Sony Airpeak S1 Drone Now Available for Pre-Order

June 10, 2021 Dave Johnstone

Sony will officially be entering the drone world with the recently announced Airpeak S1 Professional Drone that is now available for pre-order at B&H Photo. Designed to carry Sony’s line of Alpha and FX3 camera, the Airpeak S1 is aimed at professional operators who demand the highest quality images and videos.

Utilizing the Airpeak digital ecosystem along with the Sony Airpeak S1 Professional Drone, you can plan and execute complex aerial shoots with the equipment you already have and are familiar with. With the Airpeak S1 gimbal (not included), you can attach a host of Alpha series mirrorless cameras or the FX3 full-frame cinema camera and equip them with your arsenal of lenses. Flights can be piloted via the included controller by a single pilot, dual pilots can split drone and gimbal control with an additional remote, or you can fully automate a repeatable flight plan.

While in the air, the S1 can maneuver quickly to locations thanks to 0 to 50 mph acceleration in just 3.5 seconds, and it can withstand adverse outdoor conditions with up to 44.7 mph wind resistance. Even indoors or under structures, where GNSS reception is blocked, the S1 can perform thanks to an obstacle-avoiding, multicamera, multisensor vision system. Whatever mission you need to fly, Sony’s Airpeak Base cloud-based web app and Airpeak Flight iOS/iPadOS mobile app confirm the aircraft’s condition and give you control over many features and settings, so you can fully focus on the creative process when on set.

Key Specs:

bring your own camera (BYOC)
Supports Alpha Series & FX3 Cameras
44.7 mph wind resistence
22 minutes flight time
Create Automated Flight Plans

S1 Gimbal sold separately
0-50mph in 3.5 seconds
55.9mph max speed
5 cameras & 2 IR vision system
Obstacle Avoidance & Braking Function

Powerful and Fast Performance

The lightweight frame and quad 17″ propellers of the Airpeak S1 help it achieve up to 22 minutes of flight time (without payload). Add in high-powered brushless motors, and the Airpeak S1 can move with exceptional speed. This optimized propulsion system can accelerate through shots and reach waypoints at up to 55.9 mph (without payload) and a 0 to 50 mph acceleration of just 3.5 seconds.

Airpeak Flight and Airpeak Base

The Airpeak S1 is enhanced by its compatibility with the Airpeak Base and Airpeak Flight apps. Airpeak Base is a cloud-based web app that lets you check on the condition of the drone before heading out on location. If everything checks out, you can use Airpeak Base to create flight plans the S1 can perform automatically and repeatedly, delivering consistent results in the air that a camera on rails would on the ground.

Airpeak Base lets you set everything you need to for a professional shoot. Set the S1’s position in the air by putting in latitude, longitude, and altitude. Set the speed along the entire timeline, the gimbal orientation, and the timing of video or still shooting. On future shoots, you can use past flight logs to reproduce flight plans when needed.

The Airpeak Flight iOS and iPadOS app integrates the aircraft, transmitter, camera, and gimbal together so you can monitor flight distance, remaining battery power, and other telemetry remotely. You can also change operating and settings as you fly. A nose-mounted, tiltable FPV camera can display a live video feed as you pilot, letting you stay on top of aircraft orientation and direction of travel.

Vision Sensing System

The flight control system and ESC (Electronic Speed Control) integrates the propulsion and various sensing metrics, such as IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), direction, barometric pressure, and infrared ranging. In addition to the five stereo cameras (front, back, left, right, and bottom) and two IR range sensors, the S1 can accurately determine its spatial position and orientation in real time. This ability is essential when using Airpeak Base flight plans to avoid obstacles and perform without GNSS reception. If an obstacle is detected, the S1 can enable the obstacle braking function, which auto-decelerates or stops the aircraft if needed.

Remote Controller

The included remote gives you full control over the Airpeak S1 drone, as well as any camera settings. When coupled with an optional iOS device and Airpeak Flight, you gain the ability to view an in-flight video feed along with essential telemetry. Flight can also control settings for the aircraft, controller, camera, and gimbal.

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