When you discover the GoPro or DJI Motion cameras too costly or heavy to your micro FPV drones, the RunCam Thumb 2 may very well be a fantastic different. This tiny digital camera presents 4K recording and Gyroflow compatibility at a budget-friendly value of simply $99. RunCam Thumb 2 goals to supply important options for FPV flying with out the excessive price sometimes related to premium motion cameras like GoPro. Let’s take a better take a look at the options, efficiency, and general worth of this compact digital camera.
New to FPV drones? Try my purchaser’s information on Motion cameras: https://oscarliang.com/action-camera/
The place to Purchase
You should purchase the RunCam Thumb 2 from:
Within the field, you’ll discover:
- The Thumb 2 digital camera
- USB-C cable for management, video output and energy
- JST1.25 3-pin energy cable
- 3D-printed mount
- Guide leaflet
An ND filter set (ND8, ND16, ND24) are non-compulsory at buy for an additional $10.
An non-compulsory ND filter set (ND8, ND16, ND24) is offered for an additional $10. Moreover, Banggood presents a suitable 128GB SD card for $12. When you’re shopping for your individual SD card, ensure that it’s at the very least U3 Class and A2 Pace-rated for 4K recording. Right here’s my SD card information: https://oscarliang.com/sd-cards-fpv/#GoPro-DJI-and-Different-HD-Cameras-4K-Movies
Specs
The Runcam Thumb sequence has come a good distance from the unique 1080p 60fps mannequin to the Thumb 2, which now information in 4K at 60fps. Right here’s a fast rundown of the specs:
- Picture Sensor: IMX586 (4800MP)
- Resolutions: 4K at 60/30fps, 2.7K at 60fps, 1080p at 120/60fps
- Subject of View: 160°
- Video Format: MP4
- Gyro: Constructed-in
- Micro SD Card: As much as 512GB
- Energy Enter: 5V DC (USB-C or JST 1.25)
- Management Interface: PWM/UART
- Energy Consumption: Max 700mA at 5V
- Dimension: 26mm*27.5mm*55mm
- Weight: 27.8g
Construct High quality and Design
In comparison with its predecessors, the RunCam Thumb 2 contains a extra refined design with vent holes for cooling and Gorilla Glass safety for the lens. This improve enhances sturdiness and makes it splendid for tough circumstances. The lens cowl is replaceable, and the digital camera helps ND filters, that are essential for capturing cinematic FPV footage. You possibly can take a look at my cinematic FPV ideas right here: https://oscarliang.com/cinematic-fpv-drone-video/
Whereas the Thumb 2 is bulkier than the Thumb Professional, weighing practically 28g (in comparison with the 16g Thumb Professional), it stays comparatively compact and light-weight. The added weight may have an effect on the flight efficiency of smaller drones, so be aware of this in case you’re flying weight-sensitive fashions.
The USB-C port, a major improve from earlier fashions, permits for handy firmware updates and video output, and also can energy the digital camera through an influence financial institution. It additionally has a UART port, permitting you to attach it on to your drone’s flight controller for distant management. This implies you can begin and cease recording with a easy swap in your radio. It eliminates the necessity to contact the digital camera mid-flight, which provides to the general comfort.
The digital camera helps micro SD card as much as 512GB, double the capability of the earlier model, which is great for lengthy recording classes. Remember the fact that recording in top quality 4K can rapidly eat up space for storing, with every minute of footage consuming virtually 1GB.
Picture High quality
For the value, the picture high quality is spectacular. RunCam has made vital enhancements, particularly in sharpness and readability. The 4K decision delivers detailed photographs, and the built-in gyro helps easy out footage, although it’s not flawless.
Evaluating to DJI O3
When in comparison with the DJI O3, the Thumb 2 holds its personal when it comes to picture element, although the colour profile is noticeably hotter. This may be corrected in post-processing by adjusting temperature and tint, as defined in my shade grading tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/color-grade-fpv-videos/. Personally, I would scale back the temperature, and add extra magenta tint to it.
The colour can be not as vibrant because the O3 when put next aspect by aspect, and appears a bit extra washed out. Rising saturation and distinction would possibly assist.
When recording in 16:9 side ratio with out stabilization, the FOV (area of view) of the Runcam Thumb 2 is barely smaller than that of the DJI O3.
The Thumb 2’s dynamic vary is similar to the DJI O3, although its default publicity is barely excessive, inflicting some overexposure in brilliant skies.
General, the picture high quality is spectacular for its value vary, although the DJI O3 nonetheless edges out the Thumb 2 in shade profile, FOV, and 4K 60fps recording in 4:3. Additionally the default temperature and tint settings nonetheless want a little bit of tweaking. And the DJI O3 is less complicated to make use of as a result of you’ll be able to change settings and verify your publicity within the goggles, which could be very handy.
Resolutions and Bitrates
I examined the digital camera in all resolutions, the decision enhance does add extra element and readability, which is confirmed by the upper bitrate too. That is usually a pitfall for cheaper cameras that declare 4K however merely upscale from decrease resolutions. On this case, the RunCam Thumb 2 presents real enhancements as you enhance the decision.
Listed below are the accessible resolutions and bitrates for the RunCam Thumb 2:
- 4K 60FPS – 100Mbps
- 4K 60FPS XV – 100Mbps
- 4K 30FPS 4:3 – 80Mbps
- 4K 30FPS – 80Mbps
- 2.7K 60FPS 4:3 – 80Mbps
- 2.7K 60FPS – 80Mbps
- 1440p 60FPS – 60Mbps
- 1080p 120FPS – 60Mbps
- 1080p 60FPS – 50Mbps
- 1080p 60FPS XV – 50Mbps
For comparability, the DJI O3 presents 130Mbps on 2.7K 60fps, 150Mbps on 4K 60fps.
XV is just like GoPro’s Superview, it provides you barely extra FOV, are likely to stretch and distorted the edges of the picture, which can not look nice throughout yaw spins or panning pictures.
Stabilization
The Thumb 2 features a built-in gyro and is suitable with Gyroflow, an open-source stabilization software. Nevertheless, in contrast to high-end cameras that file gyro information inside the video file, the Thumb 2 saves it in a separate .gcsv file. You’ll must load this file in Gyroflow throughout post-processing. Right here’s my information on methods to use Gyroflow: https://oscarliang.com/gyroflow/.
As of now, Gyroflow doesn’t work optimally with the Thumb 2 because of the lack of a lens profile, hopefully it is going to get higher when a lens profile is added.
For now, you need to use the onboard stabilization, although it’s not as efficient as Gyroflow. It is available in two modes—Regular and Tremendous—with the Regular mode being the higher selection on account of much less aggressive cropping and zooming.
ND Filter
On a sunny day, I sometimes use ND16 filters on my motion cameras with ISO at 100 and the shutter pace set to double the body charge. Nevertheless, with the RunCam Thumb 2, ND16 appears to trigger underexposure, so I switched to the lighter ND8 filter.
When you want a lighter ND filter for overcast circumstances or dawn/sundown, you received’t have one, because the lightest accessible ND filter is ND8. I’d recommend RunCam contemplate changing the ND24 with an ND4 for extra versatility.
Extra on ND filters right here: https://oscarliang.com/nd-filter-fpv/
Audio High quality
The built-in microphone is a pleasant addition, however the audio high quality continues to be fairly poor. Nevertheless, it’s higher to have audio than not, particularly in a budget-friendly digital camera.
Consumer Expertise
Right here’s my expertise utilizing the RunCam Thumb 2.
Powering the Digicam
To avoid wasting on weight, the RunCam Thumb 2 doesn’t include a built-in battery. As a substitute, it requires a 5V energy supply. Importantly, it solely accepts 5V, so watch out to not provide some other voltage. There are two methods to energy this digital camera, through the USB-C port, or the 3-pin JST connector on the again.
Throughout testing, the digital camera drew as much as 0.65A of present when recording 4K 60fps. In case your flight controller’s 5V BEC is rated for 2A or extra, it ought to comfortably energy the Thumb 2 alongside different widespread 5V units like an ELRS receiver or FPV digital camera. Nevertheless, in case you’re utilizing different power-hungry 5V parts like RGB LEDs, or in case your 5V BEC is rated under 1.5A, you could wish to contemplate a devoted regulator to securely energy the digital camera, equivalent to this one: https://oscarliang.com/3a-voltage-regulator/
Right here’s a breakdown of the facility consumption at varied resolutions:
- Powered off: 0.00A @ 5V (may very well be drawing a tiny quantity, however undetectable by my instruments).
- Powered on, not recording: 0.45A @ 5V
- Recording 4K 60fps: 0.65A @ 5V
- Recording 2.7K 60fps 4:3: 0.5A @ 5V
- Recording 1080p 60fps 4:3 XV: 0.5A @ 5V
At present, I’m utilizing an adapter from Flywoo, which powers the digital camera from a LiPo stability lead and steps the voltage right down to 5V. This eliminates the necessity for soldering onto the flight controller and I can simply use the digital camera on totally different drones. You possibly can take a look at the adapter right here: https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_DEHH2jb
Getting Began
The included 3D printed mount will not be suitable with my drones, however I managed to someway apply it to my Sub250 Oasisfly25.
One of many digital camera’s largest strengths is its plug-and-play nature. There’s no want to fret about charging batteries or navigating difficult menus. As quickly as you join it to energy, the digital camera activates. Throughout initialization, the inexperienced LED flashes, and when it’s prepared, it switches to a stable pink. If the SD card is lacking, the pink LED flashes quickly, offering clear, intuitive suggestions.
Right here’s the included mnaual:
Altering Digicam Settings
To alter the digital camera settings, you’ll want the RunCam app, accessible on each iOS and Android. The app generates QR codes, which the digital camera scans to use your settings.
With the app, you’ll be able to alter settings like decision, body charge, stabilization mode, ISO, shutter pace and lots of extra. After producing a QR code, you merely energy on the digital camera, go into QR scanning mode (press the button twice), and level the digital camera on the code. It’s a simple course of when you get used to it.
Whereas not so simple as altering settings straight on a GoPro or DJI Motion digital camera, it’s nonetheless comparatively straightforward. Nevertheless, the shortage of a display screen or preview performance means you’ll want to check the settings and overview footage on a pc earlier than flying to make sure every part is ready appropriately, particularly when adjusting publicity and lighting.
Limitations and Areas for Enchancment
For me, the principle promoting level of the Thumb 2 was its means to file in 4K at 60fps. Nevertheless, the shortage of a 4:3 side ratio at this decision means stabilization causes extra cropping and a smaller area of view (FOV).
The app and guide additionally lack explanations of what the settings do. It will be useful in the event that they added tooltips or transient descriptions for every setting.
At present, there’s no official lens profile for this digital camera in Gyroflow, so stabilization doesn’t work correctly with it for the time being. It is a vital downside, particularly for individuals who depend on Gyroflow for post-processing stabilization.
One other limitation for superior customers is the shortage of a flat shade profile, which restricts flexibility in shade grading in submit.
Utilizing ND filters additionally presents some challenges. With out a solution to preview the footage, you’ll must file pattern movies and overview them in your pc to verify the settings—requiring you to both convey a laptop computer to the sector or put together underneath related lighting circumstances beforehand.
A minor however notable situation I encountered throughout testing was the digital camera randomly shutting off, which resulted in corrupted video information. Fortunately, reinserting the SD card and powering the digital camera again on fastened the information, although I did lose the gyro information. I’m not positive if it is a widespread situation as I’ve not been capable of replicate it on the bench.
Whereas the onboard microphone is a pleasant characteristic, the audio high quality leaves room for enchancment, with wind noise usually drowning out different sounds.
Remaining Ideas: Is the RunCam Thumb 2 Price It?
Whereas it doesn’t match the standard of a GoPro or DJI Motion digital camera, and even the onboard recording of the DJI O3 Air Unit, the RunCam Thumb 2 nonetheless has its place out there.
Most individuals would purchase this digital camera for its affordability and flexibility. At just below 28g, it’s mild sufficient to be mounted on virtually any FPV drone, together with micro drones. Whereas the video high quality doesn’t attain GoPro or DJI ranges, it’s completely fantastic for many customers, particularly these seeking to add to platforms like Instagram or YouTube. And at $99, crashing or shedding it received’t damage as a lot as shedding a GoPro.
You should purchase the RunCam Thumb 2 from:
For many who need one of the best video high quality in a compact kind issue, a unadorned GoPro is the superior selection: https://oscarliang.com/flywoo-naked-gopro-v2/
When you’re flying with the DJI O3 or Walksnail Moonlight, there’s little profit to utilizing the RunCam Thumb 2.
Nevertheless, in case you’re nonetheless flying analog, particularly with a micro quad, the RunCam Thumb 2 is a superb, budget-friendly possibility for recording FPV flights in HD. It presents options sometimes present in a lot pricier cameras, together with 4K 60fps video, guide shutter pace, distant management, and light-weight design. Whereas it could not meet skilled requirements, it’s greater than adequate for the typical hobbyists. Nevertheless, the present lack of Gyroflow help is a major draw back for me, and I hope a lens profile could be added quickly.