Structure from motion (SFM) photogrammetry vs terrestrial laser scanning

Structure from Motion (SfM) has its roots in the well-established spatial measurement method of photogrammetry, but is becoming increasingly recognised as a means to capture dense 3D data to represent real-world objects, both natural and man- made. This capability has conventionally been the domain of the terrestrial laser scanner (TLS), a mature and easy to understand method used to generate millions of 3D point coordinates in a form known as a “point cloud”. Each technique is described and noted for its strengths and weaknesses.