The DJI Neo is the perfect starter drone
Just $299 with a bunch of easy presets, this is the drone you (and I) need to improve our TikToks.
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The last drone I tested was the DJI Spark, and while I was blown away with what it could do, I also nearly decapitated my son while he was riding his bike at the local park.
No doubt drones have come a long way since then, but the DJI Neo looks like it is more my speed.
This $299 compact flyer is designed with six automatic shooting modes that can track you as the subject, without the need to use your phone or a controller to get more complicated.
Those shots include following you as you walk, run or ride around, circling around you, flying up like a rocket, staying still while you wander around the drone, flying up and away from you and spiralling up in the air.
In each of the shots, you remain focused as the subject, with AI algorithms to ensure you capture the moment. And you can activate each of the modes from the drone itself, pressing a button while holding the Neo on the palm of your hand.
Once it has captured the video in 4K, it will return to you, landing effortlessly in your outstretched palm.
If you do want some more control, you can also use the DJI Fly app on your phone, or a controller. It will also pair with DJI's head tracking goggles.
On the specs front, the Neo weighs just 135 grams, and has a flight time of about 18 minutes. It records 4K video with a single axis mechanical gimbal for smooth and stable footage.
It comes with 22GB of on board storage, which is enough for about 40 minutes of 4K/30fps footage, or 55 minutes in 1080p/60fps. Video is automatically transferred to your phone by Wi-Fi, so you don't need to worry about cables either.
Given it's a drone that makes a lot of noise, I'm interested to see how it will handle the noise. DJI says that you can record audio through your smartphone's mic using the DJI Fly app, while the DJI Mic 2 can also be used via Bluetooth.
The app will apparently automatically remove the propeller noise and merge audio with the footage. If true, this is going to be huge for improving the quality of your TikToks.
Pricing and availability
The DJI Neo is available now in two configurations. The drone itself costs $299 RRP, while the DJI Neo Fly More Combo, which includes three batteries and the RC-N3 controller, costs $539.
