Testing of Image Quality Parameters of Digital Cameras for Photogrammetric Surveying with Unmanned Aircrafts

Nowadays, unmanned aircrafts are more frequently used for measurement purposes. Size of aircrafts is often proportional to its price and load. Aircraft load of 2–3 kg, as required to lift DSLR camera, lens and gimbal (camera stabilizer) in the air, are higher-priced (>50,000 kn). Those kinds of aircrafts have their limits within the law, but also practical limitations because of its size. With the development of autonomous small size cameras such as action cameras appeared the ability to use cheaper, smaller and unmanned aircrafts with lower load in photogrammetric purposes. Of course, to use such a camera in measuring purposes first it is necessary to carry out adequate calibration method and define the elements of internal orientation of the camera. It is important to emphasize that the geometric calibration, or the elimination of geometric errors in the mapping is the key precondition to create idealized images i.e. images of actual optical mapping. This paper researches the quality of content mapped on images with the purpose of investigating the possibility of using action cameras in measuring purposes. The study is based on objective indicators such as global statistical image quality parameters, Modulation Transfer Function and visual analysis of test field images. For the purpose of the paper a modified test field based on the ISO 12233 standard was developed and for the first time used.