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DJI Neo First Look Review

DJI drones are among the most popular in the industry for aerial content creators who value the convenience of easy-to-use intelligent features alongside the exhilaration of piloting an aircraft in open skies.

BEST Beginner Drone? | DJI Neo Drone Video Review

The launch of the DJI Neo drone is an exciting addition to DJI's lineup, being the smallest and lightest drone they’ve ever produced. Designed with vloggers, beginners, and on-the-go creators in mind, it combines portability with user-friendly features. Our DJI Neo First Look Review explores this new drone, which even offers the ability to capture content without a physical controller.

Read on to discover whether this is the ideal choice for your aerial content, where the Neo and Neo Combo fit into the lineup, and the level of content you can create with this ultra-portable aircraft.

How much is DJI Neo and the DJI Neo Fly More Combo?

With a price of just £169.00 DJI Neo is incredibly budget-friendly for beginners and more experienced aerial content creators. Opting for the DJI Neo Fly More Combo increases the price to £299.00, which adds two additional Flight batteries, a Two-Way Charging Hub and DJI RC-N3 controller.

Key Features for Aerial Content Creation

DJI has designed the Neo to be lightweight and incredibly easy to use for capturing compelling aerial content. It achieves this through a range of key features, including:

• AI Subject Tracking to keep you in the frame during your adventures
• Six QuickShots modes for creating engaging aerial content with ease
• The ability to take off and land in the palm of your hand
• Various control options, including the possibility of flying without a controller
• Up to 4K 30fps video, 1080p 60fps, and 12-megapixel photos
• 22GB of internal memory
• Up to 18 minutes of flight time per fully charged battery
• Mechanical gimbal and software stabilisation
• Compatibility with the DJI Fly app for control and editing

What Makes Neo So Easy to Use?

Aside from its lightweight design, Neo’s standout feature is its ability to track the subject (you) using AI Subject Tracking technology. This makes it incredibly easy to capture footage while you’re walking, cycling, skateboarding, or enjoying other activities. Combined with tried-and-tested QuickShots modes, it’s super easy for beginners to capture truly engaging content, whether for sharing on social channels or personal projects.

QuickShots modes include Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix, and Boomerang, each offering different flight patterns, such as circling the subject, flying backwards, or following predefined paths. Essentially, the drone becomes your personal photographer, launching from your palm and capturing dynamic content with you at the centre.

What Is the DJI Neo Drone For?

Weighing just 135g, the DJI Neo is incredibly compact and portable. It’s perfect for beginners and creators who need a drone that can travel anywhere. Despite its small size, the Neo packs a punch with 4K 30fps video recording and 12MP stills, ensuring your content is sharp and professional-looking.

Is Neo Good for Vlogging?

Yes, the DJI Neo is excellent for vlogging, thanks to AI Subject Tracking and the ability to record audio through your phone’s built-in mic while connected to the DJI Fly app. Background noises, such as propeller sounds, are reduced for clearer audio, even when capturing low-angle vlogs with the drone nearby.

Audio is seamlessly combined with video footage, which can be edited using a wide range of templates included in the DJI Fly app. With a WiFi connection, you don’t even need cables to transfer data, making post-production and sharing extremely smooth and straightforward. This makes for a compelling solution that will appeal to a wide range of vloggers and creators who value ease of use and the unique aerial perspective it provides to set their content apart.

Image Quality

Several features combine to enable Neo to achieve high image quality. These revolve around a 1/2-inch image sensor, which records 4K Ultra HD videos at 30fps, along with 12-megapixel photos. A single-axis mechanical gimbal, combined with RockSteady and HorizonBalancing stabilisation, further enhances video quality, delivering ultra-smooth and level footage.

22GB internal storage can hold up to 40 minutes of 4K/30fps video or 55 minutes of 1080p/60fps footage. Additional features in the DJI Fly app further enhance your movies, with One-Tap Glamour adding to the list of benefits.

Which Controllers Can You Use with the Neo Aircraft?

By pairing the DJI Neo with optional DJI Goggles 3, DJI RC Motion 3, or DJI FPV Remote Controller 3, you can enjoy motion control and immersive first-person view (FPV) flying. Additionally, Neo Fly More Combo includes the DJI RC-N3 Remote Controller, offering up to 3.5 hours of operating time.

When connected to your phone, you can fly controller-free using the virtual controllers in the DJI Fly app, with a maximum range of 50m. Neo also supports voice control with spoken flight directives such as “Hey Fly,” available in Mandarin Chinese and English. This feature, derived from Osmo Action cameras, makes it easier than ever to get your drone in the air.

DJI Neo vs Neo Fly More Combo: What’s Included?

The Neo is available as a standalone aircraft or as part of a combo, providing creators with the choice to select the option that best suits their needs. Many prefer the Combo because it includes essential drone accessories like extra batteries, a charging hub, and a controller, extending flight times, offering greater convenience, and providing better control.

The Neo Fly More Combo offers up to 54 minutes of flight time with its three batteries, giving you more time to capture the perfect shot. Control via the RC-N3 is also easier and more precise than using virtual controllers, enhancing your flight experience and providing an added sense of safety.

On the subject of safety, let's see which features Neo includes.

Safety features

Safety is a priority for DJI, and the Neo is no exception. It includes features like Return to Home (RTH) and full-coverage propeller guards, plus Level-4 Wind Resistance. This is achieved through an infrared and monocular vision positioning system, helping to achieve a safer flying experience, even for new pilots.

Whether you're a beginner looking to explore aerial photography for the first time, or a more seasoned vlogger who wants to add a new layer of dynamic aerial shots into their content, the DJI Neo is a compelling choice.

Its compact size, affordable price, and intelligent features make it an excellent option for anyone looking to elevate their creative projects with an easy-to-use drone that can accompany you anywhere.

Choose between the DJI Neo Fly More Combo and DJI Neo, or browse our range of DJI drones, and drone accessories to build the perfect combo for your own specific requirements.

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By Nick Dautlich on 05/09/2024