The mid size camera for use on a UAV or UAS

BARNARD MICROSYSTEMS LIMITED

helping you keep an eye on things...

Home / unmanned air systems / payload I / mid size camera

features
issues
applications I
applications II
geological survey
oil leakage
engines
avionics
airframes
payload I
payload II
data processing
milestones
calendar
reference

payload I

UV sensors
DSLR camera
mid size camera
compact camera
stereo
line scan
multi-spectral
hyperspectral
thermal imaging
lidar scan

The mid size camera

The excellent (in our opinion) Canon G9 mid size camera, with a 12 MPixel imager, an optical zoom of 6x and the ability to control the camera from a computer through a USB interface.

See "imaging" for examples of photographs using the G9
See "Aerial Photo 1" for aerial photographs using the G9

The Canon G9 mid-size camera

- from http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/G9/G9A.HTM

Features

weight	320 grams
max resolution	4,000 x 3,000 pixels
movie resolution and frame rate	1,024 x 768 pixels at 15 and 30 fps
focal length range	35 - 210 mm
zoom range	up to 6x
focus	auto
f/ stop	f/2.8 to f/8.0
connectivity	USB 2.0
cost	£ 294.70 from amazon.co.uk

This camera system is ideal for the smaller Unmanned Aircraft. Thanks to Michael Taylor for pointing this camera out to us.

return to top

Computer control of the camera

The ability to control the camera from a computer is an essential requirement for a professional Unmanned Aircraft based surveillance and photographic capability. The Canon G9 can be easily controlled by a computer through the use of the USB connection, using the RemoteCaptureDC software supplied with the camera.

The quality of the streaming video imagery from this camera is excellent, even when the camera is moving.

Demonstrating the ability to remotely zoom in, the above photograph was taken at the widest angle, while the lower photograph was taken at the maximum zoom corresponding to the smallest zoom. I cleaned the laptop screen after seeing this photograph.

You can download the Canon Software Development Kit (SDK) from the Canon Digital Imaging Developer Programme site called https://www.didp.canon-europa.com/ once you have requested access, and been granted access, to the site.

return to top

Pro and cons

The good points

good quality images, across zoom ranges
good video imagery, even when the camera is moving
not too heavy at 320 grams, including the lens
relatively inexpensive at just under £ 300 in the U.K. (from www.amazon.co.uk )
very good remote camera control software via USB connection to a Personal Computer

The not-so-good points

takes about 3 seconds between single images due to time for auto-focus and image data storage

return to top