Eagle 2 is the new improved version of Runcam Eagle FPV camera. Many thanks to Runcam for sending the Eagle 2 in for testing. Release date is in around a month’s time.
The silver camera in the photos is the prototype I received. The final product will be in red colour metal housing. Learn about how to choose FPV camera.
Eagle2 Camera Product Page: http://bit.ly/eagle2-camera
What’s New in the Runcam Eagle 2?
I love the Runcam Eagle, many reviewers including RCModelReview and Joshua Bardwell agreed that it’s probably one of the best FPV cameras out there in terms of image quality and WDR capability. I was so excited to find out that Runcam has been making the Eagle2.
So Here are the improvements I’ve found so far:
- Lower latency, now it’s similar to the CCD cameras such as Arrow and Swift – test results are here: FPV Camera Latency
- Cheaper than the Eagle (in the $40-$50 range)
- Over-sharpening and noise issue has been resolved in the default settings
- Single PCB rather than double
- Using a 2-wire OSD controller like other FPV cameras, rather than the previous 6-wire one
Left – Eagle, Right – Eagle 2
Spec
- Input Voltage: 5V-36V (2S – 8S)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 or 16:9 (select at purchase)
- FOV: 4:3 – 140°, 16:9 – 130° (same as previous version)
- Latency: 33ms
- IR Block Lens
- NTSC/PAL switchable
- Weight: 18.9g
- Dimension: 28mm x 26mm x 28mm
Included items in the box:
I really want to see them put the OSD feature in the Eagle to display battery voltage (VBAT monitoring). Unfortunately it’s not in this new version.
Previous Eagle camera has a double PCB design.
Previous Eagle PCB
New Eagle 2 is redesigned on a single PCB (I couldn’t take the sensor out unfortunately)
Left – Eagle, Right Eagle 2
Initial Testing
So in this upgrade, the biggest change seems to be the improved latency. The challenge lies in optimizing the algorithm while maintaining that excellent wide dynamic range capability. In our tests we are going to check if there is any reduction in image quality over the previous version.
** Please bear in mind that the camera I have is a prototype, there might be changes in the production version (I will test again when it comes out). So what you see here might not be exactly how it would look like in the final product.
All cameras are in their default settings.
- First of all, I notice a drop in brightness in the Eagle 2
- Eagle 2 has a much softer image, and there is no more over-sharpening or noise compared to the Eagle 1
- Eagle 1 seems to be better with WDR, or maybe that’s caused by the lack of brightness
- Low light performance is actually comparable to the Owl Plus 2 in colour mode, better than Owl Plus in day and night :)
Fine Tuned and Flight Test
So here is my recommended/favorite setting:
- Sharpness, manual, +5 (reduce if you have aliasing)
- Edge, auto
- Saturation, manual, 15
- Brightness, 48 for better WDR, 36-40 for better colour
Here is an example of lowered brightness to achieve higher saturation (when the setting is maxed out). Brightness is down to 36.
Hi,
I set my Eagle 2 up with your settings as above, but get lots of flare when i turntowards the sun at dusk. Which setting should i change to reduce this?
Thanks for your great reviews! I brought this cam because of your site!
do you have any example footage showing the flare you are talking about? if it’s sun glare then it’s completely normal as it will happen to most cameras.
Is the lenses interswapable between Runcam Eagle 1 and Runcam Eagle 2?
yes they are compatible.
Hi Oscar.
Is it possible to connect the 2 setup pins to the SmartAudio ? If yes, how ?
you mean the two pins for OSD menu control? no it doesn’t work with Smart audio.
What Image Signal Proccessor is used?
So I’m thinking about getting a new camera because my current one turns nearly black if I fly on the sunset towards the sun (I have the HS1189). Would you recommend the runcam eagle 2 or should I get another one?
Yes I recommend the Eagle 2.
Can you share with us, the best settings for each camera instead of the default settings?
I have Runcam Swift, Swift2 and Micro cameras…
Yes i usually show my preferred settings at each camera reviews :) including this one.
Great review! How do you think the Eagle 2 compares to the Foxeer Monster V2?
i don’t have the Monster V2 yet. But the monster can only do 16:9, while the Eagle 2 provides both options.
not sure … @second 14-15 in the video, the eagle2 got pretty much the worst detail in the shadows .. heck, what i’m talking bout details.. it’s pitch black where the others cameras show a lot
yea that’s what i mean “lack of brightness” in the default settings..
Hi, Will you do a comparaison between swift 2 and eagle 2?
I didn’t find any…
Yea sure i will test them both shortly. But so far the Eagle 2 looks very similar to the Eagle, but less latency.
Do you mean Eagle 2 seems better because a lack of brightness?
no i mean the 1 has better WDR because it looks brighter with default settings. When I turn up brightness in the 2, it looks nearly identical.