From Script to Sky - DJI Inspire 3 Review: Setting a New Standard for Aerial Filming

Drones have had a massive impact on the world of cinematography. Taking away the hassle of cranes, giving filmmakers maneuverability to capture breathtaking aerial shots – they’ve brought a whole new visual experience. But not all drones are equal.

In this review, we'll delve into the fascinating world of the DJI Inspire 3, the latest addition to DJI's impressive lineup of drones. The drone establishes a new benchmark for aerial cinematic-grade filming systems with its cutting-edge technical capabilities and exceptional portability.

It's the ultimate tool for high-level movie productions, offering unparalleled performance and a comprehensive ecosystem that seamlessly integrates into film sets.

Highlights Of The DJI Inspire 3

Don’t believe the hype? Here is a summary of the key features that make this drone special:

• Full-frame Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera supporting internal recording of up to 8K/25fps CinemaDNG video. (Also compatible with a range of lenses designed for 8K aerial cinematography.)
• Sleek design, portable form, and a rigid, transformable frame.
• Hot-swappable TB51 intelligent dual batteries providing a 28-minute flight time.
• Dual native ISO and 14+ stops of dynamic range for capturing rich details in low-light scenes.
• DJI Cinema Color System for authentic colors in various environments and lighting conditions.
• Intelligent modes, including Waypoint Pro for precise flight-route and shot planning, and Spotlight Pro for single-object recognition and tracking.
• Nine visual sensors for an omnidirectional sensing system that detects obstacles in all directions.
• Ultra-wide night-vision FPV lens for clear and stabilized live feed, day and night.
• O3 Pro Transmission enabling a transmission range of up to 15 km and ultra-low latency of 90 ms.
• Integration into the DJI Pro Ecosystem for compatibility with professional film sets and accessories.
• DJI Care Pro providing comprehensive protection for accidental damage.

Who is the DJI Inspire 3 Best For?

Filmmakers and content creators looking for cinema-grade footage. Also great for those shifting away from the conventional heavy-lift cameras, cablecams, dolly equipment and cranes on filmsets.

In-Depth Review Of The DJI Inspire 3

Now let’s delve into a complete breakdown of what the drone has to offer:

Imaging Capabilities – Que the Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera

For filming, the quality of footage you get is a make-or-break factor. Having a high-quality camera is paramount in aerial cinematography. That's where the DJI Inspire 3 with its full-frame Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera truly shines. This camera is a powerhouse when it comes to capturing stunning video footage.

The Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera boasts the ability to record cinematic-grade 8K video at both 25 frames per second (fps) and an impressive 75 fps. This means you can achieve incredibly smooth and detailed shots, whether you're capturing fast-paced action or slow-motion scenes.

With its 8K resolution, the camera delivers exceptional clarity and detail, allowing you to capture every nuance of your subject. The level of detail is truly breathtaking, making your footage come alive with vibrant colors and lifelike imagery. Whether you're shooting landscapes, action sequences, or close-up shots, the Inspire 3's camera ensures that every frame is filled with stunning visual fidelity.

Here is Inspire 3 in use by Beverly Hills Aerials on set:

Dual native ISO for low-light footage

One of the standout features of the Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera is its dual native ISO capability. This technology allows the camera to achieve outstanding low-light performance, capturing clear and detailed footage even in challenging lighting conditions.

The dual native ISO means that the camera has two base sensitivities for different lighting situations. At full-frame 30 fps and below, it offers an EI (Exposure Index) of 800/4000, which is perfect for typical film and television productions. When shooting above 30 fps, an EI of 320/1600 is available. This flexibility ensures that you can capture exceptional footage in a wide range of lighting scenarios, from bright daylight to dimly lit environments.

No matter the lighting conditions, the Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera excels at preserving details and minimizing noise in low-light footage. So whether you're shooting a sunset scene or a nighttime aerial shot, you can trust that the camera will deliver stunning results with exceptional image quality.

Dynamic range and capturing details in complex lighting scenarios

In addition to its impressive low-light capabilities, the Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera also offers a wide dynamic range. With a dynamic range of 14+ stops, this camera can capture a broad range of tones, from deep shadows to bright highlights, with exceptional detail.

This wide dynamic range is especially valuable when shooting in complex lighting scenarios, such as sunrises or sunsets, where the contrast between light and shadow is significant. The camera's ability to retain details in both the brightest and darkest parts of the frame ensures that your footage looks stunningly realistic and true to life.

Furthermore, the wide dynamic range provides you with more flexibility during post-production. You can make exposure adjustments and fine-tune the look of your footage without sacrificing details or introducing noise. This gives you greater creative control and allows you to achieve the desired aesthetic for your aerial cinematography.

Compatibility with additional lenses

DJI takes it a step further by making the camera compatible with additional lenses designed specifically for aerial cinematography. This means that filmmakers can choose from a premium selection of lenses to suit their creative vision.

DJI offers an 18mm F2.8 full-frame ultra-wide lens, perfect for capturing expansive landscapes and wide-angle shots that showcase the environment from a bird's-eye view. Additionally, there is a new telephoto lens that has specifically been designed for 8K aerial cinematography. This lens allows filmmakers to zoom in and capture detailed shots from a distance, bringing distant subjects closer and adding a new level of depth to their aerial footage.

In addition to these specialized lenses, the Inspire 3 is also compatible with full-frame 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm lenses designed specifically for aerial filming. These lenses are optimized for the unique challenges of capturing footage from a drone, ensuring exceptional image quality and clarity.

By offering compatibility with additional lenses, DJI empowers filmmakers to unleash their creativity and achieve their artistic vision. Whether they want to capture wide sweeping shots or focus on intricate details, the Inspire 3 provides the flexibility and versatility needed to bring their ideas to life.

Cinema Color System

Color accuracy is crucial in cinematography, as it sets the tone and mood of a film and enhances storytelling. DJI understands the importance of accurate colors and has incorporated the DJI Cinema Color System (DCCS) into the Inspire 3 to ensure that aerial footage retains authentic and vibrant colors.

The DCCS is a result of DJI's extensive experience and expertise in color science and technology. It has been developed to deliver consistent color reproduction that meets the high standards of professional filmmakers. With the DCCS, the X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera on the Inspire 3 captures colors in a way that redefines aerial cinematography.

The DCCS enables the X9-8K Air to accurately reproduce colors in various environments or lighting conditions, whether it's capturing natural landscapes or urban cityscapes. It ensures that the colors captured from the air seamlessly match the ground-based footage, creating a cohesive look and feel throughout the film.

One area where the DCCS excels is in accurately capturing skin tones. Skin tones can be particularly challenging to reproduce accurately, but the DCCS handles this with precision. It accurately captures skin tones in different sceneries and lighting conditions, ensuring that characters in the film look natural and true to life.

Furthermore, the DCCS allows for smooth color matching between the X9-8K Air and cinema cameras stationed on the ground, such as the DJI Ronin 4D. This ensures consistency in color style from aerial shots to ground shots, making the post-editing workflow more efficient and seamless.

Intelligent Modes and Precision Flight System

As drone technology continues to advance, one area that has seen significant improvement is the intelligent modes and precision flight system. These features not only enhance the overall flying experience but also provide filmmakers with greater control and creative options. In the case of the DJI Inspire 3, these intelligent modes and precision flight capabilities take aerial cinematography to new heights.

High-precision RTK positioning technology

The DJI Inspire 3 incorporates high-precision RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) positioning technology, which revolutionizes the way drones navigate and perform flight missions. Already in use in various industries such as architecture and surveying, this advanced system guarantees flight accuracy at the centimeter level. It enhances stability during flight and facilitates precise planning of flight routes, leading to heightened creative efficiency. With the Inspire 3, filmmakers can trust that their drone will navigate with precision, capturing the shots they envision with utmost accuracy.

Omnidirectional sensing system and obstacle detection capabilities

The advanced omnidirectional sensing system sets a new standard for flight safety and obstacle avoidance. With a total of nine visual sensors strategically placed all around the drone, the Inspire 3 provides comprehensive protection by detecting obstacles in all directions.

These sensors work together to create a robust sensing system which allows the drone to navigate complex environments with ease. Whether you're flying in a crowded urban area or maneuvering through a dense forest, the Inspire 3's omnidirectional sensing system ensures that you have a clear understanding of your surroundings and can avoid potential collisions.

What makes this system even more impressive is its customizability. Users have the flexibility to enable or disable horizontal, upward, and downward obstacle sensing independently, depending on the specific requirements of their flight mission. Additionally, you can manually set the obstacle alert range to suit different scenarios, providing an extra layer of control and customization. 

Even when active avoidance is turned off, the Inspire 3 keeps you informed about the distance from obstacles in real-time through the navigation display. You'll receive an audio alert if an obstacle is within a set range, allowing you to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions.

Waypoint Pro function and flight planning

This intelligent mode allows users to plan flight routes and shots with different customizable settings. Working solo or as part of a professional crew? Whichever case, Waypoint Pro empowers you to master even the most complex scenes. With the ability to precisely define altitude, speed, gimbal angle, and camera settings, you have full control over your flight missions. This feature opens up endless possibilities for capturing stunning aerial footage, as well as executing challenging shots with ease.

Repeatable Routes and 3D Dolly features for creative shot options

Within the Waypoint Pro function, the DJI Inspire 3 offers two noteworthy features: Repeatable Routes and 3D Dolly.

- Repeatable Routes allow pilots to precisely repeat flight routes, maintaining all preset parameters. This feature is particularly useful for capturing difficult one-take shots or creating long-duration timelapses. With Repeatable Routes, you can effortlessly navigate the same location at different times during your flights, capturing the subtle transitions from day to night or even between different seasons.

- 3D Dolly simulates the motion of a crane or cable cam offering a wide range of aerial motion paths. As the pilot, you can move forward and backwards on the path at adjustable speeds, while maintaining full control of the gimbal. This capability enables you to achieve complicated camera movements that were previously difficult to execute, resulting in stunning visual effects that elevate your aerial cinematography.

Ultra-wide night-vision FPV for enhanced situational awareness

When it comes to aerial cinematography, you also want a clear and stabilized view of your surroundings for flight safety and capturing stunning footage. That's why DJI has equipped the Inspire 3 with an impressive ultra-wide night-vision FPV (First Person View) system.

The Inspire 3's FPV system features a 161° ultra-wide-angle lens coupled with a 1/1.8-inch night-vision sensor. This combination provides an exceptional field of view, allowing you to see more of the environment around the drone. Whether you're flying during the day or at night, the FPV system ensures that you have a clear and stabilized live feed of up to 1080p/60fps.

Situational awareness is vital for pilots, especially when flying in challenging conditions or complex environments. The ultra-wide night-vision FPV system of the Inspire 3 offers enhanced visibility, allowing you to make informed decisions and navigate with confidence. You'll have a real-time view of your surroundings, enabling you to spot potential obstacles or hazards and react accordingly.

This advanced FPV system also contributes to overall flight safety by minimizing latency. With ultra-low latency of just 90 milliseconds, you'll experience minimal delay between the drone's movements and what you see on the FPV feed. This instantaneous feedback is essential for precise control and smooth flight maneuvers.

Whether you're capturing breathtaking aerial shots during the day or conducting nighttime operations, the ultra-wide night-vision FPV system of the Inspire 3 ensures that you have the visual clarity and situational awareness necessary for a successful and safe flight.

With the combination of the omnidirectional sensing system and the ultra-wide night-vision FPV, the DJI Inspire 3 sets a new benchmark for intelligent flight capabilities and enhanced situational awareness. These features empower aerial cinematographers to push the boundaries of creativity while maintaining the highest level of safety and control.

Spotlight Pro for single-object recognition and tracking

Another intelligent mode that sets the DJI Inspire 3 apart is Spotlight Pro. Powered by advanced machine-learning algorithms, this feature allows pilots to focus on the flight while the gimbal camera automatically recognizes and tracks a single object. With Spotlight Pro, you can effortlessly capture complex shots, even when operating the drone as a single pilot.

This feature is especially useful in scenarios where you want to keep a specific subject in focus throughout the flight, ensuring that your footage remains captivating and professional.

Moving Around With Your Drone – Design and Portability

First off is the design and portability. They play a crucial role, especially for when shooting films. How does the DJI Inspire 3 help here?

Sleek and Integrated Design

The Inspire 3 has undergone a complete redesign, resulting in a visually appealing and highly functional drone. Its integrated body showcases a modern industrial aesthetic, while the seamless integration of components gives it a sleek and minimalist look. The visual sensors, FPV camera, positioning antennas, and even the storage card slot are seamlessly incorporated into the airframe, emphasizing the professional look and feel of the drone.

Transformable Frame and Minimalist Look

The transformable frame of the Inspire 3 sets it apart from other drones in its class. It supports the newly added Tilt Boost and 360° Pan structures, providing cinematographers with enhanced creative freedom. Whether you're shooting a breathtaking landscape or a dynamic action sequence, the Inspire 3's transformable frame allows you to capture shots that were previously challenging to achieve.

In terms of aesthetics, the Inspire 3's minimalist look is sure to impress. The seamless integration of components not only contributes to its sleek design but also ensures a robust and durable construction. With its visually appealing design, the Inspire 3 stands out on any film set.

Lightweight and Highly Portable

Portability is a crucial factor for professionals who need to carry their equipment to various shooting locations. The Inspire 3 excels in this aspect, offering a lightweight and highly portable form factor. Its compact size allows for easy transportation and storage, making it an ideal companion for filmmakers on the go.

The drone's lightweight construction does not compromise its performance or durability. DJI has engineered the Inspire 3 to be both lightweight and robust, ensuring that it can withstand the demands of professional use while remaining easy to carry and maneuver.

In addition, the Inspire 3 is equipped with hot-swappable TB51 intelligent dual batteries, providing a flight time of up to 28 minutes. This extended battery life allows you to capture more footage without interruptions, enhancing your productivity on set.

Droning With Confidence – O3 Pro Transmission and Control

The O3 Pro Transmission system is a cutting-edge technology developed by DJI, designed specifically for the Inspire 3 drone. It sets new industry standards by surpassing its predecessor with a remarkable advancement in transmission distance, latency, and overall stability, making a significant generational advancement..

Transmission range and low latency of live feed

With the O3 Pro Transmission system, the Inspire 3 offers an impressive transmission range of up to 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) when using a single controller. This extended range allows you to explore vast distances and capture breathtaking shots that were previously out of reach. Even in dual-control mode, where two remote controllers are used, the transmission range remains remarkable, reaching up to 12 kilometers (7.5 miles). 

In addition to the extended range, the O3 Pro Transmission system ensures a reliable and high-quality live feed, with a resolution of up to 1080p and a smooth frame rate of 60 frames per second. The low latency of only 90 milliseconds guarantees a real-time view of the aerial footage, allowing you to make precise adjustments and capture the perfect shot with confidence.

Dual-control mode for independent pilot and gimbal operator

This mode gives independent control for both the pilot and the gimbal operator. This means that the pilot and the gimbal operator can be positioned at different locations on set, maximizing flexibility and creative possibilities.

With this feature, the pilot can focus on flying the drone, ensuring smooth and stable flight maneuvers, while the gimbal operator can solely concentrate on capturing cinematic shots using the Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera. The seamless transmission and control links between the drone and the remote controllers allow for efficient collaboration and coordination between the pilot and the gimbal operator, resulting in stunning aerial cinematography.

Dual control of the Inspire 3. Source: DJI

Integration into the DJI Pro Ecosystem

The DJI Inspire 3 is not just a standalone drone; it is designed to seamlessly integrate into the DJI Pro Ecosystem, catering to the needs of professional filmmakers. Let's take a closer look at how the Inspire 3 fits into the world of professional film sets and the various tools it supports.

Professional Film Sets

The Inspire 3 is tailored to meet the demands of top-level movie productions. With its sleek integrated design and high-performance features, it has become the go-to aerial platform for filmmakers seeking the highest standards in aerial cinematography. The drone's lightweight and portable form factor make it easy to transport and set up on film sets, ensuring a hassle-free experience for cinematographers and crew members.

Compatibility with DJI Pro Ecosystem Products

The Inspire 3 is designed to work seamlessly with other DJI Pro Ecosystem products, further enhancing its capabilities on film sets. It can be paired with the DJI 4D Hand Grips and Master Wheels, providing cinematographers with enhanced gimbal control. This level of control is on par with the DJI Ronin 2, catering to the operating habits and preferences of professional cinematographers. By integrating with these accessories, the Inspire 3 offers filmmakers a versatile and efficient filmmaking tool.

Three-Channel Follow Focus

To meet the demands of remote focus and iris control, the Inspire 3 supports the DJI Three-Channel Follow Focus. This accessory can be connected to the DJI RC Plus remote controller, enabling cinematographers to have precise control over focus and iris adjustments on the Zenmuse X9-8K Air camera. The ability to remotely control these critical aspects of cinematography adds a new level of convenience and flexibility to filmmakers using the Inspire 3.

The DJI Inspire 3's integration into the DJI Pro Ecosystem brings a host of benefits to professional filmmakers. With Timesync Support, compatibility with DJI Pro Ecosystem products, and the DJI Three-Channel Follow Focus, the Inspire 3 becomes a versatile tool that seamlessly integrates into professional film sets, empowering cinematographers to achieve their creative vision with ease.

Timesync Support for Timecode Sync

One notable feature of the Inspire 3 is its Timesync Support, which improves control and precision on set. By using a 3.5mm jack, this drone enables seamless synchronization, especially useful when working with extensive footage from multiple cameras. Timecode sync is essential for optimizing the editing workflow, ensuring a streamlined and efficient post-production process.

The Timesync Support feature of the Inspire 3 simplifies this process, ensuring that all the footage captured by the drone and other cameras can be easily synchronized and organized during post-production.

Advanced Accessories and DJI Care Pro

DJI understands the importance of having a complete ecosystem of accessories and support services to enhance the user experience. In this section, we will take a closer look at the advanced accessories that come with the Inspire 3 and the DJI Care Pro coverage options and benefits.

Newly Designed Trolley Case and Foldable Propellers

Transporting your drone and its accessories safely and conveniently is essential for any drone enthusiast. That's why DJI has introduced a newly designed trolley case specifically for the Inspire 3. The trolley case boasts a retractable handle, dual side handles, and four omnidirectional wheels, ensuring effortless maneuverability and seamless transportation of your drone between different locations. With this trolley case, you can have peace of mind knowing that your equipment is well-protected during transit.

Additionally, DJI has introduced foldable quick-release propellers for the Inspire 3. These propellers are not only easily stored, but they also eliminate the need to be reinstalled on each flight. With the foldable design, you can quickly set up your drone and get it in the air in no time.

The New Standard: RC Plus remote controller

To complement the O3 Pro Transmission system, the DJI Inspire 3 comes with the DJI RC Plus remote controller, a powerful and intuitive device that enhances your control over the drone. The RC Plus features a 7-inch high-brightness screen with a brightness of 1,200 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in strong sunlight, making it ideal for outdoor shooting.

The internal battery of the RC Plus provides up to 3.3 hours of operation time, and you can extend it to 6 hours by using an external hot-swappable WB37 battery. This extended battery life allows for extended flight sessions without interruption.

The DJI RC Plus remote controller also includes an HDMI out port, enabling you to connect external displays or monitors for a larger viewing experience or to share the live feed with a larger audience. The customizable buttons and dials positioned around the controller provide fast and intuitive access to various functions, ensuring a seamless and efficient operation.

Furthermore, DJI Pilot 2 app installed for Inspire offers a user-friendly interface and a quick startup time, allowing you to quickly access essential functions and settings. The in-built health management system provides valuable information about the drone's condition, ensuring a safe and reliable flight.

Strap, Waist Support, and Battery Charging Hub

To make your drone flying experience more comfortable and efficient, DJI has included some useful accessories with the Inspire 3. The package comes complete with a dedicated strap and waist support designed specifically for the RC Plus remote controller, providing optimal comfort and convenience during operation. These accessories provide better ergonomics and help reduce fatigue during extended flight sessions. With the strap and waist support, you can have better control and stability while operating the drone.

Alongside the user-friendly accessories, DJI has unveiled an innovative foldable battery charging hub designed exclusively for the Inspire 3. This charging hub enhances the charging experience with a harmonious blend of efficiency and compactness. With the ability to support up to eight batteries, it can simultaneously charge two batteries to 90% in a mere 35 minutes when in fast charge mode.

Moreover, the charging hub has a 65W USB-C port, enabling you to conveniently charge your RC Plus remote controller as well. This efficient charging solution ensures that you spend less time waiting and more time in the air capturing stunning footage.

DJI Care Pro Coverage Options and Benefits

Accidents can happen, even to the most experienced drone pilots. That's why DJI offers the DJI Care Pro program for the Inspire 3. With DJI Care Pro, your drone is safeguarded with a comprehensive protection plan that offers you complete peace of mind during your flights. This exceptional coverage ensures that you are protected against accidental damage, allowing you to fly with confidence. DJI Care Pro provides you with the added advantage of unlimited free repairs within the coverage limit for a wide range of incidents, including water damage, damage from drops, improper usage, and much more.

The DJI Care Pro program offers different coverage options to suit your needs. You can choose between a one-year plan and a two-year plan, depending on the level of coverage you desire. DJI Care Pro also provides coverage for the battery, remote controller, and other accessories, ensuring that all aspects of your drone are protected.

In addition to the repair services, DJI Care Pro also offers priority service, giving you faster turnaround times for repairs. This means you can get back in the air with your Inspire 3 sooner rather than later.

A New Era Of Aerial Filming Technology

The DJI Inspire 3 is truly the ultimate cinema drone, combining first-in-class technical features with a highly portable form factor. It is the perfect platform for aerial cinematography, meeting the needs of high-level movie productions. With its sleek integrated design, advanced imaging capabilities, intelligent modes, and precision flight system, the Inspire 3 offers unmatched performance and versatility.

The target audience for the Inspire 3 includes professional filmmakers and cinematographers who require cinematic-grade image quality and precise control over their shots. Whether you're capturing breathtaking landscapes, action sequences, or complex lighting scenarios, the Inspire 3 empowers you to maximize the potential of every shot.

In terms of significance, the Inspire 3 pushes aerial cinematography to a completely new level. Its full-frame Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera captures stunning 8K video with cinematic quality, while the DJI Cinema Color System ensures accurate and vibrant colors. The intelligent modes and precision flight system, including high-precision RTK positioning and omnidirectional sensing, provide unparalleled control and safety during flights.

To experience the exceptional capabilities of the DJI Inspire 3, visit our online shop where you can purchase the drone and its accessories. Elevate your aerial cinematography to new heights with the DJI Inspire 3 and capture stunning footage that will leave your audience in awe.