DJI, the global leader in drone technology, has recently unveiled its latest innovation: the DJI Neo, the lightest and most compact drone in the company’s lineup. Weighing a mere 135 grams (4.76 ounces), the Neo is a featherweight device designed for the modern vlogger and casual user, aiming to make aerial photography and videography more accessible than ever before. With a price tag of just $199, the DJI Neo is positioned as an entry-level drone, yet it offers a plethora of features that promise to elevate everyday moments into cinematic experiences.
Lightweight Design and Portability
The DJI Neo’s standout feature is undoubtedly its compact and lightweight design. At just 135 grams, it’s lighter than most smartphones and can easily be carried in a pocket or small bag. This ultra-lightweight build not only makes the drone portable but also user-friendly, especially for beginners. The drone is designed to take off and land directly from your palm, eliminating the need for a remote controller. This intuitive approach means users can start capturing stunning visuals with minimal setup, making it perfect for spontaneous shoots during travel, family gatherings, or even indoor activities.
Advanced Imaging Capabilities
Despite its small size, the DJI Neo does not compromise on imaging quality. It is equipped with a Type 1/2 (6.4 x 4.8mm) sensor capable of capturing 12MP still images. The drone also supports 4K video recording at 30 frames per second, ensuring that your footage is crisp and detailed. For those who prefer a smoother frame rate, the Neo can shoot at 1080p with up to 60 frames per second. The camera is paired with a 14mm full-frame equivalent F2.8 lens, providing a wide field of view that is ideal for capturing landscapes and group shots.
What sets the Neo apart from other entry-level drones is its advanced stabilization features. The drone includes RockSteady and HorizonBalancing technologies, which work together to stabilize footage even in moderately windy conditions. These features, combined with a physical single-axis gimbal, ensure that your videos are smooth and steady, free from the jitteriness that often plagues drone footage. However, it’s worth noting that enabling these stabilization modes changes the video aspect ratio from 4:3 to 16:9.
User-Friendly Controls and Features
The DJI Neo is designed with simplicity in mind, making it an excellent choice for beginners or those who want to capture content quickly without a steep learning curve. The drone can be controlled through an app on your smartphone, which offers virtual joysticks and voice commands for easy maneuvering. This app also serves as the hub for previewing footage, exporting videos to social media, and even recording audio using your phone’s microphone.
One of the Neo’s most innovative features is its AI-powered subject tracking. This allows the drone to automatically follow the user, keeping them in the center of the frame even when moving quickly, such as on a skateboard or bicycle. This makes the Neo an ideal companion for action-packed vlogs or outdoor adventures. Additionally, the Neo includes a feature known as ‘QuickShots,’ which automates certain camera movements, such as circling around the subject or zooming out to reveal the surrounding environment. These pre-programmed shots add a professional touch to your videos with minimal effort.
For those who prefer more traditional controls, DJI offers an optional physical controller. However, it’s important to note that the Neo is not designed to compete with DJI’s more advanced drones like the Mavic or Mini series. The Neo has a maximum range of 50 meters (164 feet), making it suitable for close-up shots and personal use rather than professional-grade videography.
Indoor and Outdoor Versatility
The DJI Neo is versatile enough to be used both indoors and outdoors. Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to navigate through tight spaces, while removable propeller guards provide additional safety during indoor flights. However, using the propeller guards does slightly reduce the drone’s flight time, which is already capped at 18 minutes on a full charge. While this may seem limited, the Neo is designed for quick, on-the-go shooting rather than extended flights.
Potential Regulatory Challenges
While the DJI Neo seems poised to be a hit among consumers, there are potential challenges on the horizon, particularly in the United States. The U.S. Congress is currently considering the ‘Countering CCP Drones Act,’ which could lead to a ban on DJI products. The proposed legislation aims to restrict the use of telecommunications and video surveillance equipment made by DJI, citing national security concerns. Although DJI has responded to these accusations, the future of its products in the U.S. market remains uncertain. This could impact the availability and legality of the Neo in the country, making it a potential gamble for American buyers.
Conclusion
The DJI Neo represents a significant step forward in making drone technology more accessible to the average consumer. Its lightweight design, advanced imaging capabilities, and user-friendly controls make it an attractive option for vloggers, casual photographers, and anyone looking to capture everyday moments from a new perspective. Priced at $199, the Neo offers a lot of value for its cost, providing features that were once reserved for more expensive models. However, potential buyers, especially in the U.S., should stay informed about the regulatory landscape that could affect the availability of DJI products. Overall, the DJI Neo is a promising addition to the world of consumer drones, combining portability, ease of use, and impressive imaging in a tiny, affordable package.
Press Release
DJI Makes Everyday Life Recording Fun and Easy with New Personal, Palm-Sized Videographer
New DJI Neo is light, compact, and makes capturing cinematic photos and videos effortless
DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and innovative camera technology, today announces the DJI Neo, a new personal lightweight and compact aerial videographer for taking cinematic footage of day-to-day adventures or having fun with friends. Weighing less than 5 ounces (135g), Neo can take off and land from the palm of the hand1. It can be flown indoors or outside for a flight time of up to 18 minutes1 and takes 4K ultra-stabilized videos via QuickShots. The propellers are fully enclosed to ensure the safety of users and their surroundings.
“At DJI we are always studying everyday camera use so that we can help people capture their videos and photos in the most convenient way possible. The DJI Neo strives to give people the latest tech in the smallest form factor so that they can capture their daily lives, saved as treasured memories, safely and with ease,” said Ferdinand Wolf, Creative Director at DJI.
Into the Air at the Press of a Button
By simply pressing the mode button and selecting the desired shooting mode, Neo will automatically snap 12MP stills with its 1/2-inch image sensor or produce 4K UHD stabilized videos at 4K/30fps1 using DJI’s powerful stabilization algorithms. Upon completion, Neo will return to the user’s palm.
Tell Your Story with QuickShots
Neo’s AI algorithms have been created to keep the subject within frame. Whether cycling, skateboarding or hiking, captivating shots can be created with ease. Additional creativity can be achieved by taking advantage of Neo’s QuickShots, which has six intelligent shooting modes1, offering a range of different recording angles.
Expanse: Videographer flies backward and ascends, with the camera locked on the subject, and records a video.
Circle: Videographer circles around the subject.
Rocket: Videographer ascends with the camera pointing downward.
Spotlight: Videographer rotates while keeping the object of interest within the frame
Helix: Videographer ascends and spirals around the subject.
Boomerang: Videographer flies around the subject in an oval path, ascending as it flies away from its starting point and descending as it flies back. Its starting point forms one end of the oval’s long axis, while the other end is at the subject’s opposite side from the starting point.
Control It Your Way
Neo has been designed to fly with style and capture hassle-free photos and videos. It can be piloted using one-button QuickShots or voice control1 which is enabled with the “Hey Fly” command. With a Wi-Fi connection, Neo can also be controlled using the DJI Fly app’s virtual joysticks on the app’s interface with a control range of up to 50 meters1. Within the app, the perspective and distance can be set, giving extra freedom to shoot from afar or up close.
Stabilization as Standard
Neo is equipped with a single-axis mechanical gimbal and is capable of handling high-speeds or flights with lots of maneuvers. When combined with RockSteady or HorizonBalancing stabilization, overall image shake is significantly reduced and horizon tilt is corrected within ±45°1, for smooth and stable footage that maintains clarity in both highlight and shadow areas. Using an infrared and monocular vision positioning system, Neo can hover steadily in the air, maintaining stability even in Level 4 wind conditions. It also supports automatic Return to Home (RTH) for convenient, worry-free operation.
Transfer Content and Record Sound Wirelessly
Using the DJI Fly app, phones and videos captured with Neo can be transferred instantly via high-speed QuickTransfer. This wireless transfer makes post production and sharing smoother. The DJI Fly app offers a vast selection of templates, sound effects, and image effects, for quick and easy editing.
Audio can also easily be recorded wirelessly with the simple tap of a button on the DJI Fly app, either through the smartphone’s built-in microphone or DJI Mic 2 via Bluetooth for even higher audio quality. The app automatically eliminates propeller noise and merges the audio track with the footage, ensuring a clear sound even when shooting low-angle vlogs.
For convenient charging, connect Neo directly to a power source using a Type-C data cable. Additionally, the Two-Way Charging Hub can charge three batteries simultaneously1, increasing both charging speed and efficiency.
Price and Availability
The DJI Neo is available for pre-order from store.dji.com and authorized retail partners, in the following configurations:
DJI Neo: 199 USD
DJI Neo Combo: 289 USD
Neo Debuts at IFA, 6-10 September, 2024
Be among the first to experience the groundbreaking DJI Neo at this year’s IFA, Germany. Visitors can try it out at DJI’s booth (Hall 17-110) from 6th-10th September.
DJI Care Refresh
DJI Care Refresh, the comprehensive protection plan for DJI products, is now available for DJI Neo. The replacement service covers accidental damage, including flyaway, collisions and water damage. For a small additional charge, you can have your damaged product replaced if an accident occurs.
DJI Care Refresh (1-Year Plan) includes up to two replacements in one year. DJI Care Refresh (2-Year Plan) includes up to four replacements in two years. Other services of DJI Care Refresh include official Warranty and free shipping. For a full list of details, please visit: https://www.dji.com/support/service/djicare-refresh.
1All data was measured using a production model of DJI Neo in a controlled environment.
1For more information, please refer to https://www.dji.com/neo.
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