Sony FCB camera block
In the field of drone inspection, details often determine success or failure. Even a tiny crack or a slight corrosion can become the source of a major safety hazard. How can these tiny defects be precisely captured from a height of over a hundred meters?
The SONY full-frame scalable system remote control camera ILX-LR1 will be able to provide a better solution for the field of drone inspection.
1. Ultimate picture quality: 61 million pixels with detailed insight
The SONY ILX-LR1 is equipped with a full-frame back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS image sensor with approximately 61 million effective pixels. This configuration enables it to far exceed previous camera devices in terms of image quality.
What does this mean in practical applications? In simple terms, the detailed information that can be obtained after enlarging a photo might have previously required taking more than three photos. For inspection work that requires the identification of minor defects (such as tiny cracks, corrosion and potential leakage points in oil pipelines, etc.), this high resolution ensures the clarity of the inspection images, enabling inspectors to more accurately assess the condition of the target objects.
The high-resolution single photos taken by SONY ILX-LR1 can replace multiple photos taken by lower-resolution cameras, which not only improves overall work efficiency but also saves time costs.
2. Specifically integrated for drones: The perfect balance between lightweight and high performance
The SONY ILX-LR1 adopts a lightweight and compact design. The weight of the camera body is only about 243 grams (this model has no display, viewfinder or battery), and its dimensions are approximately 100mm wide ×74mm high ×42.5mm deep.
Such lightweight design is crucial for drone applications: a lighter weight means longer flight time, and a compact body is suitable for small drones, enabling them to quickly complete high-altitude shooting tasks.
The SONY ILX-LR1 has screw holes on all six sides of its body. When used in combination with drones, robots, submersives or other industrial equipment, installation and integration operations become more convenient.
The SONY ILX-LR1 is also equipped with a DC power supply port, which can support DC power supply to ensure the endurance and stability of flight operations.
3. Efficient operation: Redefine inspection speed and accuracy
Efficiency is one of the core indicators of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) inspection. The SONY ILX-LR1 performs exceptionally well in this aspect: previous cameras required a response time of nearly 2 seconds to take a single photo, while the SONY ILX-LR1 only needs about 1 second to capture three photos, significantly enhancing the flight speed and inspection efficiency of drones.
The focusing performance is also commendable. The autofocus function of SONY ILX-LR1 can be precise to a smaller distance, and compared with previous cameras, the focusing accuracy has been significantly improved. In high-altitude operations, this feature ensures the stability and accuracy of the captured images. Even in high-speed flights or complex environments, clear images can be captured.
4. Remote precise control: Open SDK to empower personalized applications
The SONY ILX-LR1 supports the SONY Camera Remote SDK. Users can directly and quickly access the camera’s menu and other functions through their own software applications.
The SDK of SONY ILX-LR1 has opened up a large number of interfaces. It not only enables adjustments to common functions such as exposure, photography, and shutter speed, but also allows for detailed controls like focus control and focusing area control. For instance, during the inspection process, the camera can measure the distance between the drone and the blade, and then reverse the shooting distance to complete the focusing, providing a more complete and accurate photo-taking function.
By integrating the API into the system, the camera can be remotely controlled from a computer, allowing for changes to camera Settings, shutter release, real-time viewfinder monitoring, and more. The user’s application can also link the unique image ID with the drone’s position data in post-processing.
5. Multi-scenario applications: From wind power generation to 3D modeling
The SONY full-frame scalable system remote control camera ILX-LR1 has demonstrated its value in multiple fields:
1. Inspection of wind turbine blades
Wind turbine blades may be affected by various factors such as mechanical wear, fatigue and corrosion during operation, leading to problems such as cracks and deformations in the blades. The fully automatic wind turbine blade inspection system equipped with SONY ILX-LR1 can complete the inspection of a wind turbine in about 25 minutes, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy.
2. Surveying and Mapping and 3D Modeling
In the field of surveying and mapping, the high pixel count and high resolution of SONY ILX-LR1 enable it to precisely capture details, providing high-quality image data for refined real-scene 3D modeling. The solution developed by a certain technology company in Shenzhen based on SONY ILX-LR1 has demonstrated significant advantages in the production of orthometric images, detailed real-scene 3D modeling, and power inspection.
3. Power inspection and oil pipeline detection
In power line inspection and oil pipeline detection, the high-definition feature of SONY ILX-LR1 enables it to clearly identify the minute defects of the target object, such as tiny cracks, corrosion and potential leakage points in oil pipelines.
Conclusion: A new benchmark for high-altitude inspection by drones
The SONY ILX-LR1, with its 61-megapixel high-resolution imaging, lightweight and compact design, efficient operation capability and flexible remote control features, has become a new benchmark full-frame camera in the field of unmanned aerial vehicle inspection.
It is like a “microscope” working at high altitudes, exposing every minute defect and redefining the standards for drone inspection. With the continuous expansion of the drone application market, SONY’s ILX-LR1 is expected to achieve greater breakthroughs and development in the drone and other fields.