ESP32-CAM: a helpful hint for AECLevel exposure control

[mrneutron42]

I made a discovery about exposure controls!
The AECDSP variable is key to allowing the AECLevel variable to be effective.

When AECDSP is active (WcAECDSP 1), the AECLevel variable is mostly ignored or counteracted!
With sunlit outdoor scenes, the image is overexposed and has washed out colors levels when AECDSP is on.
Turning off AECDSP (WcAECDSP 0) allows AECLevel to actually control the automatic exposure target level!
(FYI the variable that sets the AECLevel is spelled AELevel in the code, so you issue a "WcAELevel 0" in the command console)
At this point, you can issue a WcAELevel command (range -2 to +2) and it will have an effect!

When AECDSP is off, the bright areas of same scene are not overexposed and have better color saturation.

[joysfera]

[mrneutron42]

@joysfera Yeah, that makes the difference in picture detail!
Have you tried other values of the AELevel variable? The range is -2 to +2.
Example: WcAELevel -1

[joysfera]

This is with sun behind camera, not facing towards it, yet it made the picture totally unusable without the above mentioned WcAECDSP "fix".
I haven't played with different WCAELevel values, I was so happy with the default that I just let it be.
Might give it a try when the clouds go away in four days.