Sony sets their sights on DJI with their first drone, designed for filmmakers and photographers using Sony Alpha cameras.
To showcase the potential of the new drone, the company used the Airpeak equpped with a Sony a7S III to film their new electric car, the VISION-S.
The Sony quadcopter shown at CES 2021 featured retractable landing gear, giving you full pan and tilt control over your Alpha camera without worrying that the gear will be in the shot.
Not too much is yet known about the specs or capabilities, but a press release stated:
“As the first phase of this project, Sony will launch a new business targeted for professional photography and video production in the spring of 2021.
In order to fully support the creativity of video creators, the payload of the drone can be equipped with an Alpha™ mirrorless camera to capture high quality, full frame aerial photography and video.
Airpeak, the industry’s smallest class of drone that can be equipped with the Alpha system, is capable of dynamic filming and precise, stable flight, and aims to contribute to the world of entertainment while also pursuing new possibilities for creative expression.“
The Airpeak drone is entering the market at a tumultuous time as airspace regulations continue to become increasingly strict.
With the China-based DJI already facing US government sanctions, this could be a way for the Japanese-based Sony drone to take a small bite out of DJI’s 75% market share.
It’s no easy task, as many other companies have tried to enter the drone airspace, like GoPro who found themselves with a lot of bad Karma.
“Sony will continue to post project-related information and obtain feedback from drone users through co-creation activities to prepare for the launch of the project in the spring of 2021.
The company soon plans to begin seeking for the partners in the professional space who can collaborate on the project.“
The Sony Airpeak drone is slated for a spring 2021 release.
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