The Synergistic Effects of GCPs and Camera Calibration Models on UAV-SfM Photogrammetry
Previous studies have shown that the use of appropriate ground control points (GCPs) and camera calibration models can optimize photogrammetry. However, the synergistic effects of GCPs and camera calibration models on UAV-SfM photogrammetry are still unknown. This study used camera models with varyi...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Zixin Wang Leyan Shi Jinzhou Li Wen Dai Wangda Lu Mengqi Li |
| author_facet | Zixin Wang Leyan Shi Jinzhou Li Wen Dai Wangda Lu Mengqi Li |
| author_sort | Zixin Wang |
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| description | Previous studies have shown that the use of appropriate ground control points (GCPs) and camera calibration models can optimize photogrammetry. However, the synergistic effects of GCPs and camera calibration models on UAV-SfM photogrammetry are still unknown. This study used camera models with varying complexities under different GCP conditions (in terms of number and quality) for UAV-SfM photogrammetry. The correlation matrix and root mean squared error (RMSE) were used to analyze the synergistic effects of GCPs and camera models. The results show that (1) without GCPs, complex camera models reduce distortion parameter correlation and improve terrain modeling accuracy by about 70%, with Model C (with F, Cx, Cy, K1–K4, and P1–P4) being the most widely applicable. (2) Increasing the number of GCPs enhances the terrain modeling accuracy more effectively than increasing the camera model complexity, reducing the RMSE by 45–70%, while the model complexity does not affect the required GCP number. (3) A strong interaction exists between the GCP quality and camera models: High-quality GCPs enhance camera model performance, while complex camera models reduce the requirement of GCP quality. This study provides both theoretical insights and practical guidance for efficient and low-cost UAV-SfM photogrammetry in different scenarios. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f164ae221b4f4690b67a5af90c53af2a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2504-446X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Drones |
| spelling | doaj-art-f164ae221b4f4690b67a5af90c53af2a2025-08-20T02:33:48ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2025-05-019534310.3390/drones9050343The Synergistic Effects of GCPs and Camera Calibration Models on UAV-SfM PhotogrammetryZixin Wang0Leyan Shi1Jinzhou Li2Wen Dai3Wangda Lu4Mengqi Li5Changwang School of Honors, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, ChinaChangwang School of Honors, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, ChinaSchool of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, ChinaChangwang School of Honors, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, ChinaSchool of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, ChinaDepartment of Geography, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, SwitzerlandPrevious studies have shown that the use of appropriate ground control points (GCPs) and camera calibration models can optimize photogrammetry. However, the synergistic effects of GCPs and camera calibration models on UAV-SfM photogrammetry are still unknown. This study used camera models with varying complexities under different GCP conditions (in terms of number and quality) for UAV-SfM photogrammetry. The correlation matrix and root mean squared error (RMSE) were used to analyze the synergistic effects of GCPs and camera models. The results show that (1) without GCPs, complex camera models reduce distortion parameter correlation and improve terrain modeling accuracy by about 70%, with Model C (with F, Cx, Cy, K1–K4, and P1–P4) being the most widely applicable. (2) Increasing the number of GCPs enhances the terrain modeling accuracy more effectively than increasing the camera model complexity, reducing the RMSE by 45–70%, while the model complexity does not affect the required GCP number. (3) A strong interaction exists between the GCP quality and camera models: High-quality GCPs enhance camera model performance, while complex camera models reduce the requirement of GCP quality. This study provides both theoretical insights and practical guidance for efficient and low-cost UAV-SfM photogrammetry in different scenarios.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/5/343ground control pointscamera modelscamera calibrationterrain modelingUAV-SfM photogrammetry |
| spellingShingle | Zixin Wang Leyan Shi Jinzhou Li Wen Dai Wangda Lu Mengqi Li The Synergistic Effects of GCPs and Camera Calibration Models on UAV-SfM Photogrammetry Drones ground control points camera models camera calibration terrain modeling UAV-SfM photogrammetry |
| title | The Synergistic Effects of GCPs and Camera Calibration Models on UAV-SfM Photogrammetry |
| title_full | The Synergistic Effects of GCPs and Camera Calibration Models on UAV-SfM Photogrammetry |
| title_fullStr | The Synergistic Effects of GCPs and Camera Calibration Models on UAV-SfM Photogrammetry |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Synergistic Effects of GCPs and Camera Calibration Models on UAV-SfM Photogrammetry |
| title_short | The Synergistic Effects of GCPs and Camera Calibration Models on UAV-SfM Photogrammetry |
| title_sort | synergistic effects of gcps and camera calibration models on uav sfm photogrammetry |
| topic | ground control points camera models camera calibration terrain modeling UAV-SfM photogrammetry |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/9/5/343 |
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