The Matrice 600 by DJI is one of the most innovative drone platforms available on the market today. From high-end features such as its A3 flight controller to maintenance perks like its intelligent battery management system, there’s plenty to like about this drone.
Designed both for large-scale, systematic commercial usage as well as simple in-air photography, it has a wide range of use cases. But the Matrice 600 is particularly handy thanks to the range of extras it can integrate. The Matrice 600 can essentially be adapted according to a bespoke design that fits the requirements of the individual user – making it one of the most versatile quality drones on the market today.
In this post, we’ll look at the additional payloads which the Matrice 600 can handle and how they can boost your drone flight experience.
1. LiDAR
Unlike the other, camera-based payloads that the Matrice 600 can take, a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system works with lasers and light.
A LiDAR system allows users to methodically and accurately work out distances between an aerial location and a target location by beaming pulsed lasers to the ground and then carefully measuring the pulse reflections. Once this has been done, the findings can then be used to create rich and informative three-dimensional models which can help with terrain assessment, surface surveying and more.
By attaching a LiDAR device to the Matrice 600 and using it as a measurement tool, a whole host of discoveries can be made. Our team, for example, recently worked with the Earth Observation and Ecosystem Dynamics Group at Aberystwyth University to configure a Matrice 600 for LiDAR research tasks such as calculating forest biomass, woodland carbon content and standing timber amounts at research hotspots across the globe.
2. RED
RED is one of the world’s leading digital cinema camera brands, and as a result, the Red Epic camera is perhaps one of the highest specification cameras on the market today.
The camera comes with a whole host of features, including flexible lens mounts which fit equipment from brands like Canon and Leica, as well as HDRx capabilities which allow a yield of almost 20 stops of dynamic range. This makes it particularly useful for shoots which take place without much artificial or natural light, such as aerial photos of evening events or research work in overcast climates.
Other features of the Red Epic include a 5K stream of over 100 frames each second, Red’s DSMC (Digital Still and Motion Camera) capabilities, and full compatibility with the REDCINE-X PRO software suite.
3. Black Magic
Black Magic cameras are some of the most exciting on the market, and a number of their models can easily be integrated with the Matrice 600 for superior airborne image-making.
One of the most popular Matrice 600 payloads from this brand is the Micro Cinema Camera, which comes with a whole host of excellent features including a low weight of just 300 grams as well as a handy CinemaDNG raw non-compressed video recording format to allow for maximum flexibility once the footage hits your editing suite.
In addition, the Black Magic Micro Cinema Camera allows you to pick your preferred micro 4/3rds lenses and enjoys a sophisticated remote control system which gives you control over zoom levels, focus and much more from your terrestrial location.
4. Arri
Leading brand Arri has a range of digital cameras on offer, and some of them can act as useful payloads for the Matrice 600. The Arri ALEXA Mini, for example, is handy and versatile and is housed in a carbon-based material to ensure it is light and nimble.
One of the main advantages of the ALEXA Mini lies in the way it integrates cutting-edge, futuristic technologies. A range of the latest innovative recording options has been integrated into the ALEXA Mini, including HFR (high frame rate) and 4K UHD (ultra-high-definition) – which means it is ideal for those looking to make a long-term investment when it comes to buying their Matrice 600 payloads.
5. Hasselblad
Hasselblad is a real market leader in this field, and last year they announced they were working with the Matrice 600’s manufacturer DJI to create the first ever all-in-one 100-megapixel drone package – complete with a drone, a gimbal and a camera.
This package, which comes with a 53.4mm x 40.0mm sensor, is ideal for those who use drone photography for creative purposes as it has the capacity to take amazing landscape shots. It can also be used by map-makers, too, thanks to the attention to detail that the camera captures.
Summary
As you can see you truly are spoilt for choice when it comes to external payloads for the Matrice 600. All the platforms are of incredibly high quality and are all compatible with the Matrice 600, and are highly recommended by us here at COPTRZ.
