Good day folks. Shawn here from Air Photography. The DJI Neo has been out for approximately a year now, and it’s become a very popular choice with both beginners and people who create for social media. That’s for a few different reasons. First, it is extremely affordable, coming in at approximately $200 depending on where one lives, which puts it within reach for a lot of people. Sometimes drones can get a little pricey, but $200 is a price many are comfortable spending, especially as a beginner. Creators who film for social media, including vloggers, have also really embraced its capabilities thanks to the simplicity and speed of operation.
The DJI Neo is easy to fly
The nice thing about the DJI Neo is that it doesn’t take long to learn. The DJI Neo doesn’t even need a controller to use. Power it on, select the flight mode, press a button, and the drone will take off from the palm, perform the intelligent flight task, and then return to land in the palm again. That simplicity and ease of use make it appealing for quick shots and on-the-go content capture.
Now, a drone like this is not for everyone. Some enjoy the art of flying and capturing cinematic footage, but there are creators who don’t care as much about mastering flight techniques. They have other hobbies and interests and just want a tool to help tell their story and share their passions with followers. For those scenarios, a drone like this is excellent.
Tracking and follow me
If a drone is needed that can track and follow, the DJI Neo is again a great choice. If out biking or hiking and the drone bumps into a tree or another obstacle, its lightweight, robust design means the chance of damage is minimal. Unlike traditional drones tracking a subject, which are fragile and can be damaged by clipping a branch, the Neo’s ducted, tough build helps it shrug off light impacts.
Tracking is also simpler because no controller is required. When tracking on a bike, dealing with a controller can be awkward; with the Neo, that’s not a concern. What really makes the DJI Neo compelling is its flexibility in how it’s flown. It can be flown autonomously, paired with a DJI remote for more traditional flight to capture cinematic footage with more range, or connected to goggles to enjoy an immersive FPV flight using the FPV remote or motion controller. It’s easy to switch between modes during an outing.
DJI Neo Limitations
With all that said, the DJI Neo does have limitations. The most notable is video quality. Although it films in 4K, it’s not quite on par with something like the Mini 4 Pro, which some may find limiting. For social media, the 4K is more than adequate, but it’s worth keeping in mind. Another limitation is storage: it has 22 GB of usable internal storage and no memory card slot, so there’s no way to add capacity. On longer days of flying, it may be necessary to offload footage mid-session to continue filming.
Wind resistance
Lastly, it doesn’t perform the best in wind. Even with a level four wind rating, gusty conditions can be a challenge. When used autonomously, flying low to the ground often mitigates this, but when flying higher with a controller or FPV, wind can become more of an issue. Ultimately, it depends on how it will be utilized and the conditions in which it’s flown.
Owning many DJI drones, the Neo still gets a lot of flight time because it’s convenient. For a quick hike or bike ride, it’s easy to bring along without a controller, making it simple to grab a couple of shots for social media or personal use. The convenience means it often gets used when a larger setup might be left behind.
Looking ahead, some improvements for a next generation DJI Neo 2 would be welcome. Keeping a similar size and form factor while increasing video quality to closer match a Mini 4 Pro would be ideal. Adding a memory card slot would significantly improve functionality, and expanded tracking capabilities—such as extra modes, higher flight speed, and possibly a beacon for more accurate tracking—would make it an even better tool for cyclists tracking rides.
Those are some thoughts after a year of flying the DJI Neo. For about $200, it’s hard to find another drone that flies as well while offering this level of flexibility. Owners of the DJI Neo are invited to share thoughts and experiences after a year of use down in the comments.
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