The new DJI Neo is a lightweight (135 grams) compact drone that’s fully controllable without a remote, launches and lands on the palm, and is ideal for vloggers. The drone is on display at IFA 2024, currently taking place in Berlin.
The drone features AI subject tracking, QuickShots, and offers 4K ultra-stabilized video with a flight time of up to 18 minutes. It can be flown indoors or outside. Full-coverage propeller guards provide a safe experience when recording day-to-day adventures.
Press the drone’s mode button and select the desired shooting mode and Neo automatically does the rest without the need for a remote control. Snap 12MP stills with its 1/2-inch image sensor or using DJI’s powerful stabilization algorithms to produce 4K UHD stabilized videos straight out of the camera at 4K/30fps. Once done, the drone will return to your palm.
Neo’s AI algorithms have been created to follow the subject within the frame while you’re doing things like cycling, skateboarding, or hiking. Additional creativity can be achieved by taking advantage of Neo’s QuickShots, which has six intelligent shooting modes, offering a range of different recording angles.
In Dronie mode, the drone flies backward and ascends, with the camera locked on the subject, and records a video. Choose Circle to make the drone circle around the subject. With Rocket, the drone ascends with the camera pointing downward; while with Spotlight, the drone rotates while keeping the object of interest within the frame. Helix causes the drone to ascend and spiral around the subject. Finally, there’s Boomerang whereby the drone flies around the subject in an oval path, ascending as it flies away from its starting point and descending as it flies back. The aircraft’s 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.
While the DJI Neo has been designed to be operated without an additional remote control, you can also pair it with the DJI Fly app, remote controllers, RC Motion, DJI Goggles, and even voice operated. A Wi-Fi connection to smartphones enables Neo to be controlled using virtual joysticks on the DJI Fly app interface with a control range of up to 50 meters. The app also allows the tracking angle and distance to be set, giving extra freedom to shoot from afar or up close.
When combined with the DJI RC-N3, DJI Neo can achieve a maximum video transmission distance of 10 kilometres and offers the opportunity to flexibly operate the camera using traditional RC control sticks to capture professional level shots.
Additionally, DJI Neo can be paired with DJI Goggles 3, RC Motion 3, or FPV Remote Controller 3. When used with RC Motion 3, DJI Neo allows for one-press aerobatics, seamless indoor navigation, and can be maneuvered through tight spaces with ease.
DJI Neo is equipped with a single-axis mechanical gimbal and is capable of handling high-speed or flights with lots of maneuvers, as well as up to Level-4 wind conditions. 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, DJI Neo can hover steadily in the air, maintaining stability even in wind conditions up to Level 4. It also supports automatic Return to Home (RTH) for convenient, worry-free operation.
With 22GB internal storage, DJI Neo can save up to 40 minutes of 4K/30fps video or 55 minutes of 1080p/60fps video. Once saved, no extra data cables are needed to transfer the footage; connect it to a phone by Wi-Fi to quickly transfer footage to the DJI Fly app for post production and sharing.
Audio can also easily be recorded by connecting the DJI Neo to a smartphone. A tap of the audio record button on the DJI Fly app will start recording through the phone’s built-in microphone. For additional audio quality, the DJI Mic 2 can be used via a Bluetooth connection. The app automatically eliminates propeller noise and merges the audio track with the footage, ensuring clear sound even when shooting low-angle vlogs.
The DJI Fly app offers a selection of templates, sound and image effects, for quick and easy editing. Create and share videos efficiently without needing to download the footage to edit, saving storage space on the phone.
Connect the aircraft directly to a power source using a Type-C data cable for convenient charging. Additionally, DJI Neo’s Two-Way Charging Hub can charge three batteries simultaneously, increasing both charging speed and efficiency.