Arducam Mega 5MP AF SPI Camera Module

The module is compatible with any microcontroller featuring a standard 4-wire SPI interface, either native or bit-banged. This includes popular platforms like Arduino (Uno, Mega, Nano), ESP8266/ESP32, STM8/STM32 series, Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040), Nordic Semiconductor nRF52, and MSP430. The open-source SDK includes a hardware abstraction layer to simplify porting to new architectures. You will need to provide the appropriate logic level translation if your MCU operates at a different voltage than the camera's 3.3V or 5V supply.

Autofocus is controlled programmatically via the Arducam API. After initializing the camera over SPI, you can send commands to trigger a single autofocus cycle or set a continuous autofocus mode. The focus distance range is from 8cm to infinity. The API provides high-level functions similar to a DSLR, allowing you to adjust focus points. You must integrate the camera driver library into your project firmware, typically using the Arduino IDE, PlatformIO, or your MCU's native development environment, and refer to the provided code examples.

Yes, you can connect up to four Arducam Mega 5MP modules to a single microcontroller using a dedicated multiplexing adapter board available separately. The modules operate on the same SPI bus but require individual Chip Select (CS) GPIO pins for addressing. The SDK supports sequential readout, allowing you to capture images from each camera in turn. For simultaneous capture, you need to ensure your MCU has sufficient GPIOs and memory bandwidth to handle the concurrent data streams from multiple 5MP sensors.

The module requires a 3.3V or 5V power supply, with an operating current between 55mA and 154mA depending on the active state and autofocus operation. Power consumption ranges from 182mW to 650mW. To minimize draw for battery-powered projects, utilize the camera's software-controlled sleep or standby modes via the API when not capturing images. Ensure your power supply can deliver the required peak current, especially during autofocus motor actuation. Proper decoupling capacitors near the module's power pins are recommended for stable operation.