DJI today announced expansions to both the Phantom and Inspire lines of drones with the Phantom 4 Pro and the Inspire 2. Both new drones feature improved cameras and enhanced safety features and intelligent flight modes.
“Professional filmmakers and photographers always push to create images that have never been seen before, and DJI never stops trying to give them the tools to achieve their vision,” said DJI CEO and Founder Frank Wang. “Our newest flight platforms and stabilized aerial cameras are smarter, faster and more powerful than ever before. We can’t wait to see how creators use Inspire 2 and Phantom 4 Pro to capture dazzling images.”
Phantom 4 Pro[image:blog_post:62400]
The new Phantom 4 Pro features an upgraded camera with a 1-inch 20-megapixel sensor and almost 12 stops of dynamic range. The new camera can capture 4K video at up to 60 fps at a maximum bitrate of 100 mbps and uses H.265 video compression. A mechanical shutter design eliminates rolling shutter distortion issues.
Along with a new camera, the Phantom 4 Pro also offers a new FlightAutonomy mode, which uses three sets of visual systems to build a 3D map of obstacles in front, behind and below the aircraft. This allows the drone to plan and navigate routes. The are also infrared sensing systems on both sides, and the Landing Protection function helps avoid landing on uneven ground or water.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVNO-fib6fg
Other intelligent flight mode include a new Draw Mode that allows operators to draw routes directly on the controller display. ActiveTrack is still available as in previous models, but the Phantom 4 Pro also include new Circle, Profile and Spotlight modes. For indoor flight or navigation through complex environments, Narrow sensing allows for improved obstacle avoidance sensitivity. Additionally, TapFly now works backwards and comes with a new Free mode that allows a pilot to set the direction of flight, turn the Phantom 4 Pro or tilt the gimbal without changing the direction of flight.
The Phantom 4 Pro boasts 30 minutes of flight time per battery and can travel up to 31 mph in P mode with obstacle avoidance in effect, or up to 45 mph in sport mode. A new compact remote controller comes with an optional high luminance display.
Inspire 2[image:blog_post:62401]
Following the lead of the Inspire 1, the DJI Inspire 2 enters the profession aerial video space with two new Zenmuse cameras. The brand new Zenumuse X4S and X5S cameras are both compatible with the Inspire 2, with more camera options promised in the future.
The Zenmuse X4S has a 1-inch, 20-megapixel sensor with 11.6 stops of dynamic range and a 24 mm equivalent focal length. It offers aperture control between f/2.8 and f/11 and, like the Phantom 4 Pro’s new camera, it features a mechanical shutter that prevents rolling shutter distortion.
The new Zenmuse X5S has a larger Micro Four Thirds sensor with 20.8 megapixels and 12.8 stops of dynamic range. The Zenmuse X5S camera now supports 8 lenses and can shoot 20 fps continuous burst DNG RAW at 20.8 MP.
Both camera feature video recording at up to 5.2K resolutions at 4.2 Gbps in Adobe Cinema DNG RAW and support Adobe CinemaDNG, Apple ProRes 422 HQ (5.2K, 4K) and ProRes 4444 XQ (4K), H.264, and H.265. When recording 4K video in H.264 and H.265, the bitrate is up to 100Mbps. The camera also communicate directly with the aircraft’s gimbal and flight controllers and use all-new CineCore 2.0 image processing in the airframe for faster processing and well as a new CINESSD storage system.
A separate forward facing camera provides better pilot control, while the main camera feed can viewed independently by the camera operator. Stereo vision sensors on the front and bottom aid in obstacle detection, and the Inspire 2 also features upward facing infrared sensors on top for flying indoors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBHuftMcmis
Intelligent flight has also been enhanced with the new Spotlight Pro Mode, which locks onto a subject during flight while the aircraft flies freely in another direction, automatically rotating the aircraft to stay on the shot if the gimbal reaches its rotational limit. TapFly and ActiveTrack continue to be offered as well.
A redesigned propulsion system allows for climbing at almost 20 feet/second and descending at almost 30 feet/second, and the new drone features a top speed of 58 mph, requiring only 4 seconds to accelerate to 50 mph.
The Inspire 2 features a new magnesium-aluminum alloy body that offers increases stiffness while lowering weight. A new dual battery system boosts flight time to 27 minutes and provides redundancy in case of battery failure.
Available accessories include DJI Focus, a battery charging station, DJI CINESSD, CINESSD station and other optional accessories are available. Additionally, an optional DJI Crystalsky high-brightness IPS monitor is also available.
Price and Availability
Phantom 4 Pro is available starting at $1,499 and will begin shipping in one week. The Inspire 2 aircraft is available starting at $2,999 and is set to begin shipping in January 2017. For more information visit www.dji.com.
