The Inspire 2 is a significant upgrade of the Inspire 1, which is now just over 2 years old. Designed for film makers, the Inspire 2 has redundancy built-in, so that the drone won’t fall out of the sky, (unlike some GoPro Karma drones), and features significantly updated cameras, including a new Micro Four Thirds camera. The drone also offers the option of using two controllers, one to fly the drone, and the other to operate the camera.
DJI Phantom 4 Pro on the left, with the Inspire 2 on the right.
As mentioned, the cameras have been upgraded to offer improved image quality with two new models. A new 20 megapixel Micro Four Thirds camera, and a new 20 megapixel 1inch CMOS sensor camera with a new lens. You get manual control over the camera settings for both stills and video, and camera settings can be controlled from the remote controller. There is also going to be a manual focus accessory so the lens focus can be adjusted remotely and smoothly.
The drone also benefits from forward, up and down obstacle detection, dual batteries, and a number of professional accessories are due to be released included multi-chargers so you can charge more than one battery at a time.
As the camera can be rotated 360 degrees, you shouldn’t need to fly the drone backwards, and therefore there isn’t rear obstacle detection, instead there is forward, above and below sensors. Smart return to home knows where obstacles are on the way back, so that the drone can safely return to you even over long distances.
There’s an updated propeller system, and there are optional high-altitude propellers available that will allow the drone to fly at an altitude of 16,400ft (pending local laws and restrictions). The drone features self heating batteries so the drone can be used in extreme low temperatures.
DJI Inspire 2 Key Features
- Aluminium and carbon fibre construction
- Light and stiff design for the most stable video possible
- Dual battery design (hot swap possible)
- Up to 27 mins flight time
- Forward facing sensors
- Vision sensors underneath
- IR sensors on the top to avoid collisions when flying up, or in confined spaces such as indoors
- Max transmission distance 4.3miles (7km)
- USB port added for add ons
- Travel mode
The FPV camera has 2-axis stabilisation and can be used by the flight controller, so the photographer/camera man can control the camera separately and not have to worry about what the pilot sees. There's also the option to have a Picture-in-Picture (PIP) display so you can easily view both camera views, as well as switch between them.
The drone has a top speed of 67mph / 108kmph, with faster acceleration times (0-50mph in 4 seconds). The drone can also fly down at 30ft/s which DJI say means you could video skydivers. The drone can also go up at 20ft/s.
Flight time has been improved, with up to 27 minutes. The original DJI Inspire 1 offered between 18 and 22 minutes depending on the battery used, and with the lightest camera.
Image processing, Cinecore 2.0, is built-in to the drone, not the camera, so this enables the use of smaller cameras. It also supports Adobe Cinema Raw (DNG), Apple ProRes, H.265 and H.264, and the maximum resolution available depends on the camera you select, with the option of a Zenmuse X4s or X5s.
Flying modes designed for better filming, and high-end visuals:
- Spotlight pro - cinema style follow 360
- Profile - following high speed horses, cars, people etc
- Tap fly - set the camera flying and then control the camera while you leave the Drone to fly itself
DJI Zenmuse X5S (1899USD)
- Latest Micro Four Thirds (M43) sensor
- 20.8mp M43 CMOS sensor
- 4:3 / 16:9 aspect ratio stills
- 4K 60fps, upto 5.2K 30fps (5.2K@4.2Gbps CineDNG)*
- ISO100 to ISO25600 (stills)
- ISO100 to ISO6400 (video)
- 12.8 stops of dynamic range
- 20fps unlimited raw continuous shooting (with SSD)
- 14fps continuous shooting when using MicroSD
- 3-axis gimbal
- Supports 8 Micro Four Thirds lenses from 9-45mm
* CinemaDNG or ProRes needed to record 5.2K, 5280x2160 and 5280x2160 resolution video at 29.97/25/24/23.976fps, with 12-bit 4.2Gbps possible with CinemaDNG or 10-bit 422HQ at 1.8Gbps with ProRes.
Micro Four Thirds Lenses supported:
- DJI 15mm f/1.7 ASPH*
- Panasonic Leica 15mm f/1.7 ASPH*
- Panasonic Lumix 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 HD
- Olympus M. Zuiko 12mm f/2.0**
- Olympus M. Zuiko 17mm f/1.8**
- Olympus M. Zuiko 25mm f/1.8
- Olympus M. Zuiko 45mm f/1.8
- Olympus M. Zuiko 9-18mm f/4.0-5.6
* with balancing ring and lens hood ** with balancing ring
DJI Zenmuse X4s (599USD)
- 20 megapixel 1inch CMOS sensor
- 24mm equivalent f/2.8-11 aperture
- Leaf shutter (eliminates rolling shutter and allows the camera to be smaller)
- 1/2000s shutter speed
- ISO100-ISO12800
- 11.6 stops of dynamic range
- 4K 60p video H.264
- 4K 30p video H.265/H.264
- 100Mbps
Both the Zenmuse X4s and X5s are detachable, and DJI say they will be releasing a gimbal handle so you can use the cameras without them being attached to the drone. Although the release date, specifications, price and features are not known at this time.
CrystalSky Screens - Two new CrystalSky screens have been introduced, with two screen sizes available, a 5.5inch screen or a 7.85inch screen.
- 7.85inch – 1000 nits or 2000nits (cd/m2) brightness, 2048x1536 resolution, HDMI, SD, USB
- 5.5inch – 1000nits cd/m2, 1920x1080 resolution, HDMI, SD, USB
The drone is compatible with DJI’s SDK (Software Development Kit) so developers can make additional apps.
The Inspire 2 will start shipping in December / January, and is available for £3059 on it's own, you'll need to add a camera:
- Zenmuse X4S camera: $599 (USD) – £629 GBP
- Zenmuse X5S camera: $1899 (USD) or £1969 GBP with 15mm f/1.7 lens, £1439 excluding lens
Or you can opt for the Inspire 2 Premium Combo for £6269 which includes the Zenmuse X5S and CinemaDNG and Apple ProRes video codecs and licenses. For those that find this a little expensive, there is a camera very similar to the Zenmuse X4S, in the new DJI Phantom 4 Pro.