Hasselblad and DJI announce 50MP medium-format drone kit

The first product of the collaboration between Chinese drone maker DJI and Swedish medium-format camera manufacturer Hasselblad will be a long range drone fitted with the same 50MP CMOS sensor that is used in a number of current medium-format cameras, including the new X1D mirrorless camera.

What the companies are calling a 'fully integrated aerial photography platform' will combine DJI's industrial Matrice 600 drone with Hasselblad's recent A5D aerial camera. The camera, which has no moving parts of its own, will come with an adapted HC 50mm F3.5 lens that has its focus set to infinity. When used with the 50c sensor the lens offers a view similar to that which we would expect from a 42mm lens on a 35mm system camera.

DJI's M600 can carry a maximum of 6kg/13.2lb which the company says means it can carry the Hasselblad A5D and a Ronin-MX gimbal 'with ease' – together the camera, lens and gimbal will weigh just over 4kg/8.95lb.

As both products are already on sale the bundle deal is available now priced $25,999/€24,400/¥189,999 (Chinese yuan) – all before tax. The UK price has yet to be announced. For more information see the Hasselblad and the DJI websites – below are a couple of official samples from Hasselblad.

Press release:

First fully integrated aerial photography platform combines DJI's M600 with Hasselblad's A5D.

DJI and Hasselblad today announced a fully integrated high-end aerial camera-platform bundle made up of Hasselblad's aerial medium format camera A5D and DJI's professional flying platform M600.

The A5D-M600 bundle is the first joint product following DJI's recent investment in Hasselblad. The combination of the M600 and the A5D provides users with today's most advanced aerial optics and sensors integrated with one of the world's most reliable aerial platforms. In addition, the two companies are looking at additional joint products for the future.

'Combining best-in-class aerial optics with the world's most powerful aerial platform is a natural development for DJI and Hasselblad. We are delighted to provide this unique bundle to professional photographers, surveyors and mappers', said Perry Oosting, CEO of Hasselblad.'

DJI's M600 is designed for maximum performance and smart flight safety. The M600 is fully compatible with DJI's advanced gimbal system the Ronin-MX. It comes fully equipped with 6 intelligent batteries, A3 flight controller, Lightbridge 2 Professional HD transmission system, a dust-proof propulsion system and powerful app control.

Hasselblad's A5D camera combines the world's best optics and sensors with a modern, compact design. The sensors are almost twice the size of those used in today's best 35 mm DSLR cameras and the A5D lens comes in 50 mm.

Hasselblad's Natural Colour Solution (HNCS) comes standard and helps optimize difficult color gradations straight out of the box. The A5D has a strong seal on the camera body and sensor unit preventing dust in the optical system.

Source: Hasselblad and DJI announce 50MP medium-format drone kit