When it comes to flying cameras, there's no doubt that DJI is at the top of the game. Alongside its consumer, pro-sumer, and professional cinema options, today DJI announced the Super 35-format Zenmuse X7. Designed to work seamlessly with the Inspire 2 drone, the X7 features a number of advancements to make it the perfect match for cinema-quality aerial video capture.
In addition to the larger 23.5mm x 12.5mm Super 35 sensor, the X7 features a new DJI Cinema Color System (DCCS) developed with Technicolor to provide better color science to the DJI shooting experience. Alongside the sensor's 14-stop dynamic range, DCCS' new D-Log Curve and D-Gamut RGB color space provide improved dynamic range and the preservation of more color information for greater color grading flexibility. Thankfully, DCCS will be available for both the X7 and for the previously released X5S. There is no word yet on other compatibility.
The X7's sensor is also the highest resolution drone-integrated camera, offering 6K CinemaDNG RAW or 5.2K Apple ProRes recording at up to 30 FPS and 3.9K CinemaDNG RAW or 2.7K ProRes recording at up to 59.94 FPS. The X7 will also shoot 24MP DNG stills using a slightly larger APS-C portion of the sensor.
Additionally, the X7 features interchangeable carbon fiber lenses that include 16mm, 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm focal lengths, each with f/2.8 maximum apertures. The 16mm includes a built-in ND 4 filter while the remaining lenses feature mechanical shutters. With the 16mm lens, the X7 system weighs just 631 grams, which lets the Inspire 2 fly for up to 23 minutes.
The Zenmuse X7 will begin shipping November worldwide for $2,699 in the U.S. The lenses will be available for $1,299 each, with the exception of the $1,199 50mm lens. A complete prime lens kit will be offered for $4,299. Additionally, DJI Care Refresh will be available for everything announced today as well as for the Inspire 2 drone.
Below is the full specifications list.
- Super 35 sensor
- Effective Sensor size:
- Still: 23.5*15.7mm(APS-C mode), 3:2, 3.91um, CF=1.5
- Video: 23.5*12.5mm (S35mm mode), 16:9, CF=1.6
- 3.91um
- 14 f-stops
- Effective Sensor size:
- DJI DL-Mount: Flange distance: 16.84mm, diameter: 58mm
- Four prime lenses
- DJI DL-S 16mm F2.8 ND ASPH 24mm (stills eq.) , 26mm (video eq.)
- DJI DL 24mm F2.8 LS ASPH 36mm (stills eq.) , 38mm (video eq.)
- DJI DL 35mm F2.8 LS ASPH 53mm (stills eq.) , 56mm (video eq.)
- DJI DL 50mm F2.8 LS ASPH 75mm (stills eq.) , 80mm (video eq.)
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Excellent MTF
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Ultra-light carbon fiber
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Lens shutter: 24mm, 35mm, & 50mm models
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Built-in ND 4 filter: 16mm model
- 6K RAW and 5.2K Apple ProRes
- CineCore 2.1
- 6K CinemaDNG
- 59.94 FPS Apple ProRes
- Great Details
- Less artifacts and noises
- DJI Cinema Color System
- A new D-Log curve
- D-Gamut RGB Color Space
- Available on X5S, X7
- Support EI Mode
- Separated looks for recording and monitor
- Improved dark level correction
I just want to drive that road in the video. :)
That's pretty awesome. As an aside, I think the best thing that may have happen to Hasselblad was DJI.
Does it shoot stills? Any info on that? Megapixel count? RAW shooting?
24 mpx, 20 images per second raw (unless I misread the DJI spec page)
Thanks, Adam. Yes. This has now been added. Also, the stills shooting takes advantage of a slightly larger APS-C area of the sensor.
It's great that DJI is coming out with a better that can shoot 6.2 RAW and 5.2 prores at 60fps BUT...
This is going to cause a huge issue with storage. Prores 4k at 30fps already takes up all 480gb of the ssd and 5.2 RAW only can shoot 14 minutes on the 480gb ssd. With that being said, 5.2 PRORES at 60fps and 6.0 RAW will be laughable for the amount of space it will use up for their $899 480gb ssd. DJI will probably come out with a 1TB ssd and change $2000 for it.
Carbon fibre lenses. Hmm, makes me wonder if that will spill over into traditional photo lenses. I imagine it could make those big tele primes a fair bit lighter.
Along with a lighter wallet.
I'm not sure... The truth is that carbon fiber is amazing, but incredibly expensive for what it offers. If you're not using it on a larger scale (i.e. airplanes) or in situations where every last gram really counts (i.e. drone lenses), I'm not sure it makes much sense. Alternatively, the plastic and other composites used in lenses today are a fraction of the price and extremely strong (at least as much as they need to be). Meanwhile, they're not THAT much heavier because they're not THAT big. I think switching to carbon fiber housings probably wouldn't save enough weight to make it worth the expense.
Yeah, maybe somewhat lighter. Optical glass is still very heavy, so I guess the weight savings are relative to how much metal is used in the casing. Replacing plastic with carbon fiber would be silly in a weight saving scenario - and very expensive.
Yay! That means the Osmo 2 is not far behind!
MAYBE... Honestly, although the weight isn't too bad, these X7 units did look a little chunkier. I'd be surprised if they could get anything the size of the Osmo to comfortably and effectively handle this (but if it could be done it would be neat!). DJI has surprised me before plenty of times, though. So I wouldn't put it past them ;-) Regardless, an Osmo 2 would be awesome with or without X7 compatibility.
Yup. I just meant that whenever DJI is on a product roll, it rolls! I hear that the Osmo 2 uses a 1-inch Sony sensor (like the X4S) with optical zooming capability. Let's sooo hope!