M5Stack M5PoECAM-W V1.1 - A ESP32-powered PoE camera module with 3MP OV3660 sensor

M5Stack M5PoECAM-W V1.1 is a PoE camera module built around the Espressif ESP32 MCU and WIZnet W5500 Hardwired TCP/IP embedded Ethernet controller. The W5500 along with a PoE controller takes care of ethernet and PoE power whereas the 3MP OV3660 sensor is responsible for video and photos. The camera features a wide 65° field of view which makes it suitable for applications like image monitoring and remote data acquisition.

Previously we have covered similar camera modules like the LILYGO T-Camera-Plus-S3, Sipeed MaixCAM, and Luxonis OAK-D Series 2 cameras with the latter also having a PoE option. Feel free to check those out if you are interested in the topic.

M5Stack M5PoECAM-W V1.1 specifications

ESP32-D0WDQ6-V3 wireless module
- SoC – Espressif ESP32-D0WDQ6-V3
  - CPU – dual-core Xtensa LX6 processor clocked at up to 240MHz
  - Memory – 520KB SRAM
  - Connectivity – 2.4 GHz 802.11n WiFi 4 and Bluetooth v4.2 BR/EDR and BLE
- Memory – 8MB PSRAM
- Storage – 16MB SPI flash
Camera module
- OV3660 – 3 Megapixel camera
- Pixel Size – 1.75µm x 1.75µm
- Output Format – RAW, RGB565/555/444, YUV422/420, YCbCr422, JPEG
- FOV – 65°
Ethernet chip
- WIZnet W5500 hardwired TCP/IP embedded Ethernet controller
- Supports TCP, UDP, ICMP, IPv4, ARP, IGMP, PPPoE
Expansion – 4-pin Grove connector; 2x 3-pin GPIO headers
Misc – Reset and user buttons; LED indicator light
Power Supply – PoE IEEE802.3AF (Max power 6W)
Dimensions – 64 x 24 x 18 mm
Weight – 38 grams

The OV3660 is a 3-megapixel CMOS image sensor with 720p HD video capability and improved sensitivity. It features OmniBSI technology for enhanced sensitivity and a rolling shutter for fast-moving scene capture. The module supports JPEG and RAW formats and offers exposure control, white balance, and 70 dB of dynamic range. It also supports up to 120fps recoding at QVGA resolution.

The module features various interfaces like the G37 button, LED indicator light, a Grove interface, and expansion pins. Additionally, it comes with a camera clip and a stand for added compatibility. However, more information about the product can be found on M5Stack’s wiki page where you will also find a schematic for the camera and datasheet for the ESP32, OV3660 camera, and W5500 Ethernet controller.

In terms of software, the camera module is compatible with Arduino and ESP-IDF which makes it easy to get started with. With these features and a developer-friendly environment, this camera is useful for applications like warehouse monitoring, timed photography, computer vision, smart home monitoring, and many others.

The M5Stack M5PoECAM-W V1.1 can be purchased from Aliexpress for $39.90, it’s also available on M5stack’s shop for $32.50, but that price does not include shipping.

Debashis Das

Debashis Das is a technical content writer and embedded engineer with over five years of experience in the industry. With expertise in Embedded C, PCB Design, and SEO optimization, he effectively blends difficult technical topics with clear communication