Category: DJI

Can the new content creator-friendly DJI Flip surpass the budget king DJI Neo from 2024?

DJI Flip (left), DJI Neo (right), not to scale (Image credit: DJI)

DJI Flip

A drone like we’ve never seen before, with unique folding propellor design and decent 4K video capabilities, but it’s quite a leap in price from the Neo.

For

• Multi-use functionality
• Several flight-control options
• Sub-250g folding design

Against

• Image quality is good but not great
• Not as agile as the Mini 4 Pro
• Not great in wind

DJI Neo

DJI’s cheapest 4K drone can be flown safely multiple ways thanks to propellor guards; for selfies, FPV, but it’s tiny and has limited camera performance.

For

• Small and lightweight
• Easy to use
• Multiple flight control options

Against

• Only shoots photos in JPEG
• 4K video fixed at 30fps
• Expensive to add on goggles and FPV controller

TheDJI Fliparrives just a few months after the 2024DJI Neoto provide yet another option for folks out to buytheir first drone. We’re here to work out if the Flip is a better buy. It’s more expensive, but also a lot more capable. So should you spend the extra?

DJI’s Flip drone roughly combines the ease of use of the Neo with the superior camera and flight skills of theDJI Mini 4K. And there are some other bonuses to boot.

There is one mode the DJI Neo has that the Flip lacks, though — FPV, where you use a motion controller and a headset to fly in a more acrobatic style.

As such, the DJI Flip is clearly a better content creator drone, but the DJI Neo provides a taste of all flavors of the drone hobby.

We’re going to dig a little deeper into all areas in which the DJI Neo and DJI Flip excel, to work out which is the better buy for you.

We’d also be remiss not to mention theHoverAir X1 Pro, another excellent tiny drone with propellor guards for closeup flight and auto-tracking features.

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The DJI Flip is a pricier package – here’s a photo of it taken during our in-depth review.

1. DJI Flip vs DJI Neo: Price and Availability

• DJI Flip with DJI RC-N3 controller: $439 
• DJI Neo: starts at $199, increases in price if you want controller

The DJI Neo is roughly four months older than the DJI Flip. It was announced in September 2024, compared to January 2025 for the Flip.

DJI’s Neo is substantially cheaper, but it’s not quite as simple as it may appear at first.

There’s also a Neo FPV-friendly combo for £449, which adds the Goggles N3 headset and RC Motion 3 controller.

You have a couple more options when buying the DJI Flip. There’s a bundle with the RC 2 controller (with baked in screen) for $639. Or the classic Fly More combo with that RC 2 controller, two additional batteries, charger and bag for $779.

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The DJI Flip and DJI Neo to scale – as you can see the Neo (top) is much smaller, although the Flip propellors can fold away when not in use.(Image credit: DJI)

2. DJI Flip vs DJI Neo: Design

• DJI Flip: 249g, folding propellors, 2GB internal storage plus micro SD
• DJI Neo: 135g, tiny 130×157×48.5 mm, 22GB internal storage only

The DJI Flip is much larger than the DJI Neo, but not in a way that will significantly hinder how you can use it. A DJI Flip measures 233×280×79 mm, but when the propellors are folded back down for storage it’s just 136×165x62mm. That’s fairly close to the 130×157×48.5 mm of the Neo. It doesn’t fold, and doesn’t really need to at that size.

The Neo is a lot lighter too, at 135g. But as the DJI Flip just scoots in at under the 249g limit for unregistered drones, it’s not much of a practical concern. And that includes the blade guards typically left off of weight calculations in these mini-size drones.

You will need to bring your own microSD card for the Flip, though. It has just 2GB internal storage — basically an emergency solution should you forget your card.

The DJI Neo has 22GB onboard storage, but there’s no way to expand upon that. It’s less restrictive than it might sound given the short battery life of the drone, but does mean you’ll need to clear out space regularly.

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The DJI Neo can be used a selfie drone and for mega fun and immersive FPV flight. 

3. DJI Flip vs DJI Neo: Flight Modes

• DJI Flip: active person-tracking, intelligent flight moves, better wind resistance and speed
• DJI Neo: active person-tracking, intelligent flight moves, FPV flight

DJI made the Flip and Neo to cater for the kind of person who wants a drone to act like a virtual camera person. They can both lift off from your hand, and support an active person-tracking mode that follows you around.

This is perfect forYouTubeB-roll, an affordable way to give your videos a very expensive look. Both drones support the following “intelligent modes,” which program the movements relative to your subject: Follow, Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix and Boomerang.

You can also control these drones manually, although in the US at least DJI makes it a little trickier to get a good deal for a Neo bundle that includes a controller.

This is more a sign the DJI Neo is a truebeginner’s drone, where the DJI Flip is a more focused tool for content creators. For example, it has better wind resistance than the Neo, rated at 10.7m/s versus 8m/s speeds.

The Flip is not ideal on this front thanks to its drag-increasing blade guards, but is nevertheless an upgrade. It’s also an all-round more powerful drone than the Neo.

It can reach ascent and descent speeds of 5 m/s in its tracking modes, compared to 2m/s with the Neo. And when flying horizontally it can maintain speeds of up to 12m/s (26mph), compared to 8m/s (17mph) in the Neo.

The Neo can actually get to a speedy 16m/s, but only if you use manual FPV control. This is where the DJI Neo gets a major upper hand on the Flip. Pair it with the Goggles N3 and RC Motion 3 controller (or FPV Remote Controller 3) and you have a recipe for about as much fun as you can have with a smaller drone. As long as it’s not too windy — a tiny drone like the Neo can’t compete with too much wind.

You can fly freely, perform tricks and acrobatics. Tooled up like this, the DJI Neo is much like a smallerAvata 2, and makes the DJI Flip seem staid and boring in comparison. It’s made to stay horizontal consistently, and move in a much more measured way.

However, you can use the Flip in a slightly wider array of environments, thanks to its improved sensor array.

The DJI Flip has front and downward sensors, the Neo instead relies on its camera.(Image credit: DJI)

4. DJI Flip vs DJI Neo: Sensors and battery life

• DJI Flip: front and downward sensors, up to 28 minutes flight time
• DJI Neo: No sensors, up to 18 minutes flight time

The DJI Neo’s flight sensor array is as simple as they come. It uses its camera to look out for obstacles, and that’s it.

A Flip has both its camera and infrared sensors for both forward motion and underneath the drone. This makes it far better-suited for flying at night.

DJI says you shouldnotuse the Neo for night flying — and owners have had mixed success with their attempts. The key is basically to lift off somewhere with enough light for the sensor system to navigate, and not hang about too long in the dark to avoid the sensor system getting hopelessly lost. But the DJI Flip is rated for navigation in light conditions down to 15 lux, matching theDJI Mini 4 Pro.

Neither drone is meant to be used over water — a natural enemy for the non-water-resistant drone — but the DJI Flip is going to fare better thanks to its improved sensor array. Don’t get cocky, though, as these sensors do not too well with reflective surfaces, and the Flip manual states “DO NOT fly over water.” You’ve been warned.

The larger size of the DJI Flip allows for a much larger battery, 3,110mAh versus 1,435 mAh, and despite the Neo’s lower weight the Flip still provides much better flight time. It can fly for up to 31 minutes (28 min hovering) while the Neo is only rated for 18 minutes.

Having multiple batteries is going to be even more important with the DJI Neo. And it’s not made for more ambitious shoots anyway. It has a shorter transmission range of up to 7km, versus 13km. Not that it’s likely, or sensible, these limits will realistically be tested in normal use — and transmission range for the video preview naturally far shorter.

What’s more important is they both support the same O4 transmission system when using a controller, allowing for a video feed of up to 1080p/60. This matches the more expensive DJI Mini 4 Pro.

The Flip has a superior gimbal-mounted camera unit to the fixe camera of the Neo.(Image credit: DJI)

5. DJI Flip vs DJI Neo: Camera

• DJI Flip: 3-axis gimbal camera, 1/1.3-inch 48-megapixel sensor, 4K 60p video, plus 100fps slow-mo
• DJI Neo: No gimbal, 1/2-inch 12-megapixel sensor, 4K 30p video

The DJI Flip has a clearly superior camera to the DJI Neo, on a few fronts.

First up, it has a 3-axis gimbal system capable of providing proper physical stabilization, where the Neo relies on electronic stabilization (EIS). Not only is the gimbal approach less likely to cause image distortions, it means the Flip doesn’t have to eat into its usable sensor area for stabilization – EIS crops into the sensor to leave a motion compensation buffer on the outside, shrinking the amount of sensor actively used in the final footage.

The DJI Flip has a larger and much higher camera sensor too, a 1/1.3-inch 48-megapixel sensor. The Neo has a 1/2-inch 12-megapixel one. Both cameras can record at up to4Kresolution, but the DJI Flip’s image quality is better, and its frame rate options far superior. It can record at up to 60fps withHDR, and there’s a 100fps slo-mo 4K mode.

The Neo is limited to 4K at 30 frames per second, and can only reach 60fps at Full HD. It’s not nearly as serious a video shooter at the Flip, which also has a D-Log flat profile for better color grading flexibility, and much higher maximum video bitrate. The Neo taps out at 75Mbps, the Flip at 150Mbps. But then again you wouldn’t want to have to deal with too high a bit-rate in the Neo when your storage is limited to 22GB.

Both cameras can shoot vertical video, despite the lack of a camera gimbal that can physically move the sensor by 90-degrees. They simply have the pixels to spare. The DJI Neo can hack 1080p at Full HD vertical (60fps). The DJI Flip can shoot at up to 2.7k, although the frame rate is limited to max 30fps.

Early Verdict

(Image credit: DJI)

The DJI Flip easily beats the DJI Neo for content creators. It has a much higher-quality camera, videographer-friendly shooting modes and microSD support so you don’t keep having to flush the internal memory.

DJI’s Neo shines for folks who don’t want to spend much at all, and will be happy with controlling it via phone app rather than a dedicated controller. A proper controller is an option, but the base Neo kit doesn’t include one. Cost is key with a Neo.

There’s one part of the Neo that shouldn’t be ignored, though: FPV. It can become an acrobatic drone in a manner the Flip just can’t. It’s mounds of fun, although that FPV package costs more than double the cost of the Neo alone.

The DJI Flip is an innovative beginner drone with vlogging, selfie and camera drone functionality making it similar to the DJI Neo but more advanced.

Space Verdict
The DJI Flip is a sub-250 g beginner drone that’s incredibly easy to use with capabilities that allow it to be flown autonomously and as a camera drone. The image quality is good, but not exceptional.

Pros

• +Dual drone functionality
• +Sub-250g folding design
• +Competitively priced

Cons

• -Not great in windy conditions
• -Image quality could be better
• -Bulky when folded considering low weight

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Key Specs

Weight:8.78 oz/249 g

Dimensions:5.35×2.44×6.5 inches/136x62x165 mm folded, 9.17x11x3.11 inches/233x280x79 mm unfolded

Battery:3110 mAh / up to 31 minutes flight time

Charger type:USB-C cable / battery charging hub

Modes:Cine, Normal, Sport

Video transmission range:8 miles / 13km (FCC), 5 miles / 8km (CE/SRRC/MIC)

Video resolution:Up to 4K

Frame rates:4K up to 60 FPS, FHD up to 100 FPS, up to 2.7k vertical up to 30 FPS

Since the launch of theDJI Neo, which is extremely similar to the HoverAir X1 Pro and its still available predecessor, theHoverAir X1, the world’s leading drone manufacturer has begun to take beginner drones in a new direction. The DJI Flip is the latest beginner model to hit the shelves, and this vlogging drone delivers intelligent flight modes alongside camera drone functionality.

With this level of versatility alongside an attractive base kit price of $439, the Flip will likely appeal to beginner and enthusiast drone pilots. This is a drone that will undoubtedly take a place among thebest beginner dronesconsidering all this alongside the unique folding design of the Flip, where safety is paramount.

Moving back to the design, which is one of the most eye-catching aspects of the Flip, there’s no way you’ll have seen a drone like this before. The four propellers are encased in lightweight propeller guards for safer flights when tracking you. These fold down below the airframe and when folded out, make the Flip a much larger drone, but within the regulator-friendly sub-250g category.

The Flip can be flown independently without an app or controller, with the DJI Fly app or one of two controllers that are available in the kits. Intelligent flight modes allow for precise subject tracking while the camera can capture up to 4K 60 FPS video, 4K 100 FPS slow motion video and up to 2.7K 30 FPS vertical video in both Normal and D-Log M color profiles. Plus, photos can be captured in JPEG and Raw formats.

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DJI Flip Review: Design

The DJI Flip drone, small in size and white in color, folded up with the propeller sitting underneath the body, on a stoney background.

• Folding design
• Propeller guards
• Multiple controller options

Most drones these days feature a folding design, and the DJI Flip is no exception here despite its unique design. This sub-250g drone features propeller guards made of polycarbonate around the edges with lightweight carbon fiber string on the top and bottom; these fold up from below the airframe to create a drone that’s much larger than other models within the sub-250g category.

Folded, the Flip is 5.35×2.44×6.5 inches/136x62x165 mm which increases to 9.17x11x3.11 inches/233x280x79 mm when unfolded. It’s a strange-looking drone in both states, but its design is functional and makes sense for a drone that can be used autonomously for vlogging and taking selfies, and also works as a fully functioning camera drone.

A shot from above of trees covering the centre and left of the photo, with water also featuring on the left and car parks to the right of the picture.

The Flip’s airframe is taller than other sub-250g drones and is also a different shape, but this incorporates the 3D infrared sensor at the front of the drone above the gimbal. The black panel at the front of the drone also displays the currently active intelligent flight mode, which is great when using the drone app-free; with the mode button on the side of the drone allowing you to select the desired mode.

The drone can also be controlled with the DJI Fly app, including manually, and using voice control which is convenient and allows flight parameters to be adjusted. For camera drone use, the Flip can also be flown using the DJI RC-N3 controller or the DJI RC 2 smart controller. Which controller depends on the kit you choose. For the review, the DJI RC 2 was supplied and this is a fantastic controller featuring a bright and clear built-in 5.5-inch display.

This number of control options is fantastic for a beginner model because it allows users to select the control method that’s most suitable for the current flight. Traditional controllers are naturally the best option for flying manually, as a camera drone, but for vlogging and selfie functionality, app-free or control with the DJI Fly app are perfect.

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DJI Flip Review: Functionality

A drone is sitting on a stoney floor, we’re looking at it from front on. A black camera is front and centre while four white propellers sit to the side of the white body. 

• AI subject tracking
• 2GB of internal storage
• Wind resistance isn’t great

As previously mentioned, one of the standout features of the Flip is that it’s a vlogging drone and a camera drone aimed at beginners. This means it has excellent intelligent flight modes for subject tracking alongside the ability for audio to be captured via the DJI Fly app when enabled, so you can record your voice while capturing video, or with the DJI Mic connected to your smartphone; propeller noise is filtered out/reduced in both situations.

The Flip’s Intelligent flight modes include Follow, Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight and Helix where AI subject tracking aims to keep the subject in the centre of the frame during photo and video capture. This works exceptionally well with ActiveTrack 4.0, Spotlight 2.0, and Point of Interest 3.0 all playing a part in its success as a feature.

Within the DJI Fly app, there’s also Manual Control which allows you to fly the Flip using on-screen controls and although limited in terms of flight distance and control, it’s a useful to have feature but is still no match for a traditional controller. The physical controllers provide the best manual flight experience possible and also allow pilots to access Quickshots, which include Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix, and Boomerang.

Some wind turbines in open green fields with blue skies in the centre and right of the photo with gray clouds to the left.

With GPS positioning, the Flip can effectively hold position and this alongside the 3D Infrared Sensing System provides safe and effective Return to Home functionality in even complex environments. The return path is shown on the controller screen and DJI claims that this feature also makes lowlight and night flights safer. The sensing system also acts as forward-facing collision avoidance with a brake option available to stop the Flip when an obstacle is detected.

In terms of camera drone flight performance, the Flip flies well overall and its ability to be flown autonomously and as a camera drone makes it highly versatile. The drone can fly at speeds up to 27mph in Sport mode with Normal and Cine also available for slower and smoother flight. But it’s not the fastest drone, and it’s not the best performer in windier conditions with a noticeable reduction in flight speed. This could be a result of the shape of the propellers alongside the propeller guards themselves.

Other features include Hyperlapse with Free, Circle, Course Lock, and Waypoint options that can capture hyperlapse videos at up to 4K horizontally or 2.7K vertically. The charging hub also features fast charging where two batteries can be charged simultaneously while the hub can accommodate four batteries in total rather than the three most DJI hubs can accept at once.

Data transfers of up to 30MB/S to the DJI Fly app allow users to easily move photos and videos captured with the Flip to their phone. The Flip can also be plugged into a computer via USB-C to transfer data from the 2GB internal storage and/or the installed microSD card without switching the drone on. 2GB of onboard storage is next to nothing these days, especially when capturing 4K video, so a microSD card is essential.

DJI Flip review: Performance

A white battery charging hub on a multi-dark coloured stone background

• 12MP/48MP 1/1.3-inch sensor
• Up to 4K 60 FPS video
• Raw photos and D-Log M video are available

The Flip features a 3-axis mechanical gimbal for smooth footage, but this unfortunately doesn’t rotate between landscape and portrait format like the DJI Mini 3 and Mini 4 Pro models. This isn’t a major issue since the Flip can capture cropped vertical video which is ideal for social media, but it would be a welcome feature if available.

The camera features a 12MP/48MP 1/1.3-inch Quad Bayer 4-in-1 sensor with large pixels and Dual Native ISO Integration. The lens offers a 24mm equivalent focal length with an f/1.7 aperture and focus that ranges from one meter to infinity. There’s also a digital zoom for photos and videos that’s either 3x or 4x depending on the shooting mode and capture resolution selected.

Image quality is good but not amazing by any stretch; it’s fair to say that it sits firmly in the realms of beginner quality. That’s not to say you can’t capture high-quality imagery, it’s just not at the same level as the DJI Mini 4 Pro with the same size sensor, for example. To be fair, the price difference between the two drones naturally suggests that the Mini 4 Pro is the more advanced model.

Photos and videos exhibit a degree of muddiness, which may be a result of HDR if it’s applied to all photos and videos as the marketing materials vaguely suggest. Otherwise, as is the norm for consumer drones, photos and videos are sharpest in the centre of the frame with some fall off towards the edges.

Video can be captured in 4K at up to 60fps, 4K at 100fps in Slow Motion mode, 1080p up to 100fps and vertical video can be captured in 1080p and 2.7k at 30fps. Video can be captured in the Normal color profile for straight out-of-camera footage, which is ideal for beginners and quick turnarounds; while advanced users can capture in the 10-bit D-Log M flat profile with a 150Mbps bitrate for greater dynamic range and the ability to color grade footage. Photos can be captured in JPEG and Raw formats, so there are plenty of options to suit most pilots.

DJI Flip Review: Cost

A white drone with four propellers sits on a stoney floor as we look down on it from a bird’s eye view.

The DJI Flip is available in three kit options where the controllers available are the main deciding factor. The DJI Flip kit includes the drone, DJI RC-N3 controller, one battery, a pair of spare propellers and other basic accessories for $439. The DJI Flip (DJI RC 2) kit, which is identical apart from the controller, costs $639.

The DJI RC 2 Fly More Combo is the only Fly More Combo available but is well-priced compared to the base kit when you consider the additional accessories and the benefits of the smart controller. This kit includes all of the above alongside two additional batteries, a four-battery charging hub, a shoulder bag and two additional pairs of spare propellers for $779.

Should you buy the DJI Flip?

A close up of a propeller with a white rim and black spokes and blades on a stoney background.

The DJI Flip is certainly an interesting drone that sets a new direction for beginner models thanks to its versatility. On the one hand, you have the vlogging/selfie drone element, thanks to the intelligent flight modes for autonomous flight and subject tracking, alongside the ability to capture audio through the DJI Fly app. On the other, you have the camera drone functionality that further extends the usefulness of the drone.

These aspects of the Flip, as well as its relatively low cost, make it a great option for beginners and it is marketed as a beginner drone after all. But with this, the image quality produced isn’t as good as the DJI Mini 3 or DJI Mini 4 Pro. So, if you’d prefer the best image quality possible with a sub-250g drone, one of these models will be more suitable.

If this product isn’t for you

a gray remote control with two knobs on both top corners displays an orange screen that takes up most of the space.

TheDJI Neois a selfie drone with the same intelligent flight modes as the DJI Flip, as well as multiple flight control options. Photo and video capture isn’t as good as the Flip, but the Neo is still a great beginner drone at a reasonable price.

TheDJI Mini 4 Prois the best sub-250g camera drone available and produces superior image quality for photos and videos. It also features advanced subject tracking so it can be safely flown as close to people as the Flip, making it a great drone for subject tracking if this is important to you.

The DJI Flip FPV may look like an FPV drone but it isn’t one, so if you’d like to be able to capture immersive FPV video theDJI Avata 2is perfect. What’s more, the DJI RC Motion 3 makes the Avata incredibly easy and intuitive for beginners, while advanced pilots have other control options.

If you’re more interested in flying than taking aerial selfies, the Mini 4K beats the Neo

 Verdict
The DJI Mini 4K is the most capable drone for beginners for the money. It’s effectively a minor update of DJI’s entry-level Mini 2 SE, upping video quality from 2.7K to 4K, which also unleashes a 2x digital zoom to get closer footage of your surroundings. Otherwise, it’s as you were for DJI’s cheapest Mini-series drone; a 3-axis gimbal, reasonable Level 5 wind resistance, flight times of up to 31 minutes and an arsenal of easy flight moves with DJI’s handy Fly app. If you’re just getting started with drones, the Mini 4K is an excellent value option.

Pros

• +Excellent value
• +4K video quality beats rivals
• +Probably your best first drone

Cons

• -No object-collision sensors
• -Lacks subject tracking found in pricier models like the Mini 4 Pro

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DJI Mini 4K: one-minute review

Considering that theDJIMini4Kis thebest budget drone for beginners, it made an understated entrance. There were no bells and whistles, just a quiet appearance on Amazon, and I can see why: it’s essentially the same drone as DJI’s previous entry-level model, theMini 2 SE, only with higher-resolution 4K video, which also enables a 2x digital zoom.

Video quality is further bolstered by a higher 100Mbps bitrate, but otherwise this is almost an identical drone to the Mini 2 SE. That’s no bad thing – DJI has addressed the former’s single weakness – ‘just’ 2.7K video – and priced its successor aggressively. In one fell swoop, DJI outgunned the growing competition, which includes capable rivals such as thePotensic Atom.

Since the Mini 4K was launched, DJI announced an all-new drone, theDJI Neo, which is even cheaper than the Mini 4K and shoots 4K video. However, the half-size selfie drone is an altogether different proposition. If you want the traditional drone-flying experience, complete with a 3-axis mechanical gimbal and sturdier flight performance including level 5 wind resistance, the Mini series, in which the Mini 4K is the new entry-level model, remains your best bet. If you want even simpler operation, and smart AI-subject tracking features, the Neo is a fun alternative.

The Mini 4K offers decent battery life of up to 31 minutes on a single charge, and if you opt for the pricier Fly More Combo bundle you’ll get an extra couple of batteries and charging hub thrown in for good measure.

DJI offers perhaps the most rounded experience for beginner pilots, with clear tutorials on the DJI Fly app, through which you control the Mini 4K’s flights, complete with a scaled-back selection of DJI Quickshots flight moves, including dynamic movements such as Helix, Circle and Boomerang that will quickly elevate the quality of your aerial videos.

If money is no object, theDJI Mini 4 Proremains the most accomplished sub-250g choice, with its clever subject tracking and industry-leading flight safety features like omnidirectional object sensing. But if you simply want to see what all the fuss is about with drones without risking a huge amount of money, you can’t go wrong with the DJI Mini 4K. It’s excellent value, and the most capable sub-$300 drone on the market, even if the Neo has more flight options.

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DJI Mini 4K: release date and price

• Released April 29 2024
• Not available from the DJI store in Australia
• The base kit costs just $299 
• Fly More Combo bundle costs $449 

The DJI Mini 4K was announced in April 2024, and is aggressively priced at $299 for the base kit, which made it DJI’s cheapest 4K drone until theDJI Neowas launched in September 2024 (though as mentioned the Neo is a different kind of drone). That launch price was 10% cheaper than that of the DJI Mini 2SE, which is practically the same drone as the Mini 4K, although the former only shoots 2.7K video, making the Mini 4K excellent value by comparison.

Should you want the Fly More Combo bundle, which includes an additional two batteries, a charging hub and a shoulder bag, the price jumps up to $449. The Mini 4K is currently not directly available from DJI in Australia.

• Price score: 4.5/5

DJI Mini 4K: specs

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DJI Mini 4K: design and handling

• Weighs less than 250g
• Level 5 wind resistance provides reasonably stable flight
• Three-axis gimbal for smooth video footage
• Downward-facing sensors only, no other obstacle avoidance

The DJI Mini 4K is practically a carbon copy of the Mini 2 SE. That means it remains under 250g, and within the regulator-friendly category for most regions (there are no registration or ID requirements for recreational use in the US). Given that it has a camera though, users in the UK will need to register with the CAA for a flyer ID before taking flight.

The Fly More Combo bundle I tested includes replacement propellors and a screwdriver for when you need to swap out old or damaged propellors for new ones, two spare batteries and a charging hub, plus the RC-N1C remote controller. The controller connects to your phone, with a clamp that extends to hold just about any size of phone, plus it comes with USB-C / Lightning cables for a direct connection to your Android phone or older iPhone.

There’s a single camera, capable of shooting 12MP photos in JPEG or raw (DNG) format (the latter provides more editing flexibility) and video up to 4K. The camera is supported by a three-axis mechanical gimbal to ensure that your video footage is as smooth as possible.

Once you have the DJI’s Fly app installed and your phone connected to the controller, it takes little to no time to get airborne: press and hold the take-off button and the Mini 4K will rise to a height of 1.2m, and hover while you get yourself in the zone for flying.

Wind resistance is rated for up to level 5 – that’s up to 19-24mph / 29-38kph, which is slightly more robust than the DJI Neo, which is only rated up to level 4. I found the Mini 4K was able to withstand a moderate breeze, although of course you can hear and see it fighting to remain stable in such conditions, and I’d advise against attempting to fly in properly windy conditions.

The Fly app, together with the controller, offer several functions: Return to Home (RTH), QuickShots flight moves, and a variety of camera modes, including photo and video capture (with a button on the controller to switch between the two), panorama, and Timed Shot (interval shooting).

If you’re getting started with drones, the Mini 4K has plenty for you to sink your teeth into. One notable omission, though, which you won’t find on a drone at this price point, is obstacle avoidance. There are two downward-facing sensors that assist the drone for landing and can detect objects, with a precision range of 0.5-10m, but you’re not getting the sophisticated omnidirectional obstacle avoidance of the pricierMini 4 Pro.

I’ve been using the Mini 4K with the RC-N1C controller for months, and naturally, without obstacle avoidance crashes are almost inevitable. However, I’ve found that the Mini 4K has withstood minor collisions with tree branches and so on, and the consequent tumbling to the ground, admirably. It might be plastic, but the Mini 4K can take a few knocks.

You can register for DJI Care Refresh within 48 hours of activating the Mini 4K, which covers you for two replacements, water damage and flyaway, and which is probably a good idea if you tend to be more gung-ho rather than overly cautious.

• Design score: 4.5/5

DJI Min 4K: features and performance

• Quickshots for easy flight moves
• Normal, Sport and Cine flight modes
• Decent battery life of up to 31 minutes
• Maximum transmission 10km (FCC) / 6km (CE/SRRC/MIC)

DJI lists the Mini 4K’s flight time as up to 31 minutes, but that’s measured in a controlled setting. What you actually get in real-world use is almost certainly less, and will be influenced by factors including wind speed and the flight maneuvers you’re performing, and overall it’s better to keep your expectations on the lower side. That said, with typical use in moderate wind I was averaging over 20 minutes, and I’m not sure that you’ll find a better battery performance in another drone at this level.

I was also armed with the two additional batteries included in the Fly More Combo, effectively tripling flight times on any given outing, and the charging hub can be topped up on-the-go via USB-C.

The maximum transmission range is up to 10km, depending on what region you’re flying in and what level of interference there is where you’re flying. Users in Europe, for example, are restricted to 6km. In any case, beginners are unlikely to get anywhere near those kinds of distances on a single flight, and you’ll need to make sure that Return to Home is set up for your take-off point in the likely event you get disorientated as to the drone’s position.

You can configure the Mini 4K’s max possible altitude and flight distances, and the height at which it rises to when Return to Home is initiated. There’s a 500m altitude cap, although if you’re playing it safe as a beginner you should stick to 150m or lower, which will likely be the legal limit in your region anyway if you don’t have a certificate of competency. Again, max distance can be set up to 5000m or the limit removed entirely, but when you’re starting out it’s probably a good idea to stick to much closer. The Mini 4K is fed all of this data through GPS + GLONASS + Galileo satellite systems.

On the controller you’ll find three flight modes: Cine, Normal and Sport, each with a different max speed and responsiveness. Cine mode is the slowest of the three, designed to get you the smoothest possible aerial videos, while of course Sport is the niftiest to unleash piloting fun.

Flight speeds in Sport mode top out at 35.79mph and are no match for FPV drones in manual mode such as theDJI Avata 2, but are plenty quick enough while you find your feet and build your piloting skills. Cine mode is significantly slower than that.

And then there’s DJI QuickShots flight moves, which include Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle, and Boomerang. Circle performs a lateral 360-degree move around your chosen subject – you simply select suggested subjects or draw a box around the chosen subject, and off the drone goes into action. Boomerang does a similar move while gradually gaining height.

These simple flight moves can improve the quality of your aerial videos as you center on points of interest around you. Other DJI drones have additional QuickShots moves in Spotlight and Follow. The Mini 4K does not offer Follow, and it lacks Follow Me subject tracking, which you get with pricier models and even the new Neo selfie drone.

• Features score: 4.5/5

DJI Mini 4K: image and video quality

• 1/2.3-inch sensor
• Up to 4K 30fps video, 2.7K up to 60fps
• 12MP JPEG + RAW photos

The Mini 4K’s 1/2.3-inch sensor is larger than the sensor found in the Neo, and smaller than the one in theMini 3and Mini 4 Pro drones. As such, its 4K video image quality sits somewhere in the middle in terms of color depth, dynamic range and low-light clarity.

That sensor size is roughly equivalent to what you’d find in a standard smartphone, only you don’t have the computational photography modes andHDRsettings afforded to today’s handsets; if the sun is directly in your shot, expect blown-out highlights. However, I still found detail to be very sharp at first light before the sun lapped over the landscape.

Video resolution tops out at 4K 30fps, while cinematic half-speed 60fps videos can be shot in 2.7K and Full HD resolutions. Photos are up to 12MP (in 4:3 aspect, with a 16:9 cropped format also available) and can be shot in either JPEG or raw, with the latter offer more editing flexibility. Files are recorded onto microSD card, with compatibility for cards up to 256GB.

DJI has upped the maximum video bitrate to 100Mbps (it was 40Mbps in the Mini 2 SE). So not only does the Mini 4K offer higher-resolution video than the Mini 2 SE, but its 2.7K video is also less compressed.

There’s a standard color profile for photo and video – what you see is what you get. However, you can easily edit the colors in raw DNG format photos in your choice of photo editor. If you’re a keen editor, you’ll probably want to shoot photos in both raw and JPEG, just in case the JPEG photos aren’t to your taste. However, there’s no flat color profile for video, which is pretty normal for a beginner drone, so there’s not much scope for color-grading videos.

What’s unusual for a drone at this price point is that you can switch from the Mini 4K’s Auto setting to a Pro mode for manual control over exposure settings for photo and video, including the 1/30 to 1/8000 shutter speed and ISO 100 to 3200 ranges. That’s an excellent feature for discerning image makers, though I suspect most people will keep the Mini 4K in Auto and be pleased with the results.

The three-axis gimbal offer a -110° to 35° tilt range, -35° to 35° of roll and -20° to 20° pan, and works in tandem with image stabilization to give you smooth video footage. Unless you’re fighting high winds or making jerky movements on the controller – which requires significant finesse – then you can expect super-smooth video footage, especially in Cine mode.

• Image quality score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the DJI Mini 4K?

Buy it if…

You’re buying your first drone
The Mini 4K is a superb first drone, with decent flight performance and video quality, plus manual control over camera settings.

You want decent battery life
Up to 31 minutes from a fully charged battery is very impressive, and you’ll get triple that with the Fly More Combo kit.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the very best sub-250g drone no matter the cost
If money is no object, your best first drone is the DJI Mini 4 Pro.

You’re more interested in aerial selfies than flying
DJI’s Neo is smaller, cheaper and even easier to use, with intelligent subject tracking making selfies on the move an autonomous doddle.

You’d be better off with obstacle avoidance
The Mini 4K only has downward-facing sensors primarily designed to aid landing, whereas the Mini 4 Pro has omnidirectional obstacle avoidance that’ll help you avoid crashes.

There’s never been more choice for action seekers

(Image credit: DJI / GoPro / Insta360)

GoPro Hero 13 Black review: a refined flagship with enviable accessories

Another refined GoPro offering still lacking 8K, but the new Lens Mods design is a win

For

• Superb new auto-detected Lens Mods
• Improved battery life and heat dissipation
• Excellent-quality 5.3K video
• Decent Quik app for quick edits

Against

• Sensor and video resolution unchanged from predecessor
• Low-light image quality not the best
• Processing time needed for slow-mo videos
• Additional cost of Lens Mods adds up

DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro review: a seriously feature-packed action camera

A pro-friendly Hero 13 Black rival with clear 4K video, excellent build quality and superb battery life

For

• Good dynamic range and detail
• Dual OLED screens
• Waterproof to 20m without case
• Long battery life
• Works superbly with DJI Mic 2

Against

• No 5.3K+ video option
• SuperNight mode is merely okay

>>>Action5Pro Battery for DJI Osmo Action 5 4 3

Insta360 Ace Pro 2 review: a rounded upgrade

Much improved 4K video to match rivals, plus unique flip screen, but 8K is gimmicky

For

• Excellent all-round video
• Good low-light image quality
• Impressive audio from built-in mics
• Works slickly with Insta360 mobile app

Against

• No built-in storage
• Flip screen might not appeal to some
• 8K recording comes with lots of caveats

When Insta360 launched theAce Pro 2, it was clear that the series had come of age, with the new model ready to challenge theHero 13 BlackandOsmo Action 5 Pro. We now have three highly capable action cameras from three big names: GoPro,DJI, and Insta360. But which one is thebest action camera?

Truth is, each camera is better than any other model that has previously existed, and each model will serve you well capturing your adventures in stunning clarity, ably supported by image stabilization for smooth footage. However, each camera has its own take on the format and distinct advantages over the others in certain areas; so rather than address which one is best overall, which is a near-impossible task, the more useful question that we’ll aim to answer is:which one is the best for me?

This three-way versus piece highlights the key differences between these 4.5 star-rated cameras, and their common features. Hopefully, when you’ve read it you should have a better idea of which camera is best for your particular demands.

The Osmo Action 5 Pro costs the less than the Hero 13 Black and Ace Pro 2, but there are good-value bundles to be had with the other models

>>>BCX202 Battery for DJI Osmo Action 3 4

1. Insta360 Ace Pro 2 vs GoPro Hero 13 Black vs DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: price and availability

• Insta360 Ace Pro 2 from $399.99 
• Hero 13 Black from $399.99 
• Osmo Action 5 Pro from $349 

The GoPro Hero 13 Black came first on September 4 and hit the shelves later that month, costing $399.99 for the standard bundle. The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro followed two weeks later on September 19, and undercut GoPro with a lower asking price of $349 for a standard bundle. Then came the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 on October 22, at virtually the same price as the Hero 13 Black (unless you live in Australia where it’s pricier), costing $399.99.

DJI wins on price outright. However, there are variations in price when you start considering the bundles on offer with additional accessories, and many people will want to consider one of these depending on what they plan to use their camera for. It’s certainly worth checking out what accessories are available, and how much they add to the cost. For example, GoPro’s ‘Accessories’ bundle costs around the same as DJI’s Adventure Combo, with the two priced at $449 and $449 respectively.

• Price winner: DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro

The Ace Pro 2’s screen can be flipped up for the largest selfie display of the three cameras here, plus it can be tilted up for easy waist-level viewing

>>>BHX212 Battery for DJI Osmo Pocket 3

2. Insta360 Ace Pro 2 vs GoPro Hero 13 Black vs DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: design and displays

• Ace Pro 2: Flip up 2.5-inch rear touchscreen
• Hero 13 Black: twin LCD screens, only the 2.27-inch main screen is touch sensitive
• Osmo Action 5 Pro: twin OLED screens, both touch sensitive, 2.5-inch main screen

Insta360 takes a unique approach to screen design in that its Ace Pro 2 is the only camera here with a flip-up rear touchscreen. At 2.5 inches it’s the largest display too. There’s also a small front LCD, but that’s for menus only, and doesn’t display the image when you’re taking selfies.

GoPro and DJI, on the other hand, utilize a front and rear dual-screen arrangement, and DJI has the upper hand over GoPro here: its Osmo Action 5 Pro has cutting-edge dualOLEDtouchscreens, while the Hero 13 Black has simpler dual LCDs, and only the rear screen is touch sensitive. The Osmo Action 5 Pro’s rear screen is larger than Hero 13 Black’s too, at 2.5 inches against 2.27 inches.

Both DJI’s and GoPro’s screens offers similar brightness levels, but overall DJI’s screens are better than GoPro’s. So what about the Insta360 Ace Pro 2? Well, there are distinct advantages to the Ace Pro 2’s flip-up screen: you get the largest selfie display for easier viewing, plus the screen can rest at any angle within its 180-degree range. That means you can tilt it up 90 degrees for easier viewing at low angles – and that facility will come in handy a lot, trust us. One example is when the camera is mounted to a bike – you can easily see the screen while riding.

It’s not a one-way street though. For selfies you need to take that extra step of flipping the screen up, whereas the Osmo Action 5 Pro’s fixed selfie screen is always there, even if it is smaller. There’s also the impact on design and durability overall. Action cameras are likely to take plenty of knocks, and the additional mechanisms in the flip-up screen could prove to be a point of weakness that the GoPro and DJI models don’t have – we haven’t broken an Ace Pro-series screen yet though.

The Ace Pro 2 is also a little larger than its rivals, and that’s no doubt due in part to its screen design. Which screen is best? It depends on how you’re using your camera, but the Ace Pro 2’s is the most versatile.

• Design and displays winner: Insta360 Ace Pro 2

The Hero 13 Black’s best new feature is its auto-detected lens mount system. Add one of the HB-series of lenses or ND filters and the camera will automatically optimize settings accordingly

3. Insta360 Ace Pro 2 vs GoPro Hero 13 Black vs DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: design and accessories

• Ace Pro 2: 39ft / 12m waterproofing, physically larger, integrated wind guard
• Hero 13 Black: 33ft / 10m waterproofing, HB-series of lenses and filters, three ways to mount
• Osmo Action 5 Pro: 66ft / 20m waterproofing, easy Bluetooth mic connectivity, 47GB internal storage

GoPro action cameras have been around the longest and enjoy the widest range of accessories, and dedicated accessories are what you’ll likely need to secure your camera for capturing the action. The Hero 13 Black also gained a new HB-series of lenses and ND filters, which opens up some exciting possibilities.

At the Hero 13 Black launch, GoPro also announced a macro lens with focus ring, an ultrawide lens (essentially the same as the previous Max Mod for the Hero 12 Black), and a set of four ND filters, plus an anamorphic lens that’s due in 2025.

What’s best of all is that these lens mods and filters are auto-detected by the Hero 13 Black, which will automatically optimize that camera settings accordingly. The Macro lens mod is especially handy for vlogging because it gives you a 4x shorter close-focus distance – the 40cm (approx) close-focusing distance of all the cameras, Hero 13 Black included, can make vlogging a challenge.

All three cameras have removable lens protectors, magnetic mounting as well as screw-on mounting, plus a durable build quality. The Osmo Action 5 Pro boasts the best waterproofing plus a built-in depth gauge, although there are also underwater cases available to further improve the waterproofing for serious divers – GoPro offers an optional 60m-proof underwater case.

Each camera also offers Bluetooth connectivity for accessories such as wireless mics. However, if you use any of DJI’s wireless mics with the Osmo Action 5 Pro, such as the Mic 2, the experience feels a lot slicker and streamlined than connecting third-party mics, as you’ll need to do with the other two cameras.

The Osmo Action 5 Pro is the only camera to offer internal storage, to the tune of 47GB. It otherwise records onto microSD, like the other cameras.

• Design winner: GoPro Hero 13 Black

4. Ace Pro 2 vs GoPro Hero 13 Black vs DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: sensor and image quality

• Ace Pro 2: 1/1.3-inch sensor, limited 8K video, 4K 60fps, up to 50MP photos
• Hero 13 Black: 1/1.9-inch multi-aspect sensor, 27MP photos, 5.3K video
• Osmo Action 5 Pro: 1/1.3-inch sensor, up to 40MP photos, 4K video

Insta360 and DJI go toe-to-toe in their sensor specs. Both are 1/1.3-inch, being larger than the GoPro’s, capable of shooting 50MP and 40MP stills respectively. We’ve shot night footage side by side with the two cameras, and you can see the results above – the quality is pretty similar, and streets ahead of the GoPro’s.

Both Insta360 and DJI also claim up to 13.5 stops of dynamic range. Presumably that’s in the optimizedHDRvideo mode – while the two cameras also offer night modes, called PureVideo (in4Kup to 60fps) and SuperNight respectively (in 4K up to 30fps).

The Ace Pro 2 is also the only camera here with8Kvideo. However, it comes with a few limitations: the field of view is smaller, it doesn’t support the camera’s best image stabilization, nor can you shoot with the new I-Log color profile. We can’t knock Insta360 for including it, especially as the other cameras don’t have it, but don’t pin your hopes on the Ace Pro 2’s 8K footage.

GoPro’s Hero 13 Black is the only camera to offer 5.3K video, together with HDR and HLG modes to eliminate blown highlights in bright clouds. Its 8:7 aspect 1/1.9-inch sensor is good for mixing up shooting horizontal, square and vertical footage, while its 27MP stills are decent.

When shooting in bright light the cameras are evenly matched, and so it comes down to taste really, with the Hero 13 Black arguably having the edge, while in low light the Ace Pro 2 and Osmo Action 5 Pro are evenly matched, with both outperforming the GoPro.

• Sensor and image quality winner: Tie

The battery hub of the Osmo Action 5 Pro can recharge batteries quicker than its rivals

5. Ace Pro 2 vs GoPro Hero 13 Black vs DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: battery life

• Ace Pro 2: 1800mAh battery with up to 3 hours record time (Enduro mode)
• Hero 13 Black: 1,900mAh battery with up to 2.5 hours record time
• Osmo Action 5 Pro: 1,950mAh battery with up to 4 hours record time

Improved battery life was clearly on the agenda for all three brands, with their latest flagships all boasting significantly better performance compared to their predecessors.

According to the specs, the GoPro Hero 13 Black can record 1080p video for up to 2.5 hours and 5.3K video for up to 1.5 hours. That would put it in last place. However, we found the Ace Pro 2’s superior battery life quotes to be generous, we were only able to record around 2.25 hours of 4K 30fps footage, or 70 minutes of 4K 60fps. That’s still an excellent if similar performance to GoPro. GoPro’s battery is a higher capacity cell, but Insta360 has seemingly been able to increase efficiency in its Ace Pro 2 camera.

DJI outdoes both Insta360 and GoPro with its marginally higher-capacity 1950mAh cell and notably higher battery life – the Osmo Action 5 can supposedly last up to four hours of 1080p shooting. It’ll also recharge batteries faster too, although not by much over the Ace Pro 2.

There are endless battery life tests that we could perform that could turn out different results to the quoted times that are based on certain camera settings. Utilizing Wi-Fi and GPS will have an adverse impact on battery life, as will leaving the screens on. You can extend the life of the battery by sacrificing any of those features.

• Battery life winner: Osmo Action 5 Pro

6. Ace Pro 2 vs GoPro Hero 13 Black vs DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: shooting modes

• Ace Pro 2: 4K 120fps slow-motion, 4K 60fps night and HDR modes
• Hero 13 Black: 4K 120fps slow-mo, 2.7K video at 240fps, 400fps at 720p
• Osmo Action 5 Pro: 4K SuperNight mode, 4K 120fps

There are shooting modes aplenty in all three cameras. Be warned, though: it’s normal for the more exotic modes – like the 8K resolution of the Ace Pro 2 or the 400fps slow-motion recording of the Hero 13 Black – to come with numerous caveats. I’ve already listed the limitations of the Ace Pro 2’s 8K, while the slow-motion recording modes of the Hero 13 Black are hampered by limited record times and prolonged buffering that delays when you can shoot again.

That said, each camera can be commended for offering the above modes that their rivals lack. For example, the Hero 13 Black’s 240fps mode can be shot in 2.7K resolution, whereas its rivals are limited to Full HD, plus it can shoot up to 400fps.

However, it’s the modes that users will typically rely on that should come under closer scrutiny. For example, HDR is extremely handy in good light for maintaining detail in bright highlights such as clouds. The Hero 13 Black can shoot HDR video at full 5.3K resolution, but only up to 30fps – you lose 60fps. Both Ace Pro 2 and Osmo Action 5 Pro can shoot 4K HDR up to 60fps. The Ace Pro 2’s night mode, called PureVideo, can record in 4K 60fps, while you lose that frame rate with the Osmo Action 5 Pro.

The best advice here is do your research. If you know that you’ll use a particular mode a lot, check out if it comes with limitations that could spoil the experience.

• Modes and features winner: Tie

(Image credit: DJI / GoPro / Insta360)

Early verdict

We’ve reviewed each camera in-depth separately, and made basic comparisons between DJI and Insta360’s action cams against the GoPro Hero 13 Black. Each camera is highly capable in its own right, and which the best of the bunch depends on your needs.

GoPro has been in the game the longest, and has the widest range of accessories, which is further growing with its new HB-series of lenses and filters. The implementation of these accessories, particularly the auto-detection skills, is a standout feature. Insta360 is a relative newbie and has some way to go, although it’s active in the 360-degree camera space and has a decent set of accessories that are compatible with the Ace Pro 2, such as selfie sticks.

Of the three, GoPro is the brand that’s moving the slowest in terms of camera development. DJI and Insta360 had some catching up to do, and boy have they done that in a short time. DJI has doubled down on pro-friendly features, delivered superb build quality, battery life, waterproofing and audio recording with DJI accessories. Insta360 has the neat flip touchscreen and an excellent app editor.

Regarding image quality, if you’re shooting in good light, then the best image quality pretty much comes down to taste. We think the Insta360 Ace Pro 2’s 8K video recording is a bit of a gimmick, but its improved 4K video quality and color profiles are a match for its rivals. It’s even a close call between the Ace Pro 2 and Osmo Action 5 Pro for the best low-light performer, with GoPro otherwise lagging behind.

Whichever camera you land on, you have a winner on your hands.