STM32 OCR Project - Help choosing CAM

[blurry]

Hello, 
I'm learning embedded development (junior level) and picked up a free STM32u575zit6q Nucleo Dev Board.

My goal is to build an embedded system that captures a VIN string and saves it to a .csv file. Ideally done through embedded and low level. Later I'd like to incorporate cloud systems to easily see the csv as a spreadsheet on an app or webpage and phase out the LCD/IPS display.

My main question is, how important is an FIFO for this board and would it hurt if I don't buy a camera that has one installed? What cams would be ideal for this project? 

Is there a system for scanning VINs and converting them to strings easily? I was thinking of incorporating Yolo/OpenCV but not sure if this microprocessor would be powerful enough.

Any advice on my design choices? 
Display:

2.4 inch SPI onilne shop factory ESP32 LCD TFT Electronic Module colorful RGB 65k ILI9341 Display 320*240 

Camera Module:

b_u585i_iot02_: when looking through the projects, I noticed the STMU5 already had some camera driver support 
B-CAMS-OMV Camera Module STMicroelectronics camera module (MB1379)
– Based on the OV5640 image sensor offering a 5-Mpixel resolution with 8-bit color

This however was my first choice until I noticed the importance of an FIFO for an STM32
OV7670 300KP camera module module Supports VGA CIF auto exposure control display active size 640X480 For Arduino
or the Rasp Pi/Adrucam 12 MP IMX477*

When choosing a camera module, what am I looking for? If it's DCIM or STM32 compatible or just forums and documentation? 

If you could explain why both the ST cameras are HQ 5 MP but look extremely different that'd be helpful. 

Thank you,
Dan (blurry)

[KDJEM.1 · Accepted solution]

Hello @blurry and welcome to the community;

To know if a CMOS sensor (a camera module) is compatible with the DCMI or not, the user must check the following points in the CMOS sensor specifications:
• Parallel interface (8-, 10-, 12-, or 14-bit)
• Control signals (VSYNC, HSYNC, and PIXCLK)
• Supported pixel clock frequency output
• Supported data output

The AN5020 mentioned some examples of supported camera by STM32 DCMI.
There is a wide range of camera modules and CMOS sensors that are compatible with the STM32 DCMI.
The table below lists some of them.

I recommend you to look at AN5020 "Introduction to digital camera interface (DCMI) for STM32 MCUs".  This application note gives to the STM32 users some basic concepts, with easy-to-understand explanations of the features, architecture, and configuration of the DCMI. It is supported by an extensive set of detailed examples.

I hope this help you.

Thank you.

Kaouthar