FPV Camera for Drone | Key Factors and Recommendations

FPV stands for First Person Viewing. Why do we need a camera? Good question right!!! An FPV camera must provide a live analog video feed to the pilot such that the pilot can maneuver his drone. The video feed from this FPV camera is going to help the pilot to fly. HD cameras are another breed of cameras used on mini quads. Now the next question that comes to your mind is why there are 2 different types of cameras?

Both the FPV and HD camera are 2 types of cameras serving 2 different puposes.

FPV cameras provide very low latency video feed with exceptional image quality.

HD cameras record ultra sharp videos which are a treat to look at.

The latency from the HD camera is too high to be transmitted (approximately 150ms) and hence cannot be used for live video transmission, whereas FPV camera’s can’t record HD videos (or can they!! More on this below).

Traditionally FPV pilots have been using relatively expensive, large and bulky HD camera’s like the Runcam 3 or GoPro Hero 7. But gone are the stone age, where tiny miniaturized FPV camera’s like the Runcam Split 2 which has a 36x36 PCB recording 1080p video, costing 1/4th the cost of a GoPro and 5 times lighter in weight.

FPV camera’s come in all shapes and sizes. To simplify the buying process, below listed are some of the factors to consider which helps a person to evaluate a FPV camera and pick up the right one.

Best FPV Camera for Drone

Best FPV cameras have gotten better over time with the latencies getting drastically reduced and the image quality significantly improved. FPV cameras come in various sizes, for the various applications of quads in use today.

There are predominantly 3 main FPV camera sizes: Standard or Full-sized, Micro-Sized,and Nano-sized cameras.

Standard-sized cameras are mostly phased because of their bulky nature and have been replaced by Micro-sized cameras but Standard cameras are still in use today for their robustness and sturdiness.

Best Full Size FPV Camera

Best Micro FPV Camera

Caddx Ratel

The Ratel is a micro-sized FPV camera, is a Standard sized camera, that lost some weight by replacing the large metal housing with a smaller one. Micro-sized cameras are no slouches when compared to their full-sized counterparts with specifications equal to or exceeding the capabilities of standard-sized cams. Caddx Ratel's immense popularity is in part due to the exceptional image quality it offers. The Ratel boasts a large 1/1.8” sensor that has a resolution of 1200TVL. The imaging sensor is what Caddx calls a starlight sensor, the illumination of the moon and the stars in the night sky is sufficient enough light to fly. The Ratel also comes with a user-changeable 4:3 and a 16:9 aspect ratio and the camera output can be switched between PAL and NTSC by the user. This is user switchable feature is a convenient choice for many that might not want to be stuck with 4:3 or a PAL signal output. The Ratel can be picked with a 1.66mm lens or a 2.1mm, additionally the 2.1mm lens also comes with an ND filter. 

Best Nano FPV Camera

Runcam Nano 2

Runcam Nano 4 is a nano-sized camera that is mostly used on 3” and smaller builds. The Nano 4 retains the same 1/3” CMOS sensors found on other larger Runcam counterparts, with a resolution of 800TVL. The camera comes with a super wide angle and a fixed video output which can be picked between PAL or NTSC when buying. The Nano 4 comes with a 2.1mm  @155° FOV and a 1.8mm @170° FOV lens. The Nano 4 sheds weight (2.9g) by opting for an ABS housing for the camera sensor and had to forego the ability to take large voltage ranges. The connectors come soldered on, saving you the hassle of you soldering on those small pads. But for the price and image quality it offers, the Runcam Nano 4 is the best winner in this category. Another worthy mention is the Runcam Phoenix 2 Nano  that has user switchable aspect ratios and video outputs and can take voltages of up to 36V with a very low power consumption.

Best AIO FPV Camera

Micro AIO FPV Camera

AIO cameras are a compact breed of FPV cameras that come with a camera and a Video transmitter but in a package smaller than a typical Video transmitter. Coming in at around $20 for the camera, VTX, and antenna package, the AKK is still cheaper than the Caddx Ratel. The AIO camera has an overall weight of 4.2g, 4.2g for the camera, VTX, and the transmitter. The camera has a 120° FOV and Getfpv provides a 3D printable camera mount. The VTX is a 48 channel, capable of transmitting at 0mW, 25mW, and 200mW which can be powered with a voltage between 2.9-5.5V. The transmitter surprisingly for its small size supports smart audio through which it connects to Betaflight. A close second is the Wolwhoop Micro AIO with similar specifications.

Factors to consider when choosing FPV Camera

Imaging Sensor- CCD or CMOS

Both CCD and CMOS image sensors start by capturing the image and converting the image into digital signals. The next step is to read the value (electrons or charge accumulated by the camera). This is where the similarities between the two end. The major difference is how the electrical signal is processed and outputted.

In a CCD image sensor, the electrical signal is transported across the chip and are read at one of the corners of the array. The electrical charge from line of pixels is transferred to the next, until all the pixel lines have completed outputting.

Unlike the CCD, CMOS sensors read the electrical signals at each individual pixel (A pixel is a tiny dot or square that is part of a digital image). CMOS sensors have individual transistors for individual pixels compared to a few transistors in a CCD sensor.

Another major disadvantage of the CMOS sensors is how they capture the image. CCD sensors use global shutter (captures the image instantaneously) and CMOS sensors use rolling shutter (rolling shutter- capture the image line by line). As CMOS sensor’s output the image line by line, any vibrations may cause the image to distort. This distortion is known as JELLO effect.

If you didn’t understand any of the technical stuff above, know this: CCD image sensor’s creates high quality images and are less susceptible to electrical noise. CMOS tend to have lower light sensitivity while consuming significantly lower power than a CCD image sensor. CMOS also have a lower image quality, but with constant improvements CMOS sensors are trying to catch up with CCD sensors.

Form Factor

There are 4 major camera sizes- Standard, Mini, Micro and Nano size. These cameras are categorized based on the mounting holes that help to mount the camera to the frame. Each drone frame is different and support particular camera sizes. Hence it is important to take note the camera size before buying the camera and rather have an incompatible camera that is too large or too small to be used on the frame you intend to use.

Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio refers to the image size that is being displayed on a monitor or screen. A 16x9 image format will have a wider and shorter image than a 4x3. The 4x3 image format may appear to be taller. There are FPV pilots who prefer both the 16x9 and 4x3. But it is widely accepted that a 4x3 image format helps in flying better because of the taller image.

But aspect ratio may also depend on the camera and the camera lens. Some FPV cameras support both 16x9 and 4x3 image format. Most CMOS cameras support 16x9 natively, for a CMOS camera to display 4x3 image format, the sides may appear to be chopped from the 16x9 to form a 4x3 image.

Latency

FPV cameras require time to capture and process the image. This time taken by the camera to convert an image into electrical signals is known as latency. Lower the latency the better.

Latency may not just be attributed to the camera itself. Video transmitters and the LCD screens in the FPV goggles may also add to the latency.

If you are flying slow and closer to you latency does not pose a major concern for the buyer. But when flying a race quad at 100mph with a 100ms delay from the FPV camera, the drone is 4m ahead giving you no time to react and correct on your inputs.

That’s the theory, most modern FPV cameras have as little as 10ms delay time. With constant improvements cameras such as the Foxeer Predator V3 have as little as 4ms latency.

Input Voltage

Input voltage refers to the range of voltages that can be safely supplied for the safe operation of the camera. A well built FPV camera will support a wide range of voltages with most modern cameras having voltage supports of up to 35v. The camera’s have an in built linear BEC that steps down the voltage to 3.3v (the internal working voltage of the electronics inside the cam is 3.3v).

It is not recommended to supply a large voltage for the camera as it has a lower operating voltage internally. Higher the input voltage harder the BEC works to step down that voltage. Supplying a lower voltage also keeps the camera cooler comparatively.

So it is recommended to supply a lower input voltage. Most modern FC’s have filtered voltage supplies dedicated for FPV camera, so it is worth taking a look at the FC you are going to be using. Voltages within 12v is considered nominal.

Field of View

Field of view (FOV) refers to the observable area captured by the camera. The camera’s lens size determines the FOV. Smaller the camera lens, larger the FOV.

Larger FOV allows you to see more but that may not necessarily be a good thing. With larger FOV it becomes difficult to observe the minute details such as branches of trees. With our limited vTx’s it becomes much worse. A FOV between 130-150° is considered ideal with a considerable amount of view and exceptional details. The below diagram illustrates a narrow and wide FOV camera.

Video Encoding Format- NTSC or PAL

Video encoding is the process of converting video signals (in our case electrons from the FPV cam) into a format that can be read by monitors (FPV monitors or goggles). This is usually taken care by the FPV camera. The most commonly used video formats are NTSC (National Television System Committee or PAL (Phase Alternating Line).

The main difference between NTSC and PAL is, NTSC has a 720x480 resolution at 30fps and PAL has a 720x576 resolution at 25fps.

NTSC with its higher frame rates allows for a smooth video playback. PAL with its slightly better resolution allows for sharper texts from OSD. But it’s based on your personal preference. Pick a video format that works for you. Since most FPV camera’s support both formats, it’ll be easier for one switch back and forth and pick one that works.

TVL- Camera Resolution

TVL stands for TV Lines. TVL is the measure of resolution of analog cameras. A 1000TVL camera can capture 500 Black and 500 White alternating lines in one frame.

Wide Dynamic Ranging (WDR)

Wide dynamic ranging is the fancy word referring to the camera’s ability to capture the bright and dark parts of an image. Dynamic range is the difference between the darkest and the brightest parts of an image.

WDR comes into picture when you fly outdoors where the sun casts shadows and becomes less of a factor when flying on cloudy days. An Overexposed image is where the brighter parts of the image is blownout and an underexposed image is where the darker parts of the image appears even darker.

A good WDR enabled camera tends to have the perfect balance between overexposure and underexposure. Most modern FPV cameras have WDR enabled by default, but the WDR ability of the camera is not generally published by the manufacturer.

Other factors to consider

Low light performance

Camera’s work by capturing the light reflecting off a body. At evenings and even at night, with the sun not providing light, it becomes very difficult to see for the camera. Low light performance, as the name suggests, it is the ability of a camera to capture images at very low lighting conditions.

Low light performance is not something to be mistaken for WDR. Some FPV camera’s claim 0.00001 Lux (A unit to measure the illumination of light) compared to the living room lights of an average home at 50 Lux. So people flying at night should consider this as a deciding factor.

On Screen Display (OSD)

OSD is the ability of the camera to overlay flight information. The OSD on the camera can provide us with only basic information such as the approximate battery voltage. If you’re flying quads this factor is not that Important because Drone Flight Controllers have dedicated OSD chips to take care of this.

But if the camera is going to be used on an RC airplane which has no dedicated FC or OSD chips, the OSD information provided by the camera becomes essential.

HD Cameras for FPV

HD cameras like the GoPro hero 7 shown here are meant to capture HD videos throughout the flying of the quad. HD cameras allow you to record videos at 720p (1280x720) or even at 1080p (1920x1080) resolution, compared to the 360p (480x320) resolution of the non HD FPV camera.

So why do people use HD camera’s rather than using DVR (Digitial video recording) on their goggle’s? The answer is simple, Pilots simply don’t like to use the video (which has a lower resolution and filled with static or noise) provided by the DVR. This HD video feed can be used for aerial photography, inspections or upload the videos to Youtube and show off the pilot’s skills.

Traditionally large bulky and expensive HD camera’s were used, where a decent HD camera would cost upwards of $150. But with advancement in technology, HD camera’s have been miniaturized into a tiny 36x36 PCB.

In the above image shown is the Runcam split 2, one of the first HD/FPV cameras. Not only does this improvement eliminate the need for standalone FPV camera’s by providing video out for the analog vTx’s thereby reducing weight and also record videos at 1080p/60fps.

The video gets recorded on a SD card and accessories include a wifi module for wireless communication with the board.Though we do not recommend this 2in1 FPV camera’s for a beginner, but would would be a fine upgrade for intermediate to advanced pilots and subsequent builds for a beginner.

Camera settings

Conclusion

So what have we learnt so for, FPV camera terminologies, factors to consider and other useful features to look into when buying. This article tries to give you a brief idea and by no means covers everything. Every pilot flies in a different environment and hence the recommended FPV cam may change, but the factors to consider play a major role in buying a FPV cam for your needs.

If you are not confident enough to decide on your own, below listed are some of the best performing FPV cameras in the market.