A paper deals with the use of UAV-based aerial photography in surface imaging. The main limitation of this photogrammetry is the problem of the insufficient accuracy of determining the Z coordinates of terrain points. The aim of this article is to highlight the problems related to the accuracy of the Z coordinates in the created terrain models based on UAV images and to propose simple techniques to overcome these problems. A proposed solution is based on the idea to use an unnamed aerial vehicle equipped with a digital camera and a GPS system, and additionally a laser rangefinder mounted on it, equipped with a results recording system. Due to application of this solution it is possible to eliminate the need to use reference points in the field and to ensure good coordinates accuracy from specific points in the captured image, associated with a group of pixels in the camera matrix. The article presents a description of the novel configuration of the system used and the method of data collection and processing as well as the analysis of the initial tests obtained. Finally the future research directions are shortly appointed.