As a fan of the Cinelog25, the new GEPRC Cinelog20 FPV drone has certainly got my interest. However, there have been some concerns regarding the durability of the prop protection on the Cinelog25. The GEPRC Cinelog 20 is an incredible little quadcopter that now comes equipped with the DJI 03 camera, making it an ideal choice for indoor FPV flying enthusiasts. In this review, I will share my experience with this cinewhoop and how it performs.
New To FPV? Check out my how to get started with FPV drone tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-drone-guide/
Table of Contents
Unboxing and Specifications
You can purchase the GEPRC Cinelog 20 at the following retailers:
- RDQ: https://oscarliang.com/product-9w73
- GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-cpgj
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dk81tbj
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/40CqBG0
The Cinelog 20, featuring the ExpressLRS receiver and O3 Air Unit, is priced at just under $500.
In the package, you’ll find the Cinelog 20 along with several handy accessories: spare props, foam bumpers, double-sided tape, an extra battery strap, battery grips, bottom foam protectors, and documentation for the DJI 03 air unit and F4 flight controller. Additionally, you’ll receive product support stickers and a GepRC keychain.
Specifications:
- Model: GEPRC BNF Cinelog20 HD 2″ Cinewhoop w/ DJI 03 Air Unit & Micro Cam – ELRS 2.4GHz
- Frame: GEP-CL20
- Wheelbase: 100mm
- Gimbal plate: 2.0mmTop
- plate: 2.5mm
- Bottom plate: 1.5mm
- FC system: GEP-F411-35A AIO
- MCU: STM32F411CEU6
- Gyro: ICM 42688-P
- OSD: Betaflight OSD w/AT7456E chip
- ESC: 8Bit 35A
- VTX: O3 AIR Unit
- Camera: O3 Camera
- Antenna: 5.8G & 2.4G
- Motor: GR1303.5 5500KV
- Propeller: EMAX Avan Micro 2×2.4×4
- Receiver: PNP (built-in DJI receiver), ELRS2.4G
- Recommended battery: LiHv 4S 450mah-660mah
- Flight time: 4-6min
The Cinelog 20’s Design and Build
The Cinelog 20 stands out due to its simplistic yet innovative design. GEPRC has managed to create a compact, lightweight drone under 250 grams, featuring the new DJI O3 and stabilized 4K video. Priced around $400-$500 depends on configurations, it offers a lot of value for its size.
Tiny Size, Big Performance
The Cinelog 20 shares a similar platform with the Cinelog 25 but comes in a smaller size. Its main carbon fiber plate is 2.5mm thick, and the top plate for the HD camera is 2mm thick, with a wheelbase measuring approximately 100mm.
What sets the Cinelog 20 apart from other cinewhoops is its size and weight. Despite resembling a toy, it packs a performance that exceeds its appearance. It’s remarkably fast, and although it doesn’t execute acro maneuvers as well as larger drones, it excels at navigating tight spaces.
Comparing the Cinelog 20 with 2.5″ cinewhoops such as the Defender 25 from iFlight, the smaller size of the Cinelog 20 provides even more opportunities to capture unique shots as it can go through tighter spaces. Its compact design also makes it less intrusive when flying close to people or objects.
The USB port and binding button are easily accessible without the need for disassembly, as is the USB port for the flight controller. The prop guards can be individually removed or replaced. The design differs from the Cinelog25, as the arms on the Cinelog 20 are thicker.
Dampening Plates and Stabilization
GepRC continues its tradition of including dampening plates for the HD camera in the Cinelog 20, which helps reduce vibrations and results in ultra-smooth footage when using the O3 Air Unit’s gyro flow stabilization.
While both the GEPRC Cinelog 20 and another popular choice, the AxisFlying CineOn Z20, are designed for capturing 4K video, there are significant differences in their design. The Cinelog has a more straightforward, single-body structure, whereas the CineOn Z20 features a two-stage separation design with inverted motors at the front and upward-facing motors at the back. This difference highlights the versatility and innovation within the FPV drone market and provides users with options to suit their preferences and needs.
Battery and Flight Time
The CineLog20 is a 4S drone designed to accommodate batteries ranging from 450mAh to 650mAh. Personally, I think 650mAh battery is the better choice as it allows for longer flight time, which offers approximately 4 to 6 minutes of flight time. Although this might be a drawback for some pilots, it’s an acceptable trade-off for the drone’s compact size and portability. Keep in mind that flight times may vary depending on your flying style, with more aggressive maneuvers consuming more power and potentially reducing flight time.
Pusher Design and Maintenance
The drone uses a pusher design with props spinning from the underside, increasing efficiency and reducing its footprint. The drone’s vibration dampening system ensures jello free image quality, and its brushless motors (1303.5 at 5500 kv) provide enough power for a great flying experience.
One of the biggest selling points of the Cinelog 20 is its ease of maintenance. With only four screws on the bottom, accessing the DJI 03 and flight controller is much easier than competitor models like the Defender 25 and Cineon Z20, which requires removing several bolts and washers to access the internals. This makes it an ideal choice for beginners or those who want a low-maintenance drone.
Prop Guards: Room for Improvement
The prop guards on the Cinelog 20 appear to be a recycled design from older models and leave some room for improvement. They feel somewhat cheap and lack the sturdiness one might expect for such a high-quality drone. Despite this minor drawback, the prop guards are replaceable, requiring only the removal of the motor for repair or replacement. This makes it relatively easy to maintain the Cinelog 20 and ensures that you can quickly get your drone back in the air.
The DJI 03 Camera
The DJI 03 camera recording and transmission system is an all-in-one unit that provides Mavic-quality image capturing capabilities. The onboard camera is also mounted on a vibration dampener to ensure jello-free images. The drone’s range is potentially up to 10 kilometers, but the flight time is limited by the battery capacity.
The O3 Air Unit camera shoots 10-bit 4K video at up to 120fps, providing amazing video quality and flexibility in frame rates, color profiles, and stabilization. This tiny package saves weight and space, making it an ideal camera for the GEPRC CineLog 20.
You can read more about the DJI O3 Air Unit here: https://oscarliang.com/dji-o3-air-unit-fpv-goggles-2/
The Cinelog 20 offers great camera protection and adjustability, with a carbon fiber piece and TPU mount securing the DJI 03 camera. In contrast, in the CineOn from Axiflying, the camera is more exposed and has only one mounting point, making it more susceptible to damage and difficult to adjust.
Indoor and Outdoor Flight Experience and Durability
The Cinelog 20 excels at cinematic video capture – relaxed and slow cruising, in my opinion it’s not the best option for freestyle and acrobatics.
The Cinelog 20 excels in interior fly-throughs, offering a stable and versatile flight experience. It can handle slow, beautiful shots with DJI’s RockSteady 2.0, as well as faster, more aggressive flights. The 1080p FPV view provided by the O3 is also a significant improvement over the Caddx Vista, enhancing the overall flying experience in various environments.
The CINELOG 20 is mainly designed for indoor flying, it’s also possible to fly it outdoors, but it doesn’t handle strong wind as well as larger drones.
The frame has proven to be quite durable, however the prop guards are not the strongest and there have been multiple reports of damages in the ducts after crashes. It’s possible to repair it with some E6000 glue though.
With a 4S 650mAh battery, the flight time lasts between 4 to 6 minutes, depending on the flying style. The drone is not designed for extended flights; instead, its primary focus is on delivering an exceptional indoor flying experience. The compact size and performance capabilities make it an ideal choice for flying in tight spaces.
You can purchase the GEPRC Cinelog 20 at the following retailers:
- RDQ: https://oscarliang.com/product-9w73
- GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-cpgj
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dk81tbj
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/40CqBG0
Conclusion
The GepRC Cinelog 20 with the DJI 03 camera is a fantastic indoor FPV flying option. Its excellent image quality, smooth and stable flight performance, and user-friendly design make it a great choice for FPV pilots. Although the flight time is limited, if you’re looking for a smaller, more indoor-friendly option, the Cinelog 20 is worth considering. Also check out the Flywoo CineRace20, which has similar performance but longer flight time thanks to the more efficient motor and prop combo: https://oscarliang.com/flywoo-cinerace20-o3/
6 comments
Thanks for this review! Comparing Flywoo Cinerace and the Cinelog 20: Which one do you think is less noisy? looking for a really quiet cinewhoop with O3 …
THXS
Because both of these drones have similar weight and same propeller size, the motors will have similar RPM when generating the same thrust.
The main factor that impacts noise level in this case would be the duct design. I haven’t done a side by side comparison, but the cinelog 20 could be slightly quieter because the ducts are smaller. TBH I don’t think the noise level would be too different between them.
I love this drone – have it at home as well
Just wonder all the time about the current drawn while hovering – it gets always up to 14-16A with a 660mAh Battery.
It gets me 4 min flight time , but I’m always thinking it’s too much current for three little one.
What’s your experience?
I bought this having regrettably selling my cinelog 25. The frame is stronger but I broke one straight away with not a very hard landing on turf. It’s quite lively for a little thing. Not sure if the stock tune is great for indoor so put Justins from Drone Camps on. Now wondering if I should flash bluejay or not. I fly 530mah not naked gp and I’m only getting 3 minutes max gentle whooping around
Hello,
For outdoor and for some freestyle or acro, do you think it is a better choice thant the cinerace 20 ? I want a little cinewhoop but wit outdoor capability !
Thank you for all your very great review !
Best regards
I think the Cinerace is better for outdoor: it offers a whole minute of longer flight time and the included GPS module is also essential for outdoor flying in case of signal lost. The ducts are also stronger and more durable in the Cinerace.