DJI Inspire 3: here is the Ultimate Cinematic Drone

Spring is confirmed as the hottest season of the year for DJI. In fact, in 2022, these days, the Shenzhen company launched the Mini 3 Pro, destined to establish a new very high standard for semi-professional drones, while today DJI chooses to do the same in the sector of professional drones dedicated to filming cinematic.

Yes, because the newcomer The Inspire 3 is a drone that takes the concept of professional aerial photography to a new level . And it could not be otherwise, since we are talking about a full-frame 8K cinematic drone, aerodynamic and precise, boasting an FPV camera for night vision, 161° ultra-wide-angle FOV and O3 Pro transmission and control system. With the capabilities of the genre, the Inspire 3 was born to be the first drone in its class when it comes to film shooting, and what's more it is the only DJI drone that supports both Waypoint Pro , powered by RTK , which the omnidirectional sensing , to be able to perform flight missions more safely and with maximum precision.

Ferdinand Wolf , creative director of DJI, presents it like this: “Inspire 3 is the professional-grade aerial platform all filmmakers have been waiting for. It allows users to fully maximize the potential of every shot, as they will be able to shoot with cinematic picture quality previously only available with massive and clunky camera systems. We can't wait to see how Inspire 3 will take aerial cinematography to a whole new level."

Integrated aerodynamic design

If the Inspire 2 had already made the history of drones in the service of cinematography, for the new model DJI has chosen to redesign a highly portable drone from scratch and a rigid, robust and transformable frame, which is able to integrate the FPV camera, vision sensors, positioning antennas and memory card slot perfectly.

The design dell'Inspire 3, however, does not focus only on aesthetics, because its originality is declined equally in functionality. The drone supports the new 360° pan and tilt Boost function, and when the landing gears are down, the gimbal supports an 80° upward angle without obstructions, allowing filmmakers to achieve amazing footage. innovative.

Flight

Batteries and Autonomy

Its brand new dual replaceable TB51 intelligent batteries provide according to the manufacturer a flight time of up to 28 minutes (Based on flying at a constant speed of 36km/h, in a windless environment, at sea level, with a stabilized camera and lens attached to the aircraft and no other accessories, until the battery reaches 0%), but obviously this is only indicative information, while the values ​​are authentic actuals shown in the app.

Flight speed

The powerful propulsion system offers a flight speeds of up to 94km/h , 8m/s in ascent and descent, and even a dive speed of 10m/s (maximum speed tested in a windless environment at sea level).

High-mobility precision with smart modes

Inspire 3 integrates the high precision RTK positioning technology already used in areas such as architecture and surveying. RTK makes flights more stable and flight path planning more accurate, providing centrimetric-level accuracy and significantly improving creative efficiency. When the RTK system is off, DJI Inspire 3 uses GNSS positioning by default.

The 3 GNSS system integrated (GPS + Galileo + BeiDou) is powered by Integrated dual layer RTK ceramic antennas and ensures precise flight maneuvers even in complex scenarios. By activating an RTK Network 8 (before using a custom RTK network, contact a local dealer to purchase the service) or configuring a D-RTK Mobile Station 2 (purchased separately), users will be able to achieve highly accurate positioning without having to install additional modules . These also provide the Inspire 3 with internal orientation , eliminating the need for compass calibration in most scenarios.

In addition, this feature also enables the brand new feature Waypoints Pro with which it is easier to master complex scenes, because it allows advanced planning of flight routes and shooting with a wide range of customized settings through two options:

• Repeatable flight paths
  It gives pilots full control of precisely repeatable flight paths and retains all preset parameters such as altitude, speed, gimbal angle and camera settings. Repeat the same flight mission allows
  filmmakers to perform difficult one-takes or fly to the same place at different times to create long-lasting timelapses, achieving transitions such as going from day to night or from one season to another.
• Dolly 3D
  It can simulate a crane, a cablecam or a dolly from a film set, pushing the limits of such devices far. This feature allows users to create an aerial motion path where the aircraft can move back and forth along the path, with adjustable speed and full gimbal control according to shooting needs. This makes complex cinematic camera movements more practical and efficient, and can provide stunning visual effects.

The new feature Spotlight Pro instead it relies on machine learning algorithms to offer pilots the recognition and tracking of a single object. In this way the stabilized camera automatically remains focused on the subject and the pilots can concentrate 100% on the flight, thus managing to carry out complex shots even in single control mode.

Obstacle avoidance

And the obstacles? On that front, the Inspire 3 boasts what it is to date the industry's most advanced omnidirectional sensing system , based on 9 vision sensors able to detect obstacles in all directions and provide comprehensive protection during flight.

It is also possible to give more freedom of maneuver and therefore the possibility of customization in shooting independently enable or disable obstacle detection horizontally, up and down, and you can manually set an obstacle distance alert to best fit different scenarios. Even when Active Bypass is disabled, users will still see the distance to an obstacle on the live navigation display, complete with receiving an audio alert when an obstacle is within a pre-set distance: this way professional teams who will have more creative freedom.

Photo and video

Cinema-grade 8K full-frame images

Inspire 3 takes advantage of the stabilized camera Zenmuse X9-8K Air full frame lightest ever, equipped with DJI's latest image processing system, CineCore 3.0 , which supports internal recording of video in CinemaDNG up to 8K/25fps And Apple ProRes RAW 8K/75fps (license key sold separately, requires 2.4:1 full frame aspect ratio and Apple ProRes RAW in S&Q mode), meeting the needs of high-end film and television productions. In S&Q mode, X9-8K Air supports internal recording of full frame video in ProRes RAW up to 4K/120fps with no cropping (license key sold separately), offering even more creative editing options.

X9-8K Air supports one dual native ISO . In full-frame format at 30fps and below, it offers a EI 800/4000 , supporting the 24 fps common in film productions and the 25 fps used in commercial and television productions. Above 30 fps, there is a EI 320/1600 , which delivers ultra-sharp footage for low-light shooting in incredible detail.

X9-8K Air covers over 14 stops of dynamic range for capturing rich light and shadow detail in complex lighting scenarios such as sunrises and sunsets. The high dynamic range also opens up more possibilities during post-processing, retaining true colors even after significant exposure adjustments.

To give industry professionals more creative freedom, DJI's DL mount is compatible with an additional 18mm F2.8 full-frame ultra-wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens (available to purchase at a later time) specially made for 8K aerial cinematography . Together with 24mm, 35mm and 50mm full-frame lenses, they make up a large premium selection designed specifically for aerial cinematography.

Relying on DJI's mature color science and technology, the DJI Cinema Color System allows (DCCS) X9-8K Air to retain authentic colors that redefine the concept of aerial cinematography. This applies to natural landscapes and cityscapes, and also accurately captures skin tones in different sceneries and lighting conditions. DCCS ensures perfect color matching between X9-8K Air and terrestrial cinema cameras such as DJI Ronin 4D, offering a style
uniform color both in the air and on the ground, to meet the needs of post-processing in film productions.

FPV with ultra wide angle night vision

Inspire 3 offers a brand new ultra wide angle FPV lens with 161° FOV and a sensor for the 1/1.8 inch night vision , with 3μm pixel size and live feed up to 1080p/60fps, which ensures stable viewing with ultra-low latency, ensuring flying safety in both day and night.

Storage

The DJI PROSSD 1TB included offers all the storage you need, write speeds up to 1100MB/s and read speeds up to 900MB/s. It can also be connected directly to a computer via USB-C cable for convenient file sharing and workflows.

Transmission

Inspire 3 leverages the O3 Pro transmission protocol and precision control that are perfect for film sets. With a generational leap in transmission distance, latency and overall stability compared to its predecessor, the Inspire 3's new O3 Pro drivetrain allows a transmission distance up to 15km with a single controller and up to 12km in dual control mode.

For greater precision, the maximum distances of the individual cameras according to the control mode are:

• Single Control Mode:
  FPV Camera: Approx. 15km (FCC), 8km (CE/SRRC/MIC)
  Camera stabilized (1080p/60fps live feed): Approx. 13km (FCC), 7km (CE/SRRC/MIC)
  Camera stabilized (4K/30fps live feed): Approx. 5km (FCC), 3km (CE/SRRC/MIC)
• Dual Control Mode:
  FPV Camera: Approx. 12km (FCC), 6.4km (CE/SRRC/MIC)
  Camera stabilized (1080p/60fps live feed): Approx. 11.2km (FCC), 5.6km (CE/SRRC/MIC)
  Camera stabilized (4K/30fps live feed): Approx. 4km (FCC), 2.4km (CE/SRRC/MIC)

The high-quality, reliable live feed up to 1080p/60fps it has an ultra-low latency of 90ms. For the first time, live feeds in 4K/30fps with short transmission distance of 5km are also supported, to meet the need for ultra-HD output and livestreaming on sets (only when the frame rate is 30fps or lower) . With dual control mode, two remote controllers can now receive transmission and control links from the drone independently, allowing the pilot and gimbal operator to be in different positions on set.

Controllers

Inspire 3 comes with the DJI RC Plus remote controller , which has a 7-inch high-brightness 1,200-nit display, which is also valid in bright sunlight. The internal battery of the controller provides 3.3 hours of autonomy and extends up to 6 hours by adding the external battery WB37, replaceable during operations.

It also has an exit door HDMI , along with customizable buttons and dials on the front, back and top, enabling quick and intuitive operation. The app DJI Pilot 2 pre-installed for Inspire offers users a quick start and an intuitive user interface with easily accessible features, such as the integrated health management system.

Integration with DJI Pro

One of the main objectives of Inspire 3 is to ensure its seamless integration into professional film sets: for this, for example, it is equipped with timesync support via a 3.5mm jack, for high-precision control over your sets. In case of multiple shots from multiple cameras, the timecode synchronization makes the editing process much easier and more efficient.

Inspire 3 can also be paired with a RC Plus and a Remote Monitor high brightness, so the monitor becomes a link to the DJI Pro ecosystem, offering compatibility with products such as Grips for DJI 4D and DJI Master Wheels . In this way, it can provide a stabilizer control experience on par with Ronin 2 , to meet the operational needs of filmmakers.

The DJI 3-Channel Follow Focus it can also be connected to the RC Plus to enable remote focus and iris control on the Zenmuse X9-Air camera.

Accessories

• The trolley of new conception, it is equipped with an extendable handle, 2 side handles and 4 360° movement wheels, which facilitate its transport.
• The new Quick release folding propellers they are easy to store and do not require reinstallation before each flight.
• The new RC Plus remote controller strap and waist mount ensure practical and efficient shooting.
• The brand new foldable battery charging station offers an optimal balance between charging efficiency and storage size. It can hold 8 batteries and can simultaneously charge two batteries to 90% in just 35 minutes in fast charge mode and 100% in just 160 minutes. 12 . The included 65W USB-C port can also be used to charge an RC Plus.

DJI Care Pro

Of course, the Inspire 3 can benefit from DJI Care Pro, which offers comprehensive protection against accidental damage. An unlimited number of free repairs are provided within the coverage limit for water damage, drop damage, misuse and other accidents, along with two free new battery replacements each year and Flyaway coverage.

• The annual plan of DJI Care Pro (for DJI Inspire 3) a €1,899 offers a coverage limit of €11,000 for one year.
• The two-year plan of DJI Care Pro (for DJI Inspire 3) a €3,599 offers a coverage limit of €22,000 for 2 years.

One Flyaway coverage per year will allow you to save €9,619 for each replacement.

Prices and Availability

DJI Inspire 3 is priced at €15,119 and is available in preorder with shipments by the end of May.

There combos Includes DJI Inspire 3 Aircraft, Zenmuse X9-8K Air Stabilized Camera, RC Plus Remote Controller, 6 x TB51 Intelligent Batteries, Charging Station, 1TB PROSSD, Trolley Case, 3 Quick Release Folding Propellers (Pair), Carrying Case for lens, strap for RC Plus and much more.

In addition, additional accessories can be purchased such as:

• DJI DL 18 mm F2.8 ASPH lens (new) for €1,359
• DJI DL 24/35mm F2.8 LS ASPH Lens for €1,499
• DJI DL 50mm F2.8 LS ASPH lens for €1,399
• DJI ND filter set for €399
• License key for Apple ProRes RAW for €1,009 and available for purchase only at store.dji.com
• DJI RC Plus remote control for €1,515
• DJI RC Plus Belt Mount Kit for €79
• Height adjustable control sticks for DJI RC Plus for 19 €
• Quick release folding propellers for DJI Inspire 3 (pair) for €69
• High Altitude Quick Release Foldable Propellers for DJI Inspire 3 (Pair) for €89
• Propeller guards for DJI Inspire 3 for 329 €
• DJI TB51 Smart Battery for €349
• DJI TB51 Intelligent Battery Charging Station for €809
• AC cable for DJI TB51 Intelligent Battery Charging Station for €19
• DJI PROSSD 1TB for €749
• D-RTK 2 mobile station for €3,030
• D-RTK 2 high-precision GNSS mobile station – Tripod for 220 €
• Power adapter cable for D-RTK Mobile Station 2 for €50
• LAN cable for D-RTK 2 mobile station for €35