DJI have just launched a brand new integrated aerial camera with an astounding 30x optical zoom range, with an additional 6x digital option. The lens ranges from f1.6 at the wide end to f4.7 at the telephoto end. It weighs just over half a kilo.
If you are wondering why its release was to relatively little fanfare that’s because the camera is aimed at enterprise and emergency use applications and is designed to work on DJI’s larger Matrice series of industrial drones.
The camera isn’t designed with filmmakers in mind and this is reflected in the choice of a relatively poor 2.13 megapixel 1/2.8 inch CMOS sensor. The specifications don’t say what video resolution and bitrate is supported, but expect it to be HD or below.
While DJI may not be marketing the Z30 this way, it may in fact be an ideal solution for many news organisations looking for less expensive solutions for live broadcasts – assuming of course that it can be hooked up to an appropriate downlink.
What they are promoting is that the Z30 has excellent gimbal stabilisation, sufficient to allow for aerial inspections. It also has the company’s TapZoom function that allows the user to point at an object and the camera will automatically zoom into it.
No pricing is given but expect this camera to be more expensive that your common or garden X3 from your OSMO and Inspire 1.
This from DJI:
DJI Launches Aerial Zoom Camera To Unlock Powerful Industrial Applications
Zenmuse Z30’s capabilities mean faster, safer & more-precise inspections
October 24, 2016 – DJI on Monday launched the Zenmuse Z30, its most-powerful integrated aerial zoom camera, unlocking new possibilities for industrial applications.
The world’s leading aerial-imaging company said the Z30’s zoom capabilities mean it can collect precise visual data from over 100 meters and focus in on extremely precise details from distance.
“The Zenmuse Z30’s ability for image data capture is unparalleled,” said Paul Xu, director of DJI Enterprise Solutions. “With its extended range, enterprise clients can conduct millimeter-level inspections without the need to fly close, ensuring high flight safety, while increasing speed and efficiency.”
The Zenmuse Z30 seamlessly integrates with DJI’s Matrice airframes. It will work right out of the box, offering up to a 30x optical zoom and an additional digital zoom up to 6x. It can stabilize to within 0.01 degree.
Users can zoom with just a tap of the finger. The Zenmuse Z30 is fully integrated into the DJI Go app. With the new TapZoom function, the gimbal will reorient towards the object when tapping it on your screen. With each tap, the Z30 camera will automatically adjust its focal length to give an enlarged view.
The Zenmuse Z30 offers users faster, safer and more-precise inspection services. For cell tower inspections, airframes equipped with the Z30 camera can operate well beyond the range of cell tower’s electromagnetic fields and livestream footage to engineers anywhere in the world. This is an attractive alternative versus more-dangerous manual inspections.
The Z30 can also remain at a safe distance while inspecting a wind turbine, yet still show the condition of vital parts in detail. With “Point of Interest” tracking feature, the aircraft circles the turbine at a constant distance, keeping the object in the center of the camera frame.
First responders should now be able to use the 30x zoom to quickly get an overview of a scene and collect accurate and specific information to better plan their rescue operations.
