FPV camera

An FPV camera is designed explicitly for low-latency live viewing of a video signal. This requires a fast-readout CMOS sensor (usually a small one), a lens, and hardware designed with low latency compression in mind. Often, FPV cameras are sold on their PCB, absent an electric case. These small modules may be mounted to the exterior of the plane, in an inset in the plane (like the cockpit), behind a clear plastic faring or turret, and/or on a pan-tilt mount. Most FPV cameras do not have optical zoom, and use standard-def or lower resolution with fixed-focus lenses set to automatically adjust sensitivity for maximum dynamic range. An FPV camera may be powered by its own battery or via a BEC, and will often be hooked up to an on-screen display for telemetry, battery, signal strength, and bearing information. While they may have a logging/recording function on the side, FPV cameras are distinguished by their primary use in piloting the plane, whereas video payloads are typically the reason the plane is being flown, and a cockpit video camera is intended for documentation of the flight.

• FPV Camera Review (Mega Thread) - RCGroups