DJI Focus enters retirement as support winds down

DJI has announced it will officially suspend service and support for its wireless handheld focus control system, the DJI Focus, beginning September 1, 2025.

The news marks the end of an era for a device that, since its debut in 2016, helped cinematographers push the boundaries of drone and handheld filmmaking. Designed with professionals in mind, the DJI Focus brought precision camera control to the air and the ground. When paired with the Inspire 2 drone, a powerful filmmaking drone launched the same year, and DJI’s Zenmuse X5 or X5R cameras, the Focus allowed remote adjustment of focus and aperture via a tactile control wheel. On the ground, it worked seamlessly with DJI’s Ronin gimbals and other compatible rigs, giving filmmakers a tool for critical shot adjustments up to 100 meters away, or five kilometers when integrated through the Zenmuse remote.

With a launch price of just under $2,000, the Focus was never meant for casual drone pilots. But for high-end creators and cinematographers, it added a new layer of control at a time when most drone operators were still busy just keeping their craft steady.

The Inspire 2, which featured Peak Focus Optimization and faster, more accurate autofocus capabilities, further enhanced the Focus system’s utility. In-focus subjects were highlighted in red, simplifying the task of achieving perfect clarity even mid-flight.

Production of the DJI Focus officially ended in July 2020, but support and maintenance services have continued until now. DJI says the decision to wind down is part of a broader shift toward new technologies. Here’s DJI:

Because electronic products are affected by technological developments and changes in usage requirements, each generation of products has a fixed life cycle. DJI regularly optimizes resource allocations to promote the development and application of new products and technologies.

After the September 1 cutoff, DJI will no longer provide product inquiries, technical support, or maintenance services related to the Focus. While the move may inconvenience some professional users still relying on the system, it reflects DJI’s growing focus on next-generation imaging tools.

More: DJI challenges Insta360 with new Osmo 360 camera