DJI Inspire 3: who’s this 8K drone for?

We’ve been waiting 7 years for this. Since 2016 and the release of the DJI Inspire 2, the Chinese firm had not offered a new version of its high-end drone. Now it’s done with the new DJI Inspire 3 and its new camera pod offering 8K video resolution. So what’s it worth? What improvements over its predecessor? Who is it for? All the answers!

DJI Inspire 3: design and remote control

A new design

Dimensions (Height x Length x Width)	709.8 x 176 x 500.5 mm (in transport mode)
Weight	approx. 3995 g (with camera pod, two batteries, lens, PROSSD and propellers)

The DJI Inspire 3 is a professional drone, and as such is considerably larger and heavier than consumer drones, even bulky ones like the DJI Mavic 3. Its dimensions are 500.5 mm long, 709.8 mm wide and 176 mm high, and these are the measurements in travel mode, i.e. once it has been automatically flattened for storage in its supplied carrying case (we’ll come back to this later). It is therefore even larger in flight.

The same applies to the scales: the Inspire 3 weighs almost 4 kilos (3995 grams to be precise), including camera pod, two batteries, PROSSD hard drive and propellers. Again, it’s heavy compared to consumer drones, but really nothing out of the ordinary for a professional drone of this quality. Note that with such a weight, it falls into a stricter regulatory category, requiring it to be even further away from people and homes.

Design features include a landing gear that automatically raises and lowers on takeoff and landing, andan additional FPV camera (in addition to the main camera) with a 1/1.8-inch night vision sensor and 161-degree ultra-wide-angle lens, designed to give the pilot greater control when the main camera is used by a cameraman who takes care of framing via a second remote control.

Finally, as mentioned a few paragraphs earlier, the DJI Inspire 3 comes with a carrying case designed to simplify transport. It features an extendable handle, two side handles and four 360-degree swivel wheels. It holds the drone, an X9-8K Air camera pod, two RC Plus remote controls, four lenses, twelve batteries, two battery-charge concentrators, three sets of propellers and other smaller accessories.

The radio control

Remote control	DJI RC Plus
Application	DJI Pilot 2
Video output	HDMI
Power supply	Built-in or external batteries
Autonomy	Built-in batteries: 3h30 Built-in batteries + external battery: 6h

As you’ll have gathered by now, the DJI Inspire 3 can be controlled via two remote controls: one for the pilot, who will steer the drone using the FPV lens, and the other for the cameraman, who will shoot via the main camera. Of course, the drone can also be controlled by the pilot alone, using the main camera.

The remote control supplied with the Inspire 3 is the company’s top-of-the-range remote control: the DJI RC Plus. With its highly professional appearance and build quality, it features an ultra-bright (1200 nits) 7-inch touchscreen, as well as an array of buttons spread across its entire surface.

The DJI RC Plus boasts a host of dedicated buttons for direct access to, for example, pod and camera parameters, and these can be customized to suit the needs of each user. The remote control also features a cinematic-quality graphical interface powered by the integrated DJI Pilot 2 application.

Although this controller is heavier and bulkier than the manufacturer’s classic radio controllers, it’s still comfortable to use. And DJI has thought of everything: it comes with a harness-type strap through which you can pass your arms for better support, and with a waist support, a metal frame that rests against the abdomen to offer greater comfort during prolonged use.

The integrated batteries can provide around 3.5 hours of autonomy, and it’s important to note that they can be hot-swapped. A larger external battery can also be used, increasing total autonomy to almost 6 hours.

DJI Inspire 3: in flight

Flight performance

Max. horizontal speed	94 km/h
Max. ascent speed	8 m/s
Max. descent speed	Vertical: 8 m/s Tilt: 10°m/s
Max. wind resistance	Take-off / Landing: 12 m/s In flight: 14 m/s

The DJI Inspire 3 can reach a maximum horizontal speed of 94 km/h, and can withstand winds of up to 14 m/s, or around 50 km/h. Despite its large size and high weight compared with consumer drones, it proves extremely agile and maneuverable: it’s just as capable of fast, smooth turns as it is of abrupt ascents and descents.

Rather easy and intuitive to fly, its controls are incredibly precise, and with its advanced flight functions and obstacle detection system, which we’ll describe a little later, you get a drone capable of flying in complex environments such as film sets.

Features

If you’re a DJI drone regular, then forget about the famous QuickShots, MasterShots and Panorama modes found on DJI Mini and other Mavics: there are no automated flight modes for shooting on the Inspire 3, which is definitely intended for professional use.

But the Inspire 3 has more than one trick up its sleeve when it comes to autonomous flight and subject tracking: Waypoint Pro enables the drone’s routes to be precisely planned and the camera pod to be fully programmed, which can of course also be controlled manually.

Waypoint Pro offers the following modes:

• Repeat routes: this mode lets you define various parameters such as altitude, speed, gimbal angle and camera settings, and repeat the same mission at will. This makes it possible not only to take challenging one-off shots, but also to fly at different times in the same place to take long timelapses, such as from day to night or from one season to another.
• 3D Travelling: this mode can simulate a crane, a cable cam or a dolly, depending on the requirements of the shot.
• Spotlight Pro: this function uses machine-learning algorithms to support automated recognition and locking of subjects such as people or vehicles, which the camera will automatically keep in the center of the frame.

The Spotlight Pro function itself consists of two modes:

• Tracking mode: the subject is locked while the drone and camera are pointed in the same direction, allowing the director to make circular movements without having to worry about framing.
• Free mode: the subject is locked by the camera alone, and the drone can be piloted freely via the FPV camera to perform free trajectories around the subject.

Last but not least, the DJI Inspire 3 is capable of extremely precise flight. Judge for yourself: while the manufacturer’s consumer drones use the GNSS satellite navigation system to position themselves to the nearest metre, the Inspire 3 incorporates RTK technology for positioning to the nearest centimetre. Simply connect to an RTK network to activate this function. In areas without coverage, however, you’ll need to install a D-RTK 2 mobile station (sold separately), or rely on the traditional positioning system.

Security

The DJI Inspire 3 features DJI’s most advanced omnidirectional obstacle detection system to date. Nine sensors enable it to detect obstacles in all directions, and each of the four arms incorporates a fisheye camera to avoid any obstruction of the airframe when the landing gear is raised, and to detect horizontal obstacles when it is lowered.

But the system is also fully customizable. You can :

• independently activate or deactivate horizontal, upward and downward obstacle sensors.
• manually preset an obstacle warning range
• deactivate active avoidance: in this case, you can still view the distance to an obstacle on the navigation screen in real time and/or receive an audible alert when an obstacle is within a given distance.

As we saw earlier, the Inspire 3 features a night-vision FPV camera. This 1/1.8-inch sensor, with its ultra-wide 161° field of view, has an impressive light detection capability, enabling pilots to observe their surroundings clearly and crisply, and ensuring greater safety in flight, even at night.

Last but not least, the DJI Inspire 3 features a ceramic antenna superimposed on the front and rear of the drone to provide effective protection against magnetic interference.

Transmission

Video transmission system	O3 Pro
Live preview quality	FPV camera: up to 1080p/60 fps Camera pod: up to 1080p/60 fps and 4K/30 fps
Max. bit rate live	50 Mb/s
Minimum latency	90 ms
Max. transmission distance (FPV camera)	Single control mode : 15 km (FCC) / 8 km (CE/SRRC/MIC) Dual control mode : 12 km (FCC) / 6.4 km (CE/SRRC/MIC)
Max. transmission distance (camera pod)	Single control mode : 1080p/60 fps: 13 km (FCC) / 7 km (CE/SRRC/MIC) 4K/30 fps: 5 km (FCC) / 3 km (CE/SRRC/MIC) Dual control mode : 1080p/60 fps: 11.2 km (FCC) / 5.6 km (CE/SRRC/MIC) 4K/30 fps: 4 km (FCC) / 2.4 km (CE/SRRC/MIC)

While DJI’s latest consumer drones feature the 03+ transmission system, the Inspire 3 is equipped with the most powerful system created by the company: 03 Pro.

For the FPV camera, 03 Pro offers a maximum transmission distance of 8 km (CE) in single-radio control mode, and 6.4 km (CE) with two radio controls.

Two transmission qualities are available for the main camera:

• 1080p at 60 fps: in this case, the maximum transmission distance is 7 km (CE) with single control and 5.6 km with dual control.
• in 4K at 30 fps (for the first time!): here, the maximum transmission distance will be 3 km (CE) in single control and 2.4 km in dual control.

In all cases, O3 Pro offers ultra-low transmission latency of just 90 ms.

Autonomy

Batteries	TB51 Intelligent Li-ion Battery
Capacity	4280 mAh
Max. hovering time	Approx. 25 minutes
Max. flight time	Approx. 28 minutes (landing gear down) Approx. 26 minutes (landing gear up)

The DJI Inspire 3 is equipped with adual-battery system capable of giving it a maximum flight time of 28 minutes when its landing gear is lowered.

Note also that you don’t need to switch off the drone to change a battery, as batteries are hot-swappable, so film-makers don’t have to waste precious minutes on a shoot.

The charging station supplied with the drone can accommodate up to eight batteries at a time, and can charge two batteries to 90% capacity in just 35 minutes, and eight batteries to 100% in just 160 minutes in fast mode.

DJI Inspire 3: camera and image quality

Camera platform	Zenmuse X9-8K Air
Sensor	35 mm full-frame CMOS
Max. photo resolution	44.7 MP
Max. video resolution	8K / 75 fps (ProRes Raw format) 8K / 25 fps (CinemaDNG format)
Photo format	JPG DNG
Video format	MOV CinemaDNG
Supported objectives	DL 18 mm f/2.8 ASPH lens DL 24 mm f/2.8 LS ASPH lens DL 35 mm f/2.8 LS ASPH lens DL 50 mm f/2.8 LS ASPH lens

The DJI Inspire 3 features a brand-new camera pod: the Zenmuse X9-8K Air.

Featuring a full-frame sensor, it offers up to 14 stops of dynamic range for stills and video, captures stills in raw and JPG formats up to 44.7 MP, and records full-frame or Super 35 video at up to 8K resolution at 75 fps in ProRes Raw format, or 8K at up to 25 fps in CinemaDNG format.

If you’d like more frame rate options and more beautiful slow-motion shots, you can shoot in 4K, in which case you’ll be able to edit up to 120 frames in all formats, with the exception of CinemaDNG, which is slightly lower at 100 frames per second maximum.

The nacelle can accommodate one of 4 DJI DL lenses (sold separately), depending on requirements: 18mm, 24mm, 35mm and 50mm, all with f/2.8 focal lengths. This wide range of lenses offers unbeatable versatility for professional video.

Professional equipment means that you won’t find standard color profiles like on DJI’s consumer drones: all videos are captured in one of the available raw formats with flat color profiles, and will therefore have to be processed and calibrated in post-production. ProRes 422HQ and H.264 are available natively, and you can obtain ProRes Raw and CinemaDNG video codecs by purchasing the Inspire 3 Raw license.

So, what’s the quality? The level of image quality and control is on a par with that of a full-frame mirrorless camera. You won’t find the automated functions of a dedicated camera, of course, the approach will be more manual, but the results are breathtaking: you get ultra-high-resolution sequences of incredible clarity and a level of detail that’s hard to match.

💾 And storage?
The DJI Inspire 3 comes with a 1TB PROSSD removable hard drive. It offers write speeds of up to 1100MBps and read speeds of up to 900MBps. Captured footage can be viewed directly on a computer via the supplied USB-C to USB-C cable.

DJI Inspire 3: price

The DJI Inspire 3 is available from the DJI website for €14999. It’s not cheap 😅, but the Inspire 3 is clearly a drone made for professionals, not the general public. There’s no Fly More bundle pack like on the manufacturer’s consumer drones, here you’ll find just one standard pack.

It includes the following items:

• DJI Inspire 3 drone
• DJI RC Plus remote control
• Zenmuse X9-8K camera pod
• 6 TB51 smart batteries
• a battery charging station
• PROSSD 1TB hard disk
• 3 pairs of propellers
• A strap + harness for the remote control
• A suitcase on wheels
• A housing for the nacelle
• A box for a lens
• + various data cables

Total cost can be further increased by the addition of accessories sold separately. The DJI DL 18 mm lens, for example, is sold on its own for €1,349. The RAW license is available for €999.

Conclusion DJI Inspire 3: for whom?

The DJI Inspire 3 is clearly DJI’s new top-of-the-range drone. Long-awaited by filmmakers, it delivers on all its promises, offering unprecedented creative freedom to maximize every shot. With a host of improvements over the Inspire 2, it sets a new standard for top-level film and TV production.

Who is the DJI Inspire 3 designed for?

As you can see, the DJI Inspire 3 is certainly not a drone for beginners. A professional drone this large and heavy is not intended for the general public, and its price will clearly not fit into the average user’s budget. So unless you’re a professional drone pilot with specific requirements (and even then, it will be too powerful for some professionals), this is probably not the drone for you.

In fact, it’s hard to compare with its predecessors, the DJI Inspire 1 and Inspire 2. Whereas the latter were considered high-end consumer drones, the Inspire 3 is aimed at the most advanced users: filmmakers or professional drone operators working for film and TV, or people needing precision in a particular professional environment, such as drone pilots working in inspection and surveying.

What are the alternatives?

The DJI Inspire 3 certainly offers the most advanced features and the best image quality, but you can still enjoy excellent in-flight performance and professional image quality with a much smaller, lighter and more practical model.

In this respect, the DJI Mavic 3 is an excellent option: its price is much more affordable and its camera delivers sublime results. Its latest version, the Mavic 3 Pro, even offers three lenses with three different focal lengths, to give content creators even greater versatility.

➡️ Discover our complete test of the DJI Mavic 3 Pro