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Sony RX100iii as aerial mapping camera

Posted by Shawn McCracken on February 10, 2015 at 9:02am

I am looking for feedback on using the Sony RX100iii as an aerial mapping camera. Currently we use the Canon SX260 with occasional blurred shots and lower-res/quality than we would like. The RX100iii looks like an excellent replacement but I am hoping for some feedback before making a purchase.

Thanks!

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Replies

- Peter Arnold > Hugues February 21, 2015 at 5:48pm
  
  Hi. I'm new to all this but have a RX100 plus a D800 and plan to put a drone together for still and video. Can I please get some guidance on the following? Can you get live data back from the RX100 and what gear is needed to get the live data back from the camera and control the camera?
  
  Thanks Peter
Habitat Estudios Ambientales s.l February 12, 2015 at 1:28am

Hi, we use the SONY QX100 with an excellent result, and I think they have the same sensor and the same optics. We say QX100 to weigh less gaining autonomy on the drone.
regards
- Paul Meier > Habitat Estudios Ambientales s.l February 12, 2015 at 1:49am
  
  @ Habitat Estudios Ambientales s.l
  
  Please could you tell me how you control the camera.
  
  Thanks, regards
  - Habitat Estudios Ambientales s.l > Paul Meier February 14, 2015 at 3:45am
    
    We control the camera with the mobile phone. The shot of the camera is amended and directly connected to the autopilot, but know it can be done via USB SONY though it is complex, we are studying.
    - Paul Meier > Habitat Estudios Ambientales s.l February 14, 2015 at 2:21pm
      
      Thank you for your reply, that's what I also have found out so far....., so it's a wifi range issue and a interference problem with the normal 2.4 Ghz RC.
      
      I did not find anything about USB control, do I know it is possible with other Sony models.
  - Shawn McCracken > Paul Meier February 12, 2015 at 10:03am
    
    Interesting. I will check into the optics and sensor comparisons.
    
    I did find this about camera trigger: http://e4e.ucsd.edu/wordpress/?p=1268
    
    Their mention of no shutter priority and their mapping mission results of blurred images concerns me with the QX100. Just discovered they update the QX100 to have shutter priority mode recently. It sure would be an awesome setup though!
    - Reuben > Shawn McCracken February 14, 2015 at 11:55am
      
      Hi Shawn
      
      Making a USB camera trigger for your future Sony is easy ..see my very simple circuit below.. This will allow the Pixhawk to control when your camera triggers..
      - Tagôre > Reuben April 4, 2015 at 10:04pm
        
        Reuben,
        My Sony Rx100 III has a micro USB connector, I try everything but I can't trigger from my APM.
        I need to do some configuration in camera?
        Does PWM values must be 900 and 1900?
        I connected the black wire and shield to the GND and the green "center" wire to PWM signal, It's correct? I tried to connect green and white wires together but without any result.
        
        Thank you very much
        
        Reuben > Tagôre April 4, 2015 at 10:30pm
        
        Hi Brenner
        
        I am not sure you can use a remote on the Rx100 .. although i think the version 3 might be able to ..can it use sonys o.e. remote plugged into multiport ???
        
        Tagôre > Reuben April 5, 2015 at 7:59am
        
        Hi Reuben,
        
        Yes according to Sony web site the model Rx100 II and III can be triggered by remote cable connection. I think that the problem is my cable, it is a normal micro USB cable that have only 4 wires and I need a sony multiport cable.
        
        Now I'll search where to buy it in Brazil.
        
        Thanks