OV5640 USB Camera Module 5MP with 160° Wide Angle Lens for Raspberry Pi and PC

Specifications

• Sensor: OmniVision OV5640 (5 Megapixel)
• Maximum Resolution: 2592 × 1944 pixels
• Lens Field of View (FOV): 160° (Wide Angle)
• Interface: USB 2.0 (UVC Compliant)
• Operating Voltage: 5V DC (USB Powered)
• Output Formats: YUV, MJPEG
• Focus Type: Fixed Focus
• OS Compatibility: Windows, Linux (including Raspberry Pi / Orange Pi), Mac OS, Android

Minimum hardware to get started:

• Host Device (Raspberry Pi, Orange Pi, or PC) : to act as the processing brain, capture the UVC video stream, and run your OpenCV or Python scripts.
• Available USB 2.0/3.0 Port : to provide both the required 5V operating power and the data connection.

Safety Warnings:

• Current Draw: Streaming 5MP video can draw significant power. Ensure your host device's USB port can comfortably supply at least 500mA.
• Voltage Drop: Avoid using unpowered USB extension cables longer than 2 meters, as USB voltage drop can cause the camera to randomly disconnect or drop frames.
• ESD Sensitivity: The exposed PCB components on the back of the module are sensitive to static. Handle by the edges or the lens mount.

Accessories
Included in the Box:

• 1× OV5640 5MP USB Camera Module (160° Wide Angle Lens)
• 1× Mating USB Cable

Frequently Asked Question(FAQs)

• Is this camera compatible with Windows and Mac OS?
  Yes, it uses standard UVC (USB Video Class) protocols, making it plug-and-play on Windows, Mac, and Linux without manual driver installation.
• Can I use this module with a Raspberry Pi or Orange Pi?
  Yes, it works flawlessly with Linux-based SBCs like Raspberry Pi and Orange Pi via standard USB 2.0 or 3.0 ports.
• Does this camera work with microcontrollers like an Arduino Uno or ESP32? No, standard microcontrollers lack the processing power and USB host capability to read UVC video streams; it requires a host computer or SBC.
• Can I use this with an Android tablet or phone?
  Yes, most modern Android devices support UVC cameras via a USB OTG (On-The-Go) adapter and a compatible USB camera app.
• What voltage does the OV5640 USB camera require?
  It operates on a standard 5V DC supply, which is provided directly through the USB connection.
• How much current does the camera draw during operation?
  While exact current varies by resolution and frame rate, expect it to draw between 150mA and 250mA during active video streaming.
• Do I need a powered USB hub to use this?
  If you are running a single camera on a PC, no; but if you are using multiple cameras on a single Raspberry Pi, a powered hub is highly recommended to prevent undervoltage.
• What type of USB connector does the module use?
  The module typically interfaces using a standard 4-pin USB connection (VCC, D-, D+, GND) and comes with a mating cable terminating in a standard USB Type-A plug.
• Can I extend the included USB cable?
  Yes, you can use a standard USB extension cable, but we recommend keeping the total length under 2 meters to avoid voltage drop and data loss.
• Do I need to wire any GPIO pins to make this work?
  No, the entire interface (power and data) is handled through the single USB cable.
• Which Python library is best for this camera?
  OpenCV (specifically the cv2.VideoCapture() function) is the industry standard for reading frames from this camera in Python.
• Do I need to install special proprietary drivers?
  No, the UVC compliance means the standard drivers built into Windows, macOS, and Linux will automatically recognize the device.
• How do I change the resolution in my code?
  In OpenCV, you can use the cap.set() function to request specific resolutions like 1920x1080 or the full 2592x1944, provided the camera firmware supports that exact mode.