avoidance systems.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution)

• Vision Upgrade: Transition from standard 66° or 120° lenses to this 160° fisheye module to completely eliminate peripheral blind spots in your monitoring systems.

• Form-Factor Upgrade: Utilise the short 21mm FPC to build rigid, ultra-compact camera housings without having to fold or crumple excess ribbon cable.

Package Includes:

• 1 x OV2640 2MP 160° Ultra-Wide Angle Camera Module (with integrated 21mm 24-pin FPC)

• 1 x Black Protective Lens Cap

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. What is the maximum resolution of this camera? It is a 2-Megapixel sensor, supporting a maximum resolution of 1600 x 1200 (UXGA).

2. Is this module compatible with the ESP32-CAM? Yes, the 24-pin FPC connector makes it a direct, plug-and-play replacement for the stock ESP32-CAM module.

3. What does "160 Degree" mean? This is the Field of View (FOV). A 160° lens captures a massive, ultra-wide area, approaching a half-sphere of vision.

4. Will a 160° lens cause a "fisheye" effect? Yes, physics dictates that squeezing that much horizontal information into a flat sensor will result in noticeable barrel distortion (fisheye look) at the edges.

5. How long is the flexible cable? This is the standard "short" version, featuring a 21mm ribbon cable.

6. What is printed on the ribbon cable? The FPC is labelled with "-OV2" and "640-V2" across two lines.

7. How many pins does the connector have? It features the industry-standard 24-pin interface.

8. Does it come with a cover for the lens? Yes, a black plastic cap is included to protect the large outer glass element from scratches.

9. Can I adjust the focus manually? Usually, yes. The lens is screwed into a threaded barrel and sealed with a tiny dot of glue. Breaking the glue allows you to twist and focus the lens.

10. Does this camera support night vision? No, it is a standard RGB daylight sensor without IR LEDs or an IR-cut removal mechanism.

11. Can it stream video? Yes, it can output a sequence of JPEG frames. Frame rates depend entirely on your microcontroller's processing speed and WiFi bandwidth.

12. Does it capture audio? No, camera modules like the OV2640 do not have integrated microphones; they only process image data.

13. What is the operating logic voltage? The sensor operates on 3.3V DC, which is standard for ESP32 and STM32 logic.

14. Can I use this directly with a Raspberry Pi? No, Raspberry Pi boards utilize a specific CSI interface. This module uses an SCCB/DVP parallel interface.

15. What is the pitch of the connection pins? The ribbon cable features a 0.5mm pin pitch.

16. Why choose the 21mm cable over the 75mm cable? The 21mm cable is ideal for compact, tightly-packed enclosures where you want the camera sitting directly flush with the microcontroller board.

17. Which way do the gold contacts face when plugging it in? Typically, the exposed metal contacts face downwards towards the PCB of the host board, but always verify with your specific board's datasheet.

18. Are flexible printed circuit (FPC) cables fragile? Yes, they are highly susceptible to damage if creased sharply or folded repeatedly. Handle with care.

19. What image formats can it output? A major benefit of the OV2640 is its hardware JPEG compression, but it also supports YUV and RGB565 formats.

20. Is this lens good for a smart doorbell? It is excellent for doorbells; the 160° FOV allows you to see packages on the floor and the faces of tall visitors simultaneously.