Aerial photos are used to make stereo models and orthophotos, which in turn are used for mapping. Aerial photos are used as such, for instance, for researching historical objects and analysing changes in the environment.

Oriented aerial photographs are used in stereoscopic photo interpretation for drawing up contour lines, for example. The oriented aerial photographs can be directly used in EspaCity software.

New colour and false colour images are taken every three years, except for North Lapland, which is photographed approximately every 12 years. Aerial photography plans can be seen on the status map https://tilannekartta.maanmittauslaitos.fi/ilmakuva

Other product versions are not updated.

Information about areas photographed before 2020 is available on the National Land Survey's website: https://www.maanmittauslaitos.fi/laserkeilaus-ja-ilmakuvaus

Aerial photographs from different years are delivered as a separate delivery (see Distribution and further information).

Copyright and the other immaterial rights on the data set NLS Aerial photographs are owned by the National Land Survey of Finland. The data material is not confidential. Public access to the material is not restricted by the INSPIRE Directive. Areas defined by the Finnish Defence Forces may limit the access to aerial photographs in some regions.

Mention the name of the Licensor (the National Land Survey of Finland), the name of the dataset(s) and the time when the National Land Survey has delivered the dataset(s) (e.g.: contains data from the National Land Survey of Finland Topographic Database 06/2014).

Aerial photographs are available since the 1930s, depending on the area. Aerial photographs are available in black and white, colour and infrared.

The metadata of the aerial photographs is provided in connection with the delivery, if requested. Aerial photographs are available since the 1930s, depending on the area. Aerial photographs are available in black and white, colour and infrared.

The metadata of the aerial photographs is provided in connection with the delivery, if requested.

NLS aerial photographs function as the initial dataset in producing topographic data.

Aerial photographs are images that are taken from a plane with a sensor suitable for mapping purposes. The size of the area covered by the aerial photo depends on the photographing altitude. Until 2008, the NLS aerial photos were taken with a film camera, and since 2009, with a digital camera.

A digital aerial photo is produced of smaller pictures taken with eight cameras. The colour information is attached to the panchromatic high-resolution picture by a technique called pansharpening. The result is a picture that consists of four colour channels (red, blue, green and near-infrared).

The positional accuracy of an object depends on the structure and altitude of the camera. The images are affected by geometric defect due to central projection and altitude differences in the terrain. The defect is greatest near the edges of the image and smallest in the middle.

Film, 1:16 000 black-and-white

A black-and-white aerial photograph consists of a maximum of 256 different greyscale values.

Film, 1:31 000 black-and-white

A black-and-white aerial photograph consists of a maximum of 256 different greyscale values.

Film, 1:31 000 colour-infrared

In addition to visible light, the heat radiation (infrared radiation) reflected by the photographed objects is shown on the photo, consists of three colour channels (near-IR, red, green) each colour channel contains a maximum of 256 different shade values.

Film, 1:20 000 black-and-white

A black-and-white aerial photograph consists of a maximum of 256 different greyscale values.

Film, 1:20 000 colour-infrared

In addition to visible light, the heat radiation (infrared radiation) reflected by the photographed objects is shown on the photo, consists of three colour channels (near-IR, red, green), each colour channel contains 256 different shade values.

Digital pixel size 0.5 m all colour channels

Consists of four colour channels (red, green, blue and near-IR).

Digital pixel size 0.4 m all colour channels

Consists of four colour channels (red, green, blue and near-IR).

Digital pixel size 0.3 m all colour channels

Consists of four colour channels (red, green, blue and near-IR).

Digital pixel size 0.25 m all colour channels

Consists of four colour channels (red, green, blue and near-IR).

Aineisto

ISO 19115:2003/19139

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