Optimizations are provided for asynchronously performing camera frame allocations in which camera frame requests are received from multiple image consuming components that each compete for use of one or more shared cameras to obtain one or more digital images of a surrounding environment. After receiving a batch of multiple camera frame requests, an arbiter pre-processes those requests by determining an execution order for each request in the batch. Once this execution order is established, then the arbiter sends those requests to a camera system for processing. Processing a request includes obtaining one or more digital images of the surrounding environment. In this manner, significant advantages are realized because the arbiter dynamically allocates the camera system's processing.