A Simple Way to Reduce 3D Model Deformation in Smartphone Photogrammetry

Recently, the term smartphone photogrammetry gained popularity. This suggests that photogrammetry may become a simple measurement tool by virtually every smartphone user. The research was undertaken to clarify whether it is appropriate to use the Structure from Motion-Multi Stereo View (SfM-MVS) procedure with self-calibration as it is done in Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle photogrammetry. First, the geometric stability of smartphone cameras was tested. Fourteen smartphones were calibrated on the checkerboard test field. The process was repeated multiple times. These observations were found: (1) most smartphone cameras have lower stability of the internal orientation parameters than a Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera, and (2) the principal distance and position of the principal point are constantly changing. Then, based on images from two selected smartphones, 3D models of a small sculpture were developed. The SfM-MVS method was used, with self-calibration and pre-calibration variants. By comparing the resultant models with the reference DSLR-created model it was shown that introducing calibration obtained in the test field instead of self-calibration improves the geometry of 3D models. In particular, deformations of local concavities and convexities decreased. In conclusion, there is real potential in smartphone photogrammetry, but it also has its limits.