Key specs:
Camera: 44.7MP Full-frame Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera
Video resolution: As much as 8K
Frame rates: 8K as much as 75fps / 4K as much as 120fps
Video transmission range: FPV Camera approx. 9.32 miles (FCC), 4.97 miles (CE/SRRC/MIC)
Flight modes: Sport, Normal, Function, Attitude
Batteries: 4280 mAh / up to twenty-eight minutes flight time (two used directly)
Charger type: Battery Charging Hub 100-240 V AC, max 8 A
Weight: 140.91 oz / 3,995 g (includes gimbal camera, two batteries, lens, PROSSD, and propellers)
Dimensions: 27.9 x 6.9 x 19.7 inches / 709.8 x 176 x 500.5 mm (in Travel Mode)
Drones are available a wide range of styles and sizes, offering features aimed toward specific use cases with the best drones available offering something for everybody. The vast majority of models on the market cover the crossover between consumers and prosumers, but there are models aimed specifically at high-end skilled use.Â
Now, that is where DJI’s most up-to-date skilled drone model, the DJI Encourage 3, is available in. It’s aimed toward skilled filmmakers and drone pilots working in constructing inspections and surveying.
The DJI Encourage 3 is primarily a drone for cinematography and features fast, nimble, and precise flight alongside excellent image quality due to the brand new full-frame Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera. This camera is compatible with 4 lenses which might be sold individually and may capture 44.7MP photos in Raw and JPEG alongside video in 8K as much as 75fps and 4K as much as 120fps. Plus, there are lots of features and extra accessories aimed toward skilled filmmaking at the best levels.
This can be a large and heavy drone at 140.91 oz/3,995 g compared to consumer models corresponding to the DJI Mavic 3 series, and the set-up time is longer, so it’s nowhere near as easy to move as smaller consumer models. The scale and weight also mean that it must be flown further away from people and built-up areas than smaller drones (unless you’ve got skilled permissions to achieve this) which suggests it’s ultimately not suitable for the on a regular basis consumer.
That actually doesn’t mean you’ll be able to’t buy this high-spec drone for those who’re a passionate hobbyist and have the budget to achieve this, but you do should be aware that the DJI Encourage 3 is far less convenient than smaller models corresponding to the DJI Mavic 3 Classic and the DJI Mini 3 Pro, that are each excellent models which might be ideal for consumers and professionals alike.Â
The Encourage 3 Combo kit costs $16,499/£13,419 (opens in latest tab) with none lenses or the Encourage 3 Raw License for CinemaDNG and Apple ProRes RAW codecs, so it’s an incredibly high-end drone with knowledgeable price tag to match.
DJI Encourage 3 review: Design
- Travel Mode reduces size
- FPV and gimbal cameras
- Large and heavy
The DJI Encourage 3 is a big and heavy drone in comparison with consumer models at 27.9 x 6.9 x 19.7 inches/709.8 x 176 x 500.5 mm in Travel Mode. This can be a form of folding mode where the drone uses a powered mechanism to flatten for transportation and storage after the camera and gimbal have been removed. And, unlike previous Encourage models, the brand new folding propellers may be left attached within the trolley case for convenience. Including the gimbal camera and a lens, two batteries, a PROSSD, and propellers, the Encourage 3 weighs 140.91 oz/3,995 g which is heavy compared to consumer drones, but, in point of fact, that’s considered lightweight for knowledgeable model.
The major body has a locking gimbal attachment on the front and the landing gear rises and falls during take-off and landing. This feature will also be adjusted manually during flight to benefit from Tilt Boost 80-degree upward shooting with the landing gear down, and 360-degree Pan of the camera with the landing gear up.
Then there are two batteries attached to the rear of the drone that may provide up to twenty-eight minutes of flight time. After all, this depends on conditions and flight style. Nonetheless, during our testing we found that the flight times were around 18 minutes per pair of batteries.
Alongside the major gimbal camera, there’s also a 161-degree ultra wide-angle FPV lens with a 1/1.8-inch night-vision sensor that may be utilized by the pilot for more precise flight control. This is especially useful in skilled filmmaking since the pilot can use the FPV camera while a camera operator, using a second DJI RC Plus controller, can deal with camera control and filming that ultimately produces rather more impressive video. The DJI Encourage 3 will also be operated by a pilot working alone, and in this example the major camera feed may be viewed on the controller screen.
The DJI RC Plus controller encompasses a 7-inch 1,200-nit touchscreen with direct access controls for adjusting camera and gimbal settings quickly and simply. Construct quality is great and designed for skilled use, and even though it’s quite sizable it’s comfortable to make use of. To be used over longer periods, a shoulder strap and rear frame help to support the controller which might offer up to a few hours of use on a single charge. Batteries are also hot-swappable and a bigger capability external battery may be used while an external monitor will also be connected to the controller.
DJI Encourage 3 review: Functionality
- Advanced obstacle avoidance
- Waypoint Pro & 3D Dolly
- 58 mph max speed and highly maneuverable
As you’d expect from a big skilled drone, the DJI Encourage 3 is powerful with a top speed of 58 mph and a wind resistance of 31 mph. And, despite its large size and heavy weight compared to consumer drones, it’s actually more agile with the flexibility to make fast and smooth turns alongside sharp ascents and descents. The controls are also incredibly precise, which combined with DJI’s most advanced collision avoidance and features including Waypoint Pro and 3D Dolly, make it perfect for flight in complex environments corresponding to film sets.
Satellite positioning is provided by GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou, while the Omnidirectional Sensing System can detect obstacles in all directions and distances using six fisheye sensors, two wide-angle sensors, and one omnidirectional ToF sensing system, which offers customizable settings and is very effective. Plus, when obstacle avoidance is switched off, the pilot can still see the space of obstacles on the controller screen, which is customizable depending on requirements, alongside an audio alert. This makes the Encourage 3 incredibly protected no matter whether obstacle avoidance is switched on or off.
By way of flight features, there’s nothing like Quickshots (automated flight patterns for video) available. But, Waypoint Pro provides precise route and shoot planning where the camera and gimbal will also be programmed or controlled manually while the Encourage completes the programmed route. Routes and camera/gimbal programs are repeatable so the identical shots may be captured over and all over again – ideal in filmmaking and surveying. Then there are 3D Dolly modes that may produce traditional camera movements corresponding to dolly and crane but without the necessity for the hardware that’s traditionally required for these.
The DJI Encourage 3 features front and rear-stacked ceramic antennas with anti-magnetic-interference capabilities for increased flight accuracy and safety. And, although Waypoint Pro is great for creating and executing autonomous flight, an optional D-RTK 2 Mobile Station (opens in latest tab) may be used to extend flight accuracy when using Waypoint Pro to 10 mm. That is an expensive and specialist optional accessory that costs $3,600/£2,700 but may very well be invaluable in some situations.
DJI Encourage 3 review: Performance
- Excellent image quality for photos and videos
- 44.7MP full-frame CMOS sensor
- Video as much as 8K in ProRes Raw & CinemaDNG
With a full-frame camera, image quality is outstanding overall and offers as much as 14-stops of dynamic range for photos and videos; it’s nearly as good as a full-frame mirrorless camera but doesn’t offer all the automated features you’d expect with a normal camera. The Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera only offers Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual (P, A, S, M) shooting modes, but any shooting technique can still be achieved, albeit manually.
Video is captured in flat/Raw color profiles, so all footage must be color graded and processed in video editing software, which is standard inside knowledgeable workflow so no surprise here. Video codecs available include ProRes Raw and CinemaDNG, for those who purchase the Encourage 3 Raw License, alongside ProRes 422HQ and H.264 which can be found natively.
Video may be captured either full-frame or in Super 35 (this uses a smaller portion of the sensor), with the flexibility to shoot in 8K as much as 75fps in ProRes Raw and 8K as much as 25fps in CinemaDNG. 4K provides frame rates as much as 120fps in all codecs except CinemaDNG, which is barely lower at 100fps in 4K, so slow motion capture is feasible.
For photography, the sensor captures 44.7MP Raw and JPEG files so images may be reproduced at large sizes. The image quality produced by the 4 lenses is great and having 18 mm, 24 mm, 35 mm, and 50mm f/2.8 lenses available lets you select only those that fit your photography and video. And, being a full-frame camera, the fast f/2.8 lenses provide pleasing bokeh that’ll be of most interest in filmmaking.
The camera is controlled via the brand new DJI Pilot 2 app (opens in latest tab) for Encourage with direct access buttons and a jog wheel on the controller for quickly changing exposure settings. The app offers a cinema-grade interface so it’s barely more complicated than consumer drone apps, plus there’s the flexibility to sync the timecode between the drone and ground cameras.
DJI Encourage 3 review: Cost
This can be a high-spec skilled drone with a price to match, so it can be out of reach for many consumers and even many professionals who’re served well by mid-size prosumer models. The Encourage 3 Combo kit costs $16,499/£13,419 (opens in latest tab) and includes the DJI Encourage 3, Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera, RC Plus distant controller, 6x TB51 Intelligent Battery, Charging Hub, PROSSD 1TB, Trolley Case, 3x Foldable Quick-Release Propellers (Pair), Lens Carrying Box, RC Plus Strap, and other accessories. No lenses are included, so these should be purchased individually.
There are 4 prime lenses available for the Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera including the brand new DJI DL 18 mm F2.8 ASPH Lens (opens in latest tab), DJI DL 24mm F2.8 LS ASPH (opens in latest tab), DJI DL 35mm F2.8 LS ASPH (opens in latest tab), and DJI DL 50mm F2.8 LS ASPH (opens in latest tab). These lenses range from $1,199/£1,199 to $1,299/£1,299 so their cost will should be factored in depending in your requirements. Plus, on top of that the Encourage 3 Raw License for CinemaDNG and Apple ProRes RAW codecs costs $979/£899, so this also must be considered for those who intend to capture video in these formats.
Do you have to buy the DJI Encourage 3?
A big and heavy skilled drone corresponding to the Encourage 3 isn’t aimed toward consumers. Despite this, it’s fairly intuitive to make use of and in addition offers additional complexity for more advanced users. It’s actually not the form of drone you’ll be able to throw in a backpack and carry around with you all day. So, unless you’re knowledgeable drone pilot with specific requirements, then this probably isn’t the drone for you.
For skilled filmmakers and drone pilots working in inspections and surveying, the flight precision and features available alongside excellent image quality from the full-frame Zenmuse X9-8K Air Gimbal Camera with interchangeable lenses make it a compelling option. This is well probably the most intuitive skilled drone available. Nonetheless, in our opinion, it offers more advanced features than most individuals would ever need or make use of.
If the DJI Encourage 3 is not for you
Skilled drones, including the DJI Encourage 3, may offer the perfect features and image quality around, but you’ll be able to still enjoy a highly capable drone in a rather more user-friendly package. What’s more, excellent image quality and flight performance may be present in smaller, lighter, cheaper, and, ultimately, more convenient models.
In the event you’re searching for a conveyable drone with skilled video capabilities and a much more cost-effective price tag, then the DJI Mavic 3 is an important option. The 4 Thirds 20MP major camera produces excellent photos and video suitable for consumer and skilled use.
Or, in case your budget doesn’t stretch quite up to now, the Autel EVO Nano Lite+ encompasses a 1-inch 20MP sensor with similar flight features and power because the Mavic 3 models making it value consideration.