AGENDA NEWS
Sony’s aerial assault
S ony has revealed its first- ever professional drone, the Airpeak S1. It’s claimed to be the world’s smallest UAV that can be equipped with a full-size Alpha mirrorless camera, such as the A7S III. Expected to be the first of a new line of Sony drones, the Airpeak S1 uses Sony’s own motors, propellers, control system and sensing technology. It also includes obstacle detection and automatic flight control – and can fly at up to 55mph and be used in winds up to 45mph. Stereo cameras equipped with sensors are installed in the front, back, left, right and bottom of the aircraft. A processor uses this information to plot position and orientation in real time, enabling stable flight – even in environments where GNSS (global navigation satellite system) reception may be hindered, such as indoors or under bridges. The drone is controlled via the Airpeak Flight app on iOS devices. This integrates the aircraft, transmitter, camera and gimbal, allowing the operator to monitor flight distance and remaining battery power, as well as change various operations and settings on the screen. There is also a dual operation mode, so that one user can operate the drone, while another can work the gimbal and camera simultaneously, all while checking
allows for advanced flight plans to be created, so the drone can automatically fly along the same route repeatedly. The Airpeak S1 is compatible with Sony A7, A9 and A1 series cameras, as well as the FX3, but these aren’t included with the drone –which will cost $9000 when it goes on sale in autumn. No UK price has been set yet. The drone comes with two pairs of propellers, a remote controller, two batteries and a charger. A third-party gimbal, made specifically for the Airpeak S1, will be sold separately.
TAKING FLIGHT The new Airpeak drone houses a Sony mirrorless camera for ultimate quality
the same image. A first-person view camera, which can be tilt-operated from the remote controller, is mounted on the nose of the aircraft – which is useful for when the operator needs to check the direction of the drone. A new Airpeak Base web application means users can monitor hardware use, create flight plans and manage flight logs. It also
More information
sony.co.uk
THE ELECTRIC MONOPOD!
length of 1180mm, and is controlled by buttons on the body or Moza’s Master app, via a smartphone. This enables control of the monopod when used as a motorised slider, such as for precise movements at variable speeds and preprogrammedmovements. As a monopod, it has a rigid carbon fibre body and three-legged support stand. It weighs 1460g/3lb and charges via a USB-C port. It costs £350/$499. gudsen.com
If you thought monopods couldn’t get any more technical, check out the new three-in-one, electronically controlledMoza Slypod Pro. It is the world’s first electronically height-adjustable monopod, that also works as a powered slider and jib arm. The clamp that fits to the top of a tripod can be used as a motorised slider, which is internally geared tomake the motion smooth. Tilt the tripod head, and it’s a jib. The monopod extends out 530mm, for a total
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PRO MOVIEMAKER
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