DJI Neo: A Compact €199 Competitor to HoverAir
DJI is making waves in the entry-level drone market with its new €199 DJI Neo selfie drone, a sleek and compact option designed to capture stunning aerial footage.
Weighing just 135 grams (4.8 ounces), the DJI Neo is incredibly lightweight, making it the smallest and lightest drone DJI has ever produced. This drone’s minimal weight means it doesn’t require registration in the U.S., adding to its appeal for casual users.
The Neo, which DJI markets as “your personal videographer,” is designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. It directly competes with the HoverAir X1, a popular model from last year, and its forthcoming X1 Pro and Pro Max versions. Like the HoverAir X1, the Neo employs artificial intelligence to automatically track subjects and keep them in frame, positioning itself as an ideal tool for content creators and adventurers seeking dynamic aerial shots.
The drone features DJI’s QuickShots intelligent shooting modes, which include Helix, Expanse, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, and Boomerang. These modes provide a variety of cinematic effects to enhance your footage.
Users have manual control options through the DJI Fly app, which allows for both touch and voice commands. The app includes virtual joysticks and offers a control range of up to 50 meters (164 feet). Footage can be wirelessly transferred to your device for easy editing and sharing, and the app also provides editing templates, sound effects, and tools. Notably, the app features “Beauty Skin” and “Beauty Body” modes, although the latter’s effects on appearance remain unclear.
However, despite its focus on social media content, the Neo does not support vertical video recording. It is compatible with DJI’s Mic 2 for wireless audio recording and can be controlled using DJI’s new RC-N3 Remote Control ($129) and Goggles 3 ($499).
Ferdinand Wolf, DJI’s Creative Director, highlights the Neo’s blend of advanced technology and compact design: “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.”
In terms of imaging, the Neo boasts a Type 1/2 image sensor that captures 12-megapixel stills and records 4K video at up to 30 frames per second. Videos are recorded in MP4 format with a maximum bitrate of 75Mbps. The drone features a built-in f/2.8 lens with a 117.6-degree field of view, equivalent to a 14mm lens on a full-frame camera. The Neo includes a single-axis mechanical gimbal and DJI’s RockSteady and HorizonBalancing stabilization modes to ensure steady footage even in windy conditions.
The Neo offers a maximum flight time of up to 18 minutes (17 minutes with Propeller Guards) and a maximum flight distance of seven kilometers (4.3 miles). It has a maximum ascent speed of three meters per second and a horizontal speed of up to 16 meters per second, which is nearly 36 miles per hour.
The DJI Neo is available for order now at €199. For those interested in a bundle, the DJI Neo Drone Fly More Combo is priced at €359 and includes two extra batteries, a two-way charging hub, and the RC-N3 remote controller. Shipments are expected to begin on October 8th.