Reviews

Xdynamics Evolve 2: The smallest cinematic drone platform.

Introduction

First debut XdynamicsEvolve - an affordable high-tech tool for realizing professional-level aerial photography, the functionality of which was adapted to completely different consumers from an amateur to a professional for which the drone was immediately awarded a number of honorary awards. Throughout the entire time, it has been steadily maintaining the position of a significant competitor in the UAV niche occupied.

Three years later at CES2020, Xdynamics announces the second generation of the drone - Evolve 2, positioning its new solution as the most compact drone platform of the cinematic level, and while competitors doze, the model firmly takes the position of the best of the best. By tradition, let's start with the key features of the new product.

Features

  • Weight: 1.95 kg
  • Frame size: 542 mm
  • Materials of execution: carbon fiber magnesium alloy
  • Aerial photography: Xdynamics Astra MFT camera system built on a 12MP 4/3-inch WDR CMOS matrix Sony IMX299 (pixel size 4.63 microns); Built into a quick-release 3-axis mechanical suspension.
  • Lens in stock: Xdynamics 1: 2.0 / 7.5mm FOV 110 ° Ø46mm
  • Compatible lenses: Panasonic Lumix 15mm / 1.7; Panasonic Lumix 14-42mm / 3.5-5.6 HD; Olympus M. Zoiko: 12mm / 2.0; 25mm / 1.8; 9-18mm / 4.0-5.6; 17mm / 1.8; 45mm / 1.8
  • Ultra-precise positioning system: GPS / QZSS, GLONASS, BeiDou sensor system Barometer Complex of optical sensors LiDAR
  • Frontal obstacle detection system
  • Max. horizontal flight speed 96 km / h
  • Max. flight time 33 min
  • Max. FPV distance 11 km
  • Video quality 1080P @ 60 fps (with less than 10 ms latency)
  • Smart Pilot System SPS

Package

There is no information at the moment, but we will immediately add it as soon as it becomes available on the developer's website.

Specification

Drone

Frame:
543 mm
Weight (including battery and rotor):
1.95 kg
Max. takeoff speed:
18km / h
Max. sink rate:
7.2 km / h
Max. speed horizon. flight:
96km / h (in Sport mode)
Max. height (electronically limited):
n / a
Max. flight time:
33 minutes
Operating temperature range:
0 ° C to 40 ° C
Satellite positioning systems:
GPS / QZSS, GLONASS, BeiDou
Sensors:
Magnetometer / Accelerometer / 3-axis gyroscope / Barometer / Optical flow sensors / LIDAR
Connectivity:
USB Type-C, Bluetooth V4.2 BLE EDR Wi-Fi Dual Band IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac

Camera

Matrix:
Sony IMX299 4/3 ″ WDR CMOS, Effective Pixels: 12M
Stock Lens:
Xdynamics 1: 2.0 / 7.5mm FOV 110 ° Ø46mm
ISO Range:
Auto / Manual 100-12800
Shutter Speed:
1 / 25s - 1 / 8000s
Max.photo resolution:
4000 × 3000 (4: 3) 3840 × 2160 (16: 9)
Photo resolution:
12MP (4000 × 3000) 8MP (3840 × 2160) 5MP (2592 × 1944)
Video resolution:
4K: 4096 × 2160 at 120 / 119.88 / 100/60 / 59.94 / 50/48 / 47.96 / 30 / 29.97 / 25/24 / 23.98 fps 3840 × 2160 at 120 / 119.88 / 100/60 / 59.94 / 50/48 / 47.96 / 30 / 29.97 / 25/24 / 23.98 fps 3696 × 2772 at 120 / 119.88 / 100/60 / 59.94 / 50/48 / 47.96 / 30 / 29.97 / 25/24 / 23.98 fps FHD: 1920 × 1080 at 240/120 / 119.88 / 100/60 / 59.94 / 50/48 / 47.96 / 30 / 29.97 / 25/24 / 23.98 fps
Video modes:
Normal, Time-lapse, Slow motion, HDR10
Photo Modes:
​​
Single Shot, Burst Shot, Bracketing, Interval Timer Shot, HDR
Video compression format:
H.264 / H.265
(19 0)
Maximum video bit rate:
100Mbps
Photo format:
JPEG / DNG / JPEG DNG
Video format:
MP4 / MOV
Supported SD Cards:
Micro SD Class 10 and higher; CFast 2.0 cards
Possible connections:
Micro USB
Weight (including battery RTC):
120 grams
Chamber dimensions:
n / a

Gimbal

Controllable range:
Step: -90 ° to 10 °
Gimbal accuracy:
stationary: ± 0.01 ° in motion: ± 0.2 °
Image stabilization:
3-axis mechanical (pitch, roll, yaw)

Ground station

Processor:
ARM Cortex A72 ARM Cortext A53; clock frequency 1.8GHz
GPU:
Mali T864
Operating system:
Android 8.1
RAM:
4GB DDR3
Internal storage:
64GB eMMC
Supported SD Cards:
Micro SD, Max. capacity: 64GB
Top display (viewfinder):
8-inch 1080p Anti-glare; Brightness: 1000cd / m²
Lower display (control console):
5.5-inch 1080p multi-touch display; Anti-reflective coating; Brightness: 1000 cd / m²
Built-in camera:
Front 5MP
Operating frequency of control:
2.4-2.48GHz
Max.transmission distance:
11km, FCC Compliant (Interference-free area)
Video stream operating frequency range:
5.1-5.8GHz
Max. video streaming distance:
11km, FCC Compliant (Unobstructed and Interference Free)
Max. Live video stream quality:
1080p @ 60 fps
Live video stream latency:
50Hz / 60Hz
Net weight:
663 g
Operating temperature range:
0 ° C to 40 ° C

Appearance

Professional Image Quality

The Astra MFT is a micro 4/3 camera system built into a 3-axis brushless gimbal designed for versatile photography and video professionals. Allows you to record 4K video at a maximum of 120 frames per second with a bit rate up to 100 Mbps, control aperture, ISO and shutter speed in flight. Video can be compressed in H.264 / H.265, and Apple ProRes, on both SD and CFast 2.0 cards.

Quick Change 3-Axis Gimbal

Keeping in mind the professional's need for maximum versatility and modularity, the Evolve 2 has been equipped with an exchangeable gimbal, dismantling which is carried out with just one button, thus making it easy to install various camera systems in a matter of seconds.

Enlarged Micro 4/3 sensor

Equipped with Micro 4/3 sensor, the Astra MFT camera system has a smaller crop factor that allows you to easily shoot in low light conditions in high resolution, providing professional quality output. Combined with the larger 4.63μm pixels of this 12MP sensor, it delivers better image quality and dynamic range with less noise.

Wide range of optional lenses

Micro 4/3 technology allows Evolve 2 to interface with a wide range of non-proprietary lenses. And thanks to the speed-booster adapter, the possibilities in photography become even more, as it allows users to pair an APSC sensor with full-frame m4 / 3 lenses.

In the list of compatible lenses:

  • Panasonic Lumix 15mm / 1.7
  • Panasonic Lumix 14- 42mm / 3.5-5.6 HD
  • Olympus M. Zoiko 12mm / 2.0
  • Olympus M. Zuiko 25mm / 1.8
  • Olympus M. Zuiko 9-18mm / 4.0-5.6
  • Olympus M. Zuiko 17mm / 1.8
  • Olympus M. Zuiko 45mm / 1.8

Wide dynamic range

V Astra MFT employs HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology to reproduce the highest dynamic range of brightness that can be achieved with standard digital images or photographic techniques. Evolve offers an impressive 16-stop dynamic range.

Small form factor, high strength and performance

Carbon monocoque, magnesium alloy chassis and weatherproof design give Evolve 2 a high strength, minimum weight, optimum aerodynamics and maximum protection. Weighing less than 2kg, the maximum flight time was 33 minutes, and thanks to its small form factor, it is the most compact drone on the market today, equipped with a micro 4/3 camera.

Powerful propulsion system

The Evolve 2 propulsion system uses powerful brushless motors in tandem with optimized propellers, allowing the drone to operate minimum vibration and noise, reaching a maximum horizontal flight speed of 93 km / h, making it an ideal platform for pursuing high-speed objects and capturing dynamic content.

Lidar technology

The Evolve 2 lidar sensor provides highly accurate positioning and distance measurement, making it extremely efficient for takeoff and landing, as well as when working in difficult weather conditions.

Ergonomics and protection

The foldable design of the console provides permanent protection for control sticks and displays. This also makes it convenient to transport or place on a desk for use as a workstation. And the possibility of replacing the battery made it possible to ensure unlimited autonomy in operation.

Two Enlarged Displays

The Ground Station now features two Enlarged Touchscreens, an 8 "FPV Viewfinder and a 5.5" Control Panel, both offer 1000 cd / m² brightness and are anti-reflective for better visibility in all situations.

Detachable antennas

The control equipment is equipped with two built-in antennas providing control and transmission of the video stream at a distance of up to 4 km, and it is also possible to install two external antennas to extend this range to 11 km. Evolve 2 is capable of transmitting video in FHD quality with a latency of less than 10 ms for a maximum distance of 11 km, which is currently not a possible result for drones from the consumer UAV niche.

User Interface

Thanks to the powerful 1.8GHz ARM Cortex-a72 and ARM Cortext A53 processors installed in the ground station and With a Mali-T864 GPU, the Evolve 2 user interface perfectly combines all the functions you need to fly, shoot, edit and share content in one interface.

Privacy

XDynamics respects the privacy of its users and does not collect data during, before or after each flight.

No geofencing

Since this tool was created for professionals in their field, the developer excluded this option, being sure that their users fly exclusively according to the rules and in strict coordination with local government services, which made it possible to implement aerial photography anywhere in the world without any problems.

Price and availability

The Evolve 2 drone is currently available for pre-order. The deposit amount is $ 50 (The deposit is fully refundable). Balance must be paid prior to shipment). Full drone price: $ 3,699. Payment terms are only relevant for US users. (not officially supplied to the Russian Federation). According to the update, Evolve 2 should go on sale at the end of the second quarter of 2021.

Videos

Reviews of Evolve 2 at CES2020.

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