DJI introduces micro-four-thirds camera for drone

Drone maker DJI has announced two cameras for its Inspire 1 drone: the Zenmuse X5 and X5R. In both cases, these are mirrorless 16-megapixel cameras with micro-four-thirds mount. The most expensive bundle with DJI’s own lens and drone will cost $8,000.

The cameras were developed to be bundled with DJI’s Inspire 1, a drone with which the company is targeting the professional market. The cameras must be attached to the three-axis gimbal of the drone and can then shoot 4k video at 30fps, among other things.

Not every mft lens is directly supported. DJI lists four models: its own MFT 15mm f/1.7 lens, Panasonic’s Lumix 15mm G Leica DG f/1.7 asp-h lens, the Olympus M.Zuiko Ed 12mm f/2.0 lens and the Olympus M.Zuiko 17mm f. /1.8 lens. The manufacturer must build in support for its software for each lens separately. For example, the Go app and Follow Focus system allow remote users to adjust focus.

The difference between the X5 and X5R is that the latter can write images at 1.7Gbit/s, thanks to support for CinemaDNG Raw video. With the X5, the maximum write speed is 60Mbit/s.

Paired with an Inspire 1 drone and an MFT 15mm f/1.7 asp-h lens, the X5 and X5R cost $4500 and $8,000 respectively. Converted and with VAT, the most expensive bundle would thus come to 8576 euros, but whether that will be the actual euro prices is not known.