How to Mount an FPV Camera on a Drone Frame

An FPV camera mounts to a frame by its size class: nano at 14 mm, micro at 19 mm, and full size at 28 mm. A micro camera such as the RunCam Phoenix 2 measures 19 mm by 19 mm and outputs 1200TVL video. This guide covers camera sizes, mounts, lens choice, and the angle that suits freestyle flying.

Which camera size fits your frame?

A micro camera measures 19 mm by 19 mm and fits most 5-inch frames. A nano camera measures 14 mm and fits small whoop frames.

The Foxeer Toothless 2 fits nano and micro mounts with a 1/2 inch CMOS sensor. Check the frame camera plates before you order.

How does a camera mount bracket work?

A metal camera mount bracket bolts to the frame side plates and holds the camera at a set angle. The 19 mm micro bracket fits RunCam, Caddx, and Foxeer cameras.

Tighten the bracket screws evenly so the camera sits square. A tilted camera makes the horizon lean in flight.

Which lens suits freestyle flying?

A 2.1 mm lens gives a wide view for freestyle and racing. The Caddx Ratel 2 V2 ships with a 2.1 mm lens and 1200TVL resolution.

A 1.8 mm lens gives an even wider view for a small whoop. A narrow lens suits long range, where you need to see far ahead.

What camera angle should you set?

Set the camera angle near 25 degrees for freestyle. A higher angle suits fast forward flight, and a lower angle suits slow cruising.

Match the simulator camera angle to the real mount. A 25 degree angle in the simulator feels like a 25 degree mount on the quad.

Analog or HD camera: which should you pick?

An analog camera such as the Phoenix 2 gives low latency at 1200TVL. A Moonlight 4K camera kit records 4K video at 60 frames per second.

Analog suits racing, where latency matters most. HD suits cinematic flying, where recorded video quality matters most.

How do you protect the camera lens?

A lens filter set adds ND, CPL, and UV filters for DJI Mini series cameras. The set ships as a 6-pack for the DJI Mini series.

A camera mount with side plates guards the lens in a crash. Replace a cracked lens before it blurs the video.

Quick comparison

CameraSizeResolutionLens
RunCam Phoenix 2 SP V519 by 19 mm1200TVLNight vision
Foxeer Toothless 2Nano and micro1200TVLStarlight
Caddx Ratel 2 V219 by 19 mm1200TVL2.1 mm
Moonlight 4K kitHD4K at 60 FPSHD lens

Frequently asked questions

Can I fit a nano camera in a micro mount?

Yes, with an adapter bracket. A micro mount holds a 19 mm camera, so a 14 mm nano camera needs a spacer or adapter.

What does 1200TVL mean?

It means 1200 TV lines of horizontal resolution. Higher TVL gives a sharper analog video image.

Why does my FPV video look washed out?

The camera settings or the sun angle cause it. Adjust brightness in the camera menu, or add an ND filter for bright days.

Do I need a separate camera for recording?

No for FPV flying, but yes for good footage. An HD camera kit records 4K video while the analog camera feeds the goggles.

Parts used

RunCam Phoenix 2 SP V5 FPV Camera 1200TVL Night Vision 19x19mm Micro, $73.99. RunCam Phoenix 2 SP V5 micro FPV camera, 1200TVL night-vision, 4:3/16:9 and NTSC/PAL switchable, 5-36V, 19x19mm, 7.5g. Cable, screws, and manual included. Ships from NY, USA.

Foxeer Toothless 2 Nano / Micro FPV Camera 1200TVL 1/2" CMOS Starlight, $129.99. Foxeer Toothless 2 FPV camera with a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor, 1200TVL, starlight low-light, in Nano (2.1mm lens) or Micro (M12 1.7mm lens). 4:3/16:9 and NTSC/PAL switchable. Ships from NY, USA.

Caddx Ratel 2 V2 FPV Camera 1200TVL 2.1mm Lens 19x19mm Micro, $71.99. Caddx Ratel 2 V2 micro FPV camera, 1200TVL with a 2.1mm lens, 16:9/4:3 and NTSC/PAL switchable, 19x19mm mount. Black or red. Includes OSD board, cable, and bracket. Ships from NY, USA.

Moonlight 4K/60FPS HD FPV Camera Kit, $169.99. CADDX Walksnail Moonlight HD FPV camera kit with 4K/60 recording and a starlight sensor for low-light flying. Built-in EIS and Gyroflow support keep footage smooth. Ships from NY, USA.

Ant Nano 1200TVL Global WDR OSD 1.8mm Ultra Light FPV Camera, $52.99. CADDX Ant nano FPV camera, 1200TVL with global WDR and 1.8mm lens. 2 grams for tinywhoop, cinewhoop, and toothpick builds. Ships from NY, USA.

19mm Micro FPV Camera Mount Bracket for RunCam Caddx Foxeer, Metal, 1 or 2 Pack, $5.65. 19mm micro FPV camera mount bracket for RunCam, Caddx and Foxeer cameras. Metal U-bracket with slotted base holes and M2 screws, 1 or 2 pack. Ships from NY, USA.

Foxeer Micro Lollipop V4 FPV Antenna 5.8GHz RHCP Single or Pair, $36.99. Genuine Foxeer Micro Lollipop V4 antenna, 5.8GHz RHCP omni, 2.3dBi. Single or matched pair, SMA / RP-SMA / MMCX / UFL, red, purple, or black. Ships from NY, USA.

Foxeer Echo 2 Patch Antenna 5.8GHz 9dBi LHCP / RHCP SMA / RP-SMA, $65.99. Foxeer Echo 2 patch antenna, 5.8GHz 9dBi directional, LHCP/RHCP, SMA or RP-SMA, black or white. For FPV goggles, monitors, and ground stations. Ships from NY, USA.

RushFPV Tiny Tank Nano VTX 350mW 5.8GHz 48CH SmartAudio, $11.55. RushFPV Tiny Tank Nano VTX, 5.8GHz 48CH, 25-350mW, 5V in, SmartAudio, 17×12.5mm for toothpicks and whoops. Includes LED expansion board, antenna, and cable. Ships from NY, USA.

GEPRC RAD 1.6W VTX 5.8GHz 40CH IRC Tramp SmartAudio Long Range, $142.99. GEPRC RAD 1.6W VTX, 5.8GHz 40CH, PIT-1600mW, 2-8S in, IRC Tramp + SmartAudio, MMCX, 9.7g. Antenna, pigtail, hardware, and case included. Ships from NY, USA.

ND/CPL/UV Filter Set for DJI Mini Series, 6-Pack, $57.74. 6-pack snap-on lens filters for DJI Mini 4K/Mini 2/Mini SE/Mavic Mini. ND4/8/16/32, CPL, UV with storage case.

DC 5-12V 3-Channel Video Switcher Module for FPV Cameras, $2.99. 3-channel video switcher module for FPV. Switch between three cameras with a PWM channel, runs on 5-12V. Ships from NY, USA.

APEX 5 5-Inch Carbon Fiber FPV Frame Kit, 225mm, 5.5mm Arms, $52.99. APEX 5 5-inch carbon fiber FPV freestyle frame kit, 225mm wheelbase, 5.5mm arms, about 138g. Frame kit or 3D printed parts version. Takes 5-inch props, 2205-2306 motors, 30-50A ESCs. Ships from NY, USA.

SpeedyBee F7 V3 50A Stack with BL32 4-in-1 ESC for FPV Racing, $145.99. SpeedyBee F7 V3 stack with BL32 50A 4-in-1 ESC for FPV racing. FC only, ESC only, or full stack. STM32F722, BMI270, Bluetooth config. Ships from NY, USA.

FPV Cameras

FPV Video Transmission

FPV Accessories

Related buying guides on Quality RC Parts

FPV Drone Frames in the USA

FPV Flight Controllers and ESCs in the USA

Browse all the guides on the Quality RC Parts Drone Guides hub, or start at the Quality RC Parts store.

Sources

Quality RC Parts stocks parts in New York, USA and ships in-stock orders in 1-2 business days.

Last updated: 2026-11-10.

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