AIO FPV Camera & VTX Combo Round Up (Tiny Whoop & Micro Quad)

This article compares the specs of all the popular AIO FPV camera and VTX combo (all in one) for tiny whoops and micro quads. We will also give our views on their image quality and value to help you decide which is best for your need.

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If you are into Tiny Whoops or micro quads in general, don’t forget to check out my run down of all the latest whoop flight controllers and how their specs compare to each other.

What’s an “AIO Camera VTX”?

AIO Camera VTX is an FPV camera and video transmitter combo that comes in one single unit, hence the name “AIO” (all in one).

AIO camera VTX is widely used in micro quads, because it’s very compact, light weight and extremely convenient. All you need is to connect power and you can receive video on your goggles. It’s also easier to mount in a quad, less headache when it comes to building.

Common Features and Considerations

VTX Power and Channels

These AIO camera VTX units are all very similar in terms of specs, the standard has become a 25mw VTX that can transmit on 40 to 48 channels (5 to 6 bands). What really separates these products is mainly the camera image quality, and their ability to deal with light changes (for example how well/quick it handles transition from light to dark).

SmartAudio and Betaflight OSD Support

Some of the latest AIO camera/VTX support additional features, such as SmartAudio (allows you to change video channels from your transmitter) and the ability to use Betaflight OSD (on screen display of flight info and menu for changes of setting). These are definitely make them more desirable, once you are spoiled by these features, it gets tough to fly without them.

Antenna

There are two main types of antennas used – dipole antenna (whip antenna) or circularly polarized (CP) antenna. See my FPV antenna guide to learn more about the differences between the different types of antenna.

As to which type of antenna we should use depends heavily on the particular setup as well as the environment. For general flying, I personally prefer dipole antennas for the simplicity, durability and light weight. We don’t generally require much more range on those micro quads than what these antennas provide anyway.

Even if there was a particular antenna you prefer, usually it can be swapped out fairly easily.

Separation between Camera and VTX

Traditionally AIO camera VTX combo have the VTX hard mounted on the back of the camera, and the connection are made via solder pins.

Some of the newer AIO’s have separate camera and VTX modules, and they are connected by silicon wires.

This accommodates a wider range of mounting styles, and creates more creative opportunity for a lower stack when building a low profile micro. One popular approach to have the camera mounted at a slight angle with the VTX laying flat on top of the FC.

Another benefit is that it allows you to cut the video wire between the VTX and camera, and connect them to the flight controller in order to use Betaflight OSD.

Comparison Table of All AIO Camera/VTX

I’ll be comparing prices and specs, as well as leaving recommendations on the top of the range, as well as best-for-budget products.

Best of the Best – Caddx Firefly & BetaFPV Z02

The Z02 from BetaFPV, and Firefly from Caddx are the standout products in the list. They both provide a boat load of features, have a great image and are priced reasonably.

Get the BetaFPV Z02 from:

• GetFPV: http://bit.ly/30OL4sT
• RDQ: http://bit.ly/2zDkk2j
• Amazon: https://amzn.to/2MNqp51

Get the Caddx Firefly from:

• Banggood: http://bit.ly/34g9nSA
• Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ZAASXl
• RDQ: http://bit.ly/2ZAEAjX

They cost $25 and $28 respectively and both weigh about the same. The image quality of these two cameras are comparable, despite the Caddx claiming a much higher “1200TVL” over the BetaFPV’s “600TVL”.

TVL stands for “TV lines”. Higher TVL should give you sharper image. However, I couldn’t really tell much difference between the image quality of these two cameras. It’s entirely possible that TVL is just a made-up number by manufacturers just like C-Rating in LiPo batteries.

Personally, I found the Z02 to have slightly flatter colours whereas the Firefly has a tad higher saturation. Both cameras however do look very good for the compact size. They both have decent wide dynamic range (WDR), and react quickly to changes in light conditions without being completely blown out.

Z02 winning features: offers 25mW to 200mW output, so if you want more power for penetration, for example, flying through your house, you can easily change it via BF OSD and SmartAudio using your transmitter.

BetaFPV Z02 AIO Camera VTX

However, having 200mW may only be useful when you’re by yourself. If you used 200mW while another pilot was only on 25mW, you would find your video heavily bleeding over the other pilots’s feed and causing them video issues. Using channels that are as far away as possible will help, but it will still limit how many people you can fly with at the same time.

Firefly winning features: offers the flexibility of having both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, so those who prefer 16:9 FPV goggles will no longer have to see the distorted, stretched 4:3 image. It also outputs in both NTSC and PAL (selectable) which is another useful feature.

Caddx Firefly AIO Camera VTX

Overall, you really can’t go wrong with either the Z02 or the Firefly for the price. Before buying, I would suggest checking some videos on Youtube to see which image you prefer, and question how often you will need the 200mw output power, which would be great for extended range and flying behind obstacles, but not “group friendly”.

They both have a whip antenna, and both connect the camera to the VTX via wires, giving a lot of flexibility on mounting, and allowing for a lower profile stack when building.

Best Budget AIO – Eachine TX06

Buy the Eachine TX06 from: http://bit.ly/2ZH99Eq

The Eachine TX06 offers a reasonable image with okay colours for only $12.  it doesn’t deal with large fluctuations in lighting condition very well, but for the price you can’t really go wrong, especially if you’re mostly flying indoors where the lighting doesn’t change.

It gives you the ability to use BF OSD AND Smart Audio as the cables from the camera aren’t not soldered onto the VTX, giving you premium features for an incredible price.

If the VTX is separated from the camera and isn’t hard mounted on, this would easily be one of my favourite AIO’s. Personally, I do not like the VTX orientation as it makes the drone taller due to the upright VTX antenna. However, if you aren’t fussed by this and just want to make a cheap micro, this would be a great purchase for you.

I found that the cameras in a lot of these AIO’s, such as the Cyclops v2, Eachine F7, and the Eachine TX04, are all very similar. But they either offer less features, cost more or weigh more, hence why I feel the Eachine TX06 is the best camera for the value.

Worthy Mentions – FX806T & Eachine F7

Buy the FX806T from: http://bit.ly/2LfpJU9

Buy the Eachine F7 from: http://bit.ly/2NKh3qg

These products had more drawbacks than the above, hence why they weren’t rated higher in this article. They do however have some strong points that are definitely worth mentioning.

First off, the FX806T appears to be a really good choice overall if your budget can stretch to the $40 asking price. (Update Sep 2019, it’s currently on sale on GETFPV for only $27)

FX806T AIO Camera VTX

It doesn’t offer Smart Audio capability but you can use Betaflight OSD.

The highlight of this AIO camera VTX, is the weight. It’s the lightest product on the list coming in at only 2 grams! For someone wanting to squeeze the most performance out of a micro drone, trying to shave every gram possible, this is definitely the camera VTX combo for you.

Next we have the Eachine F7 (US65 spare part). This camera is in every US/UR65 micro drone, and you can buy this AIO as a spare part to use on any other drones. I like to call it the F7 because it has “F7” printed on the PCB. This might be one of the most widely spread cameras that people don’t even realise they have.

Eachine F7 (UR65) AIO Camera VTX

It deals well with quick light changes, has slightly flat colours but overall is a good camera that many people use. It offers all the features you would expect such as SmartAudio and Betaflight OSD, and is a solid AIO for only $23.

Not For a Whoop? Eachine DVR03 & TX02Pro

Get the Eachine DVR03 from: http://bit.ly/32lefUJ

Get the TX02Pro from: http://bit.ly/2Zt3vqj

These camera VTX combo’s might be a little too heavy to be on a 65mm brushed/brushless tiny whoop. I think where these two cameras would really excel is on a small wing or plane.

I feel that the built-in DVR on the DVR03 would be wasted on a tiny whoop because it would add too much weight and reduce the manoeuvrability of such a small quadcopter. However on a micro plane or wing would be great for recording flight video directly from the camera, that is higher quality than the DVR on the goggles.

Eachine DVR03 AIO Camera VTX

As for the TX02Pro, having only 200mW output on a micro quad will be troublesome when flying with others, but not a problem when flying by yourself.

Eachine TX02Pro AIO Camera VTX

Both products are also quite bulky, so making a compact micro quad with these would be quite difficult.

The Rest of the AIO Camera VTX

There is nothing inherently wrong with all the other cameras that haven’t been mentioned, but they don’t really stand out to the point where I felt they needed mentioning.

However, if you see a camera that matches your requirements in the list, feel free to write about your views on them in the comments. This will certainly help out others that may be wanting something similar to your setup.