This is the DJI Neo. A Small Palm-Sized Drone Great for Vlogging!

Those cheap drones you find online just won’t cut it.

DJI launched a brand-new drone yesterday, the Neo. A name we hear used for things described as being small, portable, or “lite”. With a weight of just 135 grams, which is lighter than many phones we held, and the lightest drone DJI ever made, it is perfect for the wide skyline shot you always dreamed of, minus the bulkiness and the expensive price.

“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.

Despite being small, the drone is quite capable for video vlogging, as expected from DJI. It can do 4K video with its single-axis gimbal stabilization. It flies for a whopping 18 minutes on a single use. Granted, that might sound weak but remember you’re creating stabilized 4K videos with that time, and 18 minutes is already a lot of aerial footage. The drone is safe to fly indoors and outdoors thanks to thick and cornered propeller guards.

The drone has 22GB of storage, equivalent to 40 minutes worth of 4K@30fps videos. Theoretically, it can capture two 4K videos at full length within two flights, and one minute worth of 4K (2160p) videos are so detailed that they consume 1GB already. If you prefer to shoot in lower quality, the drone also has 1080p and 720p support, just as phones do.

Speaking of stabilized videos, the drone can resist level 4 wind conditions and can take steady videos at high speeds and high-level amplitude flights. This makes your vlogs look and feel professional, and frankly speaking, DJI drones are often used in the professional filming industry.

FLY WITH JUST ONE BUTTON:

Speaking of easy, the drone can be flown with a simple press of a button and desired shooting mode. If you have taken videos through your phone, the DJI Neo processes it a similar way. The drone can capture footage of up to 4K@30fps or produce an image with a maximum 12MP resolution using its large 1/2″ sensor. This sensor size is common with midrange or even flagship phones today.

As you can see, the dedicated DJI Fly app works like a controller already, similar to a remote-control app for IR-enabled phones. You can control the drone directly through here after connecting it or use the given remote control. It’s versatile. Simply connect the drone to the app via Wi-Fi and you’re good to go.

The DJI Fly App is also used as a means to transfer your aerial footage directly to your phone if the drone is connected to it via Wi-Fi. Depending on the conditions, it will take some time for the footage to transfer but at least you don’t have to go running around for cables.

When we say versatile, we mean versatile. The drone can be controlled in multiple ways, aside from the two we mentioned. The DJI Neo can be paired with DJI Goggles 3, RC Motion 3, or FPV Remote Controller 3. With RC Motion 3, the Neo can be used to film tight spaces, thanks to its small and lightweight design. The drone can also be operated using your voice. Just say “Hey fly” and the drone will wake up and fly immediately.

Using the DJI RC-N3 (pictured above), users can control the drone manually with a maximum range of 10 kilometers.

SOUND RECORDING: NO NOISE, JUST PURE FOOTAGE

Cheap drones will always have unnecessary propeller noise as you fly, potentially ruining your otherwise perfect shot. DJI is a well-renowned brand, and their Neo drone and Fly app have noise-cancellation properties that block out unnecessary white noise. In addition, if you have the DJI Mic 2 with you, you can make sounds directly through it, or through your phone’s microphone. The DJI Mic 2 is easily connected via Bluetooth, like every other wireless device.

AI SUBJECT TRACKING:

Drones are often tied with action shots and so it is important that they can track you rapidly and as accurately as they can without producing a shaky image. As with many tech events today, AI is a main feature. In the case of the DJI Neo, it’s actually used for tracking purposes. DJI’s AI Subject Tracking is engineered to follow subjects within the frame. Another feature the brand mentioned is QuickShots, which is a feature that allows the drone to move at six different modes:

• Dronie: The drone flies backward and ascends, with the camera locked on the subject, and records a video.
• Circle: The drone circles around the subject.
• Rocket: The drone ascends with the camera pointing downward.
• Spotlight: The drone rotates while keeping the object of interest within the frame
• Helix: The drone ascends and spirals around the subject.
• Boomerang: 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.

CHARGING

The DJI Neo can be charged in two ways. First is through the traditional USB-C port found on the drone and the other is through the brand’s proprietary two-way charging hub which allows you to charge three batteries all at once. The drone has a 1435mAh battery, equivalent to 18 minutes of air time.

AVAILABILITY:

The DJI Neo is available now in the Philippines for PHP 10,799 for the unit only, and PHP 18,999 for the “Fly More” combo, which includes extra batteries. You can find DJI’s stores in the Philippines at SM Mall of Asia, SM City North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM Aura Premier, SM Seaside Cebu, SM Palawan, and One Ayala. For our Mindano techies and vloggers, DJI is opening a new store in Abreeza, Davao.

Conversely, you may visit DJI’s official Shopee, TikTok Shop, and Lazada and shop online. You may get a discount if there is an applicable voucher.

SPECS:

• DRONE-SPECIFIC:
  • Weight: Approx. 135g
  • Dimensions (LWH): 130x157x48.5mm
  • Max Takeoff Altitude: 2000m/2km
  • Max Flight and Hover Time: 18 minutes
  • Max Flight Distance: 7km
  • Wind Speed Resistance Level: Level 4 (~8m/s)
  • Navigation Systems: Yes (GPS, Galileo, BeiDou)
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band Wi-Fi
  • Battery Capacity: 1435mAh, 65W USB-C charging or Two-Way Charging Hub (Proprietary)
  • Colour: White
• VIDEO/CAMERA SPECIFIC:
  • Max Resolution (EIS Off): 3840x2880p (4K) @ 30fps, 4:3 aspect ratio | 1080p@60/50/30fps. 4:3 aspect ratio
    • EIS Active: 3840x2160p (4K) @ 30fps, 16:9 aspect ratio | 1080p@60/50/30fps, 16:9 aspect ratio
  • Camera: 12MP, f/2.8, 1/2″ sensor, Single-Axis Mechanical Gimbal System, EIS
    • ISO Level: 100-6400 ISO (Auto/Manual)
    • Shutter Speed: 1/8000-1/30s (Video Shutter Speed) | 1/8000-1/30s (Photo Shutter Speed)
  • Storage: 22GB | exFAT Storage
  • Max Bitrate: 75Mbps
  • Supported File Type: MP4
• PRICE:
  • Unit Only: PHP 10,799
  • Fly More Package: PHP 18,999