# Question Decomposition

## Original Question
Compare ViewPro Z40K and USG-231 cameras: analyze video feed quality (especially from Shark M UAV), wobble effect, zoom capabilities, image crispness, and overall quality during zoom.

## Active Mode
Mode A Phase 2 — Initial Research (no prior solution drafts exist)

## Question Type
**Concept Comparison** — comparing two specific camera products across defined quality dimensions

## Research Subject Boundary
- **Population**: UAV gimbal cameras in the 500-600g class for fixed-wing reconnaissance
- **Geography**: Global (ViewPro is Chinese, USG is Ukrainian)
- **Timeframe**: Current products as of 2025-2026
- **Level**: Product-grade ISR camera systems

## Problem Context
User is building a reconnaissance UAV and evaluating camera payloads. The Shark M UAV (by Ukrspecsystems) uses the USG-231 as its standard payload. The ViewPro Z40K is a competing 3rd-party gimbal camera.

## Decomposed Sub-Questions

### SQ1: What are the core optical/sensor specifications of each camera?
- "ViewPro Z40K sensor specifications resolution zoom"
- "USG-231 sensor type resolution megapixel"
- "ViewPro Z40K Panasonic CMOS module identification"
- "USG-231 Sony FCB block camera module 30x zoom"
- "1/2.3 inch vs 1/2.8 inch CMOS sensor quality drone"

### SQ2: How do the stabilization systems compare?
- "3-axis gimbal vs 2-axis gimbal drone camera wobble"
- "digital stabilization vs optical image stabilization OIS drone"
- "2-axis gimbal yaw problem fixed wing drone"
- "ViewPro Z40K 5-axis OIS stabilization performance"
- "USG-231 digital video stabilization quality"

### SQ3: What is the zoom quality and behavior at high magnification?
- "20x optical zoom 4K vs 30x optical zoom Full HD surveillance"
- "intelligent zoom iA zoom quality degradation crop"
- "30x zoom drone camera atmospheric distortion max zoom"
- "ViewPro Z40K zoom test footage sharpness"

### SQ4: What does the Shark M video feed actually look like?
- "Shark M UAV video footage quality zoom"
- "Shark UAV combat footage camera quality analysis"
- "USG-231 reconnaissance footage stabilization"

### SQ5: How does wobble manifest on each camera?
- "3-axis gimbal wobble reduction vs 2-axis jello effect"
- "ViewPro gimbal vibration jello problem"
- "USG-231 wobble fixed wing drone flight"

## Chosen Perspectives
1. **End-user/Operator**: What does the feed look like during missions? Usability of zoom, clarity of targets
2. **Integrator/Engineer**: Gimbal architecture, stabilization mechanism, weight, integration complexity
3. **Domain Expert (ISR)**: Effective observation range, target identification capability, zoom vs resolution trade-off
4. **Contrarian**: Where does each camera fail? What are the hidden weaknesses?

## Timeliness Sensitivity Assessment
- **Research Topic**: UAV gimbal camera comparison (ViewPro Z40K vs USG-231)
- **Sensitivity Level**: Medium
- **Rationale**: Hardware products with stable specs; not rapidly changing like AI/software
- **Source Time Window**: 1-2 years
- **Priority official sources**:
  1. ViewPro official product pages
  2. Ukrspecsystems official product pages
  3. Sony FCB block camera datasheets
  4. Defense Express field reports
