After 7 Years the DJI Inspire 3 Has Finally Arrived—Here’s Everything You Need to Know
BY Zacc Dukowitz
13 April 2023The Inspire 2 came out way back in 2016, the same year the FAA released its Part 107 rules.
Today, DJI has finally released the next version of the Inspire—the DJI Inspire 3.
The Inspire 2 has been a go-to option for cinematography since it came out. The Inspire 3 is a high-end 8K camera drone that continues this trend, with a focus on workflow efficiency and camera language that will make it a favorite tool for professional filmmakers.
But its high quality comes with a high price tag. The Inspire 3 is currently available for pre-order and starts at $16,499. It will begin shipping at the end of June.
DJI has prepared several other new products to coincide with the launch of the Inspire 3. These include:
- A new swappable TB51 intelligent dual battery
- A new 03 Pro transmission system
- A new Zenmuse camera X9-8K Air camera module
See pricing options for the Inspire 3 or keep reading to learn all about what it has to offer.
Credit: DJI
What’s in the Box?
The Inspire 3 is only being sold in a single package right now.
Here’s everything you get with that package:
- The DJI Inspire 3 drone
- The Zenmuse X9-8K Air gimbal camera
- The RC Plus with a strap
- Six TB51 intelligent batteries
- A charging hub
- A trolley case
- A 1TB SSD
- 3 foldable quick-release propellers
- A lens carrying box
Credit: DJI
Specs for the Inspire 3
As was suspected based on leaked information, the Inspire 3 has been completely redesigned.
The new design makes the drone lighter and more portable. It also comes with easily stored foldable props, which don’t require you to reinstall them each time you fly.
Credit: DJI
Overall, the new Inspire model has a more streamlined design, integrating the drone’s visual sensors, positioning antennas, storage card slot, and FPV camera so the entire drone looks sleeker and less bulky.
But the new design doesn’t just look good. It also has practical benefits, including making it possible to capture shots at an upward 80° angle without anything obstructing the camera’s view.
Here are the primary specs for the Inspire 3:
- Flight time. 28 minutes, supported by the Inspire 3’s new swappable TB51 intelligent dual batteries.
- Speed. The Inspire 3 can go fast—over 58.4mph (94kmh), with a dive speed of up to 33 feet/second (10 m/s).
- Camera. The Inspire 3 comes with the new Zenmuse X9-8K Air gimbal camera. The camera shoots video at 8K/25fps CinemaDNG video and 8K/75fps Apple ProRes RAW, and uses CineCore 3.0, DJI’s latest image processing system.
- Storage. The Inspire 3’s swappable 1TB SSD has 1,100MBps write speed and 900MBps read speed.
- Transmission. New 03 Pro transmission system has a video transmission range of 9.3 miles (15km) with one controller and 7.5 miles (12km) in dual-control mode. Live feed at 1080p/60fps has ultra-low latency, with live feeds supported at 4K/30fps for a reduced range of 3 miles (5km)—producing ultra-HD livestreaming, which will help support high end work on cinematic projects.
- Obstacle avoidance. The Inspire 3 has cutting edge obstacle avoidance enabled by nine different visual sensors, allowing it to send obstacles in all directions.
- RTK. The Inspire 3 comes with RTK centimeter-level positioning, helping ensure more accurate flight-route planning and execution.
- Remote control. Comes with the DJI RC Plus remote controller.
Credit: DJI
Inspire 3 Features & Modes
After seven years, you’d expect some major improvements. And the Inspire 3 has them in spades.
Here are four of the top features and modes that come with the Inspire 3:
1. Waypoint Pro
The new Waypoint Pro released with the Inspire 3 was specially designed for aerial cinematography, enabling flight-route and shot planning with a wide range of customized settings.
It comes with:
- Repeatable Routes mode. Provides precise, repeatable flight routes with preset parameters for gimbal angle, speed, altitude, and key camera settings. This was made for cinematography, allowing you to shoot difficult one-takes, similar to Skydio’s KeyFrame mode.
- 3D Dolly mode. Allows you to use the drone to simulate a crane (called a jib in the industry) or dolly for smooth cinematic aerial shots, letting you adjust the drone’s speed along an aerial motion path while retaining full control of the camera’s gimbal.
2. Ultra-Wide Night Vision FPV
The Inspire 3 has new 1/1.8-inch-sensor FPV camera with an
an all-new 161° FOV (Field of View). Compared to its predecessor, the DFOV is approximately doubled.
This FPV camera delivers more impressive light-sensing capability, allowing pilots to observe their surroundings vividly and clearly, even at night, and ensure greater levels of flight safety, for daylight and night time operations.
3. Dual-Control Mode
Two remote controllers can receive transmission and control links from the Inspire 3 at the same time, allowing the pilot and the gimbal operator to work independently of each other and be present at different locations during a shoot.
4. Spotlight Pro Subject Tracking
Spotlight Pro uses machine learning to support automated subject recognition and locking for people, vehicles, and boats with greater accuracy than its predecessor.
Camera and Accessories for the Inspire 3
Here are some stand-out features for the new camera that comes with the Inspire 3, the Zenmuse X9-8K Air camera module:
- Shoots video at 4K 120fps ProRes Raw
- Can shoot video at 8K video at up to 75fps in Apple ProRes RAW with a paid license
- Comes with 80° Tilt Boost or 360° Pan Dual Configurations
- Supports dual native ISO. At full-frame 30fps and below it offers EI 800/4000, with the 24fps commonly used in film production and the 25fps commonly used in commercial and TV production. EI 320/1600 can be used above 30fps.
- Over 14 stops of dynamic range, supporting the capture of rich highlights and shadows, even in complexly lit situations (like sunsets or sunrises).
Credit: DJI
Along with the new Zenmuse X9-8K camera, there are several lenses that can be purchased with the Inspire 3.
These include:
- DL 24mm F2.8 LS ASPH Lens. Specially made for aerial cinematography and natively compatible with DL mount. The housing is made of lightweight, monocoque carbon fiber to enhance shooting stability, meeting DJI Inspire 3’s requirement for ultra-high maneuverability.
- DL 35mm F2.8 LS ASPH Lens. Specially made for aerial cinematography and natively compatible with DL mount. The housing is made of lightweight, monocoque carbon fiber to enhance shooting stability, meeting Inspire 3’s requirement for ultra-high maneuverability.
- DL 50mm F2.8 LS ASPH Lens. Specially made for aerial cinematography and natively compatible with DL mount. The housing is made of lightweight, monocoque carbon fiber to enhance shooting stability, meeting DJI Inspire 3’s requirement for ultra-high maneuverability.
