DJI Neo drone review: A compact companion for new pilots

Note: This review was first published on 28 November 2024.

It’s not every day that I get the opportunity to fly a drone. Unveiled at IFA 2024, the DJI Neo is the company's smallest and lightest drone yet. And for the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to have a go at flying this tiny drone.

The TL;DR version:



A good entry-level drone with solid video quality, the Neo suits individuals interested in exploring aerial photography or those seeking a unique way to capture their memories.



Note: You can purchase the DJI Neo from Shopee, Lazada, and the official DJI online store.

Build and Design 

Out of the box, the DJI Neo is impressively compact and lightweight, weighing in at just 135g.  This puts it comfortably under the 250g limit that would require it to be registered here in Singapore.

Measuring just 130 x 157 x 48.5mm, the Neo is small enough to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, –even if you have smaller hands. Despite its diminutive size, the drone feels sturdy and well-constructed. It does not feel fragile. I found that I could easily carry it around without feeling weighed down, whether in a backpack or even in my cargo pants which has larger pockets.

The drone itself features a sleek light grey colour scheme that's become something of a signature with DJI products and comes along with integrated propeller guards that provide additional protection during flights from the inevitable crashes that come with learning to fly.

Operating the drone

Operating the DJI Neo is rather straightforward, even for those new to drones. The process of getting the drone up and running requires only the DJI Fly app. After downloading the app, connecting the drone to the phone via Wi-Fi was a seamless experience, with the app providing clear, step-by-step instructions throughout the setup process. The app’s interface is well-organised and intuitive. You use virtual joysticks for manual control and there are quick access to various flight modes.



For those who prefer more tactile control, the Fly More Combo version I tested includes the RC-N3 controller – a traditional twin-stick remote control that I found offers more precise control. Besides that, the controller is also perfect for users who enjoy the feedback that a physical controller provides, or for those looking to push the Neo to its limits.

What’s unique about the DJI Neo is that it is equipped with a range of preset flight modes called QuickShot modes, which are designed to help users capture footage with minimal effort. These QuickShots modes include:

• Spotlight – The drone tracks and follows a subject, maintaining a constant distance and angle
• Circle – The Neo circles around the subject, creating a sweeping shot
• Dronie – Starting close to the subject, the drone flies backwards and upward, revealing more of the surrounding environment
• Rocket – The drone ascends vertically with the camera pointing downward, creating a top-down view
• Helix – The Neo ascends and spirals around the subject
• Boomerang – The Neo flies around the subject in an oval path, ascending as it flies away from the starting point, and descending as it flies back

These QuickShot modes can be quickly changed through the physical button on the front of the drone or through the fly app. I liked Circle as it allows for hands-free 360° videos - perfect for fit checks or fun poses. Together with Circle, there is also the palm take-off and landing.

One thing to note, the QuickShot modes cannot be combined together, so users will have to rely on manual mode if you're planning on doing a shot like the Rocket and Boomerang shots combined. 

Camera and flight performance

Speaking of shots, at the heart of the Neo's imaging capabilities is a 1/2-inch sensor capable of capturing 12MP photos and recording video at up to 4K at up to 30fps.

In good lighting conditions, the Neo captures sharp and fairly detailed images. Colours are sufficiently accurate, though, depending on the subject, the Neo has a tendency to over expose images. Even as it was hovering a couple of meters up in the air, the electronic image stabilisation did a good job of keeping shots steady. 

On the other hand, the 4K video footage is fairly detailed and looks good as long as you don't pixel peep. While it may not match the quality of DJI’s higher-end models like the Mavic 3 Pro, the video recorded is more than adequate for social media. If you want higher frame rates, the Neo is also capable of capturing at up to 60fps but only at Full-HD quality.

One area where the Neo surprisingly shines is its electronic image stabilisation. As mentioned, weighing at 135g, there were some concerns that slight winds would affect the video footage. I’m happy to report that even when flying during windy conditions or with a fan blowing at it directly as it hovered, the Neo did a good job of keeping the footage smooth and steady.

It’s worth mentioning that in low light conditions, the image and footage quality degrades significantly, which is to be expected given the fairly small sensor. Noise becomes more apparent in photos and videos, so I recommend only using the Neo during daylight hours or in well-lit environments. 

Though all is well in terms of manual flying, one significant feature set missing is the lack of obstacle avoidance sensors. This technology, found on more expensive DJI drones, helps prevent collisions by detecting and avoiding obstacles automatically. Without it, you would need to be more cautious, especially when using the automated flight modes, or flying near trees or buildings. While the DJI Neo comes along with propeller guards for some protection, it still features a largely plastic construction.

In terms of speed, the Neo can reach up to 16m/s in ideal conditions. This is plenty fast for most users and uses. Even at speeds like these, the drone’s stability and manoeuvrability were good and it was able to handle move quickly even against light and moderate winds.

The Neo can stay airborne for up to 18 minutes on a single battery charge. Though this is significantly less than the larger Mavic 3's 46-minute flight time, it's entirely reasonable given its compact size. 18 minutes should suffice for the Neo's target audience. Readers who need more air time should consider the Fly More Combo, which includes additional batteries and a charging hub, significantly extending the Neo's flight time. 

Charging takes about 40 minutes for a single battery when plugged directly into the drone. The multi-battery charging hub that comes with the Fly More Combo can charge up to three batteries simultaneously in about 60 minutes, which is great if you intend to have an extended flying session.

Sample footage and photos

Play

As you can see, the Neo produces decent footage and photos for its specs and price. I don't think it's quite good enough for professional work, but casual users looking to dip their feet into drone videography and photography should be well satisfied.

One potential drawback of the Neo is its reliance on internal storage. With 22GB of built-in memory, the Neo can store about 40 minutes of 4K footage or 55 minutes of 1080p video. While this should probably suffice for most users – since the Neo only has around 18 minutes of flight time – I did find myself having to transfer files to my phone mid-session during longer outings with the additional batteries. The QuickTransfer feature is relatively fast, but an SD card slot would have been a welcome addition. 

A great drone for beginners and casual users 

For me, as a first-time drone user, the DJI Neo hits a sweet spot. At S$249, it offers a fun, accessible introduction to the world of drones without breaking the bank. If you’re curious about aerial photography, drones in general, or just want a new way to capture memories, the Neo is definitely worth considering. 

Its strengths lie in its portability, ease of use, and the quality of footage it can capture. The automated flight modes make it easy to get cinematic shots without needing expert piloting skills, while the intuitive controls via smartphone or controller offer room to grow as you become more comfortable with drone flight.

However, the DJI Neo is not perfect. The lack of obstacle avoidance sensors means that you’ll need to be more cautious during flight. The battery life also isn't great and beginners will likely need to invest in batteries to get more mileage out of it.

If you’re keen on getting the DJI Neo, it is available for purchase from Shopee, Lazada, and the official DJI online store. The base model retails for S$249 while the Fly More Combo which was our version, costs S$439.

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