RunCam 1 Specs:
Physical size: 60x35x18 mm (L x W x H)
Weight: 41 g
Field of View: 120°
Advertised Photo Resolution: 3MP
Actual Photo Resolution: 2592 x 1944 pixels = 5.03 MP
Adjusted Photo Resolution: 2592 x 1473 = 3.81 MP
File Formats Supported: JPG
Image Flip: yes
Battery: Rechargeable LiPo 850 mah
"Born for RC Fanatics," RunCam is now celebrating their third year of offering photographic equipment for the RC market. The RunCam 1 is a great camera for still work Internet images and smaller format printing. However, it has one slight problem that can easily be corrected in any basic photo editor application.
Distorted out-of-camera file: 2592 x 1944 (5.03 MP)
With photo files taken directly from the RunCam 1, they first appear distorted—elongated on the y-axis. This 5-MP-file measures 2592 x 1944 pixels, but those 1944 pixels on the y-axis are too many which results in the elongated image. A simple fix for this is to edit the image size down to 1473 pixels on the y-axis and keep the x-axis at the same value (2592).
Adjusted RunCam 1 file: 2592 x 1473 (3.81 MP)
Using a credit-card gimbal mount, I use my RunCam 1 on typical toy-grade UAVs like the MJX-X600 or the Syma X8C. It's an easy payload for the X8C, but can be a slight tax on the X600—likely requiring the higher power mode. Not long ago, one of the six motors burned out in mid-flight on the X600 while hauling the RunCam 1. Luckily it wasn't too hard to navigate the craft back under five motors even if it wasn't a graceful landing.
As of this writing, the RunCam 1 is now available for $49.99 (U.S.) directly from RunCam's web site. It's likely that better deals can be found from other on-line stores.