DJI Releases Phantom 4 Pro and Inspire 2 UAS
On Tuesday, DJI unveiled its two newest aerial systems; the DJI Phantom 4 Pro and the Inspire 2.
Both systems boast several upgrades, including more powerful cameras.
The Phantom 4 Pro, an upgrade over the Phantom 4 unit, has a stronger battery life (up to 30 minutes of flight time), more advanced obstacle avoidance technology and more intelligent flight modes. Customers that purchase the Phantom 4 Pro also now have the option of buying a remote for the system that includes a built in screen to provide operators with live footage of the flight.
The biggest improvement for the Phantom 4 Pro is its camera, which has been upgraded significantly over the original Phantom 4.
The Phantom 4 Pro’s camera can shoot 20 megapixel stills and can capture up to 11.6 stops of dynamic range. The ability to shoot a larger dynamic range allows operators of the Phantom 4 Pro to better balance and resolve differences between light and dark.
The Phantom 4 Pro’s improved camera now also includes a new mechanical shutter feature, which helps alleviate issues caused by the “rolling shutter” effect with cameras for other drones. The rolling shutter effect causes somewhat unstable shots to be captured while filming quick pans or chasing fast-moving subjects.
Like the Phantom 4 Pro, the Inspire 2 also features a stronger camera. But the Inspire 2 also has an additional camera on board, giving professional filmmakers more leeway to shoot.
The main camera on the Inspire 2 is for capturing footage from underneath the UAS, while the additional camera is for giving the pilot a perspective of where the UAS is headed. The system is built for two people to operate it simultaneously, with one directing the framed action while the other actually controls the flight.
Besides having two cameras, the Inspire 2 is described as being stronger and more powerful than its predecessor, the Inspire 1, according to an article from the Verge. Inspire 2 goes faster than the original Inspire (67 miles compared to 50 miles), has a longer battery life (up to 27 minutes), and it can also climb higher than 16,000 feet above sea level to capture images and video from lofty perspectives.
In a press release published by DJI, its CEO and Founder Frank Wang expressed excitement and intrigue at how people might choose to use the two newest members of the family.
“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,” Wang said. “We can’t wait to see how creators use Inspire 2 and Phantom 4 Pro to capture dazzling images.”
