Written by: Maria Zavarce

Contributor: Lukas Wilgosh

Features to Know When Evaluating an RGB Camera for Your Drone

December 19, 2024

4 minutes read

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Ground Sample Distance (GSD)

Nadir vs. Oblique Cameras

Payload Weight and Compatibility

In drone imaging, the quality of your RGB photos and data depends largely on your RGB camera’s features. Ground Sample Distance, sensor resolution, and camera type all influence the level of detail captured during flights. In this blog, we’ll explore how these key features along with factors like payload compatibility and focal length affect your aerial photography and mapping capabilities helping you choose the perfect RGB camera for your drone missions.

Ground Sample Distance (GSD)

Ground Sample Distance is the real-world size of each pixel in a captured image when flying at a certain altitude. For instance, a GSD of 1.50 cm @ 100m AGL means that every pixel represents 1.5 cm of ground when your drone is flying 100 meters Above Ground Level.

A low GSD offers finer detail, which is critical for high-resolution mapping and creating 3D models. For instance, the Sentera 65R is a high-resolution RGB camera with a 0.45 cm/pixel GSD at 38 meters, ideal for detailed agricultural mapping and 3D modelling. It captures 9344 x 7000 resolution images at 3 fps and integrates seamlessly with drones like Blue UAS drones the DJI Matrice 350 RTK.

In contrast, higher GSD values, while less detailed, may be suitable for broader applications like larger landscape overviews.

Nadir vs. Oblique Cameras

The type of camera you choose greatly impacts how your data looks.

Nadir Cameras:
• Capture images looking straight down, offering a bird’s-eye view.
• Best For: Mapping, surveying, and orthophoto generation. These cameras are great in projects requiring flat, top-down imagery, such as agricultural mapping or road surveys.
• Perfect for creating high-accuracy 2D maps.

Oblique Cameras:
• Capture images at an angle, using multiple lenses pointing in different directions.
• Best For: Generating realistic 3D models, capturing building facades, and conducting urban mapping or structural inspections.
• Excellent for detailed modelling of complex structures, like historical landmarks or urban planning projects.

Hybrid and Versatile Camera Systems

Some advanced camera systems blur the lines between nadir and oblique imaging by combining features of both in one payload.

Payloads like the DJI Zenmuse P1 are designed for nadir shots but also offer Smart Oblique Capture modes, enabling angled imaging during the same flight. This makes them capable of both generating orthophotos and creating detailed 3D models.

On the other hand, multi-lens oblique cameras, such as Share UAV Oblique Cameras include a dedicated nadir lens in their array. These systems combine multiple angled lenses (four oblique cameras) with one lens facing directly downward. This integration ensures seamless capture of both top-down and multi-angle imagery in a single mission, enabling the creation of comprehensive datasets for applications like urban mapping, building facade modelling, and topographic surveys.

The choice between nadir and oblique cameras depends on your project’s needs. Modern hybrid systems provide the flexibility to adapt to a variety of use cases.

Sensor Resolution

The sensor resolution, measured in megapixels (MP), indicates how many pixels a camera can capture per image. For instance, a 20 MP sensor captures 20 million pixels.

Higher resolution means more detail in your images. For mapping or inspections, this can translate into sharper visuals, enabling you to zoom in on tiny details without losing clarity. However, higher resolution also means larger file sizes, which can affect storage and processing times.

Total Resolution

Total resolution refers to the dimensions of an image (e.g., 5472 x 3648 pixels) and influences its sharpness and clarity.

Helps ensure images remain sharp when zoomed in.
Essential for creating detailed mosaics or large-scale maps.

A higher total resolution allows for better post-processing flexibility, such as cropping or zooming, without compromising quality.

Sensor Types

CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) sensors are a popular choice for drone cameras due to their lightweight and energy-efficient design, which enhances overall flight performance. These sensors are capable of high-speed data processing, delivering excellent image quality, particularly in bright and well-lit conditions.

CMOS sensors are especially effective for daytime operations, such as inspections, mapping, and photography, where lighting conditions are optimal. Their ability to process data quickly makes them ideal for high-speed surveys, ensuring clear and stable imagery. However, while CMOS sensors excel in most scenarios, their performance in low-light conditions may not match the capabilities of larger-format sensors.

Larger sensors have the advantage of capturing more light, which significantly enhances image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. They offer superior low-light performance, delivering richer image detail and a greater dynamic range that effectively captures both highlights and shadows. These attributes make larger sensors ideal for applications like dawn and dusk photography, where inspections or surveys benefit from the soft lighting of golden hours. They also excel in shaded areas, maintaining clarity and detail even in shadowed environments.

The Phase One P3 UAV payload features a medium format sensor that is 1.7 times larger than typical sensors, providing exceptional detail and dynamic range. Paired with the RSM 35mm f/5.6 lens, it excels in aerial inspections of large assets, delivering sharp, high-quality images even in complex lighting conditions.

Focal Length

Focal length, measured in millimeters plays a crucial role in determining a camera’s field of view (FoV), influencing how much of the scene is captured in a single shot. Wide-angle lenses, with shorter focal lengths, are perfect for capturing expansive landscapes or covering large survey areas in fewer shots.

On the other hand, telephoto lenses, which feature longer focal lengths, allow for zooming into specific details, such as identifying cracks in bridges or capturing distant wildlife. The choice of focal length depends on the nature of the mission, whether it requires broad coverage or the ability to focus on finer details.

Payload Weight and Compatibility

The performance of your drone, particularly its ability to carry and handle a camera is largely influenced by the weight of the camera and its compatibility with the drone’s gimbal or mount.

A lighter camera not only extends the drone's flight time but also improves its maneuverability, allowing for more agile movements during operations. Ensuring that the camera is compatible with the drone's setup helps avoid potential issues.

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About the Author

Maria Zavarce, Marketing Coordinator at Measur, brings over two years of specialized experience in the drones and robotics industry. Combining her knowledge of emerging technologies with 8+ years of inbound marketing and SEO, she provides actionable insights into the transformative power of advanced solutions.

BRINC Lemur 2: The Next Evolution in Public Safety Drones

In life-threatening emergencies, responders are often faced with complex, unpredictable environments where every second counts. The BRINC Lemur 2 drone is designed to assist them in precisely these moments, entering the most hazardous situations to gather critical information, communicate with individuals on the ground, and deliver lifesaving tools. Combining advanced imaging, autonomous navigation, and rugged adaptability, the public safety drone offers a new level of situational awareness and control, ultimately helping save lives.

At the heart of the Lemur 2 is a powerful suite of sensors, optimized for visibility and data gathering in even the harshest conditions. Its 4K camera offers sharp, high-resolution footage during the day, ensuring that every detail in the surrounding environment is captured. But this public safety drone truly shines when light becomes scarce. With integrated night vision and thermal sensors, it cuts through the darkness and detects heat signatures, giving operators vital information when navigating tight, GPS-denied spaces such as collapsed buildings, smoke-filled rooms, or other low-visibility environments.

Real-Time Mapping with LiDAR

Time is of the essence in critical missions, and having an accurate map of your surroundings can make all the difference. The Lemur 2’s onboard LiDAR system offers real-time environmental scanning, generating live, precise 2D floor plans as it moves.

With over 570,000 data points collected per second, the drone builds a comprehensive map of even the most cluttered or challenging environments. This real-time mapping capability not only enhances visibility for remote operators but also supports teams working on the ground, helping them strategize their next move with accurate, up-to-the-second data.

In a collapsed building scenario, for instance, the drone’s LiDAR data can reveal blocked passageways or the safest path forward, saving lives by streamlining search and rescue efforts.

Autonomy and Control

Navigating tight, complex spaces is one of the greatest challenges for any unmanned aerial vehicle, but the Lemur 2 takes this in stride. Its dynamic autonomy system includes obstacle awareness and Smart Speed, a feature that automatically slows the drone as it approaches objects. Whether flying through narrow hallways, cluttered rooms, or multi-story buildings, the Lemur 2 maintains precision control, reducing the risk of collisions.

This intelligent navigation is crucial for drones for law enforcement in hostage situations, where the drone needs to enter buildings discreetly or in disaster areas where responders face multiple hazards.

Breaking Barriers with the Glass Breaker

For law enforcement and emergency responders, gaining rapid entry into secured or inaccessible spaces is often critical. That’s where the Lemur 2’s glass breaker attachment proves its value. Capable of shattering tempered, automotive, and most residential glass, this tool enables responders to breach windows quickly and safely, providing access to trapped individuals or creating openings for ventilation during fires.

In an active shooter situation, for example, the ability to break through windows without putting personnel at risk allows law enforcement to gather crucial intelligence and take action from a safe distance.

Delivering Essentials

The Lemur 2’s multipurpose dropper, capable of carrying and delivering payloads of up to 1 pound, offers another layer of functionality. From delivering medical supplies to victims trapped inside a building, to sending negotiator phones into high-risk environments, the dropper provides tactical solutions without requiring direct human involvement. This "last inch" delivery system ensures that essential tools or aid reach their destination, even when the situation is too dangerous for people to approach directly.

In scenarios where even opening a door could pose a significant risk, this capability keeps first responders out of harm's way while still accomplishing critical tasks.

Built to Survive Harsh Conditions

Designed for durability, the Lemur 2 can handle tough conditions. Its IP24 rating means it's protected against water and dust, allowing it to perform reliably in environments where other drones might struggle. Additionally, its advanced AES-256 encryption ensures that all communications remain secure, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information.

This combination of rugged features makes the Lemur 2 a versatile tool, whether deployed in a flood zone, a fire, or a high-security situation. It’s built to work in the most demanding conditions, keeping responders informed and protected at all times.

A Future of Safer Operations

The Lemur 2 represents the future of public safety drones. By combining cutting-edge technology with practical, lifesaving features, it enhances the capabilities of first responders and law enforcement agencies worldwide. Flying through smoke, navigating collapsed buildings, or delivering vital supplies, the Lemur 2 redefines efficiency and safety in dangerous environments. It’s a game-changer, designed to access areas others can’t, providing essential support to help save lives.

Oct 22, 2024

Measur Signs Canadian Distribution Agreement with BRINC Drones

October 7th, 2024 - Measur, Canada's leading unmanned systems distributor, and BRINC Drones, a leader in public safety technology, today announced a strategic partnership to bring BRINC's range of uncrewed technology manufactured in the USA, to public safety agencies across Canada. This partnership will expand the availability of BRINC's advanced public safety solutions, including the Responder, Station, Lemur 2, and BRINC Ball across Canada. By working together, Measur and BRINC Drones aim to enhance public safety and provide first responders in Canada with the cutting-edge technology they need to excel in their missions.

Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, BRINC Drones is at the forefront of innovation in public safety technology. BRINC Drones offers a range of advanced products designed to enhance situational awareness, streamline emergency operations, and facilitate effective communication in high-stress environments. Their innovative solutions, including the Responder, Lemur 2, BRINC Station, and BRINC Ball, are tailored to meet the rigorous demands of first responders and public safety agencies. With features like real-time thermal imaging, LiDAR mapping, rapid deployment capabilities, and durable communication systems, BRINC Drones equips emergency teams with the essential tools to make informed decisions and perform critical missions accurately and efficiently.

“BRINC is excited to partner with Measur to bring BRINC’s cutting-edge technology to agencies across Canada,” said Andrew Coté, Vice President of Strategy and Growth at BRINC. “This partnership expands the reach of our purpose-built for public safety technology and provides Canadian first responders with critical tools to enhance situational awareness and improve response times. Together with Measur, we look forward to supporting public safety efforts and increasing the visibility of BRINC products across Canada.”

BRINC Responder

BRINC’s Responder drone is the world’s first purpose-built 911 response drone. It offers exceptional situational awareness with a 640px resolution thermal camera, 40X total zoom, and rapid deployment features. It integrates with the BRINC ecosystem for advanced capabilities in emergency response.

Learn More

BRINC Station

A cutting-edge drone charging nest that ensures rapid deployment of Responder in under 5 seconds. The station is engineered for reliability and durability, with features like fast charging, climate control, and compatibility with Starlink and solar panels.

Learn More

Lemur 2

A versatile drone designed for indoor tactical environments, equipped with 4K daytime, night vision, thermal sensors, and real-time LiDAR mapping. The Lemur 2 also features dynamic autonomy and advanced obstacle detection for superior navigation and safety.

Learn More

BRINC Ball

An innovative communication device designed for high-stakes situations, featuring a sensitive microphone, 4G/LTE connectivity, and powerful speakers, ensuring clear and reliable communication in any environment.

Learn More

"We have seen an increase in demand from our public safety partners across Canada for USA-manufactured uncrewed technology that is capable, affordable, and accessible. The BRINC ecosystem between hardware, like the Lemur 2 for indoor tactical operations or the Responder for outdoor response, and LiveOps software creates an industry-first all-in-one operations platform that unifies drone operations for public safety professionals. We are extremely excited to introduce BRINC's turnkey drone program for public safety and emergency responders across Canada.” said Lukas Wilgosh, Vice President - Unmanned Technologies at Measur.

Starting today, all BRINC Drones products are available for sale by Measur including the Responder, Lemur 2, Station,Ball, and LiveOps software. Measur will provide local support and service to BRINC operators in all of our service locations across Canada.

About BRINC Drones

BRINC is an American developer of technology in the service of public safety. The company builds a connected ecosystem of tools designed to save lives. BRINC manufactures its products in the US, has co-located R&D and production, and is vertically integrated, controlling the entirety of its supply chain. Over 500 public safety agencies and 10%+ of the SWAT teams in the US use its products to de-escalate dangerous situations and safeguard human life. The company is backed by top investors, including Sam Altman, Index Ventures, Dylan Field, Elad Gil, Patrick Shanahan, Julius Genachowski, Shyam Sankar, Alexandr Wang, Bradley Tusk and Jeff Weiner.

For more information, visit: brincdrones.com

About Measur

Measur is Canada's commercial drone experts. Founded in 2001, Measur has become the most trusted source for aerial solutions in mining & aggregates, agriculture & forestry, infrastructure & utilities, construction, surveying & mapping and oil & gas.

Learn more: drones.measur.ca

Oct 07, 2024

How Drones Enhance Bathymetric Surveys: A Safer and More Efficient Approach

Bathymetric surveys, which involve mapping the underwater topography of lakes, rivers, oceans, and other bodies of water, have historically been conducted using traditional manned boats equipped with sonar systems. While effective, these methods can be time-consuming, expensive, and sometimes risky, especially in shallow, remote, or hazardous waters. However, drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned surface vessels (USVs) are facilitating bathymetric surveys by offering a faster, more efficient, and safer alternative.

What is a bathymetric survey?

A bathymetric survey measures the depth and topography of the underwater surface, providing a detailed map of the waterbed. These surveys are essential for a variety of industries, including environmental monitoring, coastal engineering, underwater construction, and scientific research. Traditional methods often rely on echo sounders mounted on boats or ships, but drones now offer new possibilities for bathymetric data collection.

Types of Drones Used for Bathymetric Surveys

There are two primary types of drones used in bathymetric surveys, Aerial Drones (UAVs) and Surface Drones or USVs:

Aerial Drones (UAVs)

Drone-Based Echo Sounder

EchoLogger ECT D052S Echo Sounder

These drones are typically used to collect aerial data or to assist in launching smaller surface drones. They can also be equipped with LiDAR sensors or photogrammetry systems to map the water surface. For example, the DJI M350 RTK, can be outfitted with devices like the EchoLogger ECT D052S, a high-performance dual-frequency echo sounder that measures water depths between 0.5 to 200 meters. This echo sounder comes equipped with tilt and temperature sensors and features an RS232 interface, allowing easy integration with drones. Its lightweight and durable design make it ideal for deployment in challenging environments, offering accurate underwater data collection for small to large-scale water bodies. The echo sounder provides a versatile, efficient solution for detailed underwater mapping without the need for traditional manned vessels.

Oct 01, 2024

Measur