Best Analog Nano sized FPV cameras in 2021
• Chris Landa
In this article I want to present my top three picks for analog nano FPV cameras for 2021 and explain what makes them a top pick for me and when I would choose each of them. Since there is no perfect product I will also highlight some cons.
To qualify as a Nano camera it has to be 14mm wide and has to have M2 mounting screw holes on either side.
For a complete list of all currently available Nano FPV cameras, check out the Nano FPV camera comparison chart.
3. Caddx Ant
Although I am personally not a big Caddx fan, I cannot deny that the Ant is a pretty awesome camera, especially at a price point of less than $22 and a weight of just about 2g.
With a 1/3” sensor and 1200TVL resolution, the image is pretty crisp and detailed. The Caddx Ant Lite is available with an image ratio of 4:3 or 16:9. The FOV is 165°. Apart from that, you can adjust different settings on the camera, the joystick needed to adjust the settings is included.
The Caddx Ant can be powered with 3.7 - 18V, so you can basically run this cam directly from a 1-4S battery. Practically you will probably power the cam from a 5V pad on your flight-controller.
Pros
- Cheap
- Very light weight
- High resolution
- Wide input voltage range
- OSD for settings
- NTSC/PAL switchable
Cons
- Quality control issues - oftentimes the Caddx cams come with dirt in the lens
- Aspect ratio not switchable
- Not a lot of protection
I would go with this one if you want the lowest weight and price. In my opinion the best choice for your basher builds.
2. Runcam Phoenix 2 Nano
The Runcam Phoenix 2 Nano has a 1/2” sensor and has a stunning image in my opinion - even in darker conditions. You can absolutely use this one for night flights too. The FOV is 150°.
With a length of 23mm the Runcam Phoenix 2 Nano is one of the longer nano cams, which is important since the lens tends to stick out of most canopies with which I have tried it. This is something to consider when it comes to crash protection. I really enjoyed this cam, but the length was ultimately the reason why it broke relatively quickly for me.
With price point of around $35 on banggood-FOV-155-4-3-or-16-9-PAL-or-NTSC-Switchable-FPV-Camera-For-RC-Racing-Drone-p-1662648.html) it is definitely not the cheapest option, but well worth the money. Although at this price point I would really expect the joystick to navigate the OSD to be included.
Aspect ratios of 4:3 and 16:9 are switchable as are the video modes (PAL/NTSC). The camera can be powered from 5-36V.
The Runcam Phoenix 2 Nano weighs in at 5g, so definitely not your lightest option.
Pros
- Stunning image
- Good for night flights
- OSD for settings
- Aspect ratio switchable
- NTSC/PAL switchable
Cons
- Heavy
- Joystick not included
If you want the best image quality and a bit of extra weight is not an issues, then this one is the right choice for you.
1. Foxeer Nano Toothless 2
The Foxeer Nano Toothless 2 is my top pick when it comes to nano FPV cameras. With a weight of 3.8g it is almost twice as heavy as the Ant Lite, but the image quality - especially when flying in the dark - is unmatched. This also reflects in price - the Foxeer Nano Toothless 2 will run you about 40$.
With a resolution of 1200TVL and a 1/2” image sensor, the Foxeer Nano Toothless 2 is one of the nano cams with the biggest image sensor, which also explains why the image in the dark is so exceptional. There is even a version with a special “Star Light” lens allowing for an even better picture in the dark. The aspect ratio can be switched directly on the cam from 4:3 to 16:9. Various other settings can also be adjusted via the included joystick. The mode - NTSC or PAL - can also be switched directly from the cameras OSD.
The Nano Toothless 2 is available with a 1.8mm or 2.1mm lens, thus you can choose your preferred field of view.
The cam can be powered from 3.8 - 16V. So you can technically run it from 1-3S directly, but as with the other ones, you will probably run it from a 5V pad on your flight-controller anyway.
Pros
- High resolution
- Great image
- Perfect for night flights
- Different lenses
- OSD for settings
- Aspect ratio switchable
- NTSC/PAL switchable
Cons
- Expensive
Apart from price, this is my overall go-to cam: Brilliant image, super sturdy, great quality and not too heavy. Also the performance at night is pretty impressive. If money was not an issue, this would be the cam I would put on all my micro builds.
FAQs
In this section I want to answer a couple of frequently asked questions in regard to FPV cameras.
What is FOV?
FOV stands for Field Of View. Usually only one value is given, but technically you have horizontal and vertical field of view. The higher your field of view is, the more you will see of your surroundings but, the higher the fish eye effect will be. Usually the field of view for FPV cameras is between 110° and 165°.
The field of view depends on lens and sensor size. Cameras that have a switchable aspect ratio will also have a different FOV in their respective modes.
What is aspect ratio?
In FPV we mainly deal with two different image aspect ratios: 4:3 and 16:9. Which one you should chose depends on your goggles. Most goggles are 4:3, some are 16:9.
Most goggles will display both formats, but it is possible that they will stretch the image to fit their native screen ratio. You should definitely double check that the FPV cam you are ordering will be properly displayed in your goggles.
Most of the time the native aspect ratio of the image sensor will be closer to 4:3 than to 16:9, meaning that with 16:9 the software on the cam will simply crop in and you will lose vertical resolution:
Some people do not care if the image is squished - I personally can live with it, but prefer 4:3.
Why does sensor size matter with FPV cameras?
The bigger the sensor, the more light it can collect, the better the image quality will be. With Nano cameras a very common sensor size is 1/3”. Very few nano cameras have a sensor size of 1/2”.
The sensor size - similar to TVs - is measured in diagonal, from corner to corner.
Chris is a Vienna based software developer. In his spare time he enjoys reviewing tech gear, ripping quads of all sizes and making stuff.
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