The accuracy potential of large format stillvideo cameras

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Hans Gerd Maas - , ETH Zurich (Author)
  • Markus Niederöst - , ETH Zurich (Author)

Abstract

High resolution digital stillvideo cameras have found wide interest in digital close range photogrammetry in the last five years. They can be considered fully autonomous digital image acquisition systems without the requirement of permanent connection to an external power supply and a host computer for camera control and data storage, thus allowing for convenient data acquisition in many applications of digital photogrammetry. The accuracy potential of stillvideo cameras has been extensively discussed. While large format CCD sensors themselves can be considered very accurate measurement devices, lenses, camera bodies and sensor mounts of stillvideo cameras are not designed for photogrammetric purposes and may cause severe accuracy problems. Moreover, some cameras use compression techniques in image storage, which may also affect the accuracy potential. This presentation shows recent experiences from accuracy tests with a number of large format stillvideo cameras, including a modified Kodak DCS200, a Kodak DCS460, a Nikon E2 and a Polaroid PDC-2000. The tests of the cameras include absolute and relative measurements and were performed using strong photogrammetric networks and good external reference. The results of the tests indicate that very high accuracies can be achieved with large blocks of stillvideo imagery especially in deformation measurements. In absolute measurements, however, the accuracy potential of the large format CCD sensors is partly ruined by a lack of stability of the cameras.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)145-152
Number of pages8
JournalProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume3174
Publication statusPublished - 1997
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

Conference

TitleVideometrics V
Duration30 July 1997
CitySan Diego, CA
CountryUnited States of America