Key Takeaways
There might be a possible DJI Osmo Motion 5 Professional digital camera with a high-resolution sensor akin to the Mini 4 Professional drone’s Quad Bayer tech.
A risk of a price range mannequin alongside the professional model following DJI’s drone lineup sample additionally exists.
Key new options embody hypothesis of swappable lenses and improved battery life for the upcoming DJI motion digital camera.
DJI will announce a brand new product on Sept. 19 — and if the teaser video is any indication, that gadget might be a “professional” model of the model’s motion digital camera. Earlier this week, DJI shared a teaser video exhibiting a sequence of motion and underwater footage adopted by the define of a digital camera much like the model’s Osmo line only a few days after the newest GoPro was introduced. However what’s most fun in regards to the teaser is not a obscure image of what might be the DJI Osmo Motion 5 — it is the “Professional” textual content in darkish lighting.
In a generic state of affairs, the phrase professional suggests professional-level options. However, the professional tagline is coming from DJI who notably already makes use of these three letters to distinguish between drone fashions. May DJI’s upcoming motion digital camera get the digital camera tech of the Mini 4 Professional drone? As a photographer and drone pilot, this is why I am hoping DJI’s subsequent motion digital camera would be the Osmo Motion 5 Professional, together with the 4 options I wish to see most from it.
1 A digital camera sensor like DJI’s Professional mannequin drones
Professional dones have two decision modes
Earlier Osmo Motion cameras did not have a “Professional” of their names, suggesting the upcoming mannequin might see some vital enhancements. The Osmo Motion 4 set itself other than GoPro with a bigger sensor, but it surely faltered behind with a 10-megapixel decision. I would not be stunned to see a better decision within the Osmo Motion 5.
However, with a view to preserve its benefit in low mild over competing GoPro fashions, I feel one of the best ways for DJI to method this is similar manner it does its small drone cameras. The DJI Mini 4 Professional has two photograph modes; one is 48 megapixels and the opposite is 12 megapixels. The drone is in a position to do that via a Quad Bayer sensor, which divides every of the 12 megapixels into 4 with a view to supply a 48-megapixel mode alongside the default 12.
What actually makes the DJI Mini 4 Professional’s digital camera method nice is how one can select between a better decision, much less noise, and fewer grain within the photographs. Larger-resolution sensors have extra element, however a decrease decision creates bigger pixel websites, which assist to assemble extra mild. That is why lower-resolution cameras are likely to have higher picture high quality in low-light eventualities. If DJI switches to a sensor with a single greater decision, it might lose its low-light edge. However, when you might have each choices in a single digital camera, you need to use the excessive decision when the lighting is nice, then swap to the decrease decision indoors or round sundown.
I am anticipating the Professional to comply with the Mini sequence as a substitute.
The DJI Osmo 4 was fairly a bit behind GoPro in decision, however considerably higher at low mild pictures. If the corporate makes use of that very same Quad Bayer know-how that it already makes use of in its quadcopters, then DJI’s subsequent motion cam might supply a greater decision whereas nonetheless being the motion cam king of low mild. DJI already makes use of 1/1.3″ Quad Bayer sensors within the Mini 4 Professional drone, and it might theoretically use that very same sensor within the Osmo Motion 5 Professional, maintaining the identical dimension because the Osmo 4 however including two decision choices.
In fact, on DJI’s Mavic sequence, the Professional designates the choice with multiple digital camera, permitting pilots to select from three totally different lenses. However, contemplating the Osmo Motion’s small dimension and cheaper price level, I am anticipating the Professional to comply with the Mini sequence as a substitute.
2 A possible price range mannequin
DJI’s Professional drones are sometimes accompanied by a non-pro possibility
If the “Professional” in DJI’s teaser for the upcoming motion digital camera is something just like the model’s Professional drones, it implies the potential of a non-pro mannequin. DJI has each the Mini 3 and the Mini 3 Professional, for instance, with the Professional providing higher options and the opposite a greater value.
That mentioned, the DJI Mini 4 Professional was launched in September 2023, and the corporate nonetheless hasn’t launched a DJI Mini 4. As an alternative, it has quietly launched fashions just like the DJI Mini for price range pilots. Whereas I would not be stunned if DJI launched a non-Professional model down the highway, I would not precisely maintain my breath, both.
Nonetheless, in addition to the plain sample of the corporate’s drones, launching two totally different value choices would put the corporate extra in keeping with competitor GoPro, who additionally has the tiny $200 Hero.
3 Swappable lenses
It might preserve the Osmo extra aggressive with GoPro
One of many key new options within the not too long ago introduced GoPro Hero 13 Black is the power to swap lenses, although it really works extra like smartphone lenses quite than mirrorless optics. As an alternative of taking off the prevailing lens, you are including glass over the built-in lens that adjusts the view. This offers the latest GoPro the power to shoot macro, wider views, or anamorphic flare. One of many motion digital camera style’s greatest limitations is the lack to zoom, so the choice to regulate the lens, even when it is solely slightly, might show to be an enormous characteristic.
The DJI Osmo 4 already has a hydrophobic lens protector that screws on and off the digital camera so, in principle, the bodily design would not have to vary a lot. Nonetheless, this can be a characteristic that I might wish to see but do not actually count on to. Optics are finicky, and getting good high quality overlaying two lenses is hard to do.
4 Higher battery life
The Motion 4 did not have the very best battery life
When DJI launched the Osmo Motion 4, it upgraded the sensor however downgraded the battery life. With battery life being one of many complaints in lots of Osmo Motion 4 critiques, an improved battery might be on many motion followers’ want lists. The 4 delivers round 160 minutes of 1080p video, and fortunately, the mannequin makes use of swappable batteries. So, it is doable to purchase just a few extras for all-day motion.
I believe the upcoming digital camera might additionally take after the model’s drones right here. A few of DJI’s smaller drones have non-obligatory Plus batteries that enhance the quadcopter’s weight however delay the flight time. The corporate might take an analogous method with its motion cameras and supply two totally different batteries that match contained in the motion cam, with one in every of them providing longer recording occasions and the opposite a lighter weight. However, with weight being much less important on motion cameras than it’s on a digital camera that must be aerodynamic, we might merely see an improved battery life as a substitute.
DJI’s announcement is scheduled for Sept. 19 at 9 AM EST.