DJI NEO // EXPOSING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CAMERA QUALITY (you'll be shocked!)

[@chargeriderepeat7024]

The hate on the camera is beyond me, I think it does better than my Hero8, I'm honestly going to use the Neo for my mtb vids from now on

[@tmc-fpv]

I think the hate stems from the fact you have to invest further just to access the camera settings.

[@nyrubin]

50mbs at h.265 is 200mbs equivalent if it were h.264. Yes all technical stuff, but with that said.... a drone that follows you for 200 bucks lol! What a great time to be alive!

[@j4nv]

DJI should use your slogan for their ads 👍

[@PetervanderLinden]

Sir, you own the internet with that beautiful insight - "a drone that follows you for $200, LOL!" !!

[@csc-photo]

Biggest thing for me is needing to buy a controller for manual exposure & sharpness settings. Hopefully an app update addresses this. But for the $, this drone looks really fun and very convenient for many scenarios. I’d probably use it more than my current drone 🙂

[@geosol19]

I found the fly more bundle to be a very good entry point into camera drones for me, got a big enough range of features to try, along with extra batteries very happy with it so far, and will probably get the next mini pro once it's released, will have gotten a bunch of experience until then on the neo)

[@bruunm1975]

I was just getting the drone for my birthday. Once I saw the price for batteries and charger as well as a remote (eventually) I just had my wife buy the fly more package and gave her the extra cash. No brainer.

[@DCypher7]

Does the Litchi app solve this?

[@bruunm1975]

Getting Neo Fly More today for my birthday. Should be fun.

[@alexanderlvt]

This video is very convincing. For a €200 drone that is fantastic. People who buy this (I'm one of them) don't need superb cinematic quality. We just want good looking images as memories and to share with others. Great video. Many thanks 😊

[@DroneFilmGuide]

I'd have to agree!

[@es1951]

i like your review and the way you compare certain parameters - great and thanks. oh forgot - what about still images?

[@lukefoxwell]

Defo needs manual exposure & sharpness settings for the smart phone app

[@miboxed]

Great in-depth review of the DJI Neo. The comparison other cameras and the tips for optimizing image quality are helpful. However, it's unfortunate that some essential features like manual exposure control are currently missing from the mobile app. Hopefully, DJI will address these limitations in future updates. Overall, the Neo seems like a good value for the price, especially considering its performance in challenging lighting conditions.

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Perfect summary. I think things will look quite different a few months from now.

[@DCypher7]

@@DroneFilmGuide Does the Litchi app resolve this?

[@ricarmig]

@@DroneFilmGuideno they won’t. I waited two years for my pocket 2 to get some things polished as they said they would and they were never done. Lots of drones could have 2.7k60 and they don’t. DJI “fixes” a product releasing a NEW product.

[@stefpix]

To those who say you can not expect much from a 200 dollar/euro drone's camera, the image would be better if DJI would not have done anything to add sharpness and contrast. What is bad is not the camera itself, but the way DJI decided to bake in overcooked settings. I wonder if they decided to make the video output to look worse to not cannibalize sales of the DJI mini series. Great video as usual. I am wondering if using the phone as a controller does not allow return to home if the drone is out of sight.

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Well put. This video shows it is a very good camera - especially for the price. And to be honest, this entire conversation is happening because of DJI's decision to give extra software functionality to those who buy a controller. No one is asking for something that doesn't exist or 'more' for the money - just software consistency that already exists. Personally I don't think it's a cynical marketing ploy on DJI's part to sell controllers. First generation products are always updated after release.

[@BhupenderSingh-mm2rk]

Dji and people were saying this drone is for beginners lol, this drone is for pro editors and and post processing magicians, it's a fun challenge to make footage better with editing but beginner won't take that much pain, and will prefer buying portrait sensor mini 3/4 pro, if they have money. I like challenge so I will be buying this as my first drone ( also becoz I can't afford anything else). 🥲

[@LaurenceLDN]

Withour fixed exposure, it is difficult to make the image the best it can be. I hope they add the option to the phone app (along with the sharpness slider). It would make it a pretty compelling offer.

[@fly-9262]

My fly app has stopped working for over a month now so I tried to re-download the app on my phone, and this didn't work ether. Not sure what's up with that 🤔

[@snockdawg82]

I think you expecting a wow factor camera on a 200 dollar ai empowered auto flying drone is absurd. Great work with the side by sides. Looks like it's worth the entry price.

[@sullfolife]

let's wait for the HoverAir promax to compete

[@ricarmig]

A 200€ drone from DJI should have a better camera and unlocked app settings. Even cheap mobile phones have a better image quality and eventually 4K60.

[@Dartheomus]

Honestly, I would pay twice as much for this drone to have a real camera on it. I didn't expect it to be stellar, but I didn't expect it to look like one of those $40 drones that I bought 10 years ago either.

[@ricarmig]

@@Dartheomus ATM the Avata 2 (drone only ) is twice as much and has great camera

[@ricarmig]

@@Dartheomus ATM the Avata 2 (drone only ) is twice as much and has great camera

[@sotirisrezitis]

Can’t wait for your review and recommend settings on DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro!!!!

[@terryleung9422]

Can you tell us more on the NEO's still photo capability? Thanks.

[@terryleung9422]

@@AtortAerials of course, but iphone cant fly.

[@StuartDWright]

We call it edge enhancement when talking about sharpening picture processing on TVs. Turning the sharpness down to near off helps. Thanks for useful info. Stuart from AVForums.

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Bingo!

[@lifeneedsmorechill]

If i need a controller to adjust basic image settings, I'm better off with the other minis like mini 4k

[@juanmeneses9684]

Great info. I just bought this drone for social media content creation. Could you please make a video explaining how to convert 4:3 aspect ratio to 9:16 retaining good quality ?

[@ForTheLoveOfSuits]

Thanks for all the details on this new drone.

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

Thank for these videos. Been looking for a drone to take our videos to the next level.

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Thanks! Great looking channel BTW!

[@ID00007]

Why does no one turn down the noise reduction in the tests and everyone is limited only to reducing the sharpness, perhaps this will remove the watercolor and low resolution?

[@baliphilipp]

Did you reached out to DJI and suggested to at sharpness control to the normal app and that's saved so you do can use it with -2 sharpness even without the smartphone?

[@danburyvan5845]

I’ve just bought the new hover air X1 pro max. With 8k. I’d love to see what you make of it and what potential it has. 👍🏻

[@timcorso6337]

Well it looks like it has a faster follow speed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHyYhnyHms14m5I

[@RubberontheroadIndonesia]

4k LOOKS FINE TO ME, Tell me how many people would process their footage for KZbin with 200- 800%. Lets be realistic. It looks fine on a 42 inch TV

[@JWNRW59]

Thanks for posting this video. DJI clearly feels that they need to compete with the low end category and I can see how this makes sense for their target market here to get more penetration in the market. Entry level good enough drone for the masses. Still think that the Mini series is a better value but I can see this being popular with the “influencer” and “tech-dad” sets. If you want better image quality spend more money. Otherwise this is very much a fun option for many. But if you want to leverage a controller I feel you are better buying a Mini.

[@villaribabambule]

Great content, as always 👍

[@RonaldBrown59]

Thanks for the tips on how improve image quality. I know this is a $200 camera, so expectations shouldn't be very high for image quality. But I would have willing to pay more for a better camera option. Great video Stewart, thanks for sharing.

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Appreciate your comments as always Ron. Sure thing, personally, having had the luxury of using all the other much more expensive drones, the picture quality is not really what we are used to - although we do love trying to get maximum performance from 'normal' gear. But like you say, one would expect to pay more for a better camera and there's no shortage of options in this respect. I love the form factor of the Neo and the hybrid, FPV/camera nature of the drone so assuming DJI stick with this format and come out with higher-end or upgraded versions at some point, it's going to be an interesting future. I'd say from the comments under Neo videos that those who have actually received the product are pleased with it.

[@RonaldBrown59]

@@DroneFilmGuide I wonder how many people will still be flying the Neo on the daily six months from now.

[@jcjven19]

Please upload video on how you edit you Neo footage.

[@adrianbell4597]

I confess to buying the fly more combo, having seen so much on many KZbin channels about the need to reduce the sharpness and noise reduction settings. I've very limited understanding of and little enthusiasm to get involved with editing software, being one of the target audience who just want a simple tool for a quick drone shot or two, in my case while enjoying the great outdoors. But if there's an opportunity to improve image quality, all the better. As the spare batteries and charger bank would no doubt be a likely purchase down the line, the price of the bundled package comes close to covering the cost of the RC-N3, so it was an obvious choice given the advanced settings capability. However, as I favour utilising the Neo in its simplest form, I'm likely to leave the controller at home and rely on the app if I feel the need to fly manually, so my question is, having adjusted the settings as advised via the RC-N3 controller, do those settings remain locked on the Neo if I leave the controller at home?

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Thanks for the comment! No, the settings don't remained locked I'm afraid. Don't worry about it though. The thing is, if DJI didn't go and make the drone 'better' with the use of the controller, no one would be having this conversation and we'd all be saying how amazing it is for such a low price. But by discriminating with a software restriction/simplification when using the mobile app, they've brought this on themselves. Big picture - it's a cracking tool for the use you describe so just enjoy it. Cheers!

[@TVNetworld]

cant wait to reveive my hover air x1 pro max 8K 30fps - curiouse about the comparison with DJI

[@es1951]

wanted to add the following. i am convinced that the mini 4 pro has worse still image quality than the mini2 - at least the JPED out of the camera. i got a lot of heat from other forum members but i do have proof. i just wonder if you ever looked at this?

Me parece que usando o oculos aparece uma opção para diminuir e travar a exposição, mais tem que ser com o óculos.

[@lynsmith1096]

Very good video Stuart

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Appreciate the comment as always!

[@SaimYilmaz]

One thing I noticed is when you switch between auto and manuel camera settings modes, auto looks flatter and manuel looks more contrasty. Is that a bug?

Também com o óculos desligar a estabilização automatica que pede muito do vídeo, para fazer depois a estabilização via software.

[@vincentochoa386]

Why use an iPhone 11 to compare?

[@markshirley01]

The only thing missing for me is a cinematic mode for smooth slower motion

[@GabenHood]

I hope they add the advanced options for non controller users. It's kind of a toy otherwise. My pessimistic side thinks they won't, to sell more controllers. But there's always hope of a new firmware.

[@christophe4604]

Can you fix the 404 error on the free download section?

[@lochess3182]

What would the best way to upload vertically to instagram? Thanks

[@juanmeneses9684]

Just asked the same question. I believe most of us bought the drone for social media content, and that is the biggest problem we are currently encountering.

[@ExploringLifeWithChris]

Just use a video editor like Divinci Resolve (it’s free) and you can create vertical videos. I do this all the time for my drone footage.

[@tong.clement]

Waiting for googles integra compatibility, improved camera hardware, and improved tracking speed in the Neo pro

[@GabenHood]

Anyone wondering, 20kph is about the limit for tracking. I probably should ha e gone for the mini pro but it's 5-6 times the price.

[@maomao180]

Oversharpened image artifacts are called halos

[@DroningaboutIreland]

Love watching the videos but the Neo isn't something I'd get considering 80% of the time the wind would blow your head off here, still a cool bit of kit though.

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Yup. It can physically fly reasonably well in the wind but it can't stabilise the footage in extreme situations because it uses EIS. Especially when the camera is tilted down then you are asking the EIS to stabilise what is essentially a panning movement and it's too much.

[@mtbboy1993]

2:18 It's called helo.

[@walkerandwilliam]

Very informative . I definitely won’t be buying one till sharpness and iso are available on the phone app. Very poor on dji’s part and I love their products but will not capitulate on this one..btw I’ve all the osmo’s action cams and other stuff

[@nicholasthackeray4357]

Wouldn’t this be a more equal comparison by using a newer iPhone (13 and beyond) or newer Samsung. The brand new dji action camera and new dji neo vs very very old iPhone 11 :/

[@KurtPapke]

Agree, should be compared to the iPhone 16 with the larger wide angle sensor.

[@DrDinB]

Needs 2.7K 60 fps which should be doable with the current processor

[@ricarmig]

Sorry to say but this seems a DJI promoted video. It’s quite obvious: - very low dynamic range. The shadows are too dark, the sky too bright. Period. - you can recover shadows without too much noise: no. The algorithm kills the noise and the detail. The final touch is the h265 heavy compression. At the end, when you recover “shadows”, you are just recovering dark digital mushy pixels. As the Mavic Air retains more the sensor’s detail, you see more noise. If you apply a heavy noise reduction and h265 compression and only THEN you try to recover the dark areas, the result will be the same: no noise…but also no detail. - DJI demands a remote controller to change some settings and have more reliable RTH?! 😂 I love the Neo/Avata format but I won’t spend money until DJI get their “things” together. Too bad to be true: hide settings unless you have a controller? Hide image settings because the Neo is cheaper? Release a drone like this with a so cheap sensor? (Nowadays these camera modules cost less than 10€…)

[@gadgetguy9984]

The

[@KyKyRyZaKZ]

Neo camera for sure great as for 200$, camera attached to a great drone...

[@TopCrinkly68]

Can explore the use with ND filters, please, Thanks

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Soon. NDs are trick with EIS because EIS requires a fast shutter to work.

[@slojam100]

I believe this product isn't designed for the pro/semipro user. The quality of the video is mediocre to be honest but... I'm sure that DJI could produce a standalone product that has the same flying abilities as the neo with the video capabilities as say the mini 4. Granted it'll be more expensive than the neo but less than the mini 4. Just my opinion guys 👍

[@JBC_cat]

I feel like this is a pretty dirty way for them to try and sell controllers and the fly more kit. It just seems so intentional. Especially considering it already got a update and no change on the phone app. So basically if you want a good picture, you are forced to pay almost double. Just seems like greedy business tactics. The picture and video tweaking should never be behind a paywall.

[@pdtech4524]

Unfortunately, that's how marketing and 'upselling' works. It's always worth looking out for 2nd hand used controllers, I see them quite often advertised online cheap when people lose their drone!😊

[@truenorth365]

Strange to compare a drone camera with an iPhone. Eyes in diffrent places yeah?

[@airbnbphotography]

I would not call it a great camera, my first drone Mavic Air, 6 years ago amazing sharpness without any adjustments

[@LaurenceLDN]

It's 135 grams...probably 2/3 the weight of the phone in your pocket. If they can just add manual exposure and sharpness to the phone app (and ideally a 2.7k 60fps option), then that would make it a brilliant option for the price.

[@chainsov]

does it retain the sharpness setting? Like if I borrow someone's remote and set it, will it stay?

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Afraid not.

[@uptowndisco2]

no normal person ever sitting at home watching on TV says this picture is to sharp , they just do not care so long as it looks nice and clear , only a photographer would notice . as for me at after a stroke at 70 left with only sight in one eye I need things as sharp as possible as the eye that's left is not great 👁🤣

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Appreciate the comment!

[@chainsov]

ppl without photography experience would just say the picture looks unnatural or shit, without knowing exactlly that its the oversharpening, that is causing this.

[@JeremyHolmes]

Halo effect

[@pdtech4524]

To be fair a 4k camera for £169 is fairly hard to beat anyway but a flying one you can put anywhere in the sky and has a host of AI features! C'mon it's not that bad image quality all things considered!😊

[@Dartheomus]

It's pretty bad. You can upscale a video to whatever resolution you want to call it, but I've seen 720p video look much higher resolution than this.

[@davidleighton7557]

Its called halo-ing

[@rankovsrdjan]

Buy controller for -2 sharpness. Just idiotic from Dji side.

[@PedrinhoSilva]

Maybe they won't even release this update to control exposure via cell phone, so people will be forced to buy the controller.

[@Fikarblackproject]

200$ drone can follow your everywhere🤤

[@frankinblackpool]

Your opening scene, is that just outside Fort William? 😇 As for my Mini 4 and low light, it truely is astonishing what that puppy can do with HLG and filming a firework display. Could you imagine what a DJI Neo could achieve with the computing grunt and 10bit colour profiles of its bigger siblings? There is obviously plenty of wiggle room for physical upgrades as this little screaming drone is well under 250gms.

[@DroneFilmGuide]

Like you indicate, much as we are enjoying the Neo, it's the glimpse into what the future holds that gets us excited. DJI will obviously have plans for a Neo 2, 3, 4 and 5 so it's a pretty bright future I'd say.

[@frankinblackpool]

@@DroneFilmGuide Lets gloss over the phrase "War is the mother of invention". On a sad note we will get cool toys far sooner than later, now that product research is actively under way in a specific part of the world with thousands of drones per day being instantly disassembled. 😥

[@springwoodcottage4248]

Very interesting! Thank you for sharing!

[@rag3geCKo]

NEO is a toy. A very cool toy. It's not up to video work though.

[@gekoldronevideos]

Great video about the Neo video quality👍👊I have enhanced Neo video with Topaz Video AI, great results can be achieved. The video about it is out on my channel. Also I compared the original with the Topaz Video AI enhanced video. I really like the Neo, very versatile drone! Greetings from 🇳🇱

[@Frequency47]

Neo is a garbage toy drone for kids.