DJI Zenmuse Z3 Is Its First Drone Camera With Built-In Optical Zoom
Time to practice zooming while flying
![DJI Zenmuse Z3 Drone Camera With Optical Zoom](https://www.popphoto.com/uploads/2019/01/17/3YIKCLOHEC4O5RXDB262RT2U44.jpg?auto=webp&width=785&height=523.33333333333)
![DJI Zenmuse Z3 Drone Camera With Optical Zoom](https://www.popphoto.com/uploads/2019/01/17/T27ZJ6I5XZLW2E56HHFQUDFETI-1024x683.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&width=100)
Not everyone has the cash to spring for a full-on medium-format camera rig for drone photography, but there are lots of other options out there, including the new DJI Zenmus Z3, which is its first dedicated drone camera with built-in optical zoom.
The camera uses the same 1/2.3-inch sensor found in other DJI Zenmuse cameras, but it sits behind a 3.5X optical zoom lens. In addition to the optical zoom, the camera also offers 2X digital zoom, which reduces the maximum resolution.
![DJI Zenmuse Z3 Drone Camera With Optical Zoom](https://www.popphoto.com/uploads/2019/01/17/4QNCASFZ7EK2R4E23O5SJBUFFE-1024x683.jpg?auto=webp&optimize=high&width=100)
In order to accommodate the extra focal length, the gimbal system has been tweaked a little, since zooming in will emphasize camera shake. The product page recommends shooting only stills (not video) if both the optical and digital zooms are maxed out for a total of 7X.
The camera will retail for $899, but you’ll of course need a drone as well to take it up into the sky. Zooming while flying seems like it will take a bit of getting used to, but also seems like it will open up some pretty interesting visual effects.