DJI Inspire 3 & Inspire 2 filming
The Inspire is the drone feature films and big-budget ads are shot on: a full cinema camera, interchangeable lenses and a separate camera operator. We fly the Inspire 3 and the Inspire 2, with a two-person crew.
Why productions choose the Inspire
Smaller drones put the camera, lens and flight in one person's hands. The Inspire splits them. Our pilot flies the aircraft while a dedicated camera operator frames and pulls focus on a second controller, just like a crane or a car-mounted rig. That's what lets a director ask for a precise move and get it again on take five.
Both Inspires record RAW footage that drops straight into a cinema grading pipeline, so aerial shots match the rest of the film instead of looking like they came from a different camera.
Inspire 3 or Inspire 2?
DJI Inspire 3
The current flagship. Its Zenmuse X9-8K Air camera has a full-frame sensor with dual native ISO, so it holds detail at dusk, at night and in high-contrast scenes. DJI rates it at more than 14 stops of dynamic range. It suits feature films, OTT series and premium commercials where the aerials have to cut seamlessly with the main camera.
- Camera
- Zenmuse X9-8K Air, full frame
- Recording
- Up to 8K, ProRes RAW and CinemaDNG
- Lenses
- DJI DL primes, including the 18mm
- Flight time
- About 28 minutes per battery set (DJI figure)
DJI Inspire 2
The workhorse many Indian productions grew up with. With the Zenmuse X7 Super 35 camera it records 6K RAW and shares the 24, 35 and 50mm DL lenses with the Inspire 3. It's a strong choice for music videos, documentaries and commercials that need cinema-grade aerials on a tighter budget.
- Camera
- Zenmuse X7, Super 35
- Recording
- Up to 6K, ProRes RAW and CinemaDNG
- Lenses
- DJI DL 24, 35 and 50mm
- Flight time
- About 23 minutes per battery set (DJI figure)
What a booking includes
- Dual operators, a pilot and a camera operator, both experienced on cinema sets and used to working with a DOP. Inspire 3 days start from ₹40,000.
- Enough batteries for a full shoot day, with charging on location.
- An airspace check for each location, with a clear list of the approvals you'll need.
- Monitoring for the director and DOP, so they can watch the live feed and call the shot.
- Data handling: footage handed to your DIT or data wrangler at the end of the day.
Need something lighter for travel, or a drone that's quicker to set up between setups? Our Mavic 3 Pro and Mavic 4 Pro crews complement the Inspire. For a full-size cinema camera in the air, see cinelifter heavy-lift filming.
Inspire questions
Can the Inspire 3 match our main camera's look?
That's what it's for. It records ProRes RAW or CinemaDNG at your project's frame rate, and we can shoot test footage before the shoot so your colourist can build a matching look.
Do we need our own camera operator?
No. We bring one, but if your DOP wants to operate the aerial camera themselves, we'll set up the second controller for them.
How early should we book?
As early as you can, especially for locations near airports or in cities with large restricted zones, where approvals take longer. Send us the locations and dates and we'll tell you what's needed.
Planning a shoot?
Tell us where, when and what you want to capture, and we'll come back with the right crew, drones and a clear list of the permissions you'll need.