iFlight Centurion X8 Review – A New Benchmark for Professional Cinelifters

The iFlight Centurion X8 is one of the most serious production-grade cinelifters available today. Co-developed with 2RAW and paired with DJI’s O4 Pro digital system, this X8 platform is built for real cinematography work—car chases, action commercials, dynamic aerial scenes, and any situation where a cinema camera needs to move fast and stay stable.

In this review, we’ll break down the engineering behind the Centurion X8, how it handles real-world payloads, what makes the design unique, and what kind of power setup it requires to perform safely and consistently on set.

What Is the iFlight Centurion X8 and Who Is It For?

The Centurion X8 is not a freestyle rig, and it’s not a beginner drone. This machine sits squarely in the professional cinematography category. With eight XING2 2812 motors arranged in an X8 configuration, reinforced truss arms, and a rigid central structure, it’s designed to carry serious payloads—up to 3 kg of camera equipment.

If your workflow involves cameras like Blackmagic, RED Komodo, Z CAM, or heavy lens configurations, the Centurion X8 is built to move that weight with precision and stability.

Engineering Breakdown: Why the X8 Structure Matters for Cinema Work

The X8 configuration isn’t just about brute force. The coaxial motor layout produces smoother vertical authority, improved torque response, and more consistent performance in windy or turbulent conditions—something single-layer quads struggle with when carrying a cinema payload.

iFlight’s truss-style arms add rigidity without unnecessary weight, reducing flex under load. Less flex means fewer oscillations and cleaner footage, especially when flying aggressive lines or shooting close-range tracking shots.

Thunder H743 + 80A 8-in-1 ESC

The Centurion’s electronics stack is built for punishment. The 2RAW Thunder H743 flight controller paired with the Thunder 80A 8-in-1 ESC brings ultra-clean filtering and quick processing. In practice, that means fewer mid-throttle wobbles and better attitude control when you’re pushing the drone hard with a 2–3 kg camera package underneath.

AeroShell Cooling System

One of the standout features is the AeroShell. Designed with airflow modeling support from engineering research teams, the shell channels airflow through the intakes, across the ESC, and out the rear exhaust ports. This keeps temps stable, even during long takes or repeated high-amperage bursts.

Camera Mount & Payload Stability: Built for Real Cinema Cameras

The 7075 aluminum adjustable mount (10°–50°) is one of the most polished designs on any FPV cinelifter. It lifts the camera high enough to eliminate props from view while maintaining structural support across both horizontal and vertical axes.

This dual-axis reinforcement is crucial—the heavier the camera, the more visible the resonance can become. The Centurion’s mount significantly reduces these vibrations, making it easier to capture smooth footage without relying heavily on post-stabilization.

DJI O4 Pro Integration: Cleaner, Sharper, Longer-Range Monitoring

The jump from O3 to O4 matters for professional workflows. DJI’s O4 Pro brings:

• 1080p/100fps transmission
• Improved penetration and longer range
• RockSteady 3.0+ support
• Up to 15 km (FCC) transmission when paired with Goggles 3

For directors and camera operators, this means clearer monitoring, less signal dropout, and a more predictable experience during complex shots.

Flight Performance: Real-World Hover, Cruise, and Heavy-Lift Behavior

iFlight lists a 6-minute hover time on a 6S 5600mAh battery (no payload). With a cinema camera onboard, flight time will naturally decrease, but the Centurion remains surprisingly stable under load. The torque from the dual-motor arms gives it excellent control authority even when flying fast or changing directions aggressively.

It’s a big drone with big inertia, but the tuning is mature. Once armed, it feels predictable—exactly what you want when flying with thousands of dollars of camera gear.

Flight Performance: Real-World Test in Mountain Terrain

During the field test, the Centurion X8 was flown in a challenging mountain environment with tall cliffs and deep valleys—an ideal scenario to reveal how well the drone handles GPS acquisition, power delivery, and overall stability. Despite the limited sky visibility, the drone locked satellites surprisingly quickly, matching the performance of other high-end iFlight builds the pilot has flown.

In the actual climb test, the X8 maintained steady upward acceleration at around 33–40% throttle while drawing roughly 16A in a light-load configuration. The pilot noted that the motors felt smooth rather than aggressive, giving the machine a very controlled and predictable feel, which is essential for cinema work.

The frame stiffness and the aerodynamic shell were highlighted as major advantages. The AeroShell not only shields wiring and electronics but channels airflow across the ESCs and top plate. Even during faster dives and punch-outs, the drone held its line without visible oscillations, which speaks to the structural rigidity of the X8 coaxial layout.

One of the pilot’s favorite features was the quick-release battery tray. With a simple push of the two side latches, the battery plate slides out in seconds—significantly faster than the strap-based systems commonly used on other heavy-lift frames. The only complaint during setup was the lack of a quick-release solution for the cinema camera itself, as the stock system requires removing two screws on the side.

In the final impressions, the pilot described the Centurion X8 as not just an update but a true upgrade over older cine-rigs like the TBS Thicc. The eight-motor coaxial configuration provides more authority, better stability, and easier tuning, making the aircraft feel more polished overall.

What Real Pilots Are Saying

The Centurion X8 has generated a strong reaction within the FPV community, with many pilots commenting on its design, flight characteristics, and value. One viewer mentioned purchasing the drone immediately after watching the review when iFlight briefly dropped the price to around $1,600—calling it a “hell of a deal” before it sold out.

Several experienced pilots praised how well the recommended Gemfan 8046 and 8060 props perform on the platform, with one user noting that the frame can even accommodate 8.5-inch propellers. The reviewer agreed, highlighting that the X8’s coaxial configuration distributes loads cleanly and makes the drone easier to tune compared to older cine-rigs like the Thicc.

A frequent question in the comments was whether the Komodo footage had been stabilized in post. The pilot confirmed that no stabilization tools—such as Gyroflow—were used. Viewers replied that they saw no noticeable vibrations in the footage, which reinforces the strong rigidity of the frame and the quality of the stock tune.

Another common topic was whether the Centurion X8 is suitable as a first cinelifter. Pilots with two or more years of FPV experience shared that the X8 provides almost everything needed in a professional heavy-lift quad, and that building a similar setup from scratch would likely cost more than buying the BNF.

Several practical suggestions also surfaced in the discussion. One user recommended the Falcam F50 as an excellent quick-release system for cinema cameras—pairing well with the X8’s built-in quick-release battery tray. Regarding flight mode, the pilot confirmed that he always flies the X8 in acro mode, underscoring that this drone is designed for confident FPV flyers rather than beginners.

Choosing the Right Battery Setup for the Centurion X8 (Practical Guide)

A power-hungry X8 requires a battery that can handle high burst current and sustained load without sag. Most pilots rely on 6S 5000–10000mAh packs depending on flight style and payload weight.

To simplify the process, we’ve put together a dedicated collection of 6S LiPo options that match the Centurion X8’s requirements. You can view all recommended packs here: iFlight Centurion X8 Battery Collection.

Lighter packs (5000–6000mAh) give more responsive controls for dynamic shots, while larger packs (9500–10000mAh) extend flight time for narrative or slow-movement cinematography.

Real-World Use Cases: Where the Centurion X8 Truly Shines

• Fast-paced car chase sequences
• Aerial action scenes requiring sudden acceleration
• Dynamic tracking shots of athletes, vehicles, or landscapes
• High-precision narrative cinematography with heavy setups
• Commercial production environments with repeated takes

Pros and Cons of the Centurion X8

Pros

• Extremely stable under 2–3 kg payloads
• AeroShell keeps electronics cool during long takes
• Rigid truss arms reduce vibration and resonance
• O4 Pro system gives clear, low-latency monitoring
• Quick-release battery system speeds up production

Cons

• Shorter flight time compared with lighter rigs
• Heavy batteries required for cinema payloads
• Not suited for beginners or casual flying
• Maintenance and setup complexity higher than standard FPV quads

FAQ for New Cinelifter Pilots

Is the iFlight Centurion X8 a good first cinelifter?

For pilots who have already flown 5–7 inch rigs, the Centurion X8 is considered a strong first step into cinelifters. The BNF version includes nearly everything required for professional aerial work, and building a comparable setup yourself would likely end up costing more.

Do I need to stabilize Komodo footage in post?

In real-world tests, the Komodo footage was not stabilized with Gyroflow or any other software. Even without post-processing, viewers reported clean footage with no visible vibration, thanks to the rigidity of the frame and the stability of the X8 motor configuration.

How does it compare to a cinewhoop or smaller cine-rig?

Several pilots noted that cinewhoops and compact platforms like the Proxima 6 tend to feel under-powered when carrying larger cinema cameras. The Centurion X8 occupies a different class entirely, offering far more thrust, stability, and tuning headroom for cameras such as the RED Komodo or Blackmagic setups.

Can it lift a RED Komodo or Blackmagic camera?

Yes. The X8 platform supports cinema payloads up to 3 kg, including Komodo, BMPCC rigs, and Z CAM builds.

How long is the real flight time with a camera?

Typical flight time ranges from 3.5 to 5 minutes depending on payload and battery capacity. Larger 9500–10000mAh packs extend endurance.

Is 6S enough for an X8 heavy-lift platform?

Yes. The Centurion is engineered around 6S electronics with high-efficiency 2812 motors designed to produce strong torque even at this voltage.

Which battery connector does the drone use?

Stock wiring uses XT90, but EC5 packs can also be used with the appropriate adapter.

The iFlight Centurion X8 is a modern, well-engineered cinelifter that fills the gap between lightweight FPV rigs and larger industrial drones. If you’re shooting real cinema work and need a stable, predictable, heavy-lift platform, this X8 delivers the performance that professional pilots expect.