Will the new DJI Phantom 5 have interchangeable lenses? Newly surfaced photos could show prototype in the works

Rumors have been going around for a while now that the new DJI Phantom 5 could have interchangeable lenses. There would be four different lengths available, a 16mm, 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm lens. The current Phantom 4 Pro sacrifices portability over the highest possible image quality for a prosumer drone. It would make sense that the new Phantom 5 would retain that same focus. The option to change lenses would effectively turn the Phantom 5 into a mini Inspire 2 with Zenmuse X7 camera and lenses at a much lower price point. Now, that is something to get excited about!

Lies, damned lies, and rumors

For regular readers of DroneDJ, it will come as no surprise that the early rumors of the new Phantom 5 come from our friend in the far-east, @OsitaLV, who has recently been attacked on Twitter for supposedly spreading false and misleading information. As with all rumors, you have to take the provided information with a grain of salt. Oftentimes, there is factual information about an upcoming product release contained within the rumor. Sometimes not. We try to cross-reference information when we receive it and aim to establish long-term relationships with trusted sources to help us separate between facts and fiction. When it comes to @OsitaLV, he has provided us with valuable correct information in the past, even though he has also been incorrect at times. We have already pointed this out in earlier articles, but keep that in mind when you read this post as well. When it comes to this case, the photos may well be legit and indeed show a prototype or early version of an interchangeable lens system for the upcoming Phantom 5. I’m sure many aerial photographers and videographers would get excited about such an improvement over the current Phantom series. If nothing else, this can provide fodder for a lively discussion on the direction DJI is going.

About the Phantom 5

Not much is know about the specs of the new Phantom 5. This could indicate that its release is still some time off into the future. Of course, we have our wish list of improvements we would like to see on the Phantom 4 successor, but very little information has been leaked up till now, apart from it having four interchangeable lenses and possibly six directional obstacle avoidance.

In the current line-up of DJI’s Phantom series of drones, the Phantom 4 Pro tops the chart when it comes to image quality. It has an all-new DJI Phantom camera with 1-inch 20MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, separating itself from its lesser brothers, the Phantom 4 and Phantom 4 advanced. It is widely expected that the new Phantom 5 will outperform the Phantom 4 Pro. Most likely that will mean a large 1-inch sensor with an increased resolution (24MP?) but adding an interchangeable lens system to the prosumer Phantom series would be a significant improvement for any serious aerial photographer or videographer.

When will the Phantom 5 be released?

Currently, we do not have any information about a possible release date for the Phantom 5. Based on rumors and judging by the discounts, you can get on the current DJI Phantom drones from DJI itself and other retailers, it may be not too far off into the future. However, similar discounts can be found for other DJI products, such as the DJI Spark and Mavic Pro, making it seem that all three drones will be replaced soon.

What we do know is that several people from DJI have indicated to us that 2018 would be a big year for them. We have already received the all-new DJI Mavic Air that was launched in February. The Mavic Pro II had initially been rumored for a launch as soon as March 22nd but that now seems unlikely. Also, @OsitaLV has mentioned in one of his tweets not to expect anything from DJI anymore in the month of March. For a new DJI product release, he has set his focus on NAB2018 that will take place in Las Vegas early April. We are less sure about that. If DJI created a separate event for the launch of the Spark last year as well as the DJI Mavic Air this year than it would only seem natural for them to create separate events for the Mavic Pro II and Phantom 5 as well.

Like you, we are eagerly awaiting the new Phantom 5 and Mavic Pro II releases. Be sure to follow us here on DroneDJ, because any news that comes out with regard to new DJI products, we will cover it here.

What do you think about an interchangeable lens system for the Phantom 5? Does that get you excited? Let us know in the comments below.

DJI刚刚声称这玩意儿是个定制机，那我也定制一套，16、24、35、50四个焦段给我配齐，钱不是问题，就问你大疆敢不敢来 pic.twitter.com/CrPlXzwm0R

— OsitaLV (@OsitaLV) March 14, 2018

Hell yeah! Almost complete! Phantom 5 with interchangeable lenses pic.twitter.com/4V3VDZkIk3

— OsitaLV (@OsitaLV) March 14, 2018

DJI can use this modded camera to make a new product, then it becomes so called Phantom 5.

— OsitaLV (@OsitaLV) March 14, 2018

Concept of DJI Phantom 5! Changeable lens and 6 direction obstacle avoidance. That's what I know so far. pic.twitter.com/ru6iJe3DqA

— OsitaLV (@OsitaLV) November 27, 2017

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