Movie magic: DJI unveils 6K-capable Zenmuse X7 camera

For more than a decade, Chinese tech firm DJI has been making some of the most advanced drones available, many of which come with high-tech cameras that professional filmmakers use to shoot aerial video.

Now, the company has unveiled its most advanced model yet, the Zenmuse X7 camera, which it claims captures the highest resolution images of any drone shooter on the market.

What separates the X7 from other UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) cameras is its ultra-high resolution “Super 35” sensor, which can record RAW video footage at 6K and 30fps. To put that into perspective, the majority of high-end drones available capture video at a maximum resolution of 4K - the same quality as most high-end TVs.

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The X7’s sensor shoots video with 14 stops of dynamic range, says Engadget, which helps sharpen image quality and bolster the level of detail in images in low-light conditions.

It also comes with DJI’s Cinema Color System, the website says, offering “more flexibility in the editing booth” and a mode that “imitates the behaviour of film cameras to help preserve info”.

The X7 is available with four carbon fibre-bodied lenses, in 16mm, 24mm, 35mm and 50mm focal lengths, reports Fstoppers, all of which come with maximum apertures of f/2.8.

The camera is designed to “work seamlessly” with DJI’s Inspire 2 drone, the website says, which has a flying time of up to 23 minutes with the 631g 16mm X7 lens attached.

You can expect to pay $2,699 (£2,000) for the base model X7 lens. A four-lens bundle increases that figure to $4,299 (£3,300); and if you don’t have DJI’s Inspire 2 drone, you’ll need to shell out a further $2,999 (£2,300) for that.

Thankfully, shipping is included in the price.