# Image Settings

> Source: https://topodrone.com/knowledge/topodrone-sony-ilx-lr1/image-settings/
> Section: TOPODRONE Sony ILX-LR1 (LR1 CM)
> Updated: 2026-10-11

For high-quality photogrammetric processing, images must have the correct parameters already at the shooting stage. If poor-quality images are obtained at the initial aerial survey stage, their further processing becomes impossible.

Image parameters are set in the Payload Settings panel (see [chapter 8.3](https://topodrone.com/knowledge/topodrone-sony-ilx-lr1/camera-control-in-dji-pilot-2/)).

## 9.1 Basic Concepts

Every image is defined by the following characteristics:

- **ISO** - sensor light sensitivity, that is, the sensor gain.
- **Shutter speed** - the time during which the sensor captures light.
- **Aperture** - the degree of lens opening during shooting.
- **Exposure** - the amount of light received by the sensor.

A good image from a moving drone in normal lighting requires:

- no digital noise - it reduces the accuracy of the final products;
- minimal depth-of-field effect, when image corners are blurred because they are outside the focus distance;
- minimal blur caused by the drone moving along the route;
- an optimal balance of ISO, aperture and shutter speed - the image is neither dark nor bright.

## 9.2 Shooting Modes

The recommended mode is **shutter priority** (Shooting Mode = Shuter\_Priority): the shutter speed is set manually, and the aperture changes depending on the illumination of the object.

Parameter selection procedure:

1. Raise the drone to the working altitude and point the camera down.
2. Set the exposure compensation within the range from -0.3 to 0.0.
3. Set ISO manually: 100 - sunny weather, 200 - cloudy, 400 - only in extreme cases. Do not set it higher - noise will appear.
4. Set the shutter speed so that the drone displacement during the exposure does not exceed 2 cm (see the table below).

| Shutter speed, s | Maximum flight speed, m/s (2 cm displacement) |
| --- | --- |
| 1/1000 | 20 |
| 1/800 | 16 |
| 1/500 | 10 |
| 1/400 | 8 |
| 1/200 | 4 |

> **Note:** Displacement during the exposure = speed × shutter speed. For example, at a speed of 10 m/s and a shutter speed of 1/1000 s, the drone moves 1 cm. For blur not to be noticeable, the displacement must be smaller than the ground sampling distance (GSD).

If the lighting is constant (uniform overcast or clear sky) and 1-3 flights are planned, manual mode (Manual\_Exposure) is convenient: ISO, aperture and shutter speed are set manually.

## 9.3 Focusing

All images of one flight must be taken with the same focus position - this simplifies post-processing and increases aerial triangulation accuracy. Focus the camera on the ground from the working altitude, then lock the focus (Focus Mode = Manual\_Focus).

## 9.4 Weather Conditions and Tips

**1) Excess light, bright sunny weather, clear sky.**
Challenges: harsh shadows; at minimum ISO the shutter speed goes to the shortest values, and the aperture closes beyond F7.1.  
Recommendations: use ND filters to open the aperture and lengthen the shutter speed. If noise appears in the shadows, use a longer shutter speed while reducing the flight speed.

![Excess sunlight](https://topodrone.com/knowledge/i/9e18df674c8af0a3.jpg)

_Excess light: use ND filters, do not close the aperture beyond F7.1._

**2) Cloudy weather with variable lighting.**
Challenges: significant changes in object illumination.  
Recommendations: use shutter or aperture priority. Set up the camera when the sun is behind the clouds. Continuously monitor the image parameters during the flight.

**3) Insufficient light, overcast weather.**
Challenges: normal exposure requires high ISO and a long shutter speed, which causes blur.  
Recommendations: use shutter priority; select the drone speed and shutter speed so that the camera displacement does not exceed 2 cm. For example: shutter speed 1/400 s - speed 8 m/s; shutter speed 1/200 s - speed 4 m/s. Try not to use the widest aperture if the lack of light can be compensated with the shutter speed and flight speed.

![Insufficient light: wrong and correct settings](https://topodrone.com/knowledge/i/f1f18eb60f8b0bf4.jpg)

_Insufficient light. Left - blur at shutter speed 1/60 s, ISO 100, speed 10 m/s; right - sharp image at shutter speed 1/240 s, ISO 200, speed 4 m/s._

**4) Surface with bright and dark areas** (for example, a spring forest with thawed patches or metal sheet roofs).  
Challenges: overexposed spots on snow or metal, leading to loss of information.  
Recommendations: reduce the exposure to an acceptable level of highlights. Underexposure is better than overexposure. It is impossible to completely eliminate overexposure in clear weather.

![Bright and dark areas](https://topodrone.com/knowledge/i/00c8299920fb6241.jpg)

_Bright and dark areas: underexposure is better than overexposure; use a CPL filter for strong reflections._

![Lens, ND filters, image check](https://topodrone.com/knowledge/i/ca276ce33838ac06.jpg)

_Check and clean the lens; use ND filters in sunny weather; always check the images after the flight._

**Practical tips:**

1. Before a series of flights, perform a test takeoff to the working altitude to focus and set up the image. Accelerate the drone to the mission speed and take several images. Check them after landing and change the parameters if necessary.
2. If the image parameters go beyond the acceptable limits during the mission, pause the flight and adjust the camera settings.
3. After each flight, download the images to a computer and review them in detail. This eliminates the need for a repeat visit to the site.
4. Check that the lens is clean before the flight. For cleaning, use a soft cloth or a lens pen with a brush for photo equipment.
5. If the surface being surveyed has a lot of water and glare appears, use a CPL filter.

**Additional information.** The material is published in the TOPODRONE Telegram channel: [Part 1](https://t.me/topodronesa/758), [Part 2](https://t.me/topodronesa/788), [Part 3](https://t.me/topodronesa/795).