Some factors to take into account when buying a camera for aerial video / FPV:

A.THE CAMERA

Camera manuf.:

ex.

KT&C® (Korea Technology and Communications company)

(as with any consumer electronics product, the brand name stands behind the product)


Sensor Chipset manuf.:

ex.

Sony®
Panasonic®
Sharp®

(as with any consumer electronics product, the brand name stands behind the product)


Sensor type:

ex.

CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)

CCD (Charge Coupled Device)

(for medium to low cost applications, CCD have proven superior to low cost CMOS sensors)


Sensor properties and composition:

ex.

HAD (Hyper Amorpheous Diode)

Ex-view

Interline/ Double Interline

(see this link for further reading: http://ktnc.co.kr/support_01.asp )


Sensor Resolution:

ex.

480 TVL

(sometimes also given in pixels)

(In general, a higher number will yield a sharper picture with more information; nevertheless, it is up to the
camera manuf., not the chipset manuf., to fully exploit the potential of the sensor).


Light Sensitivity:

ex.

0.5 Lux

(besides the lower number meaning more sensitivity to light, a lower lux rating will also give less noise in a dark picture)


Sensor size:

ex.

1/4"
1/3"
1/2"

(In general, a bigger sensor size will allow more light, i.e., the picture forming force and element, to reach the sensor resulting in a better picture).

(as in all things in life, this comes with a price, sometimes creating contrast conflicts).


Camera functions and properties:

WDR: Wide Dynamic Range
AGC: Automatic Gain Control
Gain:
BLC: Back light compensation
S/N: Signal to Noise ratio (in dB)
Auto Balance:
Mirror function:
(Image processing chipset)

(see further technical reading)

Lens:

(Board lens, C/CS mount lens, Varifocal, Monofocal, Motorized)

ex.

3.6mm

(by adjusting focal lengths, one can create different perspectives and effects in the video picture)

Zoom:

not very relevant unless doing UAV work.


B. WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A CAMERA FOR FPV:

Color

(Accurate, rich, full color rendering is a must)

Contrast

(sometimes, too many trees make you not see the forest)

Brightness

(remember that white light contains all colors, i.e., this is what makes or breaks your color composition)

Response to Light

(quick transition between different light conditions is fundamental)

The processor responsible for image rendering

(it is useless to have a great capturing device if the image processing unit does a mediocre job rendering the information to be viewed)

Cameras that worked well for other FPVers

(probabily one of the wiser methods of selection)

(Check list below)

Some available cameras that were tested and give good results for FPV: (~List of CCDs that work well~).

KT&C KPC-650CH

KT&C KPC-S700CHB

KT&C KPC-S226CB

Panasonic cx-161/121

(See this link for further reading: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=631723 )

Hope this sheds some light on the subject.
Remember, it's the light that makes the picture.

Gizmo

Hey Gizmo!

Another EXCELLENT post!!!!!! You know I think many will use this excellent reference when shopping for their next camera!! You answered my questioned regarding the post I made regarding this! Thank you!!!

Is the Sony 520 a good choice? I did not see it on your list.

Originally Posted by WBFlyer

Is the Sony 520 a good choice? I did not see it on your list.

i have not heard good things about that perticular camera (but someone who has one can correct me if im wrong)

personally id go with the KX131..

im going to be trying out the KPC-S700CHB Aka KX151 ill let you guys know what i think about it once i wire it all up.

walter

oh, ok. I was going to buy the Future Hobby Elite kit but it has teh Sony camera..

Originally Posted by WBFlyer

oh, ok. I was going to buy the Future Hobby Elite kit but it has teh Sony camera..

i thought i remember seeing a thread around here on the futurehobbies sony 520 camera do a search for it im sure there is lots of info there.

have a good one
walter