Today, after months of speculation, Sony unveiled the highly anticipated Airpeak S1 professional drone. Though it was teased last November, and even made a brief appearance at CES 2021, detailed information about Sony’s first drone has remained a heavily guarded secret—until now.
What Cameras Does the Airpeak S1 Support?
According to Sony, the Airpeak supports an array of camera bodies, including the Alpha 7S, the Alpha 7R, the Alpha 9, the Alpha 1, and the FX3 series. The wide range of full-frame camera systems means users will have more flexibility when it comes to choosing the right camera and more creative options—whether that’s using the Alpha 7R to shoot stunning, ultra-high definition aerial stills or capturing breathtaking 8K footage with the Alpha 1. To mount your choice of full-frame camera to the Airpeak, you will need a Gremsy T3 Gimbal, arguably one of the most advanced 3-axis stabilizers currently available. One of the features that makes the T3 so sophisticated is its 32-bit controller, which collects data from various sensors and makes the necessary motor adjustments up to 2000 times per second, ensuring that all your footage will achieve the highest level of stability.
How Big is the Airpeak S1 Drone?
Sony claims the Airpeak S1 is the “world’s smallest drone that can be equipped with a full-size mirrorless interchangeable-lens Alpha camera.” While we don’t have the exact specifications—yet—we can tell you that the Airpeak S1 is indeed more compact than other professional drones. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking the Airpeak S1 is “small.” This is a full-sized, professional drone capable of supporting a heavy payload that includes multiple batteries and a full-frame mirrorless camera. In other words, it’s bigger than your average hobbyist flyer. That being said, the fact that the Airpeak S1 is more compact than other professional drones means it offers more possibilities for how you use it and where it can travel.
Is the Airpeak S1 for Professionals or Hobbyists?
Although you can probably tell just by looking at it, Sony made clear that the Airpeak S1 is intended for professional creators. Along with its pro-grade camera system, the Airpeak S1 also boasts the type of high-performance features you typically only see in professional flyers, including a five-camera image sensing and obstacle avoidance system, dual-mode operation, a highly sophisticated flight control system, and proprietary propulsion technology that allows the Airpeak S1 to fly in winds up to 45mph—a threshold typically reserved for the type of commercial drone you see inspecting an oil rig, not shooting a Hollywood chase scene.
When Will the be Airpeak S1 Available?
According to Sony, the Airpeak S1 will be available for pre-orders soon will start shipping to customers in the fall of 2021.
Despite all the new information we received today, there are still questions about how well the Airpeak S1 will perform in a real-world test. Hopefully, we will get to test the Airpeak S1 out soon and report back. Until then, the one thing we do know for certain: The arrival of the Sony Airpeak S1 means this is a very exciting time for the drone industry.
Are you looking forward to taking the Airpeak for a spin? Let us know in the Comments section, below.
