OV5640 Compatibility with Nicla Vision and Alternatives

OpenMV Boards
1

Hi,

I’m working in R&D on a camera that can capture JPEG snapshots and includes AI features for object detection.

Does the OV5640 camera work with the Nicla Vision? If so, will I be able to capture snapshots, change resolutions, or make other sensor-level adjustments as described in the Omnivision datasheet?

Aside from the Nicla Vision, what other options are available that meet these requirements?
For example:

  • OpenMV-N6 (no schematics or BOM provided)
  • OpenMV AE3 (no schematics or BOM provided)

I appreciate your help.

Thanks,

2

The OV5640 doesn’t work with the Nicla. You can buy the RT1062/H7 Plus right now for this if you want that camera. However, both these units have limited CPU performance for running ML models.

I’m working in R&D on a camera that can capture JPEG snapshots and includes AI features for object detection.

Note that you have to license the OpenMV Cam hardware/software for commercial use.

3

Thank you, @kwagyeman, for the quick response. Does it support the OpenMV N6 or OpenMV AE3, since those have better CPU performance than the RT1062/H7? Or does it support any 2MP camera with similar capabilities?

4

The OV5640 works with the N6. We do not integrate it for the AE3.

However, your question is still confusing on what you are trying to do… as you are asking to attach hardware to something that clearly doesn’t integrate such a sensor per our product information.

5

Hi @kwagyeman,

Thanks again for your reply and clarification.

To clarify, my goal is to build a camera solution that supports:

Capturing JPEG snapshots

Running AI-based object detection

Using a 2MP or higher sensor like the OV5640

The captured data will later be sent to our main IoT device via SPI or I2C communication.

I understand that the OV5640 is supported on the N6, but not on the AE3. My intention was to explore whether any OpenMV platforms (such as the AE3, N6, or others) could support a sensor of this class — either through official integration or possible modification.

So just to confirm:

Is the N6 the only platform in your current lineup that officially supports the OV5640 or any 2MP camera?

Are there any plans to support similar sensors on newer platforms with higher CPU/ML performance?

If not, would using something like an external MCU to handle the OV5640 (e.g., for image capture) and passing the result to the AE3 for processing be a viable approach?

I appreciate your insights.

6

Hi, you’ll want to use the N6 with our upcoming PS5520 sensor. The vision quality of the PS5520 is significantly better than that of the OV5640.

These components will be on sale by the end of the year.

7

Thank you, sir, for the useful information. I’m looking forward to testing it once it’s released.