Photogrammetry Scale Calculator
A 152 mm camera flying 3000 m above datum over ground at 500 m gives a photo scale of 16447.4.
16447.3684210526
Full answer, then cut to fewer decimals (not rounded):
- 16447.3684210526
- 16447.368421052
- 16447.36842105
- 16447.3684210
- 16447.368421
- 16447.36842
- 16447.3684
- 16447.368
- 16447.36
- 16447.3
- Ground covered by one photo (side)
- 3782.894737 m
- Area covered
- 14.31029259 km²
- Relief displacement d = r h/H′
- 1.6 mm
Step-by-step solution
- Scale = f / (H − h) = 152 mm ÷ 2500 m = 1 : 16447.36842
Photogrammetry Scale Formula
S = f / (H − h)
relief displacement d = r h / H′ with H′ the height above the object base
Worked Example
A 152 mm camera flying at 3000 m over ground at 500 m:
- Scale = f / (H − h) = 152 mm ÷ 2500 m = 1 : 16447.36842
Area covered: 14.31029259 km² · Relief displacement d = r h/H′: 1.6 mm
GATE tip
Keep f and H − h in the same units before dividing: 152 mm ÷ 2500 m = 0.152 m ÷ 2500 m.
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Frequently asked questions
Why subtract the ground elevation?
Scale depends on the distance from the lens to the ground, H − h, not on the height above sea level.
Which way does relief displacement act?
Radially outward from the principal point for objects above the datum.
Sources
- The International System of Units (SI), 9th edition (SI Brochure), Bureau International des Poids et Mesures .
Last reviewed: . Factors are stored exactly and computed with 50-digit decimal arithmetic. See how we verify conversion factors.
Cite this page
APA
Scientific Converters. (2026, October 15). Photogrammetry Scale Calculator. Retrieved October 29, 2026, from https://scientificconverters.com/calculators/photogrammetry-scale-calculator/
IEEE
Scientific Converters, "Photogrammetry Scale Calculator," scientificconverters.com. Accessed: Oct. 29, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://scientificconverters.com/calculators/photogrammetry-scale-calculator/