DJI and Panasonic have teamed up to bring LiDAR autofocus to mirrorless cameras
(Image credit: DJI)
DJI joined the ever-expanding L-mount Alliance in 2022, and how that would benefit the group of manufacturers as a whole has now come to light: DJI has announced new LiDAR autofocus support for the Panasonic S-series cameras.
Coming to bodies such as the newly launched Panasonic Lumix S5 II and Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX, in theory this new LiDAR AF system should allow for critical focusing even in low-light, while operating the cameras on a gimbal with either standard optics or cine lenses.
(Image credit: DJI)
Announced at the Photo & Imaging Shanghai show that is currently taking place in China (as reported by Asobinet), not a lot is yet known about how this system will be implemented in the future.
We can, however, go on the fact that the DJI Ronin 4D cinema camera used the very same (or near to it) LiDAR system to obtain autofocus via electronic communication, as opposed to moving an attached wireless follow focus like other systems. So this will certainly be an interesting development for DJI and a benefit to Panasonic users.
(Image credit: DJI)
What is LiDAR?
LiDAR is short for Light Detection And Ranging, which employs laser technology to find focus. By emitting laser beams and gauging the time it takes for them to return to the source, LiDAR determines distances and object depths using the principle of time of flight and then adjusts your focus in real-time.
You might be familiar with Time of Flight (ToF) sensors, as they are found in various phones and tech devices such as drones, so what sets LiDAR apart from these? In essence, the underlying technology diverges; while LiDAR employs lasers to construct a detailed 3D point to obtain focus, many other ToF sensors rely on light detection to generate a simpler depth map – hence why they are seen on drones.
Seeing this technology leap from phones and drones to traditional consumer cameras could be an exciting glimpse into the future of AF development on mirrorless systems…
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For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.
He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing. He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association.
He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.
