On September 5, 2024, DJI, the leading drone manufacturer based in China, once again impressed the tech community with the launch of their latest FPV drone, the NEO. This new addition to DJI’s lineup is the lightest and most compact drone to date. It has an elegant design, which allows the pilot to fly it using their palm. Despite its small size, the NEO is packed with features and offers multiple controller options. DJI has made several bold claims about this drone, and in this article, we’ll break down what the NEO has to offer.
Table of Contents
DJI NEO
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 135 g |
| Camera Sensor: | 1/2-inch image sensor |
| Stills: | 12 MP resolution |
| Video Resolution: | Up to 4K/30fps with RockSteady/HorizonBalancing stabilization 1080p/60fps for smoother action shots |
| Stabilization: | Single-axis mechanical gimbal RockSteady and HorizonBalancing for shake reduction and horizon tilt correction within ±45° |
| Flight Time: | 18 minutes of flight per charge Can perform over 20 excursions to and from the user’s palm |
| Wind Resistance: | Level-4 (up to 28 km/h) |
| Shooting Modes: | 6 intelligent modes for dynamic shots |
| Max Control Distance: | 50 meters via Wi-Fi with virtual joysticks through the DJI Fly app 10 km when paired with the DJI RC-N3, RC Motion 3, or FPV Remote Controller 3 |
| Transmission Distance: | Up to 10 km when paired with DJI RC-N3 or FPV Remote Controller 3 |
| Flight Control: | Controller-free operation via palm takeoff/landing Voice control through the DJI Fly app (“Hey Fly”) App support for virtual joystick control Optional remote controller or immersive control with DJI Goggles 3 |
| Storage: | 40 minutes of 4K/30fps video 55 minutes of 1080p/60fps video |
| Audio Recording: | Via DJI Mic 2 when connected via Bluetooth Through phone’s built-in microphone Noise reduction of propeller sounds during low-altitude vlogs |
| Connectivity: | Wi-Fi connection to smartphones for virtual joystick control Quick footage transfer to the DJI Fly app via Wi-Fi |
| Charging: | Type-C direct charging Two-way charging hub for three batteries at once |
| Additional Features: | Return to Home (RTH) and Failsafe RTH Infrared and monocular vision positioning system for stable hover Glamour Effects for beautifying video footage in post-production FPV and motion control when paired with DJI Goggles 3 and RC Motion 3 |
Palm-Controlled Simplicity
The DJI Neo distinguishes itself with its unique ability to take off and land right from the palm of your hand. All it takes is pressing the mode button, selecting your shooting preference, and letting the drone do the rest. This feature makes the DJI Neo highly versatile, which makes it easy to set it up as it does not pose any challenges. No matter you ride a bicycle, skateboard or hiking, by employing the AI algorithm, the subject being followed remains in frame and ready for a smooth follow shot.
With six intelligent shooting modes, DJI Neo adds dynamic angles to elevate your footage, allowing you to capture every moment in style. Its compact design also supports a variety of devices, including the DJI Fly app, remote controllers, RC Motion, and DJI Goggles, offering you increased flight and camera control.
Voice Control and Seamless Connectivity
A standout feature of the DJI Neo is its voice control. By saying, “Hey Fly,” you can wake up the DJI Fly app and pilot the drone using simple spoken commands. The drone’s connection to your smartphone via Wi-Fi eliminates the need for an additional remote controller. You can use the virtual joysticks on the app to control DJI Neo within a range of 50 meters, giving you plenty of flexibility for everyday use.
For those looking for more advanced control, pairing the drone with the DJI RC-N3 remote controller increases the control range to a remarkable 10 kilometers. Whether the basic RC control sticks or smart operational system through DJI’s applications, DJI Neo is flexible to your operations. Also, the drone easily merged with DJI Goggles 3 and RC Motion 3 to provide a fully immersive flying experience especially when I had to fly close to the walls or tight spaces.
Impressive Camera and Stabilization
DJI Neo is very portable and its small form factor does not in any way affect the picture quality. It has a 1/2-inch image sensor which is capable of capturing 12 MP still image and 4K Ultra High Definition video. Stabilized by DJI’s powerful RockSteady and HorizonBalancing algorithms, your footage remains smooth and stable, even during high-speed or large-amplitude flights.
Effectively supporting 4K/30fps and 1080p/60fps and more, implementing the high bit rate to acquire precise detail with sharp contrast between highlight and shadow areas of the footage. The single-axis mechanical gimbal significantly reduces image shake and corrects horizon tilt by up to ±45°, making the drone ideal for capturing cinematic scenes in any environment.
Extended Recording and Efficient Charging
The DJI Neo can store up to 40 minutes of 4K video or 55 minutes of 1080p video, allowing you to capture extensive footage on a single flight. In terms of battery life, the drone offers an 18-minute flight time, which is impressive given its size. For those needing more airtime, the Two-Way Charging Hub enables you to charge up to three batteries simultaneously, ensuring you’re always ready to take flight.
In addition, the footage taken by the drone can be directly sent to your Smartphone through WIFI, thus making the task of sharing the footage more easier. Forget about long cables to transfer your data, just in a blink and boom, your data is transferred to DJI Fly app.
Enhance Your Footage with DJI Fly App
The DJI Fly app provides the user with a vast number of templates and sound effects to make the work with the footage as simple as possible. It also brings out the glamor that most people crave for in their videos or even apply the cinematic filters to make it look like a professional piece of work. DJI Neo’s AI also assists when it comes to sound control by removing propeller noise in low flying videos on vlogs.
Stability, Safety, and Return to Home (RTH)
Equipped with an infrared and monocular vision positioning system, DJI Neo hovers steadily, even in Level-4 wind conditions (up to 28 km/h). This leads to a steady, non shaky view despite the condition under which the scene is being shot. Further, the drone is self-equipped with the Return to Home (RTH) feature meaning it does not get lost when in this mode. Whether you launch Neo using the palm takeoff feature, the mobile app control, or through a remote controller, the drone will go back to the launching point as soon as its mission is done.
Perfect for Novices and Pros Alike
The DJI Neo is equipped with an intelligent flight battery and sport propeller guards among other basic accessories, which makes it suitable for beginners in drones industry. For the intermediate and advance users, the DJI Neo Fly More Combo offer the aircraft, RC-N3 remote controller, 3 batteries and two- way charging hub for flight and excellent control.
Immersive FPV Experience
Unlock DJI Neo’s true potential by pairing it with DJI Goggles 3 and RC Motion 3 for an immersive first-person view (FPV) flying experience. Whether indoors or outdoors, DJI Neo’s agility allows it to maneuver through tight spaces, giving you a thrilling and seamless flight adventure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, all of the features and specifications mentioned are DJI’s claims about the capabilities of the DJI Neo. Since the drone is yet to be widely tested by users, we cannot fully verify the accuracy of these claims. The real test of its performance will come after at least a week of user experience following its launch. Our Drone Vortex team is currently using the DJI Neo, and we’ll soon provide a detailed review, assessing whether it lives up to DJI’s promises. Stay tuned for our in-depth analysis!
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