Runcam is releasing yet another FPV camera, this time, the Micro Sparrow V2! I am actually quite excited about this one because it seems to provide nearly the same performance as the Foxeer Predator, but the extra image settings make it a better camera.

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The Runcam Micro Sparrow 2 is now available at Banggood.com

Further Reading: To learn more about FPV cameras make sure to check out our beginners’ guide.

Whats Special About the Micro Sparrow 2 FPV Camera?

• It’s the lightest and smallest “micro” FPV camera from Runcam, at only 4.5g (not counting their Nano FPV camera)
• The performance of the Micro Sparrow 2 is very similar to the Foxeer Predator, but the extra “White Balance” setting gives you better image colour
• The “One touch scene setting” is a great addition, you can quickly load settings for different environment

Size comparison between Micro Swift 2, Micro Predator and the Sparrow 2

Closer Look at the Micro Sparrow 2

Spec:

• Input Voltage: 5V – 36V
• FOV: 150°, 2.1mm lens
• PAL or NTSC (not switchable)
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3
• Weight: 4.5g
• TVL: 700
• Price: $35

The package includes:

• Menu Joystick
• Screws & cables
• Mounting bracket

Supports OSD and VBAT – displaying battery voltage on screen, as well as timer and pilot name. Voltage value can be calibrated.

The screw holes on the side are metal inserts. The lens is mounted on the sensor with two screws, just like the Micro Swift.

It appears the Micro Sparrow 2 has the same lens used on the Micro Swift 2, which is slightly smaller than the one on the Micro Predator. Dimensions are the same across these cameras, except the Micro Sparrow 2 which is the shortest due to the thinner body.

Performance Testing

Latency

The latency of the Micro Sparrow 2 FPV camera is the same as the previous version, at only 15ms in average, which is on par with the Predator too. Full result can be found in my FPV Camera latency test.

Image Settings

The menu for camera settings in the new Sparrow is curiously similar to the Foxeer Predator. but there is an additional setting called “White Balance”, which allows you to change the colour of the image drastically.

After playing around with it, I found the option “PUSH” in the “White Bal.” setting gives me the best result, it eliminates that “blue hue” and makes the image look warmer.

Sparrow 2 Camera Settings  – White Balance

After testing this camera for 3 days, here is my preferred settings for a sunny day.

• Brightness: 121
• Contrast: 150
• Sharpness: 70
• Hue: 90
• Color Gain: 135

Sparrow 2 Image Settings

The Sparrow 2 does provide a very sharp image, but when sharpness is too high you will begin to see digital artifacts and shimmering. The default sharpness value (150) was way too high for me, I have to decrease it to below 70 to reduce the shimmering to an acceptable level.

Different image quality between PAL & NTSC?

For some strange reasons, I found the NTSC version of the Sparrow 2 provides a softer image than the PAL version. The image from the PAL version does look sharper and there is more image detail, but so are the digital artifacts. Both cameras have the same settings on them in this test.

Micro Sparrow 2 VS. Micro Predator

Here is a comparison video between the Micro Sparrow 2 and the Micro Predator, both cameras were using my personal settings.

As we previously tested the Predator FPV camera, the image just turns blue when it’s facing strong light. The sparrow 2 kind of does the same thing, but with “White Bal” changed to “PUSH” it prevents this issue.

FOV (field of view) is nearly identical on both cameras (maybe the Sparrow 2 has a tiny bit smaller FOV, it’s really hard to tell), and the colour of the Sparrow 2 is more natural after the change of white balance.

Apart from the image colour, the rest of the image look very similar: WDR (wide dynamic range), image detail etc.

After testing the Sparrow 2 and Predator together a bit more, I begin to think they might be the same camera, the images and performance are just too close! I actually found settings that can make the image of the Micro Sparrow 2 to look like the Micro Predator.

Conclusion

If you like the Foxeer Predator, you will like the Micro Sparrow 2 even more, because it’s basically the Predator, with better image colour.