The 7 Best FPV Cameras
This wiki has been updated 20 times since it was first published in March of 2019. With one of these first-person view cameras, you won't need a pilot's license to view a pretty landscape from above and can enjoy the thrill of racing around a course without shelling out for a Ferrari. Install one of these on your favorite radio-controlled vehicle and put yourself in the cockpit. Whether you're a serious speed demon or looking for entry-level gear, we've got you covered. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. RunCam 2 4K
2. RunCam Racer Nano 2
3. RunCam Split 4
Editor's Notes
March 12, 2021:
There have been some quality incremental advancements that led to this wiki being almost completely overhauled. You'll notice that one brand dominates our rankings, and that's no accident; the RunCam 2 4K is the best full-size choice, and the RunCam Racer Nano 2 the best for high-speed racing. In fact, the RunCam Split 4 is an impressive marriage of both of those two, although not everyone will want to deal with its more cumbersome installation process.
Other worthwhile options include the tiny and affordable Caddx Baby Ratel, and the Foxeer Mini Cat 3, which excels even in starlight. We also want to bring up the Blackbird 2 3D, which is one of the few aftermarket stereoscopic choices. It's another one that's suited more to advanced users than beginners, but it doesn't use much electricity, and provides just about the most immersive experience possible.
Finally, your camera is only ass effective as your FPV goggles, and you'll definitely need a quality FPV drone to affix it to. Luckily, there's no shortage of either on the market right now.
April 12, 2019:
FPV camera technology has improved by leaps and bounds even in just the past few years. Today, you can become completely immersed in a remote piloting adventure with the right equipment.
The FPV camera is an important part of that equation because it helps you navigate your remote-controlled vehicle as if you were inside it. Without one, you'll be maneuvering your unmanned quadcopter from a distance, and that's no fun.
Depending on how you use your rig, there's a few key specs you'll want to pay attention to.
First is latency. This is basically a measure of how fast a camera gets its signal to a display. This is a crucial factor especially for those who compete in high-speed racing. In that arena, any delays in signal can mean the difference between flying under or into an obstacle. Both the RunCam Racer 2 and Foxeer Predator Micro V3 are excellent choices for those who need to make every millisecond count.
The other thing to look for is the field of view of a camera's lens. In other words, how much of the world the camera captures in a picture. The human eye, for example has a field of view of 114 degrees. The Caddx Turbo Micro SDR2 and Caddx Turtle V2 both have fields of view over 150-degrees. But a word of caution: As you begin to get into the wider fields of view, you also run the risk of barrel distortion.
Special Honors
DJI FPV System If you're familiar with drones at all, you've definitely heard of DJI, who generally sticks to proprietary camera designs and transmission methods. With these attachments, though, you can turn some - but not all - of their most advanced long-range drones into high-powered FPV machines. Of course, like most of DJI's products, it will require a significant investment compared to more generic options, and it's not compatible with many third-party models. dji.com
4. Foxeer Mini Cat 3
5. Caddx Baby Ratel
6. Blackbird 2 3D
7. RunCam Night Eagle 2 Pro
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.