The new Evolve 2 drone from Hong Kong based XDynamics features specs that rival the DJI Inspire 2/X5S combo, for only $3699.
Now $3699 is by no means cheap, but when you look at the specs the Evolve 2 is packing — micro 4/3 sensor with interchangeable lenses, 4K/120fps and Pro-Res capable, 33min flight time & 11km range — it starts to seem a lot more reasonably priced.
Drone pilots have long been waiting for a drone to sit between the Mavic 2 Pro ($1739) & the Inspire 2/X5S ($5698) and the XDynamics Evolve 2 could be just that.
Let’s take a closer look at the features that make this drone such an excellent option for pilots looking for a cheaper, smaller alternative to the Inspire 2.
Micro 4/3 camera
As this is an aerial photography platform let’s start with the camera.
The on its underside the Evolve 2 carries the new Astra MFT camera which is equipped with a Sony micro 4/3 sensor.
This is the same sensor size as the popular Panasonic GH5 as well as the DJI X5S camera.
The Astra MFT camera can record 4K video at up to 120fps with a max bitrate of 100Mbps and, unlike prosumer drones, can record to both micro SD or CFast 2.0 memory cards using H.264/H.265 and Apple ProRes video encoding.
While the Astra MFT lags behind the DJI X5S in resolution (the X5S features a 20.8MP sensor and can record up to 5.2K) it has 25% greater dynamic range and can record at a higher max frame rate in 4K resolution.
| Astra MFT (Evolve 2) | DJI X5S (Inspire 2) | |
| Megapixels | 12MP | 20.8MP |
| ISO | 100-12800 | 100-25600 (stills) |
| Max resolution | 4K | 5.2K |
| Max framerate | 120fps (4K) | 120ps (1080P) |
| Video codecs | H.264/H.265 & Apple ProRes | H.264/H.265, Apple ProRes & Cinema DNG (RAW) |
| Max bitrate | 100Mbps | 4.2Gbps |
| Sensor size | Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
All carbon fiber design
The design of the Evolve 2 is a much sleeker version of the original Evolve while still retaining its Phantom-esque design.
The integrated body/chassis is constructed from a single sheet of carbon fiber which, despite its lightweight, has a tensile strength over 50 times that of plastic.
Thanks to this, the Evolve 2 weighs in at only 4.34lbs (with props, battery, and camera) and as a result, is able to achieve a flight time of up to 33min.
Unfortunately, some of that weight saving might have come at the expense of additional hardware: the Evolve 2 has no obstacle avoidance sensors in any direction, though it does have downward-facing LiDAR and optical flow for precise landings.
Flight control
At each corner of the Evolve 2’s carbon fiber frame is a 530Kv brushless motor — generating 1.7Kg of propulsion each — allowing the quadcopter to reach a top speed of 57mph (just 1mph off the top speed of the Inspire 2).
With that much power on tap, a reliable connection is a must; the new Ground Station controller has a range of 2.5miles (4km) but can reach up to 6.8miles (11km) with the two removable antennas installed.
And rather than requiring the use of a smartphone or tablet, XDynamics designed the ground station with two built-in touch screens — a large 8″ main display and a secondary 5.5″ control panel.
Internally the Ground Station control is powered by an ARM 1.8GHz CPU and GPU.
Price & Availability
With a price tag of $3699, the Evolve 2 is more than double the price of DJI’s Mavic 2 Pro but $2000 less than the Inspire 2/X5S combo.
This positions it well for drone pilots who want to upgrade from the Mavic 2 without sacrificing all the portability or paying over $5000.
Many people had hoped DJI would release a Phantom 5 with interchangeable lenses that could fill this gap in its drone offerings but with the Phantom line officially dead, perhaps the XDynamics Evolve 2 will fill that gap.
The XDynamics Evolve 2 drone is available to preorder now with a refundable $50 deposit.
It is expected to begin shipping in April of this year.
