top of page

LiDAR  vs   Photogrammetry

LiDAR

Pros

 

  • Vegetation penetration providing accurate data even in forested or obstructed areas
    ​

  • Able to resolve finer details then photogrammetry (e.x. powerlines)
     

  • Effective in low light conditions 

Cons

 

  • Does not capture visual mapping, point clouds have to be colorized from a seperate camera (built in on most modern LiDAR systems) 
    ​

  • Requires specialized software and knowledge

Photogrammetry

Pros

 

  • Captures visual data, able to build orthomosaics or photorealistic models
     

  • Cheaper then LiDAR​
     

  • ​Easier integration with standard cameras

​​​​​​​

Cons

 

  • Severely limited in dense vegetation or low-light conditions, as photogrammetry relies on visible light.
     

  • Diffecult to capture shiny, reflect, or transparent surfaces (windows, metal roofs, or water)
     

  • Has more distortion without proper ground control​

Not sure which is right for your project? 

bottom of page