expo-camera

Learn camera access with expo-camera.

The expo-camera package

To use the phone's camera in React Native you install the expo-camera package. It supports both photo capture and video recording. With Expo you install it with npx expo install expo-camera. The package offers a consistent interface for both iOS and Android.

After installation you import two things: the Camera component (which shows the camera view on the screen) and the CameraType constants (for front/back camera selection). To show the camera you place a <Camera /> component inside a View; once permission is granted the image appears on the screen.

Import

From the expo-camera package you import the Camera component and the CameraType constants. The syntax: import { Camera, CameraType } from 'expo-camera';. The names in curly braces are named exports of the package.

These two pieces work together: Camera is the component showing the camera view and CameraType is the constant for front/back selection. Camera takes a prop: style. You set the camera's screen size through this prop. The camera gives no image until permission is granted; we cover permission in the next lesson.

Exercise Import and add the camera

Complete the empty file. Import Camera and CameraType from expo-camera. Then return <Camera style={{{ flex: 1 }}} /> from the component.

Show example solution

import { Camera, CameraType } from 'expo-camera';

export default function App() {
  return <Camera style={{ flex: 1 }} />;
}

Test yourself

What does expo-camera provide?
- Only file storage
- Camera view and photo capture
- Only location info
- Only network requests
Show answer

Camera view and photo capture — expo-camera provides camera view and photo capture.

Write the import statement

import { ____ } from 'expo-camera';

Show answer

import { Camera } from 'expo-camera';

Match each part to its role

Camera

Camera component
CameraType

Front/back constant
expo-camera

Package name
style

View size

Next lesson: Camera permission

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