diff --git a/esphome/components/esp32_camera/__init__.py b/esphome/components/esp32_camera/__init__.py
index 4182683bdc..ca37cb392d 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esp32_camera/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/esp32_camera/__init__.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import logging
 from esphome import automation, pins
 import esphome.codegen as cg
 from esphome.components import i2c
-from esphome.components.esp32 import add_idf_component
+from esphome.components.esp32 import add_idf_component, add_idf_sdkconfig_option
 from esphome.components.psram import DOMAIN as psram_domain
 import esphome.config_validation as cv
 from esphome.const import (
@@ -352,6 +352,8 @@ async def to_code(config):
     cg.add_define("USE_CAMERA")
 
     add_idf_component(name="espressif/esp32-camera", ref="2.1.1")
+    add_idf_sdkconfig_option("CONFIG_SCCB_HARDWARE_I2C_DRIVER_NEW", True)
+    add_idf_sdkconfig_option("CONFIG_SCCB_HARDWARE_I2C_DRIVER_LEGACY", False)
 
     for conf in config.get(CONF_ON_STREAM_START, []):
         trigger = cg.new_Pvariable(conf[CONF_TRIGGER_ID], var)