DJI Flip Drone Announced – New Folding Design with Focus on Camera

Drone News

by Jakub HanYesterday

DJI Flip drone introduces a new propeller folding design with full prop guards. Aimed at beginners, this sub-249g/8.78oz drone can be operated with or without the controller, has a variety of automatic flying modes, and can follow subjects with front obstacle avoidance. The 48MP camera with a 1/1.3” sensor can capture up to 4K 100fps video and shoot 10-bit clips with D-Log M. DJI Flip is available now for $439.

After releasing the DJI Neo last year, today DJI has launched yet another lightweight drone aimed at beginners. This time, however, the camera specs could attract many advanced prosumers, too, in my opinion. Let’s take a closer look at the new DJI Flip drone.

DJI Flip – new folding design

DJI openly markets the Flip as a drone for beginners, aiming to combine the ease of use of the DJI Neo with a better camera that is on par with the DJI Mini series. The Flip includes the palm takeoff feature, so it can be launched without a remote controller. As DJI claims, thanks to the AI subject tracking, the drone can autonomously follow a subject and perform a few pre-defined moves.

The form factor is quite new for DJI. The Flip features four foldable arms, each with a propeller and a full-coverage prop guard. They all fold neatly beneath the drone, stacking seamlessly to reduce size for easy transportation. The prop guards are made out of lightweight carbon fiber string.

DJI Flip’s takeoff weight is less than 249g/8.78oz, so it falls into the lightest sub-250g/8.78oz category. This makes it easier to fly in some regions (C0 label in Europe). The maximum flight time is 31 minutes. With its 3D infrared sensor at the front, the drone features a forward-facing obstacle-sensing system that also takes advantage of the automatic braking function.

Camera – on par with the DJI Mini 4 Pro?

Finally, let’s talk about the DJI Flip camera. I feel like DJI focused on offering better image quality to beginners who would otherwise consider the DJI Neo. On paper, the 3-axis gimbal-stabilized camera unit closely mimics the one found in the DJI Mini 4 Pro (currently DJI’s top-of-the-line sub-250g drone).

There is a 1/1.3”-type CMOS sensor with a 48MP resolution (2.4μm 4-in-1 pixels). DJI says the sensor features dual native ISO, but they did not disclose the native values. We only know the ISO in video mode is available between 100 and 6400 (normal color profile) or 100 and 1600 (D-Log M color profile).

The 24mm (full-frame focal length equivalent) lens has an 82.1° FOV and a fixed f/1.7 aperture. Minimum focusing distance is 1m/3.3ft. The Flip can shoot still images with either 48MP or binned 12MP resolution saved as JPEG or DNG raw file. DJI says its “Next-gen SmartPhoto^” function combines HDR imaging, scene recognition, and more for enhanced image quality.

In terms of available video resolutions and framerates, the DJI Flip can achieve up to 4K 60fps in standard mode or up to 4K 100fps in slow motion mode. Finally, DJI says the drone can shoot HDR video at up to 4K 60fps too.

• 4K: 3840×2160@24/25/30/48/50/60fps
• FHD: 1920×1080@24/25/30/48/50/60/100fps
• 2.7K Vertical Shooting: 1512×2688@24/25/30fps
• FHD Vertical Shooting: 1080×1920@24/25/30fps

The drone supports 10-bit D-Log M color profile in video mode. The resulting files use an MP4 container and feature a maximum bitrate of 150Mbps. DJI Flip has 2GB internal storage and supports MicroSD cards.

Just like the DJI Neo, the Flip drone can record audio via the connected phone or DJI Mic 2 transmitter and suppress the propeller sound in the background, according to DJI. In the end, the company labels the DJI Flip as a “vlogging camera drone.”

Smartphone control and automatic modes

As I mentioned above, DJI Flip can be launched without a controller. The drone can then perform one of the automatic moves or it can be controlled via smartphone with the help of a Wi-Fi connection. The app also includes a new one-handed interface for controlling the Flip as well as voice control.

The drone supports various automatic modes such as hyperlapse, MasterShots, QuickShots, panorama, and digital zoom. The QuickShots feature includes various modes: Dronie, Circle, Spotlight, Helix, and Boomerang. The Flip can perform these automatically with no remote controller needed. The exported footage (there is a fast wireless transfer option for smartphones) can be tweaked with DJI’s “Glamour effects.”

When connected to a DJI controller, the drone supports DJI O4 video transmission and can fly for up to 14km/8.7miles maximum distance (fcc mode). The drone is compatible with the DJI RC-N3 and RC 2 controllers. Of course, the range is limited when only using the wi-fi connection with a smartphone.

DJI Flip comes with the parallel charging hub known from the DJI Neo.

Price and availability

The DJI Flip drone is available now, and there are three pre-configured sets to choose from:

• DJI Flip – aside from the drone itself, this kit includes the DJI RC-N3 controller (without display), one battery, spare props, and a gimbal protector. It retails for $439 (from €439, including VAT in Europe).
• DJI Flip (DJI RC 2) – aside from the drone itself, this kit includes the DJI RC 2 controller (with display), one battery, spare props, and a gimbal protector. It sells for $639 (from €63,9, including VAT in Europe).
• DJI Flip Fly more combo (DJI RC 2) – aside from the drone itself, this kit includes the DJI RC 2 controller (with display), three batteries, spare props (three pairs), a charging hub, a gimbal protector, and a shoulder bag. It sells for $779 (from €779, including VAT in Europe).

Do you have experience with the DJI Neo or any other sub-250g drone? What do you think about the DJI Flip? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section underneath the article.