The cheap ($199) DJI NEO is an excellent choice for anyone who wants his first drone

Rise and Shine!

DJI NEO

If you are a total newbie to the world of FPV, you will find it amazing to put on a pair of DJI Goggles 3, fire up the propellers on the tiny DJI NEO, and take to the air. The NEO is a smaller and much cheaper alternative to the company’s AVATA 2 FPV drone.

The DJI NEO is intended for first-time pilots and vloggers looking for a safe, easy-to-fly pocket drone. Weighing just 135 grams (0.3 lb), it can be used in most regions without special registration or a pilot license. FPV pilots crash, and they can crash a lot, so the full-coverage propeller guard is welcomed, as it protects the motors and propellers during the impact.

It is compatible with most DJI radio controllers (RC 2, RC-N2, RC-N3, RC Motion 3, and FPV RC 3) and can be controlled with your smartphone or by gestures. Adopting the O4 transmission system, the range in FCC regions is up to 10 km (6.2 miles). Powered by a 2s LI-ION battery, the DJI NEO can fly for up to 18 minutes.

Equipped with AI algorithms, Neo can follow the subject within the frame, making it easy to set up captivating follow-up shots. Like any veritable DJI drone, the NEO offers six intelligent shooting modes (QuickShots: Drone, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix, and Boomerang), providing dynamic angles to elevate your creative footage.

4K stabilized videos for unique selfies

The NEO has a 12MP camera that integrates a 1/2-inch image sensor, providing a 117.6° field of view (FOV). It can shoot stabilized 4K@30fps videos in 16:9 format. Thanks to the 1-axis gimbal, the camera can be tilted remotely.

The RockSteady/HorizonBalancing stabilization algorithms significantly reduce overall image shakes and correct horizon tilt within ±45° for smooth and stable footage.

DJI Neo has 22GB internal storage that can hold up to 40 minutes of 4K@30fps videos or 55 minutes of 1080p@60fps videos. After connecting to your phone via Wi-Fi, the footage filmed by DJI Neo can be quickly transferred to the DJI Fly app. Transfer instantly after filming, making post-production and sharing smoother.

Five Key Features of the DJI NEO – The Vlogging Selfie Drone

  • [From Your Hand to the Sky—Palm Takeoff] DJI Neo gracefully takes off and lands in your palm. Simply press the mode button on Neo, select your desired shooting mode, and Neo automatically does the rest to capture impressive footage—all without a remote controller!
  • [Multiple Control Methods including Voice control] Compact yet capable, DJI Neo flies with style. It supports controller-free aerial filming and can be paired with the DJI Fly app, remote controllers, RC Motion, DJI Goggles, and more for increased flight and camera control.
  • [Take Center Stage With AI Subject Tracking] Whether cycling, skateboarding, or hiking, Neo keeps pace as your videographer and ensures you are always in the spotlight. Equipped with AI algorithms, Neo can follow the subject within the frame, so you can easily set up captivating follow-up shots.
  • [Spark Creativity With QuickShots] With just a press of your finger, let DJI Neo automatically film for you. DJI Neo offers six intelligent shooting modes, providing dynamic angles to elevate your creative footage.
  • [Stable Flight, Impressive Battery Life] 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.

Technical parameters

Dimensions 130×157×48.5 mm
Weight Approx. 135grans (0.3 lb)
Max flight speed 6 m/s (Normal mode)
8 m/s (Sport mode)
16 m/s (Manual mode)
Max flight time 18 minutes
Max flight distance 7km (4.34miles)
Wind speed resistance Level 4 (8m/s)
Transmission system Ocusync 4.0 (O4)
Max Transmission Distance FCC: 10 km
CE: 6 km
SRRC: 6 km
MIC: 6 km
WIFI mode: 50 m
Remote controller compatibility DJI DJI RC 2, RC-N2, RC-N3, RC Motion 3,  and FPV Remote Controller 3
FPV Goggles compatibility DJI Goggles 3
Flight battery 1435 mAh 2S Li-ion (10.5Wh)
Camera 12MP 1/2-inch image sensor
FOV: 117.6°, 35FE: 14 mm
EIS Off:
4K (4:3): 3840×2880@30fps
1080p (4:3): 1440×1080@60/50/30fps
EIS On:
4K (16:9): 3840×2160@30fps
1080p (16:9): 1920×1080@60/50/30fps
Gimbal Single-axis mechanical gimbal (tilt)
Satellite positioning GPS + Galileo + BeiDou

Pricing, availability, and package options

The NEO selfie vlogging can be ordered starting September 4, 2024, for $199 (drone only). The Flight More pack with two extra batteries and a charging hub costs $289. Combo packs with an RC-N3 remote controller are also available in some countries.

8 COMMENTS

  1. Just got my DJI NEO and had the first flight.
    This drone is a TOY … small, very sensitive to the wind, limited to 120 meters in height, it has difficulty finding satellites, indoor navigation requires good ambient light, the video quality is acceptable (a 4k at the lower limit), the battery in the most optimistic scenarios exceeds 10 minutes … but very funny, very safe and the signal is good. I haven’t played with it in FPV mode yet… here is the complete flight… in the YouTube description you can also find a download link for the original file.

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