Sony Airpeak S1: Sony’s first professional drone is faster than the DJI Inspire 2 and is priced at $ 9,000

(CNN Spanish) – The new Sony Airpeak S1 drone is the first from the company dedicated to professionals, the smallest in the world that can have a Sony Alpha mirrorless camera and is faster than, for example, the DJI Inspire 2.

Speed ​​and components

The Sony Airpeak S1 has a motor, propellers, control system and detection technology developed by the company itself that allows it to offer great flight stability to be able to capture good content and achieves a speed of 80 kilometers per hour in just 3.5 seconds. By comparison, the DJI Inspire 2 achieves that same speed in 5 seconds.

This Sony drone has the ability to achieve top speeds of 80 kilometers per hour and can withstand winds of up to 71 kilometers per hour, while recording with good stability.

Of course, it must be taken into account that the speed reached in this short time, like the maximum speed, may vary depending on the camera you integrate because the weight varies (the speed or acceleration test was performed without a camera, for example) .

(Credit: Sony)

Camera compatibility

The Airpeak S1 drone is compatible with Alpha 7S Series, Alpha FX3, Alpha, Alpha 7R Series, Alpha 9 Series and Alpha 1 devices.

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Operability: Airpwark Flight app and control for iPhone (iOS) or iPad (iPadOS)

With the Sony Airpeak S1, the company uses the Airpeak Flight app which is available for iPhone (iOS) or iPad (iPadOS). At its launch, Sony does not have an app that offers the same on Android, but revealed that it has considered it and it will depend on the request of users.

The Airpeak Flight app allows you to monitor flight status, including distance, battery, display and different options to adjust settings.

Even the drop and the app have a dual mode that allows two people to control what is done with it. For example, one person can control the gimbal or gimbal and the camera simultaneously, while the other person can take care of just flying the drone.

The FPV camera is built into the tip of the Airpeak S1 and can be used for direction of travel and aircraft.

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Airpeak Base: web app with additional functions

The user can create flight plans and see the status of the drone in the web app called Airpeak Base.

This created flight plan not only serves as a guide when the drone is going to be used, but it also has the ability to allow the drone to automatically repetitively return that trace.

In addition, the user has the ability to establish a position based on the latitude, longitude and height of the aircraft, as well as the orientation of the gimbal and the timeline of video recording or capture of images.

Battery life

One of the weak points of this drone is, however, the battery life. According to Sony, the battery of the Airpeak S1 would offer up to 22 minutes of flight without any load (without additional camera) and with one it can last up to 12 minutes.

Of course, it must be borne in mind that this drone is dedicated to professionals who have the experience and knowledge necessary to be able to capture specific planes. Anyway, I think it would have been better to have a little longer life and that is why suddenly Sony will include two batteries in the purchase of this device.

Price

The price of the Sony Airpeak S1 is “approximately US $ 9,000” and this includes two propellers, the remote control, two batteries and a charger. The gimbal for this drone is sold separately.

The Sony Airpeak S1 drone will be on pre-sale in Fall 2021 in the US.