The first professional drone made by Sony is available to order from today. Airpeak is the “world’s smallest drone that can carry a full-frame mirrorless camera” as Sony claims. The price is not cheap though. Airpeak costs $9,000, plus the dedicated gimbal that costs $2,200, which makes this drone a total price of $11,200. However, for the professional market, this price tag is pretty decent, since Airpeak allows capabilities that are related to advanced filmmaking aerial systems.
Airpeak S1: “World’s smallest drone that can carry a mirrorless camera”
Airpeak S1, which is the first professional front by Sony, is compatible with a wide range of Sony’s camera bodies including the Alpha 1, Alpha 7S series, the Alpha 7R series, the Alpha 9 series, FX3 among others, including mirrorless cameras from other manufacturers. The Airpeak S1 incorporates proprietary technology and for smooth maneuverability at high speeds and stability in the face of wind resistance to enable creators to make high-quality aerial images and video content. Today, Sony has announced that Airpeak S1 will ship on December 24, 2021, and it’s available for pre-order (find Product List below).
Sony’s first drone: Designed for professional filmmakers
Introduced to the public for the first time earlier this year, the Airpeak S1 drone is designed for the professional user. According to Sony, Airpeak leverages proprietary technology and delivers for smooth maneuverability at high speeds with highly stable wind resistance, enabling high-quality aerial images and video content. The Airpeak project was announced back in November 2020. Feel free to read our coverage regarding the development process of this first drone by Sony:
- Sony is Developing its own Filmmaking Drone Called Airpeak
- Sony Unveils Airpeak: “The World’s Smallest Drone to Carry Alpha Camera”
- Airpeak (Sony’s Drone): A Development Status Update
- Sony Shows Off Airpeak’s Wind-Resistance
- Sony Updates the Status of its Drone (Airpeak): To be Used With Alpha Cameras, FX3, and G-Master Lenses
- Sony Says Airpeak is Coming on June 10
- Sony Announced Their First-Ever Professional (and Expensive) Drone: ‘Airpeak S1’
Based on AI
“We’re excited to now make the new Airpeak S1 drone available for purchase, and for the amazing set of possibilities this drone opens for cinematographers,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “The drone’s compact size, new software features and advanced imaging, sensing, AI and robotics reflect the high quality the industry respects Sony for and enables content creators and commercial professionals to capture images and video not possible before.”
The drone’s compact size, new software features, and advanced imaging, sensing, AI and robotics reflect the high quality the industry respects Sony for and enables content creators and commercial professionals to capture images and video not possible before.
Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc
Key features
These are the key features of Airpeak S1:
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 15.38 lb / 6.98 kg
- Payload Capacity: 5.5 lb / 2.5 kg
- Maximum Horizontal Speed: 55.9 mph / 25.0 m/s
- Maximum Ascent Speed: 15.7 mph / 7 m/s
- Maximum Descent Speed: 8.9 mph / 4 m/s
- Maximum Wind Resistance: 44.7 mph / 20.0 m/s
- Flight Ceiling: 8202’ / 2.5 km
- Maximum Flight Time: 22 Minutes and 12 minutes with max payload
- Special performance: 0-50 mph Acceleration in 3.5 Seconds
Price and availability
Airpeak S1 suggested retail price is around $9,000.00 and will ship with two pairs of propellers, a remote controller, two batteries, and a battery charger. A third-party gimbal made specifically for Airpeak S1 will be sold separately for $2,200. Thus, a unit that can lift a mirrorless camera (not included) will cost $11,200.
Summary
The Airpeak S1 drone looks very promising. Although it’s not a cheap drone ($11,200), it was designed for professional filmmaking applications. The drone is characterized by decent maneuverability capabilities. This drone is fast and armed with solid AI, sensing, and robotics abilities. Airpeak can be defined as a combination between filmmaking and industrial aerial system. The characteristics of industrial drones are implemented well in Airpeak, to be utilized for filmmaking purposes. The price is pretty steep as it stands at $11,200 and without the camera. Hence, this product is aimed at the professional market. It’ll be intriguing to reveal how it sells among this market, and what kind of productions will use it.
Product List
Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.
- Sony Airpeak Drone
- Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera
- Sony FX3 Full-Frame Cinema Camera
