You would have thought that such an easy to implement feature, zoom, would have been built into the camera, especially with the amazing stability. I wonder why on earth they didn't implement this? The mind boggles! Unless they are saving it for the P4!

They did. Fly closer.

One day they may put a zoom on it but last time it was raised DJI were not that interested.

Because it's neither simple nor cheap.  It adds complexity, glass, weight & gimbal balancing issues.  It could be done digitally, but you can do that yourself in post.

That is a very tall order. True, this could be done, but you are looking at a huge increase in costs as a result.  Adding in a Variable Aperture with such a small device I bet would increase the cost of the bird x2.
One day, I am sure this will be a norm with the technology improving so much and manufacturing costs lowers

Jkeller84 Posted at 2016-2-16 11:18
They did. Fly closer.

But use prop guards!

Why buy an Inspire if options like zoom were available on the Phantom?  

Several reasons, mostly being price.

Zoome lens are much more complex than prime lenses, and generally are poorer quality optically. It would also likely weigh a lot more, and probably require a new more capable gimbal. (more $$$)

A zoom lens would also likely have a smaller aperture, which would mean it would perform even worse then the current camera in lower light situations. The X5 is a perfect example this, most of the prime lenses for it are f1.7, whereas the zoom lens for it is an f3.5-5.6 lens


So a zoom lens would increase a lot (more expensive lens, more expensive gimbal), decrease the image quality, and reduce low light performance. Seems like a no brainer to stick with a prime lens to me.

"I wonder why on earth they didn't implement this? "

Because it's not easy and would cost a bundle and need a bigger drone to lift it all.
Look around at the competition - do any of them offer a zoom lens equipped camera?
I wonder why.

Shoot in 4K and zoom with that footage in your editor.

Thanks guys! I often wondered about this... and now I know!

For a real world example,  take a look at a security camera with optical zoom in a windy situation.  The more you zoom,  the more shakey the picture,  until it becomes unusable.  Our P3's  are pretty stable and the gimbals are pretty good,  but I am willing to bet that with an optical zoom they would be terrible.  And digital zoom,  well, it's not worth anything in my opinion.

Kneepuck Posted at 2016-2-17 21:53
For a real world example,  take a look at a security camera with optical zoom in a windy situation.  ...

I don't think stability would be as big a problem as you think.  I've comfortably managed a 2 second exposure in 10-14mph wind.  Divide the shutter speed by the increase in focal length to get the minimum useable shutter speed & it all works out ok.  For example, a 5x zoom range from 20-100mm (35 equivalent) would need 2 seconds/5 @ 100mm, so 0.4 second.

Will read a license plate from 1000 ft away. Wonder how much it costs.
http://aeryon.com/press-releases/aeryon-labs-introduces-the-aeryon-hdzoom30-imaging-payload-enabling-aerial-image-capture-at-30x-optical-zoom

nigelw Posted at 2016-2-17 14:01
I don't think stability would be as big a problem as you think.  I've comfortably managed a 2 seco ...

Ok.  I have a security camera that uses 36x zoom.  It is mounted to a telephone pole.  When I zoom all the way,  it is very shakey.  Actually useless.  But that is at 36 zoom,  so I see your point.

snowsurferss Posted at 2016-2-18 06:04
Will read a license plate from 1000 ft away. Wonder how much it costs.
http://aeryon.com/press-relea ...

WOW, looks pretty cool and probably thousands of dollars.

DJI-Ken Posted at 2016-2-17 15:31
WOW, looks pretty cool and probably thousands of dollars.

Yeah! Here is the drone it was designed for, really interesting and about the same size as a Phantom 3. Might need to hit the lottery to pay for it though.

http://aeryon.com/aeryon-skyranger

DJI-Ken Posted at 2016-2-18 09:31
WOW, looks pretty cool and probably thousands of dollars.

Around $120K

snowsurferss Posted at 2016-2-17 14:04
Will read a license plate from 1000 ft away. Wonder how much it costs.
http://aeryon.com/press-relea ...

Determine the thread count on a bolt from 1000 feet!!!  That is amazing.  My 36x zoom camera,  which shoots in 720p,  will not even come close to doing that

I am sure that sooner or later another manufacturer will implement a digital zoom feature. Maybe then DJI would catch on

Because it weights more than 4.4 pounds you would probably need a pilots license to operate it. And, it would be a waste to limit it to a maximum altitude of 400 ft.

toddf.perkins@g Posted at 2016-2-18 12:27
I am sure that sooner or later another manufacturer will implement a digital zoom feature. Maybe the ...

DJI don't need to catch on. Digital Zoom is not a feature that should be provided on a camera system. If you want to zoom in on a digital image, do it in post production, where it is non-destructive and can be changed or reversed. If it is done in the camera, you don't have a second chance to get it right, whatever you select, you are stuck with.

In any event, no self-respecting photograpgher uses digital zoom, it simply destroys the resolution of the image.

labroides@yahoo Posted at 2016-2-18 06:51
Around $120K

Since it's built to military specs, I can see the reason why it's way expensive

Geebax Posted at 2016-2-18 10:16
DJI don't need to catch on. Digital Zoom is not a feature that should be provided on a camera syste ...

I think people want the zoom so they can have a live view and zoom in for a better look.

This quadcopter-drone era is just getting started. Unless the government shuts it down or severely limits the capabilities of the user, it's only going to expand rapidly. Five years from now you'll probably see things on them that you never even thought about today.

DJI-Ken Posted at 2016-2-18 13:28
I think people want the zoom so they can have a live view and zoom in for a better look.

Yes, and in doing so perpetuate the idea that Drone = Pervert.

Geebax Posted at 2016-2-18 10:39
Yes, and in doing so perpetuate the idea that Drone = Pervert.

That's for sure. Wait until the Stealth Mode props are released then with the zoom and no sound, then you can sneak up on your subject.
JK

nigelw Posted at 2016-2-16 20:47
Because it's neither simple nor cheap.  It adds complexity, glass, weight & gimbal balancing issues. ...

Friend their cameras in general is not cheap.
It costs $ 500,  is in the price range of
Canon D700 that is 10 times better than their cameras.
Note that you must have a tablet or phone to see what you're
shooting which further increases the cost ya at least $ 200
Which means that with DJs buy a good "webcam" for $ 700 and it's too expensive.
If we look at their camera as a camera then you should it cost $ 100 this kind of poop is now.
Here I am not talking about the craft only on camera.

Geebax Posted at 2016-2-18 10:16
DJI don't need to catch on. Digital Zoom is not a feature that should be provided on a camera syste ...

I am not a professional photographer and don't ever intend on being one. I usually do not mess with post production. I often do not even record video when I fly.. sometimes I would just like to get a closer view of something in real time. Yes, I agree that if you are trying to put together a professional video, then doing it in post is ideal. For a drone enthusiast like me who may just want a closer look at something, this is a very desirable feature.

medijaa Posted at 2016-2-18 20:48
Friend their cameras in general is not cheap.
It costs $ 500,  is in the price range of
Canon D700 ...

"Here I am not talking about the craft only the camera."
You're actually talking about a camera and gimbal.
There are a lot of sensors and electronics in the gimbal so that it can keep the camera level while flying.
Yes the camera sensor is smaller than on an SLR and it has to be to be able to fly.
The Phantom camera and gimbal are a masterpiece of miniaturisation and engineering.
It won't produce images as well as your SLR but your SLR won't fly either.
Drone photography is all about compromises

I thoughts DJI Phanrom 3 Pro is everything except the Pro because if you're selling something like a
Pro version of the means to be used for professional purposes.Do not get me wrong here to understand, I did not say that the Phantom 3 bad.
It's a great aircraft but this is not the professional version of the camera as they say.
I pray that we then explain what it means to pro version of anything in the world of electronics?

medijaa Posted at 2016-2-18 09:48
Friend their cameras in general is not cheap.
It costs $ 500,  is in the price range of
Canon D700 ...

I'm afraid you're way off the mark.  For $500 you get a camera & a gimbal.  Try buying a 3-xais stabiliser gimbal for a Canon D700 & then compare prices.
The camera itself is a very cheap camera.

Ok I agree with you just explain to me what is the professional version?
Phantom 3 Advanced has the same camera that was initially only HD 1080P
With the new firmware has received 2.7K which means that it's the same camera and that she can shoot 4K and "Pro version"
In fact we do not talk a lot about whether the camera is good or not (and in my opinion is not good)the price at which you sold and
I do not agree with their product name "Profesional" .

medijaa Posted at 2016-2-18 12:54
Ok I agree with you just explain to me what is the professional version?
Phantom 3 Advanced has the  ...

I agree, the camera is not professional.  It's just marketing & it works.

Any professional will not be fooled by such marketing.  Most professionals expect to pay a lot more for professional equipment.

DJI-Ken Posted at 2016-2-17 21:28
I think people want the zoom so they can have a live view and zoom in for a better look.

that makes sense, did not think of it that way.
I can see how that aspect would have some use for sure at times.

Geebax Posted at 2016-2-17 21:39
Yes, and in doing so perpetuate the idea that Drone = Pervert.

sadly kinda true..lol

kirk2579@aol.co Posted at 2016-2-18 23:13
that makes sense, did not think of it that way.
I can see how that aspect would have some use for  ...

Yes, my friend is retired from the government and went into business for himself and with the company he started this would come in handy.

medijaa Posted at 2016-2-18 20:54
Ok I agree with you just explain to me what is the professional version?
Phantom 3 Advanced has the  ...

It's just a name and a way to separate their products. To be fair, Pro is a pretty good term, pros are about the only people who would need to deliver in 4k. However, I know people using both advanced and pros for commercial uses.

Another point on the cost of the DJI camera vs the Canon camera you mentioned, is weight and size. Getting a camera and gimbal small and light enough to fit on an phantom is always going to cost more and come at the expense of image quality

Aerial photography is actually pretty un-demanding. Fixed focus, no great subtlety in separating objects using depth of field, it is really just a matter of getting the exposure right and that 's that. So, even if you could lift your expensive DSLR up there, there is not going to be a quantum difference in the results you get anyway.