posted on 2006-07-04, 14:55authored byJim H. Chandler, J.G. Fryer, A. Jack
This paper examines the potential of low cost digital cameras for
close-range surface measurement using feature based image matching
methods. This is achieved through extracting digital elevation models
(DEMs) and comparing accuracies between three low-cost consumer
grade digital cameras (Sony DSC-P10, Olympus C3030, Nikon Coolpix
3100) and the proven Kodak DCS460. Surprisingly, the tests revealed
that the highest accuracies were achieved using the Sony DSC-P10, not
the Kodak DCS460, whilst the other two cameras certainly proved
suitable for most close-range surface measurement tasks. Lens
modelling was found to provide a limiting constraint on final
accuracies, with very small systematic error surfaces caused by residual
imperfections in lens modelling. The IMAGINE OrthoBASE Pro
software and an independent self-calibrating bundle adjustment were
used to process these data. These tests identified an inaccuracy in the
self-calibrating capability of IMAGINE OrthoBASE Pro version 8.6 and
Leica Geosystems LPS 8.7, which will be rectified in subsequent
software releases. The study has demonstrated that cheaper consumer
grade digital cameras have potential for routine surface measurement
provided lens modelling is considered. The lead author is maintaining a
web based repository for camera calibration data, which may assist
other users.
History
School
Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Pages
324461 bytes
Citation
CHANDLER, FRYER and JACK, 2005. Metric capabilities of low-cost digital cameras for close range surface measurement. Photogrammatic Record, 20(109), pp. 12-27