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Applications and Implications, Project Development

Project :– A Vintage Camera with a Pixel Twist

What will it do?

I’m making a camera that’s inspired by old film cameras — no LCD screen, no live preview, just a simple viewfinder you look through. You press the button to take a picture, and instead of instantly showing a clear photo, it shows a pixelated, colorful, low-res version of the image on an LED matrix for a few seconds. Meanwhile, the original photo is saved to an SD card.

The idea is to recreate that feeling of surprise and anticipation you get from classic cameras, but with a fun, modern pixel-art twist. It’s more about the experience and playful interaction than capturing perfect shots.

What has been done before?

There are similar projects where people use Raspberry Pi or ESP32-CAM modules to capture images and process them, but most include LCD screens for preview or final display. Using a NeoPixel LED matrix as a display and removing the screen entirely to keep the vintage feel is less common. That combination makes my project stand out.

https://petapixel.com/2025/01/09/0-03-megapixel-pixless-camera-captures-charming-pixel-art-photos/

https://youtu.be/L9DTW1ulsT0?si=19Mi6SC2vU23Q_H_

https://youtu.be/8ln2zjmyITk?si=tCY8aVTsSjzIW8cv

https://youtu.be/vugulzS0EoU?si=FNoh-aZMscj5wv37

https://youtu.be/A5A6ET64Oz8?si=yCcrCic6UcaJTS84

https://youtu.be/L-tNbbov6Bo?si=rfVZskqLltoEX1zC

therse are few existing plan/ interface

What will I design?

  1. The camera body sized about 10 cm long × 4 cm wide × 4 cm tall, 3D printed to fit the electronics snugly.

  2. A separate case for the NeoPixel 8x8 LED matrix with an acrylic diffuser to soften the LEDs and make the pixelated photo easier to see.

  3. A simple viewfinder lens window made from transparent acrylic, replicating vintage cameras.

  4. A physical button on the camera body to trigger image capture.

  5. Vinyl-cut decorative patterns on the camera body for that retro vibe.

  6. Internal wiring and battery circuit to power everything efficiently.

Something that captures an image from the ESP32-CAM, pixelates it into an 8x8 color matrix, saves the full image to an SD card, and displays the pixelated image on the NeoPixel matrix.

Materials

  1. PLA filament for 3D printing camera and LED display cases.

  2. Acrylic sheets for diffuser and viewfinder.

  3. Vinyl sheets for camera decoration.

  4. Electrical wires, connectors, glue, and tape.

Components

Component Description
ESP32-CAM with OV2640 camera Captures image and controls flow
NeoPixel 8x8 RGB LED matrix Displays pixelated image
Micro SD card adapter Stores original photos
3.7V 1000mAh LiPo battery Powers whole system
TP4056 charging module Safe battery charging
Button Captures photo on press
Wiring and connectors Connects all electronics

Approximate Costs

Item Approx. Price (INR)
ESP32-CAM with OV2640 camera ₹640
NeoPixel 8x8 RGB LED matrix ₹2,000
Micro SD card adapter ₹15
3.7V 1000mAh LiPo battery ₹470
TP4056 charging module ₹20
Misc. wiring/connectors ₹100
PLA filament and 3D printing ₹150
Total Estimated Cost ₹3,395

Where will components come from?

I sourced most electronics from local Mumbai markets and online stores like Amazon. PLA and acrylic sheets are from the college lab’s inventory. Vinyl sheets came from craft shops nearby.

What parts and systems will be made?

  1. 3D printed camera and LED display cases

  2. Laser-cut acrylic diffuser for LEDs

  3. Vinyl-cut retro pattern for camera body

  4. Internal wiring and battery system

  5. Arduino-based software to capture, pixelate, save, and display images

What processes will be used?

  • 3D printing for the case (using PLA)

  • Laser cutting for the acrylic diffuser and viewfinder lens

  • Vinyl cutting for camera decoration

  • Soldering to connect battery and electronic components

  • Arduino programming for ESP32-CAM and NeoPixel control

  • Assembly and physical fitting of all components

Questions needed to answer

Can the ESP32-CAM process and convert images into pixelated versions fast enough?

Will the NeoPixel matrix be bright and clear enough when used with the diffuser?

Is the LiPo battery capacity enough for decent usage time?

Should I have the LED matrix inside the camera or as a separate unit? (Decided separate to keep vintage camera size small)

How will I evaluate success?

Does the camera capture photos and save them correctly to the SD card?

Does the NeoPixel matrix show a clear, recognizable pixelated version of the photo?

Does the camera look and feel like a vintage camera, with the right size and retro aesthetics?

Is the user experience fun and engaging — pressing the button and seeing the surprise pixelated image?

Tasks I’ve completed

  1. Finalized project concept and size (10 cm × 4 cm for camera body)

  2. Tested NeoPixel 8x8 LED matrix with diffuser for displaying pixels

  3. Designed and tested laser-cut acrylic diffuser material

  4. Created vinyl patterns and tested on the camera surface with vinyl cutter

  5. Tried different input devices and buttons for capturing photos

Tasks remaining

  1. Write and finalize code integrating camera capture, pixelation, and LED display

  2. Assemble the full wiring, battery connection, and button integration

  3. Produce final 3D printed camera and LED cases

  4. Laser cut diffuser and viewfinder acrylic pieces

  5. Final fitting and securing of components inside the case

  6. Testing full system multiple times

  7. Documenting final results and making presentation

  8. Video

  9. Maybe asking few people to try

What has worked well?

  • Camera module captures photos reliably

  • NeoPixel display works nicely with diffuser, producing clear pixelated images

  • 3D printed case fits components snugly

  • Vinyl patterns add a nice vintage look

What hasn’t worked or caused issues?

  • Tried real-time image preview on the ESP32, but it was slow and laggy (so dropped screen idea)

  • Battery wiring initially loose, had to resolder several times

  • NeoPixel LED brightness too harsh without diffuser

Remaining questions

  • Can I optimize pixelation code to be faster and smoother?

  • Will the small delay between clicking and pixel display be fun or annoying?

  • How to best secure wiring inside the compact case?

Timeline overview

What I learned

  • Designing for user experience means embracing imperfections and surprise

  • Working within size constraints is challenging but rewarding

  • Hardware and software integration takes time and patience

  • Removing unnecessary features (like the screen) can lead to a more unique product

  • Vinyl cutting and laser cutting add cool finishing touches that really boost aesthetics