DJI has unveiled its latest drone, the DJI Mini 4K. The entry-level Flyer is essentially a demo of the four-year-old Mini 2, featuring all the same specs, but that’s not a bad thing, as it has everything airplane pilots need. Ambitious drones may need. Perhaps this is the perfect choice for underwater filmmakers who want to add a little aerial footage to their masterpiece?
The camera is stabilized via a three-axis gimbal and records 4K/30p at a bitrate of 100Mbps. You can shoot 2.7K/60p footage, but the Mini 4K lacks the 4K/60p HDR video recording capabilities of last year’s more expensive version. DJI Mini 4 Pro. However, it shares the drone’s compact form factor, weighing less than 249 grams, which ensures it does not require FAA registration. On the stills side, the camera supports both 8-bit JPG and 12-bit DNG formats.
Beginners will appreciate the drone’s full complement of features, including one-touch takeoff and landing, home return function, and programmed flight modes available. There are also QuickShot modes like Helix, Dronie, Rocket, Circle, Boomerang and Panorama, helping inexperienced drone pilots get cinematic footage and thrilling photos. The companion app has step-by-step instructions that beginners will also find very useful. The Mini 4K offers a range of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and can reach an altitude of 4,000 meters (13,123 feet). With the inbuilt battery, the drone can fly for up to 31 minutes but can fly for more than 90 minutes with the “Fly More” package.
DJI Mini 4K is sold exclusively through DJI’s Amazon Store. It is sold separately with a single battery for $299, in a two-battery pack for $348, and in a three-battery “Fly More” pack for $449.
