M10 Will Be Available August 15, Followed by Q4 Launch for Smaller M5

After its buzz-tastic debut at NAB in April, the MoVI M10 camera stabilizer is slated to begin shipping to customers August 15. The $14,995 system will be going out "on a first-come-first-served basis to customers who have pre-ordered units" by putting down a $2500 deposit, Freefly Systems said, suggesting that latecomers will have to wait an undetermined time before their units will be ready.

The company said the camera stabilizer has been improved since it appeared at NAB, with the camera tray geing broadened to better accommodate larger camera systems, the ability to hold up to 12 pounds rather than just 10, and a new feature allowing the camera to be adjusted and balanced "largely without tools."

Freefly also set a fourth-quarter shipdate for its forthcoming $4995 MoVI M5 rig, which is designed to accommodate DSLR-style cameras weighing up to five pounds, including the Canon 5D series, the Panasonic GH2 and GH3, the Nikon D800, and the Sony A99. A $500 deposit is required to claim a spot in line for that system.

Freefly has also suggested a larger version is in development to carry a much heavier camera package, but there was no word on that product in today's announcement.

Freefly MoVI Store: www.movirig.com