Photogrammetry vs LiDAR
Photogrammetry vs LiDAR
Photogrammetry
Drone photogrammetry uses images captured by a drone-mounted camera to reconstruct the terrain in an accurate 3D model using image overlap and sufficient ground control.
LIDAR
Lidar is a direct measurement where you physically hit a feature with light and measure the reflection.
Accuracy
Photogrammetry
In the case of photogrammetry, a quality, high-resolution, full-frame sensor camera can yield outputs with horizontal (x-y) accuracies in the range of 1 cm (0.4 in) and elevation (z) accuracies in the range of 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) over hard surfaces, enabling precise volumetric analysis.
LiDAR
The typical absolute accuracy that you can expect from a lightweight LIDAR system on a fixed-wing drone at an elevation of about 100-200m is approximately 10 cm (4 in) horizontal and 5 cm (2 in) vertical.
By flying lower, lightweight UAV LIDAR provides a higher point density than manned aerial LIDAR and can achieve better accuracy even though the laser is less powerful.
Coverage
Both photogrammetry and lightweight UAV LIDAR rely on drones to capture the data. So in these cases, you can expect to cover up to 10 km2 (4 mi2) per flight. If you are working with classical airborne LIDAR, you can cover up to 1000 km2 (400 mi2).
Photorealisticity
Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry offers photorealistic mapping results in the form of orthomosaics, point clouds, and textured mesh. A true, life-like digital twin.
LiDAR
LIDAR offers a sparse laser point cloud that gives a general sense of shapes and contours but does not offer contextual detail. You can also colorize LIDAR data with RGB data, but this is a more complicated process.
领英推荐
Processing time
Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry processing for full resolution takes several hours (or days) depending on the project size. If you only need a sparse set of accurate tie points (like from a LIDAR source), photogrammetry tools offer downscaled processing options.
LiDAR
LIDAR point clouds are directly geo-referenced with real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning during flight.
Depending on the project size, the process takes from less than an hour (smaller projects with lightweight drone LIDAR) to several days (large projects with manned aerial LIDAR).
When to Choose LiDAR?
Choose LiDAR for:
When to Choose Photogrammetry?
Choose Photogrammetry for:?
Conclusion
It’s not that one is necessarily better than the other. Ultimately it’s the task at hand that will determine the best solution.
If the contrast, lighting, subject, and conditions are in your favor, photogrammetry is probably more than adequate for the job. But for challenging mapping projects where elevation accuracy, complex structures, or partly shrouded terrain are involved, LiDAR is probably the way to go.
Cost can also be the deciding factor that pushes you in one direction or the other.
At GeoDrones we have the latest technology when it comes to Drone Photogrammetry and surveying. Our pilots are trained and certified.
With numerous successful projects backing our claims, our portfolio speaks for itself.
We've helped businesses reduce the running costs of their projects by about 50% and the running time by about 70%
Want your business to be on that list?
DM us for a FREE Consultation
Communications Strategist at Euro Vision Ventures | Crafting Engaging Content
2 年My entire attention has been placed on drone terminologies. I have taken keen note of your articles and expository. Well done. I took keen note of comments by one of the Chieftains of the Labour Party in Nigeria. He said this is the right time for Nigeria to embrace drones in the electioneering system. This curbs a lot of election misdoings by umpires, individuals, and party agents. I'm passing your texts to him for further action by our govt officials to embrace the precept of drone surveying ahead of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
Dubai Real Estate - Leasing, Sales, Property Management
2 年#goodread