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Originally Posted On: https://drdrone.ca/blogs/drone-news-drone-help-blog/dji-neo-release
DJI Neo: A New Era in Drone Technology
DrDrone’s Verdict
The DJI Neo is a revolutionary drone that is set to democratize aerial photography and videography. Weighing in at just 135 grams, this ultra-lightweight and portable drone is perfect for content creators, beginners, and anyone looking to capture stunning footage from the sky. With its advanced AI algorithms, QuickShots modes, and incredible image quality, the Neo is an unbeatable choice for vlogging and aerial photography.
Despite its small size, the Neo packs a punch, offering features like 4K ultra-stabilized video, 12MP stills, and robust stabilization. Its AI subject tracking capabilities make it easy to film moving objects and people, while its intuitive flight features and multiple control methods make it accessible to pilots of all levels.
With its affordable price point, the Neo opens up the world of drones to a whole new segment of users. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, the Neo offers an unbeatable combination of portability, ease of use, and features that make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to take their aerial content to the next level.
Pros:
- Ultra-portable and lightweight: Weighing only 135g, the DJI Neo is easy to take anywhere.
- Affordable: Priced lower than many other drones on the market, making it accessible to a wider range of users.
- Advanced features: Includes AI subject tracking, QuickShots modes, and 4K stabilized video.
- Easy to use: Intuitive flight features and multiple control methods make it accessible to pilots of all levels.
- Long flight time: Up to 18 minutes of flight time, giving you plenty of time to capture the perfect shot.
Cons:
- No obstacle avoidance: Requires careful flying to avoid collisions, however propeller guards are included.
- Limited internal storage: 22GB may not be enough storage if regular backups are not taken.
- Limited advanced features: Compared to higher-end drones, the Neo may lack some advanced features.
About the Author
With every new release, DJI drones have been getting smaller and more advanced. The DJI Mini series has been particularly acclaimed for being affordable, portable, and easy to use. With the release of the DJI Neo, the company has truly outdone itself. Almost half the size of the DJI Mini 4 Pro and at a fraction of the cost, the DJI Neo is DJI’s smallest, lightest, and least expensive drone ever. No longer is drone flying restricted to enthusiasts–now anyone can experience the pleasure of capturing breathtaking footage from the sky.
The DJI Neo drone stands out in many ways. Firstly, it’s only 135 grams, making it ultra-light and portable. It can be controlled in a number of ways, from voice commands to the immersive DJI Goggles 3. The drone uses advanced AI algorithms to track subjects while the QuickShots modes automatically send the aircraft flying in a series of acrobatic maneuvers. With incredible image quality and 4K ultra-stabilized video, the Neo is the ultimate vlog drone for content creators.
So small it can take off from your palm
In addition to being affordable, the second biggest selling point of the DJI Neo is its size. At only 135 grams, the drone is the lightest and most portable drone DJI has ever created. It’s small enough to take off from your palm, literally–that’s what it was designed for. To launch the drone, all you have to do is select your desired shooting mode and watch as the Neo does the rest, no remote control required. Once the drone has finished flying, it can return to the palm of your hand as you jet off to your next adventure. Just make sure to keep your palm flat and never grab it out of the air while it’s flying.
Let QuickShots take the lead
It wouldn’t be much of a vlog drone without QuickShots, the popular feature we’ve grown to love from many DJI drones. QuickShots gives pilots of all skill levels the ability to capture cinematic shots with the click of a button. The DJI Neo drone includes the same six intelligent shooting modes that drone users have fallen in love with: Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix, and Boomerang. Each setting causes the Neo to fly in a different predetermined motion, recording the action in a short, crisp video just waiting to be blasted on every social media channel.
Incredible imagery and video recording
While the DJI Neo isn’t in the same league of visual quality as powerhouse drones like the Mavic 3 Pro or the Air 3, it packs quite a punch for its small size. The Neo uses a ½-inch image sensor to capture 12MP stills, giving you smartphone-quality pictures from the sky. It also supports multiple resolutions and frame rates for video recording, giving you greater control over how you record. The overall video quality is pretty stellar, as the drone can record 4K Ultra HD video at up to 30 fps while keeping the clarity consistent throughout both highlights and shadows.
One great aspect of the Neo’s visual quality is its robust stabilization features. It’s tough to prevent blurred images when shooting from something that’s flying through the sky, but the DJI Neo is designed with a single-axis mechanical gimbal to keep things stable during high-speed flights. The drone also uses RockSteady and HorizonBalancing stabilization to reduce image shakes and correct horizon tilt within ±45°. Together, these three features keep the footage smooth and stable in up to Level-4 wind conditions.
AI subject tracking keeps things centered
Another feature that makes the Neo a standout vlog drone is the way it excels at subject tracking. The Neo uses AI algorithms to keep subjects within the frame, making it easier to film moving objects and people. Whether you’re skiing down a mountain or hiking through the woods, the Neo will keep pace with your every move. Before the drone takes off, you can set up DirectionTrack to keep the drone flying in one direction or use Smart Tracking to have it follow the object of your choosing. This makes it easier to focus on flying the drone while the Neo takes care of filming.
Choose your method of control
Now that we’ve spoken about the Neo’s recording features, let’s talk about how it flies. The DJI Neo does not require a remote control, but it includes the option to use one if you prefer. One of the unique perks of the drone is that it can actually be controlled several different ways depending on your style.
The DJI Fly app offers two control methods: Voice Control and Joystick Control. If you prefer an entirely hands-free flight, you can use the words “Hey Fly” to activate the DJI Fly app and enable voice control. You can then pilot the Neo using spoken flight commands. If you prefer something more hands-on, then you can use the DJI Fly app to control the Neo via virtual joysticks on your smartphone. The app allows you to fly the drone as far as 50 meters while setting your preferred tracking angle and distance.
For pilots who prefer finer control over the DJI Neo, you can pilot the drone with the DJI RC-N3. The RC-N3 remote controller greatly extends the Neo’s maximum video transmission distance to up to 10 kilometers. The control sticks on the RC-N3 allow for more dexterous control of the camera, perfect for capturing more professional-level shots.
Pilots who want the highest level of control over the Neo can use one or a combination of DJI’s immersive motion control methods: DJI Goggles 3, RC Motion 3, or FPV Remote Controller 3. The RC Motion 3 is a joystick that can help you deftly navigate tight spaces or indoor environments, while the FPV Remote Controller 3 is a two-handed controller that is perfect for handling more sophisticated maneuvers. Both controllers are compatible with the DJI Goggles 3, which give you an immersive view of what the drone sees in the air. Whatever immersive control method you prefer, you can rely on stable video transmission for distances up to 10 kilometers.
Intuitive flight features
In addition to being easy to control, the DJI Neo is designed to make flying as stress-free as possible. It’s built to withstand pressure, with an infrared and monocular visioning positioning system that lets it hover steadily in the air even in Level-4 wind conditions. The drone also packs a flight time of 18 minutes, giving you plenty of time to film and explore the skies. Best of all, the Neo is quick and easy to charge, with a port that connects the drone directly to a power source using a Type-C data cable. That way you can charge the drone up in your car or external charger before sending it up for another run.
When the flight is done, the Neo will quickly and easily fly back to the starting point. When using the DJI Fly app to pilot the aircraft, the drone will automatically return to the takeoff point once its course is finished. If you’re using the RC-N3 or one of the immersive control methods, then the Neo relies on Return to Home (RTH) and Failsafe RTH that bring the drone soaring back to the starting point. This is a great feature to keep the drone from getting damaged in the event the signal is lost.
The full-coverage propeller guards provide some measure of protection to the drone. One thing to note, however, is that the DJI Neo does not have any obstacle-avoidance features. Therefore it’s a good idea to fly within a visual line of sight at all times, unless you’re an experienced pilot using one of the remote controller methods.
The ultimate vlog drone for content creation
The DJI Neo has a few features that make it especially easy to record, transfer, and edit content. If you link the Neo with the DJI Fly app, then you can record audio through your smartphone or through DJI Mic 2, which you can connect via Bluetooth. That way you can pair the footage from the sky with a voiceover on the ground, adding a narrative feel to the footage. You can also use the DJI Fly app to automatically get rid of propeller noise or merge certain audio tracks with the footage during the editing process.
Despite its small size, the drone boasts an internal storage capacity of 22GB. That’s enough to store up to 40 minutes of 4K/30fps video or 55 minutes of 1080p/60fps video. With such a large internal capacity, you can manage multiple flights before needing to transfer the video out of the drone. When you are ready to transfer video, the Neo allows for a high-speed, cable-free transfer via QuickTransfer. All you have to do is connect your smartphone to the vlog drone using the DJI Fly app, then wirelessly transfer the footage out of the drone and onto the app.
The DJI Fly app is the one-stop shop for editing drone footage. It comes with a host of templates and sound effects to help you turn dry footage into a cinematic masterpiece, and there’s even a selection of Glamour Effects to elevate your look and brush out any imperfections before you post. When you’re ready to share the video online, you can do so straight from the app, eliminating the need to take up your phone’s storage space.
Upgrade the DJI Neo with optional accessories
The Neo on its own is a pretty impressive vlog drone. With nothing but the drone and the DJI Fly app, you can capture a range of cinematic videos for a fraction of the price of most other drones. The standard DJI Neo package comes with the aircraft itself, one intelligent flight battery, propeller guards, and the usual charging cables and such. Truthfully, you don’t need much more than that to get the bulk of what the Neo has to offer. It’s designed to be a small, affordable vlog drone for even the most inexperienced pilots, and it definitely succeeds.
If you do want to get a little more out of the Neo, however, there’s definitely additional features to be mined. The DJI Neo Fly More Combo comes with an extra RC-N3 remote controller, two more intelligent flight batteries, and a two-way charging hub. The RC-N3 gives you greater control over piloting the aircraft, which can help you perform creative maneuvers and capture more polished videos. The extra batteries and two-way charging hub greatly extend your flight time, allowing you to keep the drone in the sky much longer and increasing your chances of grabbing the perfect shot in one mission.
In addition to the two main packages, you can unlock an immersive, first-person view experience by pairing the Neo with the DJI Goggles 3 and either the RC Motion 3 or FPV Remote Controller 3. While these extra accessories will increase the cost, they’ll also give you greater control over the Neo and can be useful for more professional photographers.
Is the DJI Neo worth the hype?
Truth be told, a lot more people would be flying drones if the price point was lower. The great thing the Neo does is open up the world of drones to a whole new segment of users. You don’t have to invest a huge chunk of cash to fly the Neo–it’s affordable enough to take a chance on even if you’ve never flown a drone in your life. It contains enough bells and whistles to equip even the most amateur photographer with the tools they need to create a truly eye-popping video. Plus it comes with enough control options to satisfy pilots of all levels of experience.
If you’re looking for a vlog drone, you can’t do much better than the Neo. The Mini 4 Pro may have more a few more advanced features, but there’s nothing that beats the low price point of the Neo.
