DJI Inspire 3 with Zenmuse X9-8K Air Announced – up to 8K 75fps ProRes RAW

Drone News

by Jakub HanApril 13^th, 2023

DJI announced the Inspire 3 drone along with the Zenmuse X9-8K Air camera module offering 8K video recording at up to 75fps in Apple ProRes RAW (with paid license) or up to 4K 120fps ProRes RAW, flight time up to 28 minutes, swappable 1TB SSD, and swappable intelligent batteries. The drone also supports RTK-powered Waypoint Pro and omnidirectional sensing to perform precise pre-programmed flights. The DJI Inspire 3 will be available by the end of June 2023 for $16,499.

DJI Inspire has been the top cinema drone series from the Chinese manufacturer ever since the first DJI Inspire was announced in November 2014. Two years later, in November 2016, DJI announced the hugely improved successor, DJI Inspire 2, with up to 5.2K raw video capture and camera modules with interchangeable lenses. Subsequently, we haven’t seen any new Inspire drones from DJI. Until today. DJI just announced the new Inspire 3. Let’s take a closer look at the company’s new top-of-the-line cinema drone.

DJI Inspire 3 – new generation cinema drone

The new DJI Inspire 3 has been designed to carry the Zenmuse X9-8K Air camera, but more on that later. As far as we know, the esisting Zenmuse X9 cameras from the Ronin 4D are not compatible with the Inspire 3. Other than the main 3-axis stabilized full-frame camera, the Inspire 3 also has a 161° ultra-wide FOV camera at the front. This features a 1/1.8″ image sensor with night-vision, 3μm pixel size, and 1080p 60fps ultra-low-latency (90ms) live feed for more flight safety even at night. For livestreaming on set, the camera can also send 4K up to 30fps live feed with a reduced 5km transmission.

The drone uses DJI’s O3 Pro transmission and control system for long-reach, low-latency control, and image transfer technology. DJI says it enables a range of up to 15km (FCC, up to 8km in CE/SRRC/MIC) with one controller and up to 12km (FCC, 7km in CE) in dual-control mode.

Just like the Inspire 2, the new Inspire 3 body design features arms with landing gear that can be lifted or lowered. When lowered, the gimbal supports obstruction-free upward-angle shooting up to 80°. The new hot-swappable TB51 intelligent dual batteries provide flight time of up to 28 minutes. When it comes to maximum speed, the Inspire 3 can reach 94km/h and 8m/s ascent and descent speed or dive speed of 10m/s.

The drone features 9 visual sensors for the omnidirectional sensing system. Horizontal, upward, and downward obstacle sensing can be enabled or disabled independently, and an obstacle alert range can be set manually to suit different scenarios.

Camera unit – Zenmuse X9

As mentioned above, the Inspire 3 will be able to carry the gimbal-stabilized Zenmuse X9-8K Air camera. Please note that this camera unit is not the same one that was announced back in October 2021 along with the DJI Ronin 4D. Besides, the 8K version of the Zenmuse X9 for Ronin 4D has not been made available, and Ronin 4D users have to work with the 6K version only.

Now, with the new Inspire 3 drone, DJI will launch the 8K Air version of the Zenmuse X9 (Zenmuse X9-8K air). It features the CineCore 3.0 image processing system that supports the following internal video recording modes:

• 8K 25fps CinemaDNG (only available with an optional paid license key)
• 8K up to 75fps Apple ProRes RAW (full-frame 2.4:1 aspect ratio and ProRes RAW in S&Q mode, only available with an optional paid license key)
• 4K up to 120fps ProRes RAW (full-frame, no crop)

The X9-8K Air’s sensor features a dual native ISO that varies based on frame rate:

• At 30fps or below, the base ISO values are EI 800 and 4000
• Above 30fps, the base ISO values are EI 320 and 1600

DJI claims the X9-8K Air offers 14+ stops of dynamic range. We are planning to confirm these claims in our CineD lab once we get a test unit in our office, so stay tuned for the results.

Just like previous Zenmuse gimbal cameras, the X9-8K sports DJI’s proprietary DL mount. You can use any of the existing DL lenses (such as the 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm) or the newly announced 18mm f/2.8 ultra-wide lens. According to DJI, the camera uses the DJI Cinema Color System (DCCS) to produce pleasing colors with accurate skin tones.

When it comes to storage, the drone uses DJI PROSSD 1TB media with up to 1,100 MBps write and 900 MBps read speeds. The SSD can be connected directly to a computer via USB-C cable for easy offloading.

Intelligent precise flying modes

On top of the standard 3 GNSS positioning system (GPS + Galileo + BeiDou), the Inspire 3 can utilize the high-precision RTK positioning technology for “centimeter-level” accuracy. To activate it, users can either purchase the RTK network service or the optional D-RTK 2 mobile station.

RTK also enables the new Waypoint Pro function for customizable pre-programmed flight routes. The following Waypoint Pro options will be on offer:

• Repeatable Routes: This mode gives pilots full control of precisely repeatable flight routes and maintains all preset parameters such as altitude, speed, gimbal angle, and camera settings. It will allow difficult one-takes, or flying at different times in the same place for long-duration time-lapse transitions such as day to night or season to season.
• 3D Dolly: It can simulate a crane, cable cam, or a dolly that allows users to create an aerial motion path where the pilot can move backward and forward along the path with adjustable speed and full gimbal control according to the needs of the shot.

Additionally, the new Spotlight Pro feature offers pilots single-object recognition and tracking so the gimbal camera will stay locked on it.

Remote controller, timecode, battery charger

The Inspire 3 comes with the DJI RC Plus with a 7-inch 1,200-nit high-brightness screen to operate even in strong sunlight. The internal battery provides up to 3.3 hours of operation time and extends to 6 hours with an external hot-swappable WB37 battery. It also features an HDMI out port, along with customizable buttons and dials on the front, back, and top, which enable fast and intuitive operation. The installed DJI Pilot 2 app for Inspire provides users with a fast startup time and an intuitive user interface with easily accessible functions like the built-in health management system.

Further functions of the Inspire 3 include Timesync (timecode) support through a 3.5mm jack. The drone can be paired with one RC Plus and one high-bright remote monitor for compatibility with DJI 4D hand grips or DJI master wheels. The DJI Three-Channel Follow Focus can also be connected to the RC Plus to enable remote focus and iris control on the Zenmuse X9-Air camera.

The new foldable battery charging hub can accommodate eight batteries and can charge two batteries to 90% simultaneously in 35 minutes in fast charge mode (to 100% in only 160 minutes). The included 65W USB-C port can also be used to charge an RC Plus.

Price and availability

The new Inspire 3 drone will be available for purchase by the end of June 2023. The price is $16,499 (around €14.990 including VAT in Europe), and the combo includes the DJI Inspire 3 Aircraft, Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera, RC Plus remote controller, 6x TB51 Intelligent Battery, Charging Hub, PROSSD 1TB, Trolley Case, 3x Foldable Quick-Release Propellers (Pair), Lens Carrying Box, RC Plus Strap, and more.

The new DJI DL 18mm f/2.8 lens will be selling for $1,299 (around €1.349 including VAT in Europe). The CinemaDNG and Apple ProRes RAW license keys are available for $979 (€999 including VAT in Europe).

Competition?

Looking at other DJI drones such as the previous Inspire 2 or the DJI Mavic 3 Cine, I think the closest competitor to the Inspire 3 is the Sony Airpeak drone. This one is priced similarly even though the drone itself only costs $8,999, but a ready-to-fly package with a gimbal and a Sony camera will set you back over $16,000. As an example, a Sony FX3 with the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM lens retails for around $5,300 – so that makes it around $16,800 in total with the Airpeak S1 drone. The fully rigged Sony Airpeak is also significantly heavier than the Inspire 3.

Do you film with larger drones such as the DJI Inspire 2? What do you think about the new Inspire 3? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section underneath the article.