reader response draft 4

 

Zenmuse X7 is a camera that is made especially for filmmaking and is mainly mounted on the DJI Inspire 2 drone. According to DJI (n.d.), the main features of the X7 are the Super 35 camera with an integrated gimbal, a24-megapixel CMOS sensor, four prime lenses and the Apple ProRes RAW. Filmmakers are now able to film up to 6k resolutions and with great stability. In the article “No Escape” (Holben, 2019), the X7 was praised when it was used to film the police drama 21 Bridges. The article mentioned that the filmmakers used the DJI Inspire 2 with the X7 because of its compactability and its ability to film up to 6k resolution. The filmmakers also made use of the functionality of the gimbal and detached it from the drone as it was small, stabilized, and could be handheld when the filmmakers were chasing the actors during filming. The Zenmuse X5S, X7's predecessor, may be a cheaper alternative, but with the enhanced camera, four interchangeable lenses and the Apple ProRes RAW , filmmakers and audiences will opt for the X7 as it performs better.

The super 35 camera from the X7 is one of the main enhancements over its predecessors. According to DJI (n.d.), the ability of the super 35 camera to have 14 stops of dynamic range supersedes that of the X5S, which only allows it to have a dynamic range of 12.8 stops. Having a wider dynamic range makes the X7 more suitable for users when recording videos in low-light settings. Additionally, the super 35 camera also offers better Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) as compared to the X5S.  SNR refers to the signal quality found in an image and having better SNR is important as it brings better image quality (Kumar, 2022). The X7 provides better resolution as the super 35 camera has 24 megapixels while the X5S has 20.8 megapixels. This in turn allows the X7 to record videos in 6k resolution while the X5S can only record videos in 5.2k resolution because of the pixelation restriction (Kmia, 2017).

The four interchangeable lenses of the X7 are another notable change from the X5S, which has a standard fixed lens. According to DJI (n.d.), the lenses are meant for the DL-mount system, which happens to be the world’s first integrated aerial lens mount. The lenses are made of carbon fiber, which is lightweight and multiple times stronger than steel. The combination of the X7 and the Inspire 2 drone weighs about 4 kilograms, and it is comparable to those top-notch drones that can capture difficult shots. Its focal lengths range from 16-50 millimeters and can record up to 8k resolution. The 16-millimeter lens also has a Neutral Density (ND) filter that obstructs the light and retains the light’s original color. (Newton, 2023). There is an on-off switch for the ND filter and along with the different focal lengths of each interchangeable lens, users will be able to fully optimize the features of the X7 and capture a variety of shots to fulfill their needs.

One other enhanced feature is the Apple ProRes RAW from X7. ProRes RAW allows film editors to retrieve all the information the camera’s sensor received. ProRes RAW technology also allows for debayering, which is the isolation of the red, green, and blue channels from the recorded image, for editing. Apple ProRes RAW is an enhancement of the Apple ProRes, which is the editing technology the X5S has to offer. ProRes RAW is better than ProRes as it preserves the best quality for editing and postproduction purposes (Glass, 2023).

Given the pros, there is a con which is in its costs. X7 is expensive and not suitable for most consumers who have a tight budget. According to DJI (n.d.), the total cost of the Inspire 2 and X7, without the interchangeable lenses, is close to 7000 SGD.  The four interchangeable lenses from Amazon cost about 6500 SGD, and this brings the total cost to about 13500 SGD for the entire setup (Amazon, n.d.). The Apple ProRes RAW system also requires a computer that has the computing power enough to process the information gathered from the system. Hence, the significant upgrade justifies the hefty price.

 

In conclusion, the Zenmuse X7 has a few enhanced features from the Zenmuse X5S that significantly improves the videos recorded. However, the Zenmuse X7 is not for everybody because of its cost, but it will be a gamechanger for professional filmmakers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Amazon. (n.d.). DJI DL & DL-S lens set for Zenmuse X7 camera (4 pieces). https://www.amazon.com/DJI-DL-S-Zenmuse-Camera-Pieces/dp/B077NL3Q42

Glass, T. (2023, July 17). What is Prores and Prores Raw? Everything you need to know. https://www.adorama.com/alc/prores-raw/

Holben, J. (2019, December). No escape . https://paulcamerondp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/21Bridges_ASC-Mag.pdf

Kmia, O. (2017, October 19). What are the differences between the DJI zenmuse x5s and X7 cameras and which one should you buy?. Fstoppers. https://fstoppers.com/aerial/what-are-differences-between-dji-zenmuse-x5s-and-x7-cameras-and-which-one-should-199965#:~:text=On%20a%20physical%20standpoint%2C%20the,should%20also%20display%20less%20noise.

Kumar, P. (2022, October 27). What is signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)? why is SNR important in embedded cameras? - e-con systems. What is Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)? Why is SNR important in embedded cameras? https://www.e-consystems.com/blog/camera/technology/what-is-signal-to-noise-ratio-snr-why-is-snr-important-in-embedded-cameras/

Newton, M. (2023, May 16). ND filters – in depth guide for Beginners. The School of Photography - Courses, Tutorials & Books. https://www.theschoolofphotography.com/tutorials/nd-filters-in-depth-guide-for-beginners

DJI Official. (n.d.). Zenmuse X7. https://www.dji.com/sg/zenmuse-x7

 

 


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