Survey3W Camera -
Visible Light RGB



The Survey3 is the newest in our line of simple to use survey cameras. Every Survey3 camera includes an external USB GPS receiver to automatically geo-tag each captured image. Its 12MP sensor and sharp non-fisheye lens allows you to easily capture high resolution non-distorted media. It can capture photos using an internal intervalometer timer or can be sent a PWM signal through the HDMI port (see below). If you supply power to the USB port it will power on the camera automatically. Sized similar to a GoPro® Hero these small survey cameras can easily be used in the field handheld, tripod mounted or attached to your aerial drone platform using our various mounts.

This RGB model captures visible light just like our eyes do. A visible light camera for surveying is commonly used for capturing a reference color image that can be used to compare to a NDVI graded one. It can also be used for orthophotography where many photos are combined to generate a 3D model.


The Survey3 cameras have a faster interval timer: 1.5 seconds for JPG mode and 2.75 seconds for RAW+JPG mode. (Capture speed depends on the speed of the microSD card used). You can also trigger the photo capture using a PWM signal through the HDMI port (see triggering information below). PWM can also be used to mount the camera's memory card to a computer connected via USB. An exposure strobe pulse is sent out of the camera with each capture allowing you to log them for PPK (post process kinematics).

  • Specifications
  • Accessories
  • Survey Software Settings, PWM & Filter Chart
  • Firmware
  • Click the Green Tabs Above for More Information

    Image Resolution 12 MegaPixel (4,000 x 3,000 px), 8MP
    Image Format RAW+JPG, JPG (RAW is 12bit per channel, JPG is 8bit per channel)
    Video Resolution 2160p24, 1440p30, 1080p60, 720p60
    Video Format MP4 (H.264 Codec)
    USB Streaming 1920x1440, 30fps (H.264)
    Lens Optics 87° HFOV (19mm) f/2.8 Aperture, -1% Extreme Low Distortion (Non-Fisheye) Glass Lens
    Filter Transmission Visible Light (RGB): 375nm - 650nm
    Auto White Balancing Automatic white balancing in MCC software using photo of our calibration targets.
    Ground Sample Distance (GSD) 5.5 cm/px (2.17in/px) at 120 m (~400 ft) AGL
    Sensor Sony Exmor R IMX117 12MP (Bayer RGB)
    Chipset Novatek NTK96663
    GPS/GNSS (External)

    Standard: u-blox UBX-G7020-KT

    Advanced V2: u-blox M10

    Capture Speed RAW+JPG: 2.75 Seconds / Photo.  JPG: 1.5 Seconds / Photo
    Remote Trigger PWM (2000us) via HDMI port. Recommended Cable HERE.
    Exposure Strobe EXP pulse high (3V3) via HDMI port, each image exposure (can be logged for PPK). Recommended Cable HERE.
    Battery Removable Li-ion (1200mAh) (Not Required When USB Powered)
    Power Draw 5.2V, 0.3A (Idle), 0.33A (Photo Capturing), 0.7A (Battery Charging), 0.74A (Photo Capturing + Charging Battery)
    Weight 50g (1.8 oz) (Without Battery), 76g (2.7 oz) (With Battery)
    Dimensions 59 x 41.5 x 36mm (Length x Height x Depth)
    3D STEP Model Assembly
    DOWNLOAD HERE
    Operating Temperature -10°C to 65°C (14°F - 149°F)
    Memory Storage Micro SD (Up To 512GB Card) (64GB Card ≈ 15,000 JPG, 2,200 RAW+JPG)
    White Balance Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Tungsten / Fluorescent / Blue / Light Blue / Red / Light Red / Custom*
    Capture Interval OFF*, 0.5sec, 1sec, 2sec, 5sec, 10sec, 30sec, 1min, 5min, 10min, 30min, 1hour, 2hours, 6hours, 12hours, 24hours
    ISO 50* / 100 / 200 / 400, Auto
    Shutter Speed (s) 1/2000, 1/1000, 1/500, 1/250*, 1/125, 1/90, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, Auto
    Exposure +2.0 / +1.67 / +1.33 / +1.0 / +0.67 / +0.33 / +0.0* / -0.33 / -0.67 / -1.0 / -1.33 / -1.67 / -2.0
    Metering Average / Center* / Spot
    Color Normal* / Black and White / Sepia / Vivid
    Sharpness Strong / Medium* / Soft
    Capture Mode Single* / 3 Sequence / 10 Sequence
    LCD 2.0” Ultra Bright Color LCD Touch Screen
    Video Out HD 1080p (HDMI Micro), SD 480p (Optional USB FPV Cable)
    TV Mode NTSC* / PAL
    Power Input Battery, USB (Micro-A Cable Included, Optional Micro USB FPV Cable)
    Auto Power On (When Power Applied to USB Port) ON* / OFF
    Time Zone GMT - 0 (GNSS Time)
    OSD Language English*, French, Spanish, Portuguese Brazil, Dutch, Czech, Polish, German, Italian, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Korean
    Frequency 60Hz* / 50Hz
    OSD Display ON* / OFF
    Date Stamp ON / OFF*
    Sound ON* / OFF
    Quick Capture ON / OFF*
    Auto Power Off OFF* / 1min / 3min / 5min / 10min / 15min / 30min / 60min
    Auto Sleep LCD (Touch to Wake) 1min* / 3min / 5min / OFF
    Vertical Rotate ON / OFF*
    Included Accessories USB GPS Receiver, Battery, Lens Cap, USB Charge Cable, Manual
    * = Default Setting


  • Included:

    (1) Survey3 Standard GPS Receiver (we recommend upgrading ABOVE to the Advanced V2 GPS for better results)

    (1) Survey3 Camera Battery

    (1) Protective Silicone Lens Cap

    (1) USB Charging Cable


    Recommended:

    Reflectance Calibration Target - Normalize Your Results

    PWM Shutter Trigger + Exposure Strobe Cable

    USB FPV Power Cable

    Survey3 Glass Lens Protector

    Memory Card

  • For best stitching results, we recommend a survey overlap of at least 70% front-lap and 70% side-lap and a maximum 5mph (8kmh) speed for every 65ft (20m) of altitude (AGL) for RAW+JPG mode, and a maximum 10mph (16kmh) speed for every 65ft (20m) of altitude (AGL) for JPG only mode.

    Camera Parameters for Flight Management Software

    Sensor Resolution (megapixel) 12
    Sensor Size (mm) 6.20 x 4.65
    Sensor Pixel Size (um) 1.55
    Lens Focal Length (mm) 3.37
    Image Dimensions (pixels) 4000 x 3000

    Bayer Image Channels For Post Processing

    Channel 1 (Red) Captures Reflected Red Light
    Channel 2 (Green) Captures Reflected Green Light
    Channel 3 (Blue) Captures Reflected Blue Light