Can somebody tell me about the pros and cons of enabling photogrametry at FS 2020/2024 ?

Subjective.

Pretty cool to see real buildings when flying - below 1000 ago roughly it can look kinda ugly though 

 Also harder on performance 

Also the PG color tiles are usually different than other aerial imagery.

I fly with it on but don't always care for it

I currently fly with photogrametry turned off. It's not really necessary for flying airliners. Besides, at low altitudes, if you have low LOD settings, the image is very poor. Sometimes it looks like a bomb has fallen on the buildings.

For me, there are currently few advantages. While it is true that photogrammetry looks spectacular where it works well, there is hardly any coverage in the world and it has too many problems in most of the areas where I personally fly, which ruins my immersion experience.

 

 

 

Can't you just try it for yourself? What do you need us for?

I set it to off to save processing for more important stuff, and I really don't like the morphing buildings at lower settings...

I simulate mostly airliner flights so, no real need for PG...

32 minutes ago, jcomm said:

I simulate mostly airliner flights so, no real need for PG...

Well flying the ILS 02 at LPPT shows how photogrammetry really should be. Beautiful sights of Lisbon there 😉

Love that approach... Doing it all time because 95% of my simulated flights end in LPPT 😁

19 hours ago, ryanbatc said:

Also the PG color tiles are usually different than other aerial imagery.

Surprised that this doesn't get mentioned (and complained about) more.  I can generally live with the other stuff, but this just bugs the (bleep) out of me.  Still, I fly with it on.  Compromises, compromises.

 

Scott

22 minutes ago, tttocs said:

Surprised that this doesn't get mentioned (and complained about) more.  I can generally live with the other stuff, but this just bugs the (bleep) out of me.  Still, I fly with it on.  Compromises, compromises.

 

Scott

Mismatched any tiles really annoy me.  But it happens with auto Ortho on XP too.  It's really not avoidable I guess hehe

I could experiment the benefits of PG at New York city, when in off, besides the principal and relevant buildings, the rest looked as cardboard boxes, with PG on, it looks like the real city 

On 11/14/2025 at 8:56 PM, solito said:

Can somebody tell me about the pros and cons of enabling photogrametry at FS 2020/2024 ?

Hi:

Yes, as stated already, it’s subjective, so, it’s best to try and experiment for yourself, especially on your own system. 

I’ve experimented sufficiently with the Chicago downtown, one where I’m very familiar from RW with many of the key skyscrapers. Generally, with PG on, these buildings have a molten and misshaped appearance for me. Of course, with PG off, they look visually better, but the buildings  no longer retain their RW shape and curvatures. They are in the right spot, though…🙂…

If you wish, try focussing e.g., on Chicago’s Lake Point Tower, a peculiarly curved Y-shaped tall building, with three 120-degrees arms. That’s the only skyscraper on the wrong side…🙂… (i.e., on the east side) of Lake Shore Drive, that I often used to visit. You’ll know if PG works for you here. 
 

Likewise e.g., London city downtown has many (famous) curved buildings. Lift off (westward) from EGLC airport in a (slow) Cub or a Helicopter, and check it out for yourself. I’ve many times…🙂…

Have fun, either way…!

(I wished to add that my personal experience in this matter is similar between MSFS2020 and MSFS2024, now being exclusively on MSFS2024.)

Edited November 16, 2025Nov 16 by P_7878

4 hours ago, solito said:

I could experiment the benefits of PG at New York city, when in off, besides the principal and relevant buildings, the rest looked as cardboard boxes, with PG on, it looks like the real city 

....or you could purchase the SamScene New York Times addon, and get the best of both worlds 

A point I have made several times in the past (If it's annoying to repeat, I apologize): Switching photogrammetry on and off is extremely easy -- a matter of seconds, and there is no need to restart anything, even your current flight. So why the extended discussion? I like pg in some places, not in others. I really don't see a problem. Arguing about this is analogous to arguing over whether to use real weather or not, or what aircraft to fly. It's a matter of personal preference and is very dependent on location, computer system, and other factors.  

Edited November 22, 2025Nov 22 by cobalt