"If we suddenly didn’t have access to the supply chain we do now. DSLR cameras would not be possible at scale."

If we suddenly didn't have access to the supply chain as we do now, his camera wouldn't be possible but higher quality cameras would be. As I already explained, hobbiest parts are last in line.

I don't think you read the article or if you did you don't understand any of it. The "new" part wasn't using an esp32cam. There have been thousands of people making esp32 cameras before this person. Tens of thousands of others have purchased Pi cam modules.

The new part was using ePaper instead of an lcd.

As the creator said, his ePaper camera is an interesting concept where you can take a single permanent photo. When you take another photo, your previous photo is lost forever.

The camera part, that you've been obsessed about, is completely irrelevant.