Which camera should I purchase? We often get asked the question "What is the best camera for Aerial Photography?"
Here is a summary of some of the most popular cameras used by our customers.
These are not the only suitable cameras,
just the latest and most popular ones suitable for use with our interface.
If you think any details are missing or incorrect, then feel free to let us know
- email support at blip.com.au |
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Note: We don't sell these cameras, they are available at good prices at any reputable
Canon or Nikon dealer. |
Canon G9
 Released Q3 2007. 12.1 Megapixel. 360g with battery.
This camera is probably the best point and shoot available at the moment for high quality AP
work. The zoom and shutter can be controlled and a video out port allows connection to
a video transmitter. Battery life is excellent. Can be powered via a voltage regulator, however a special adapter
(shaped like a battery pack) is required. This camera can shoot RAW mode, but this is not available when used via remote control. |
Canon S5IS Q3 2007
8 Megapixel. 450g without battery.
A top quality Japanese made Canon with a powerful 12x zoom and image stabilizer.
The larger lense makes these weigh a little more than other cameras, and the use of the powerful zoom may be limited when used from an aircraft due to camera shake.
The zoom and shutter can be controlled and a video out port allows connection to
a video transmitter. Can be powered via a voltage regulator. |
Canon SX100IS
8 Megapixels. 265g (without batteries). Released late 2007. This new camera has a very low price, but
it is perfect for R/C photography.
This camera is very similar to the S5IS, but in the same shape as the A series.
It features image stabilization, video out, and will provide shutter and zoom control when used with our URBI interface.
It can be powered externally by our adjustable voltage regulator (set to around 3.2v). Notice it has no optical viewfinder! |
Canon A640 and A620
10 and 7.1 Megapixels respectively. 245g without batteries. These two cameras are both very good
and can be found on eBay at good prices if you are on a budget. They came out in 2005/2006. The A620 was soon replaced with the A640 which is now
no longer produced as of Oct 2007. Both provide
shutter and zoom control when used with our URBI interface. These can easily be connected to our adjustable voltage regulator (we even include the required plug). Both feature Video Out, which can be used with a video transmitter so you
can preview the image on the ground.
A very popular choice and still a great camera. |
Canon EOS 400D / Rebel XTi
10.1 Megapixel SLR. Released 2006
The best Canon for pro results without spending too much. The price of these has
dropped recently and they are great value.
Our URBI interface will give you shutter control (no zoom as it is not motorized).
You can also make use of the intervalometer functionality and so forth. Obviously
these cameras are much heavier than the point and shoot cameras, but still easily
used on an appropriately sized aircraft. |
Nikon Coolpix L series
There are many cameras in this continually evolving series from Nikon.
They are small, very light (less than 200g), and produce great images.
We can't provide zoom control on these, and they are not particularly fast, but
they are a great camera for Aerial Photography.
If you are starting out in Aerial Photography, you can't go past one of these -
get one cheap on eBay and fly it on a small foamy for instant gratification!
If you want bigger images, just upgrade to a bigger camera - no change to our interface
is required. |
Other Nikon Coolpix series
As per the L series (which are Coolpix as well) these are all great cameras
for Aerial Photography.
Even the now ageing 3700 is in use on thousands of R/C models around the world.
No zoom control or video out, but this is no obstacle to getting great shots. |
Nikon SLR
The current range of Nikon Digital SLR cameras can all be used with our
URBI interface for shutter control.
We cannot provide zoom control on SLRs.
If image preview is required via a video transmitter, we'd recommed a micro video
camera is used. |