Former DJI engineers have made 'the world's first robotic extreme zoom camera' — it features a 50x zoom, AI tracking and can identify 300+ bird species

A team of former DJI engineers has developed the FarseerTech RocXZoom, claiming to be the world's first robotic extreme zoom camera. This innovative device features a 50x hybrid zoom, 20x optical zoom, and the ability to identify over 300 bird species using onboard AI.

The RocXZoom stands out from traditional cameras due to its robotic precision and the ability to solve issues commonly faced when taking photos at high zoom levels. Dual-stabilization technologies, combining an integrated gimbal and electronic image stabilization, ensure that the camera remains stable even when capturing challenging long-distance shots, which are typically notoriously difficult to stabilize.

The camera is equipped with a 50x hybrid zoom, 20x optical zoom, and a 40mm-2000mm equivalent reach, providing users with extreme zoom capabilities. Additionally, it offers human and object detection, making it ideal for various applications such as birding, wildlife observation, outdoor activities, and capturing distant action moments.

Despite some trade-offs in image quality due to the camera's compact sensor and lens range (f/1.8 to f/3.9), the RocXZoom promises to deliver stable, trackable, and controlled images even when subjects are moving or the user is moving. The camera's potential to transform extreme zoom photography has been demonstrated at CES 2026, lending credibility to the project.

The product is currently raising funds on Kickstarter, having surpassed its initial goal by more than 25 times. With 350 backers already contributing, the campaign will remain open until September 28. The earliest pricing tier for the camera is $499, equivalent to approximately £370 or AU$700.