Balko integrates RGB 128 MP camera module in Connectiv ecosystem

Balko has expanded its Connectiv surveying platform with the addition of the RGB 128 MP camera module, aiming to boost efficiency and precision for geospatial professionals. The new option integrates directly with existing Connectiv hardware and software, allowing organizations to generate ultra-high-resolution imagery within established workflows.

At the core of the module is the Phase One P5 UAV 35mm camera, a 128-megapixel medium-format system capable of capturing images at 13,468 × 9,564 pixels. Its 35mm lens offers a 66° by 49° field of view, reducing the number of flight lines required and enabling larger-area coverage per mission. With a shutter speed of up to 1/16,000sec, operators can fly at 250m above ground and 100km/h while maintaining a ground sample distance of 2.46cm and limiting motion blur to under 5mm.

The strength of the RGB 128 MP lies not only in its image quality but also in how seamlessly it integrates into the Connectiv hardware ecosystem. Combined with Balko’s Lidar modules and high-precision INS, it enables several hybrid payload configurations: pairing RGB with Lidar to generate photorealistic, colourized point clouds; pairing RGB with INS for highly accurate georeferencing even in GPS-challenged environments; or deploying all three together to produce fully colourized and precisely georeferenced 3D datasets for advanced modelling and digital twin applications.

Dense Lidar point clouds and ultra-high-resolution imagery

According to Balko, pairing the RGB 128 MP with the RIEGL VUX-120 Lidar and high-precision INS modules allows operators to combine dense Lidar point clouds with ultra-high-resolution imagery in a single pass. The setup is designed for high-altitude, high-speed flights, enabling teams to survey larger areas in less time. The company says missions can be flown up to three times higher and five times faster than other configurations, reducing project timelines by as much as a factor of 15.

The new module also integrates with Balko’s software environment, which automatically aligns imagery with Lidar and navigation datasets. This approach, the company notes, removes the need for manual processing or third-party tools, helping users move more quickly from data collection to analysis. Balko expects the system to support a wide range of applications, including infrastructure inspection, urban planning, forestry, mining and environmental monitoring.