DJI Neo

From £169/$199 (standalone)
www.dji.com
Let's not beat around the bush. At its core, the DJI Neo is built around an idea borrowed from another company. The question isn't how revolutionary it is because, for once, DJI isn't the innovator here.
The question is 'Has DJI done it better?' From that perspective, the existing rival that DJI is looking to unseat is the HoverAir X1 - though history records a much less impressive 'selfie drone' (or 'follow-me drone'), the Snapchat Pixy. There are other ways we can look at the DJI Neo, though, because it does do a lot.
With DJI in the unfamiliar position of being behind the market, the company has gone all-out in terms of features, including a 4K camera and the option to control the craft 'properly' using one of the company's RC-N3 controllers - in addition to all the cleverness of automatically orbiting the owner. That means you can buy the drone as a 'selfie drone', using AI and/or an app to follow you, or you can opt to fly it more like a conventional drone. That flexibility isn't something the HoverAir X1 can do out of the box.
That perhaps hints at another of DJI's legacies - the Tello drone - now long in the tooth, but still a popular drone for beginners. Some will reasonably be asking whether this is a successor that is safe (and even educational) for children. It feels like this drone is trying to be at least three different types of models... but can it manage it?
Build and handling
DJI has opted for a rigid frame for the Neo which puts the four props in whoop-like vents, not unlike a larger version of a toy drone but built from the same matt grey plastic familiar from its Mini series drones.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In

Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM £3,049/$2,899
This f/2 standard zoom is an engineering marvel that could replace your 24-70mm

10 WAYS TO...SHOOT THE PAST
From castles and country houses to medieval bridges, there are many historic features in the landscape to photograph

Nikon Z5 II - £1,599/$1,699 (body only)
Affordable full-framer packed with powerful features

A pinhole pursuit
Forget about retro cameras - learn how to turn your digital beast into a relic of bygone days

Capturing brown pelicans
Tony Britton explains how preparation and patience are key to photographing these very large birds

Canon EOS R5 Mark II £4,499/$3,999 (body only)
The brand's most important – and most powerful – camera

Scanning ahead...
Could Adobe's latest updates lead to a wider acceptance of Al-generated art

Shot of the month
'Misty over Manchester' by Jason Darbyshire wins our #dcmdronechallenge competition.

Behind the lens
Ever wondered who was the first woman to take a photograph?

Fujinon XF16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR II £1,149/$1,199
Updated standard zoom focuses on improved performance