How to capture a image from webcam in Python?

In this article, we will discuss how to capture an image from the webcam using Python.

We will use OpenCV and PyGame libraries. Both libraries include various methods and functions to capture an image and video also. By using, these vast libraries we need to write only 4 to 5 lines of code to capture an image.

Method 1: Using OpenCV

OpenCV library is compatible with the Linux and windows both operating system. Users need to install the OpenCV library on their local computer using the below command before they go ahead.

Install command - pip install opencv-python

Approach

1. Import OpenCV library

2. Initialize the camera using the VideoCapture() method.

Syntax:

Python3

cam = VideoCapture(0)

3. Read input using the camera using the cam.read() method.

Syntax:

Python3

result, image = cam.read()

4. If input image detected without any error, show output

Syntax:

If result:
    
    # show the image
    imshow("GeeksForGeeks", image)
    
    # save the image
    imwrite("GeeksForGeeks.png", image)

else:
    Move to this part is input image has some error

Example:

Python3

# program to capture single image from webcam in python

# importing OpenCV library
from cv2 import *

# initialize the camera
# If you have multiple camera connected with
# current device, assign a value in cam_port
# variable according to that
cam_port = 0
cam = VideoCapture(cam_port)

# reading the input using the camera
result, image = cam.read()

# If image will detected without any error,
# show result
if result:

    # showing result, it take frame name and image
    # output
    imshow("GeeksForGeeks", image)

    # saving image in local storage
    imwrite("GeeksForGeeks.png", image)

    # If keyboard interrupt occurs, destroy image
    # window
    waitKey(0)
    destroyWindow("GeeksForGeeks")

# If captured image is corrupted, moving to else part
else:
    print("No image detected. Please! try again")

Output:

Method 2: Using PyGame

PyGame.camera() camera initializer supports only Linux operating system and Currently, It is not compatible with Windows. To install PyGame in Linux, Enter the below command on the Linux terminal.

Approach:

1. Import pygame.camera module

2. Initialize the camera using the camera.init() method.

Python3

pygame.camera.init()

3. Detect all available cameras using the list_cameras() method.

Python3

camlist = pygame.camera.list_cameras()

4. check if the camera is detected or not

Syntax:

if camlist:
    
    # Initialize and start camera  
    cam = pygame.camera.Camera(camlist[0], (640, 480))
    cam.start()
    
    # capturing the single image
    image = cam.get_image()
    
    # saving the image
    pygame.image.save(image, "filename.jpg")
    
else:
    if camera is not detected the moving to this part

Example:

Python3

# Python program to capture a single image
# using pygame library

# importing the pygame library
import pygame
import pygame.camera

# initializing  the camera
pygame.camera.init()

# make the list of all available cameras
camlist = pygame.camera.list_cameras()

# if camera is detected or not
if camlist:

    # initializing the cam variable with default camera
    cam = pygame.camera.Camera(camlist[0], (640, 480))

    # opening the camera
    cam.start()

    # capturing the single image
    image = cam.get_image()

    # saving the image
    pygame.image.save(image, "filename.jpg")

# if camera is not detected the moving to else part
else:
    print("No camera on current device")

Output: