The new Phantom 3 Standard — which joins the Phantom 3 family — introduced today makes it even easier to get incredible shots, since it uses intelligent flight modes that can do a lot of flying for you. Not only can you have the Phantom 3 circle around a stationary object automatically, but you can program it to follow an object, and also follow a set of waypoints with specific altitude and speed settings. While there are plenty of shots you'll get without these modes on, this is certainly going to make it easier to get repeatable moves, and if you're less experienced at flying, you can jump right in a lot faster. Check out the intro video for a full overview of some of these incredible features:
How it's different from the more expensive and advanced Phantoms 3 UAVs:
The Phantom 3 Standard is the most streamlined addition to the Phantom 3 series. It connects to the DJI GO app over WiFi and has a 2.7K video camera. The Phantom 3 Professional and Advanced add DJI’s Vision Positioning system, GLONASS in addition to standard GPS, an extended range via DJI Lightbridge, and a remote controller with extended functionality. The Phantom 3 Professional also has a 4K camera. All models use the DJI GO app and the DJI Intelligent Flight Battery and take 12 megapixel photos.
Here's more on the intelligent flight modes (though it's not totally clear how these are integrated just yet, but it seems these will also find their way into the Advanced and Professional Phantom 3 models in a firmware update):
Specs:
- 1/2.3” Sensor and Gimbal Stabilized Camera
- Shoots 2.7K up to 30fps
- Lens: FOV (Field Of View) 94° 20 mm (35 mm format equivalent) f/2.8
- UHD: 2.7K: 2704 x 1520p 30 (29.97)
- FHD: 1920 x 1080p 24/25/30
- HD: 1280 x 720p 24/25/30/48/50/60
- Max bitrate: 40mbps
- ISO Range: 100-3200 (video) 100-1600 (photo)
- Camera Takes 12MP Still Photos in JPEG or RAW (4000 x 3000)
- 8GB Micro SD Card Included
- Wi-Fi Downlink for 720p Live View with Smartphone (1/2 Mile Range)
- Live View works with iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad Mini 2, iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 3 (Android version coming soon)
- GPS for Enhanced Stability and Failsafes
- 25 Minutes Flight Time for Each 4480mAh 15.2V LiPo 4S Battery ($150)
- Three Intelligent Flight Modes: Follow Me, Point of Interest, Waypoints
- Weight Including Battery (and camera): 1216 g or 2.68 lbs.
- Availability: Now
- Price: $800 (includes everything you see in the video, controller, etc.)
Those intelligent flight modes are really interesting, and considering all of the features that make flying easier and safer, it just might make up for the lack of frame rate options on the Standard. You only get slow motion on the 2.7K camera once you get down to 720p (and it maxes out at 60p). The $1260 Professional model has 4K and better slow motion options, and the $1,000 Advanced model can do 1080p 60fps (though it cannot do 2.7K). It looks like DJI has used the camera as a way to differentiate these models, since there are positives and negatives to the cameras on the Advanced and Standard models, and one isn't necessarily better than the other depending on your needs. To really get all the features, you've got to spend well over $400 to get to the Pro version.
If you're just starting out, this looks like one of the easiest ways to get into flying, as the Phantom 3 Standard significantly decreases the learning curve of what is a pretty hard skill to master. The DJI Go app, which you install on your smartphone and attach to the remote, can control the camera and tell you all sorts of things about the flight path, and it's one of the reasons this whole setup is so powerful and yet still simple.
You can buy the Phantom 3 Standard from DJI's site right now, though it's only available for pre-order from B&H at the moment.
DJI Phantom 3 Standard — DJI Store
Source: DJI
