Digital and Conventional Film-Based Non-Metric Cameras: A Comparison of Performance in Structural Deformation Surveys

This research work presents the results of an experiment concerned with a comparison of the performance of non-metric digital and non-metric film -based cameras for structural deformation surveys. An Olympus OM 10 non-metric camera and a Fujix DS-100 still image digital camera were used to measure the amount of deformation of a model of a light-weight building when under load. For the sake of consistency, the same photogrammetric network design, control configuration and self -calibrating bundle adjustment were used for data evaluation. The results of the research show that digital non-metric cameras are viable ,and possibly accurate , tools for structural deformation studies .Taking into account the obvious advantages of ease of operation , relatively low cost and computer –amenability , the author appeals to surveyors and civil engineers to consider digital cameras in their respective deformation survey studies and practices.