Capture

the Scene LizardQ

The spherical
camera for
professionals
with deadlines.
The LizardQ spherical camera system can quickly and
automatically create 100 megapixel spherical or panoramic
images with High Dynamic Range (HDR). It uses a digital SLR
camera with a fisheye lens. The spherical or panoramic
image is stitched from individual images using a computer
without the need for manual intervention. The images are
compatible with our R2S Scene Management and
Documentation System.
► 100 megapixels
► High Dynamic Range (HDR) up to 30 f-stops
► Capture time 90 seconds typical
Depending on scenery
☼ down to 25 seconds up to 7 minutes
► Fast & Automatic ► Flexible & reliable

Principle of Operation
Robotic camera mount with built-in microcomputer. For use with a digital SLR camera and fisheye lens.
The full spherical or panoramic image is stitched from individual shots using processing software on a
computer.

The device can be operated with the built-in push button or via remote control using an iPod. For a
spherical or panoramic image capture, the camera is positioned automatically to 6 viewing directions (1x
up, 5x around the horizon). In each position a bracketed sequence of images is taken. The capture proc-
ess can be paused or canceled. Capture parameters can be adjusted to fit the scene to be photographed.

Images are saved in Canon RAW format on Compact Flash memory cards (must be inserted into Canon
camera). Individual RAW images are marked with special meta tags, so they can be sorted and stitched
fully automatically.

The final spherical or panoramic HDR image is saved by the processing software on the computer's hard
disk.
Calibrated tri-pod for
LizardQ
photogrammetric
measurements General Technical Data
►Device: Servo-motor driven DSLR camera two
axis mount with built-in microcomputer (Intel
Atom processor) and wireless networking
►Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
►Lens: Canon EF 15mm 1:2.8 Fisheye
(lens is precision-aligned for optimum stitching)

Settings
► Exposure: automatic or manual from 30
seconds down to 1/8000 seconds
► Aperture: manual, 2.8 to 22

Dynamic Range
From 12 up to 30 f-stops dynamic range

► Full HDR (complete bracketing depending

on exposure settings, i.e. 18 to 30 f-stops)
► Fast HDR (bracketing of 3 shots at –2, 0 and
+2 f-stops offset from base exposure, i.e.16
f-stops)
► LDR (no bracketing, i.e. 12 f-stops)

Image Capture Speed

Depends on scene (daylight, indoors, night) and
capture settings.

► 90 seconds typical capture time for a

reasonably lit indoor scene (“Full HDR” at 1
second base exposure)
► 25 seconds shortest capture time for an
outdoor scene and full daylight (“Fast HDR” at
1/16th second base exposure)
► about 7 minutes longest capture time for a
night scene with minimal lighting (“Full HDR”
at 30 seconds base exposure)

Scenes taken on “Fast HDR” setting will capture

faster. Well lit scenes will generally allow faster
capturing.

The set-up time from pressing the power button

to being ready to capture is about 20 seconds.

Lizard Q Carrying Case

Image Processing Speed
Depends on scene and capture settings. The
processing of camera RAW files into the final
spherical or panoramic image is a matter of a few
minutes. Scenes with lower contrast will
generally render faster. Scenes taken on
"Fast HDR" setting will generally render faster.
Processing will typically take between 3 and 6
minutes on current performing notebook
hardware.
Remote Control
By web browser, via Wi-Fi wireless networking or
Ethernet network.
Wireless remote control device: Apple iPod
Touch.
► Wireless network: Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11g
(54 MBit/s)
► Encryption: WPA and WPA2 with TKIP or AES
encryption (pre-shared key)
► Unencrypted or WEP-encrypted connection
attempts are denied
► Wi-Fi can be physically disabled
Remote control is also possible when using the
built-in Gigabit Ethernet port for cable-based
network connections. Any network-enabled
computer with a modern web browser will work.
Note: Ethernet remote control is for changing
capture settings only. For safety reasons the
device will not move while a network cable is
connected.
Automation and fail-safe features
► Light sensors for automatic exposure control
► Accurate inclination sensor for auto-leveling of
images
► GPS built-in for automatic geotagging of
images
► Acceleration sensors for sensing of unwanted
tripod movement
► Axes equipped with brakes for eliminating
wind-induced movement
Battery and power
Lithium Ion battery with charge status indicator.
► Idle endurance: est. 8 hours at 20°C (battery
life when device is powered on but not
capturing)
► Busy endurance: est. 200 panoramic images
at 20°C (battery life when device is capturing
continuously)
Replaceable battery. Battery can be charged
while inserted in device. AC adapter for internal
charging and operation without battery.
Line voltage: 100 to 240V AC, 50 to 60 Hz.
Note: Initial devices may require using Canon LP-
E6 batteries for powering the 5D Mark II camera.
Later devices will power the 5D Mark II from the
device battery. Upgrade is possible.
Battery life of the Canon LP-E6 is about 850
shots (according to Canon), i.e. 17 panoramic
images on "Full-HDR" setting or 40 panoramic
images on "Fast-HDR" setting.
External connectors
► 1x DC in (for AC adapter to power the internal
battery charger)
► 3x USB 2.0 (for recharging the iPod or
Attaching a USB memory stick)
► 1x Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
► Cables for Canon camera connection (USB
and power)
Operating Environment
► Operating temperature of 0°C to 40°C (-10°C
in preparation)
► Temperature (internal battery charging):
0°C to 40°C
► Temperature (storage): -20°C to 60°C (20°C
recommended)
► Humidity: <80% RH non-condensing
Size and Weight Available Models
Four models are currently available as follows:
Width: 200 mm (7.9 in);
Depth: 160 mm (6.3 in); Photographer’s Base Package
Height: varies with camera position, ► Robotic camera mount with battery, AC adapter and
external charger with standard 3/8” - 16 thread for tripod
maximum is 250 mm (9.8 in) mounting, carrying case
► Canon EF 15mm 1:2:8 Fisheye Lens (precision mounted)
Weight: ► Software on USB memory stick
► Manual
3.7 kg (8.2 lb) (including camera, lens and LIZ-001
battery, without tripod)
Battery: 340 g (0.75 lb) Forensic Base Package
► Robotic camera mount with battery, AC adapter and
external charger with standard 3/8” - 16 thread for tripod
Chassis mounting, carrying case
Chassis material is aluminum (anodized), some ► Canon EF 15mm 1:2:8 Fisheye Lens (precision mounted)
► Calibrated Gitzo tripod with mount for photogrammetric
parts stainless steel and plastics. Color black. Measurements, with bag
► Software on USB memory stick
Device has a centered standard 3/8”-16 thread for ► Manual
LIZ-003
attaching a tripod adapter.
Required Accessories
Camera Requirement and Handling ► Canon EOS 5D Mark II body (including accessories)
► CF-Card - SanDisk Extreme II Compact Flash Card 16GB or
Camera models or manufacturers other than the 32GB
Canon EOS 5D Mark II are not supported at this ► Apple iPod Touch 8GB
time. ► Tripod, bag, tripod head (Photographer’s package only)

Complete Photographer’s Package

The camera can be unmounted from the device and ► Photographer’s base package plus
used for freehand shooting with any lens of choice. ► Canon EOS 5D Mark II body (including accessories)
► Apple iPod Touch 8GB
► Manfrotto 055XB Tripod
Processing Software System Requirements ► Bogen Quick Release 625L
Operating systems: ► Manfrotto MBAG90PN bag
► Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP1, ► 32GB CF-Card SanDisk Extreme II Compact Flash Card
LIZ-002
Windows 7
► Mac OS X (version 10.6 "Snow Leopard" may Complete Forensic Package
be required) ► Forensic base package
► Canon EOS 5D Mark II body (including accessories)
Hardware: ► Apple iPod Touch 8GB
► Intel compatible CPU (Intel Core2 or later, AMD ► 32GB CF-Card SanDisk Extreme II Compact Flash Card
Athlon/Opteron or later) LIZ-004
► Graphics chip (GPU/graphics card) with
OpenGL 2.0 support
► 2 GB of RAM
► 8 GB of free hard disk space

The processing software depends on the graphics

processing unit (GPU) for basic operation and
speed. It will not run on computers without
graphics card or with an outdated GPU.
File Formats and Size
► Spherical/Panoramic HDR image will be saved in
equirectangular geometry in the RADIANCE (*.hdr) file
format. TIFF, Open EXR and Photoshop file formats Operate system with
planned. Apple iPod Touch
► Image dimension: 14140 x 7070 pixels
► File size for RADIANCE format: 290 mega bytes typical
(varies with image content)