At a time when technology is revolutionizing how movies can be made and how authentic stories can be told, having a drone camera is no longer an option. It is a necessity! However, the quality of the drone camera, its battery life, the level of sensitivity of the sensors, how well you can navigate in tight spaces, and how high it can go, in addition to many other features, are important when choosing a drone for your film.
With a state-of-the-art 5.4K Ultra HD camera, CMO sensors, high storage, and long-lasting batteries, the DJI Inspire 2 is the drone you’ve been looking for.
When you have a drone like the DJI Inspire 2, you can rest assured that your aerial shots will be crisp and clear. But if you’re not sure whether you should get a drone that gives you 4K video quality, crisp audio, can be easily navigated with your phone, and a host of other mind-blowing features, then this review is for you. Keep reading to find out how amazing the DJI Inspire 2 will take your filmmaking process to a whole new level.
The beauty of any drone used for filmmaking is its ability to shoot high-quality videos from high up. While the rest of the drone family is renowned for shooting 4K video resolutions, DJI Inspire 2 takes the video quality notches higher with its 5.2 Ultra HD video resolution quality.
And as though that is not enough. The DJI Inspire 2 is so fast and easy to control that it goes from 0 to 50mph within 5 seconds, making it one of the fastest drones in the world for shooting movies.
Also, during winter, or when you have a scene in a temperate region, you can rest assured that the DJI Inspire 2 will do an excellent job because it can withstand extremely cold weather, thanks to its internal, self-heating technology.
Doing a DJI Inspire Review will be incomplete without first understanding what drones are and how they can be used for filmmaking.
Drones are unmanned aircraft that have cameras attached to them Trusted Source The Now: What is a Drone? Learn more about drones, the types of drones available, and what drones are used for in this free lesson. edu.gcfglobal.org . Drones have evolved from high-level technology used by government agencies such as NASA for a plethora of national and international issues such as disaster response Trusted Source Drones for Disaster Response: NASA STEReO Project Kicks Off | NASA To help emergency responders meet the challenges of natural disasters, a new project is building on NASA’s research in drone traffic management, human factors, vehicle autonomy and communications. www.nasa.gov to an integral tool in filmmaking.
But, far more than just one shiny toy that the rich flaunt, or tech that NASA uses for covert operations, drones have become a major part of movie making. And for a number of reasons too.
Before drones became popular among filmmakers, aerial shots were often difficult to get. Filmmakers who didn’t have the large movie budget of the big guns relied a lot on improvised, sometimes low-quality cameras for aerial shots and wide-angle views.
While helicopters were commonplace in the past, they were expensive to get and couldn’t take shots in a close-knitted place. Plus, you don’t want a helicopter hovering over your head, as an actor, every time the film director and cinematographers want to make an aerial shot.
So came drones, and revolutionized how filmmakers make movies. Now, the watching audience doesn’t have to rely solely on pictures from the Point of View of the actors; they can get a birds-eye view, a sight that enhances their appreciation and understanding of a film storyline.
Drones make shooting movies from ‘high up’ easy and fast.
From the sensors to the cameras, filmmakers are having a swell time spending less but achieving better picture quality and wider aerial views with drones.
Plus, because of how affordable drones are (not buying but renting from a company), even young and new filmmakers can make better films with clear and crisp views.
Now that you’ve decided that you want to make that investment in a drone, you are not sure what makes a good drone.
You’ve asked one of your filmmaking buddies, and he sent you a list of things to be careful about when you’re in the market for a drone. Still, you’re not so sure.
These are what you should be looking out for when you’re in the market for a drone:
Also, if you have long scenes to shoot with drones, you’d want one with longer battery power, so you don’t have to change the battery after every five minutes.
The quality of the camera for still pictures and videos; how well the master shot takes videos when the drone is at high speed; how fast it processes videos and saves them.
These features, and more, should inform whether you should get a particular drone or not.
When making decisions on the range, be sure of what you want to achieve with the drone. Without clearcut knowledge of what you want to do with the drone, you’d be lost on what range will be best for your project.
Okay, enough of all this drone talk. Let’s unravel what the DJI Inspire 2 is about.
Hold on!
Before we do the DJI Inspire 2 Review, you should check out our blog post on the best DJI drones. This should get you started on which of the many DJI drones fits your filmmaking goal.
The DJI Inspire 2 was designed for filmmakers who have compelling stories to tell but are unsure where to start. This unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has all the features for great video and still picture capturing, with its smart controller, easy-to-handle user interface, and long-lasting battery life.
It is rare to find a drone that combines the complexity of the best technology with such simplicity of use. The DJI Inspire 2 blends it all so well it is impossible not to love using it.
But, if you’re still in the dark about whether you want to have that picture-perfect movie shot with a drone designed with the latest technology, then these features should help your decision-making process faster.
The features that stand DJI Inspire 2 out are:
Drones autonomy is when the drone can operate alone without necessarily having direct input from a controller. And when it comes to drones for making films, the level of autonomy should be conditional autonomy.
The DJI Inspire 2 is designed with powerful autonomous functions, allowing the controller to have power over its use but also having enough artificial intelligence to know what to do, especially avoiding obstacles.
With the intelligent HDR technology, the DJI Inspire automatically merges shots, increasing the range of dynamic pictures it can take and, in turn, making for better scene capturing.
The DJI Inspire 2 has a long battery life, lasting up to 31 minutes. This drone can meander through tight spaces thanks to its 40o tilt angle.
Its 58m/s max flight speed allows you to go as high and as fast when shooting fast action scenes.
If you’re worried that you might be unable to cover a wide range of shots with the DJI Inspire 2, then you need to think again!
It has a flight distance of 18.5km, giving you an aerial view like never before, sharp, crisp, and wide.
Also, because of the clarity of the images captured, you have a more nuanced, clear image that you can use without having to edit the images during post-production.
The DJI Inspire 2 is designed with the “busy movie maker who has to travel regularly to film locations” in mind. It is a foldable drone that can fit into a small handbag, making it very mobile. When you fold it, it has a length, width, and height of 18 x 12 x 21 in. With a design like this, you can rest assured that no matter the toughness of the terrain you’re traveling to and shooting from, your drone will withstand the ruggedness.
The propellers are also designed with low-noise features, therefore ensuring that you don’t have to worry about removing propeller noise during post-production.
Also, with an internal storage of 16GB, recording long scenes in its 4K picture resolution is sure.
Plus, what can be better than an operating frequency of 2.4 and 5.8 GHz?
With a frequency as high as that, you can get signals from the drone and control it from far distances.
When buying a drone, one of the factors is the price. Pricing varies from product to product, as well as the features of each product.
While it is common knowledge that most drones for filmmaking are quite pricey, the DJI Inspire 2 is no different.
At $3129, this durable and efficient drone for filmmaking stands out from the rest.
This price is for the drone, the remote control, and one battery. If you need extra batteries, you can either ask for them from the seller or check amazon for other accessories.
When getting a drone for making movies, you are often advised to check for the battery type and how long it’ll last. Great batteries make for great investments as you don’t have to buy new ones regularly, saving you cash. And also, with great batteries, you can shoot for long periods of time before recharging the drone.
The DJI Inspire 2 has a battery capacity of 4280 mAh 6S LiPo that allows you to record while in flight for up to 31 minutes. Because the battery is a LiPo 6s battery type, you can rest assured that your battery won’t be going bad anytime soon, so there is no need to search Amazon for new batteries. Except you want to get extra batteries.
In addition, the intelligent battery management system charges the Inspire 2 intelligent battery itself, allowing you to film longer than an average drone will allow.
Also, the battery gets fully charged after charging for one hour and 30 minutes, ensuring you can quickly recharge and get back to filming should you have multiple scenes that take longer than 30 minutes.
After careful usage, it was discovered that charging the two intelligent batteries can’t be done simultaneously. They are charged one battery at a time. Plus, you will see a green LED light when you’re charging the DJI Inspire 2.
When getting a drone for shooting movies, you sure want one with superb picture quality and an easy-to-handle camera controller. The DJI Inspire 2 has an autopilot controller that is easy to use, making this drone perfect for even a newbie in movie making.
There are two options for the cameras. The first is the $599 Zenmuse X4S add-on, which is separate from the drone. It shares the same 24-mm f/2.8-11 lens, 1-inch 20-megapixel image sensor, and mechanical shutter as the inbuilt camera found on high-end drones like the Phantom 4 Pro. Its stable field of view roughly corresponds to the 24mm lens’ field of vision in a full-frame system.
The built-in camera on the Inspire is a forward-facing 5mm f/1.7 lens. It has a 2-axis gimbal for stabilization, and its only function is to constantly send the pilot a forward-looking video feed. Between the forward obstruction sensors, it is tucked in the front. A 3-axis gimbal is utilized to stabilize the real video camera, which is suspended below the body.
As long as they are compact and lightweight enough to not put undue pressure on the balancing gimbal, you could use third-party lenses using a mechanical adapter.
For $2,999, you can also purchase the plane without a camera. The license and camera are not added, but you’ll receive the microSD card. You should take this setup into account if you don’t need to film in CinemaDNG or ProRes.
The aircraft is equipped with a video-processing engine. When filming in CinemaDNG, it offers 5.2K capture at a maximum frame rate of 30 and 4K at a maximum frame rate of 60. With both 4444 XQ and 422 HQ available at different aspect ratios, ProRes recording is limited to 30 frames per second. You can increase the video’s frame rate to 60 fps if you film in H.265 or H.264 format. Recording to MicroSD and SSD simultaneously is supported.
Both camera options support still photos in the Raw DNG format. Just the hardware sensor size varies; both have a resolution of around 20MP. The X5S can be stretched to ISO 25600, which is better for video and images in extremely difficult lighting conditions than the X4S, which has an ISO range of 100 to 12800.
The video resolution of the DJI Inspire 2 is “as clear as morning”, thanks to the 4K Ultra HD feature of the drone.
TapFly is also supported. Here, the fixed frontal camera is used so that you may steer the drone’s flight while capturing video from a different perspective.
There are further flight modes called Orbit and Waypoint, which all make use of obstacle avoidance technology, as well as Active Track, which detects and tracks moving objects on the ground.
You can track and identify a subject using Spotlight Pro, one of the other automated flight alternatives. While you are flying the Inspire, the camera automatically maintains its focus; it’s like having a virtual videographer on hand. Waypoint flight and Point of Interest orbiting around over a subject is not yet accessible but will be in a subsequent release.
It is one thing to have a drone; it is another thing to control it seamlessly without worrying about misdirecting the drone. The DJI Inspire 2 is easy to control.
The DJI Inspire 2 comes with a smart controller that assists you when you’re navigating the drone in the air. With the smart controller, you don’t have to worry so much about knowing how best to move to the drone or what angle to take what shots. In combination with the smart camera, the smart controller’s artificial intelligence allows even an absolute beginner to use the drone well.
In addition, the remote control system is built so that the drone automatically corresponds with different hardware aircraft configurations.
One major drawback many have complained about with automated aircraft, and drones, is the constant need to update hardware configurations, especially when there is additional hardware.
But the DJI Inspire 2 eliminates the need to wrack your head, searching for the right hardware configuration.
And you shouldn’t forget that you can control this drone with your mobile phone… after you have installed the app on your phone. Plus, the operating temperature of the DJI Inspire 2 is -20oCC to 40oC, meaning for you to have total control of the remote controller, the temperature must be right.
However, because it lacks an external antenna, connecting to a smartphone can be quite tedious. You’d have to bring the phone very close to the drone. And even after you’ve done that, you must be careful not to move too far away from the drone as the frequency is not so strong.
Finally, the high transmitter power of 2.400 – 2.4835 GHz means you can control the drone from far away. And this is important when you’re filming in a large area.
Now that you know how the DJI Inspire drone works, you’ll probably be wondering, “what accessories do I need to enjoy this drone better?
Here are some accessories that you can use alongside the DJ inspire:
Yes, there are better options than the DJI Inspire 2. But it depends on what you are looking for and what you want to achieve with the drone. Your budget is also important when talking about other options. The Inspire 2 is very pricey, and it might not be affordable for everybody.
For drones for filmmaking under $1000, there are good options like the DJI Air 2. This drone has all a beginner needs to start flying a drone in one package; plus, the accessories are affordable, so you don’t need to dig deep wells in your finances when you want to buy them!
However, if money isn’t an element of concern in your drone purchase, the DJI Inspire 2 remains one of the top-tier drone money can buy.
The durability of this drone is dependent on a number of factors, one of which is how well you handle it.
Still, it is not out of place to say that this drone will last long. And for obvious reasons.
One, the weight of the drone is light, weighing 7.3lb. Light drones last long because there is less pressure on the mechanics of the drone when it is in the air.
Also, because it is built with an aluminum alloy frame, it can withstand harsh weather elements and still function effectively.
Additionally, because it comes with different speed options, you can navigate it easily, no matter how tight the spaces are. And it also has wind resistance, so you can rest assured that billows of wind won’t wreck its sail!
There is more!
It also comes with a one-year warranty, making it easy for you to return it to the manufacturer should you notice any faults.
Overall, though, this is a sturdy, well-built drone for filmmakers.
Nobody sees something good and lets it walk past.
If sturdiness, great picture, and image quality are some benefits you’re looking for when getting a drone, then you should absolutely get this.
And if it is within your budget, by all means, get it!
The brilliance of this drone can’t be overemphasized. But no matter how perfect a drone is, some negatives will still exist.
The table below addresses the pros and cons of the DJI Inspire 2 to help you make better buying decisions.
| Pros | Cons |
| It can adapt to various weather conditions, making it the perfect drone for filmmakers who love to tell daring stories and use different locations. | It is very expensive. |
| Because of the brilliant design and technology, anyone with a fair sense of drone handling can handle it. | Accessories are also very expensive when you want to buy replacements.
|
| Takes clear and crisp pictures and videos, thanks to its 5.4K Ultra HD feature. | You need a high-end computer for video editing. |
| Its 4-Directional sensor makes it easy for you to avoid obstacles when controlling it. | |
| Its 31-minute flight time is one of the longest. | |
| The battery is strong and can last long. |
Filmmaking with drones has grown in leaps and bounds in the last decade. From poor-quality videos to clear, crisp, high-resolution videos, filming with drones is truly expanding the horizon of cinematography for filmmakers
Selecting the best drone for filmmaking can be quite a hassle for many. However, the right combination of features and accessories makes all the difference.
The DJI Inspire 2 combines all the qualities of a great camera with the features of a wonderful drone. Its 5.4K Ultra HD Camera, powerful battery, sensors, and all its amazing features stand it out from the rest. So, it is only wise that for anyone looking for quality and durability, buying this world-class drone from DJI is one of the best investments you’ll make in your filmmaking career.
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