No doubt that DJI Inspire 1 is intended for the professional
videographers with all the advantages it has. However, the camera's 1/2.3 inch
CMOS sensor can't meet all the needs of film makers, especially when used in
low-light conditions.
See such problems, DJI can't remain silent, in the InterDrone
event that's held in Las Vegas, this Chinese manufacturer is introducing two
cameras to accompany its top class drone. Named, DJI Zenmuse X5 and X5R, both
are Micro Four Thirds cameras that are designed specifically for aerial
videography and photography purposes.
In each of these cameras there is a Micro Four Thirds sensor
which's 8 times bigger than the sensor in the built-in camera of DJI Inspire 1,
making the low-light performance of this camera much better. The resolution for
photo still reaches 16 megapixels, and of course there is an option of
recording video in 4K 24 fps or 30 fps.
Although the built-in camera of DJI Inspire 1 can also
record 4K video, but DJI claims that the Zenmuse X5 sensor can record in RAW
format. This means that users can manipulate the recordings further to get such
a broad dynamic range with ease.
4K video recording in RAW format is combined nicely with
Zenmuse X5R special features. This model indeed brings the same sensor that's
brought by Zenmuse X5, but it is also equipped with 512 GB SSD module that can
be removable. As we know, the size of 4K video is not small at all, so a
storage capacity plays an important role here.
Another advantage of Zenmuse X5 and X5R is about the
compatibility of lenses. Both are essentially a mirrorless camera, so users can
tether various Micro Four Thirds lenses that are made by Panasonic, Olympus, or
DJI its own. Users can also set various exposure parameters when the drone is
flying, ranging from shutter speed, ISO levels, aperture and manual focus.
DJI plans to market the DJI Inspire 1 along with Zenmuse X5
and DJI's 15 mm f / 1.7 lens for $ 4,499. The DJI Zenmuse X5 camera itself can
be purchased separately for $ 2,199, and the users are free to pair any Micro
Four Thirds lenses they already have.
Special for Zenmuse X5R camera will be released at a later
time in the 4th quarter of this year. No information about the price of the
unit, but DJI plans to bundle it together with DJI Inspire 1 for $ 7,999.