Unit CamS3-5MP Home Assistant Integration

Introduction

Unit CamS3-5MP is a compact ESP32-S3–based Wi-Fi camera module featuring a 5MP PY260 sensor (2592×1944, 88° DFoV), 8MB PSRAM, and 16MB flash. It supports microSD storage, PDM audio recording, USB firmware update/serial communication, and onboard download headers. With built-in firmware for image capture and EzData cloud upload, it is ideal for remote monitoring, time-lapse photography, and industrial automation.

Preparation

• Home Assistant host
• Install and enable ESPHome Builder in Home Assistant

Step 1. Create New Device

• Click the green button in the lower right corner to create a device.

Step 2. Create Device Name

• Click CONTINUE.

• Click New Device Setup.

• Enter the name of the device and click NEXT.

Step 3. Choose Device Type

• Click ESP32-S3.

• Click SKIP.

Step 4. Start Edit YAML File

• Click EDIT. We can customize device functionality through YAML files.

Device Setup

The following is the core part of the code. Relevant references and explanations are provided below.

PSRAM Configuration

• Add the PSRAM component

psram:
  mode: octal
  speed: 80MHz 

Switch Configuration

• Add the Switch components

switch:
  - platform: gpio
    name: "Active LED"
    pin:
      number: GPIO14
      inverted: true
    restore_mode: ALWAYS_ON

I2C Bus Configuration

• Add the I2C components

i2c:
  - id: camera_i2c
    sda: GPIO17
    scl: GPIO41
    scan: true

Camera Configuration

• Add the ESP32 Camera components

esp32_camera:
  name: "PY260 camera"
  external_clock:
    pin: GPIO11
    frequency: 20MHz
  i2c_id: camera_i2c
  data_pins: [GPIO6, GPIO15, GPIO16, GPIO7, GPIO5, GPIO10, GPIO4, GPIO13]
  vsync_pin: GPIO42
  href_pin: GPIO18
  pixel_clock_pin: GPIO12
  reset_pin: GPIO21
  resolution: 1024x768
  jpeg_quality: 12

Firmware Build

• Click INSTALL again to flash and wait for it to complete.

• After making changes, click SAVE and INSTALL in the top-right corner, then choose Manual Download in the popup.

• After the firmware compilation is complete, click Download and select Factory format(Previously Modern)

Firmware Upload

• Hardware Connection Guide

Connect the camera module to the 4-pin cable → Plug the other end of the cable into the USB adapter → Use a USB-C cable to connect to a computer or power supply → Once powered on, the device is ready for firmware flashing or data transmission.

• Connect the device to your host via a USB Type‑C cable. Open ESPHome Web and click CONNECT to connect to the device.

• Locate the corresponding serial port number

• Click INSTALL

• Select the previously compiled firmware to upload.

Home Assistant Integration

• Click Settings -> Device & services to check the device.

• We can find the corresponding device in the Discover section.

• After adding the device, the data will be displayed correctly.

• Finally, we add these entities to the Dashboard, and the following shows their display results.