DJI Inspire 2 camera

( Video via DJI by Inspire 2 )

The Inspire 2 has a fixed, built-in camera that faces forward. It’s stabilized by a 2-axis gimbal, and its sole purpose is to provide a forward video feed to the pilot at all times. It is nestled in the front, in between the forward obstacle sensors. The camera that is actually used for video capture hangs underneath the body and is stabilized using a 3-axis gimbal.

The DJI Inspire 2 comes with a completely new generation of cameras, with both of them shooting at a resolution of 5.2K but featuring different sensor types.

The Zenmuse X4S is the standard camera attached to the drone.It uses the same 1-inch 20MP image sensor, 24mm f/2.8-11 lens, and mechanical shutter as the integrated camera used by the Phantom 4 Pro. Its fixed field of view covers about the same angle as a 24mm lens on a full-frame camera system.

The Zenmuse X5S is an optional add-on. It has a Micro Four Thirds sensor with 20.8 megapixels and a claimed dynamic range of 12.8 stops. The Zenmuse X5S supports 10 different lenses.

In the future, there will be a DJI Osmo handheld device that these cameras will be compatible with, to be used on the ground. The Zenmuse X5S, is available for videographers who require the flexibility of interchangeable lenses. The Micro Four Thirds format camera features a 20MP sensor and supports a total of 10 lenses, including some compact zoom options. Going with that configuration, which DJI has dubbed the Inspire 2 Combo, ups the price to $6,198, although there is a $5,999 promotional price that’s valid through the end of 2016. The Combo bundle also includes licenses for CinemaDNG and Apple ProRes.

Still images are supported in Raw DNG forma with either camera. Both pack about 20MP of resolution; it’s just the physical sensor size that differs. The X4S can be set to ISO 100 through 12800, while the X5S can be pushed further, to ISO 25600, a plus for video and imaging in very challenging light.

There is no question about it, the DJI Inspire 2 is an impressive drone and a testament to the irritatingly fast pace at which DJI is advancing drone technology way beyond the competition.

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DJI introduced its Agriculture Drone technology in Europe at SIMA Paris

DJI unveiled on Sunday 28 February the MG-1S at the SIMA in Paris. SIMA is one of the most important B2B agriculture machinery trade show in the World and is visited by international farmers and business men from the agriculture industry, eager to buy the best technology and machines helping them to improve their efficiency. Costs, time and the environment are important for the agriculture industry and DJI can clearly help addressing these issues.

Introducing the new DJI MG1-S spray drone.

The DJI MG1-S is an improvement of the DJI MG1, launched in 2015. The MG1-S is a sprayer carrying 10 liters of liquide and able to treat 1 ha in 10 minutes.

With the MG 1S, the evolution focuses on the processor, stability in flight and distribution of pumps. Three radars are placed instead of just one before. Spraying can thus vary depending on the speed of the apparatus. It will use two or four nozzles. The eight octcopter arms have a cooling system.

Designed for point and precision applications, it can not be used in France because the spreading of pesticides has become prohibited. But DJI decided to come to SIMA to show the future of possible to its audience (232.000 vistors attended the Show this year), this offer because this regulation could evolve. SIMA has an international audience (25% of its visitors) and other countries allow this practice, especially in Asia.

Marketing the DJI Smarter Farming Package

The DJI Smarter Farming package is an end to end solution for precision agriculture.

This package allows farmers to get a better understanding and crop analysis management thanks to DJI’s aerial mapping technology and the use of PrecisionHawk software solution.

The DJI Matrice 100 (and the brand new DJI Matrice 200) is equipped for aerial imagery with a large number of applications aimed to the agriculture industry. Equipped with a foldable structure and a 35-minute autonomy, the camera can embarks a thermal camera and map the crops while flying over it.

The M200 carries an ADS-B receiver informing it of the surrounding air traffic. It also integrates FightHub software to share real-time information via a cloud. With these launches, DJI confirms its willingness to invest in professional activities, including those in the agricultural sector.

The DJI booth was represented by DJI’s agriculture team from Shenzhen who made the trip to Paris and the local PR representative from the DJI European office. For this last activity, in addition to R & D, DJI seeks to rely on local levers to develop the exploitation of the data, or even develop these services itself.

 

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Parrot Bebop 2: An improvement, but the camera…

End of 2015, the successor to the first Bebop Drone from Parrot appeared on the market, the Bebop 2 . In design terms almost the same, but with a significantly improved flight time. The camera specs remained unchanged from the first version. How Parrot Bebop 2 proves itself in practice, read in this review.

Both Bebop drone may in fact be controlled by a smartphone or tablet, using the Free Flight app 3. But that does not fly as good as with real sticks under the thumbs, and in addition the first Bebop had a rather fragile build quality.

Better build quality

The latter is definitely improved with the Bebop 2. The product feels more ‘finished’. Flight time has pretty much doubled since the Bebop 1, so you can stay up in the air for up to 25 minutes at a time. The housing is made of a somewhat sturdier plastic and the battery clicks firmly into place.

Skycontroller

For those of you that don’t know what the Sky Controller is, it’s the name that Parrot gave to their remote controller. I guess it makes sense to have a different name for it if you sell it separately and it does sound cool.

And although it’s not cheap, there is another big advantage to the SkyController. It also pushes the range out to about 2km. A lot more than the 200-300 meter I’ve been getting with the app.

But big and awkward ruin much of the appeal of the Bebop. The controller is considerably larger than the drone, and while the two devices will fit into a backpack, you won’t get much else in there.

Camera

There’s Parrot Bebop 2’s biggest disappointment: the camera. It’s the same camera found in the first Bebop, providing 14 megapixel stills and 1080p video. There’s no 4K video, but I can live with that. What’s really disappointing is the quality of video: colors are washed out, there’s very obvious tearing, and artifacts. Parrot still doesn’t offer an option for removable storage, so you’re stuck with 8 gigs of memory, which fills quickly when shooting 1080 video. You can download footage from the Bebop to your phone via Wi-Fi, but that will cost you in battery life and phone storage.

Fine flying machine

It must be said: the Parrot Bebop 2 is a fine drone to fly. The device is nice and stable and it is really fun to do with circles. The flight time is also impressive. We have not timed, only 20 minutes flying time per battery. The package comes with two batteries,one goes into the drone, the other in the Skycontroller. The SkyController was designed to use the same battery as the Bebop 2. This means that, when the battery in your drone is running low, you can change the batteries and keep flying. Just stick your drone’s battery in the SkyController and visa versa. As the SkyController doesn’t use as much power as the Bebop 2 does you’re still good to keep going. A very nice way to extend your flight time.

Conclusion

The Parrot Bebop 2 is definitely a big improvement over its predecessor. The build quality is fine and the flight time is impressive. Unfortunately the price is on the high side: the Bebop 2 with Skycontroller costs $799. For that money you buy nowadays Phantom 3 Pro or Yuneec Q500, and then you have more value for money, especially if you want to mainly photos and videos.

If you’re looking for a drone that’s easy to take along, fun to fly and you don’t care much about range or video quality then Parrot Bebop 2 is a good choice.

 

 

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