DJI Zenmuse P1

The DJI Zenmuse P1 is a photogrammetry camera for heavy multicopters of the Matrice line (Matrice 400, 350 RTK and 300 RTK). It sits on a three-axis gimbal at the detachable DJI SKYPORT interface and is built for aerial surveying, where orthophotos, terrain models and 3D models are computed from individual images.

The full-frame sensor measures 35.9 × 24 mm and delivers 45 megapixels; large pixels on a large area produce less noise in low light. The lenses are interchangeable: DJI DL at 24, 35 or 50 mm focal length with an aperture of F2.8. Ground resolution follows from sensor resolution, focal length and flying height; at the same height, a longer focal length shows more detail but a narrower field of view. Video at 3840 × 2160 is available only with the 35 mm lens. According to DJI the camera weighs about 800 g, and its protection rating is IP4X: protection against solid objects, not rated for water.

The camera counts towards take-off mass, whose limits in the EU classes are 900 g (C1), 4 kg (C2) and 25 kg (C3 and C4). Flights over private property and people touch data-protection law, and anyone flying a camera that can show people must register as an operator.

In surveying, the shutter must not distort the image: the P1 exposes the whole frame at once with a mechanical shutter. A mechanical shutter has a limited number of releases. With IP4X, the camera does not belong in rain. For absolute accuracy, processing needs ground control points or positions from RTK.