Does anyone know if the Zenmuse Z3 has been released?   And I know this will get me a lot of different answers but would you rather have the Z3 with zoom capabilities or the X5 ??

David

yes it is out and I am saving for one now.

Z3 over the X5 (due to cost) but it is a hard one for sure

thread
http://forum.dji.com/thread-58921-1-2.html
Rich

X5 is way better and can have zoom as well, only plus in my books would be longer flying times due to lower weight. Will probably get an Z3 but keep my X5 and my lenses for more important photos.
For people with limited knowledge of handling a camera in manual mode or like the "point and click" of the X3  the Z3 would probably be easier to handle.

I have one more question.  I have the older mounting plate:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/produc ... 0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Do I need the larger one -- or does it matter? Is there an advantage to getting the larger mounting plate?
https://www.amazon.com/Shopready ... re+1+mounting+plate

I ask as I've seen 2 or 3 videos with the Z3 and they all have that different mounting bracket/plate...  Any insight, as always is appreciated.

@Cougar1 - when you say "it can have zoom as well" is the zoom an additional option for X5?  I definitely want a camera with zoom..

Well after reading the given posts here and at inspirepilots I ordered the Z3 (pre-order from B&H) and the vibration mounting bracket. May as go all the way. The X5 is out of my price range for now. Trying to get good at flying this thing and photography and try my hand at maybe some local real estate shoots Ways out for that yet but im learning alot

david@eminitrad Posted at 2016-8-15 19:16
Well after reading the given posts here and at inspirepilots I ordered the Z3 (pre-order from B&H) a ...

I put my order in about two weeks ago and I'm still waiting for it to arrive from B and H, as well.  I got the mounting bracket on Amazon

@BigDZ: Same here. BH for the camera and Amazon for the bracket.  Really can't wait to get my hands on it but I guess that gives me a good couple weeks to get more experience flying the drone.

Beware, I received a Z3 3 weeks ago and still cannot use it: the video stream is totally shaky. DJI answered me on 11 August that this was a firmware issue and that they are working on a solution. Nothing new yet. Very frustrating

david@eminitrad Posted at 2016-8-15 22:54
I have one more question.  I have the older mounting plate:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VBE ...

David, sorry in being late responding to your question.
On the X5 you can attach several different lenses, Olympus 14-42 Zoom lens would be one.