DJI, the Chinese technology company and largest drone manufacturer, announced a partnership with Micro Four Thirds sensors that prompted to a “high-picture quality digital dedicated design.” Apparently, the Chinese company aims to improve their cameras’ quality by joining this new standard.
The new system was added to 2 new DJI cameras launched this week: The Zenmuse X5 and The Zenmuse X5R. Both devices are interchangeable lens cameras and are specially designed for the company’s Inspire 1 professional model drone. DJI innovates the drone market once again, by introducing the first commercially available drones featuring Micro Four Third sensors.
The Zenmuse X
The Zenmuse X5, offers 13 stops of dynamic range, and has a high quality resolution of 16 megapixels. What’s really impressive is that the device is capable of shooting 4K videos at 24fps and 1080 at 60fps. The X5 weighs 340g. Now with the brand new X5, even the light won’t be a problem anymore, since the camera has an impressive 100-25,600 ISO range, that would help drone lovers shoot in low light scenarios, like a dark beautiful night.
According to Eric Cheng, DJI’s director of aerial imaging, this cameras will be particularly attractive to professional photographers, he says “Big pixels are important because there’s more surface area to collect photons. That means you get higher dynamic range.”
The X5 is also compatible with 4 different wide angle lenses not only from DJI but Panasonic and Olympus. This changes will be possible while using the Inspire 1 drone on the air. The user only needs to download DJI’s Go app or its proprietary Follow Focus system.
To be more specific, let’s name the compatible lenses from all companies involved: regarding to DJI, the MFT 15mm f/1.5 ASPH lens, Panasonic Lumix 15mm G Leica DG Summilux f/1.7 ASPH lens. About Olympus, the M.Zuiko Digital Ed 12mm f/2.0 lens and the Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 lens
“The professional applications of the Zenmuse X5 are almost endless. In addition to shooting professional-quality photos and 4K video, the new camera can be used to create high-quality aerial maps and 3D models and can also help industrial teams get even more detail from their aerial imaging pursuits – for example, in utility inspection – using a dron.” said Cheng. Apparently, it’s all about the camera these days.
Furthermore, the X5 is the less expensive option, with a price of $4,499, this price also include the Inspire 1 drone. Apparently, it’s all about the camera improvements!
The X5R
The X5R also counts with all the X5 characteristics, including its shape and size. But this one it’s a more advanced version that is capable of recording videos to an onboard of 512GB SSD disk in uncompressed RAW format as its name suggest (X5R for RAW), which means the best quality when it comes to footage, this format allows to have a better manipulation of the image in post-production. Also, you can duplicate the copies of your footage or use use a method that protects longer shoots from deleting mistakes.
The Zenmuse X5 costs $7,999 also including the Inspire 1 drone. Both versions are available for purchase in DJI’s website.
Source: DJI