DJI Zenmuse X7 Cinematic Gimbal Camera (Lens Excluded)

Can I use the Zenmuse X7 on platforms other than the Inspire 2 or by itself?

The Zenmuse X7 gimbal and camera can only be used with Inspire 2 at this time. However, the X7 will be compatible with more DJI products in the future.

Is the Zenmuse X7 compatible with the Inspire 1?

No.

What are the main differences between the new Zenmuse X7 and Zenmuse X5S?

The Zenmuse X7 is equipped with a Super 35 mm image sensor and a DL-Mount that designed for aerial photography with four compatible lenses (16mm, 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm). In contrast, the Zenmuse X5S uses a 4/3-inch sensor, supporting eight professional lenses with a standard M4/3 mount. A balancing ring is needed for some X5S-compatible lenses.

How is the Zenmuse X7 an improvement over previous Zenmuse cameras? How is that going to change the image quality?

The Zenmuse X7 uses a 23.5×15.7 mm sensor, with the size of a single pixel increased to 3.91 μm. It captures RAW videos at up to 6K/30 fps or 3.9K/59.94 fps and photos with a resolution up to 24 MP. The larger sensor in the X7 delivers excellent photo and video quality with up to 14 stops of dynamic range.

What are the advantages of the DL-Mount?

The DL-Mount significantly cuts the size and weight of a camera while at the same time, retaining cinema-grade image quality. The DL-Mount shortens the X7’s flange focal distance to 16.84 mm, making the camera more compact and stable for aerial shoots.

What lenses are compatible with the Zenmuse X7?

Currently, the Zenmuse X7 is compatible with four DL-Mount prime lenses with a maximum aperture of F2.8. The 16 mm lens is equipped with a built-in ND filter. The 24 mm, 35 mm, and 50 mm lenses are equipped with leaf shutters that support a max shutter speed of up to 1/1000s.

Among the four compatible lenses, what’s the difference between DL-S and DL ones?

The maximum sensor size supported by the DL-S lens is Super 35 mm, while the other three DL lenses support full-frame sensors. All of them can achieve resolutions of up to 8K.

How does the leaf shutter work? What are some of its benefits?

When the shutter speed is slower than 1/1000s, the leaf shutter will be automatically enabled but can be manually turned off. The leaf shutter prevents image distortion caused by rolling shutter, stripes resulting from artificial lighting, and motion blur when shooting high-speed objects. Currently, the leaf shutter is only active in Single Shot mode.

Do the X7-compatible lenses support third-party filters?

Yes. Any filter with a diameter of 46 mm that weights 10-12 g and is no thicker than 4.4 mm (excluding threads) can be used with Zenmuse X7 lenses.

What storage device do I need if I use the Inspire 2 with the Zenmuse X7?

A Micro SD card and a DJI CINESSD. A Micro SD card is required for basic image capturing, while the CINESSD is necessary only for high-end productions requiring specific video formats. CINESSD cannot be used by itself without a Micro SD card.

Where are photos and videos stored when the Zenmuse X7 is connected to an Inspire 2?

JPEG and DNG pictures (not including RAW images captured in Burst mode) and videos recorded in H.264 and H.265 codecs are saved to the Micro SD card, while RAW images captured in Burst mode are stored in the DJI CINESSD. With the appropriate License Keys, CinemaDNG and Apple ProRes videos can be recorded and saved in the DJI CINESSD.

How are the Zenmuse X7, Inspire 2, DJI Inspire 2 License Keys, and CINESSD all related?

The Zenmuse X7 is a professional aerial camera that is compatible with the Inspire 2. Videos recorded by the Zenmuse X7 are processed by the CineCore 2.1 Image Processing System. A DJI Inspire 2 License Key unlocks CinemaDNG and/or Apple ProRes processing capabilities for CineCore 2.1. These files are then saved to the CINESSD when recorded. Video recording capabilities will vary depending on the capacity of the CINESSD being used.