The DJI Neo 2 expands on the revolutionary legacy of the original DJI Neo. The Neo continues to provide exceptional value at just $249 CAD, which is a price point that offers an accessible entry point for new drone pilots. This small, adventure-ready drone comes packed with features, including versatile controls, Palm Takeoff, and an immersive FPV experience. The DJI Neo 2 builds upon these features with key upgrades while maintaining a low weight and budget-friendly pricing.
DJI's latest technology equips the Neo 2 with omnidirectional obstacle avoidance [1] and full-coverage propeller protection, allowing even novice pilots to fly with complete confidence. Further still, hovering positioning has also been optimized further, allowing the DJI Neo 2 to correctly handle complex environments, such as building edges, water surfaces, and snow [2]. Creative possibilities have also been pushed forward with inuitive Gesture Control, upgraded camera, and increased storage space. Therefore, not only does the DJI Neo 2 provide complete peace of mind, it now offers a professional-grade creative suite.
The DJI Neo still has many strengths that make it the perfect companion for new drone pilots, but some creators might find that the limited storage space and lower video frame rate don't meet their needs. The DJI Neo 2 takes the strengths provided by the original and elevates them to deliver an even more capable creative tool. While the original was perfect for capturing fun moments, the Neo 2's upgraded 2-axis gimbal and 4K/60fps camera produce far smoother, more professional-looking video.
DJI Neo 2
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DJI Neo
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| DJI Neo 2 | DJI Neo | |
| | | |
| Price | Starting at | Starting at |
| Weight | 151 g [3] | 135 g [4] |
| Max Video Resolution | 4K/100fps [5] | 4K/30fps |
| Gimbal | 2-axis | 1-axis |
| Tracking Feature | FocusTrack: ActiveTrack FocusTrack: ActiveTrack | FocusTrack: Spotlight, Point of Interest FocusTrack: |
| Intelligent Feature | SelfieShot, Dolly Zoom, SelfieShot, | QuickShots |
| Effective Pixels | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Gesture Control [3] | Supported | Not Supported |
| Return to Palm [3] | Supported | Not Supported |
| Obstacle Sensing | Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing [2] | Not Supported |
| Max Flight Time | 19 mins | 18 mins |
| Max Video Transmission Range | Wi-Fi: 500 m | Wi-Fi: 50 m |
| Max Tracking Speed | 12 m/s | 8 m/s |
| Internal Storage | 49 GB | 22 GB |
DJI has just released a follow-up drone to the DJI Neo, the most lightweight DJI drone ever created. While the new DJI Neo 2 isn’t quite as light as its predecessor, it rivals the Neo in terms of camera quality, flight capabilities, and intelligent features. The Neo 2 comes with an upgraded camera, omnidirectional obstacle sensing, and an intuitive gesture control feature that allows you to manipulate the aircraft with a wave of your hand.
To help you differentiate the two DJI drones, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide that explores how the Neo stacks up against the Neo 2 in terms of design, camera quality, flight time, and more.
The Neo is notable for being DJI’s smallest and lightest drone, weighing only 135g. This is not only smaller than the limits set by Transport Canada, but is almost half the size of the DJI Mini series, which was previously DJI’s lightest drone series. In addition to being lightweight, the Neo is compact enough to fit in a pocket or small bag, so it’s easy to transport almost anywhere in the world. The Neo doesn’t include obstacle avoidance, but it does come with full-coverage propeller guards to keep the drone safe during flight. It features Level 4 wind resistance, 22 GB internal storage, and a 1-axis gimbal for photo and video recording.
The Neo 2 is slightly heavier at 151g, but it’s the lightest and most compact DJI drone that contains omnidirectional obstacle sensing. The drone features an omnidirectional monocular vision system, forward-facing LiDAR, and a downward infrared sensing system, which work together to enable real-time obstacle detection. It also comes with the integrated propeller guard for greater safety in flight. Together, these safety features make the Neo 2 an excellent choice for beginners who’ve yet to get the hang of the controls.
The Neo 2 supports versatile flight, which gives the drone greater hovering and positioning capabilities that make it easier to navigate challenging environments, such as over water or around buildings. It can resist winds of up to 10.7 m/s, contains 49 GB internal storage, and has a 2-axis gimbal for more dynamic photo and video capture.
The Neo is so small that it can take off from the palm of your hand without a remote controller. To launch the drone, simply use the mode button to select your preferred shooting mode, and the Neo will handle the rest. You can also choose to pilot it with the DJI Fly app on a smartphone, using virtual joysticks to operate the drone. If you wish, you can even operate the Neo via spoken commands. Activate voice control with “Hey Fly” and watch as the Neo responds to your commands during a hands-free flight.
If you prefer RC control, you can pair the DJI Neo with the DJI RC-N3. This gives you traditional RC control sticks for finer aerial control while also upgrading the transmission distance to 20 kilometers. For an immersive flight experience, pair the Neo with the DJI Goggles 3 and the RC Motion 3 or FPV Remote Controller 3. The use of the goggles and one of these controllers will give you a firsthand view of what the drone sees, allowing you to fly through the skies as if you were actually there. The DJI Goggles N3 go even further by allowing Head tracking and EasyAcro, giving you the power to perform barrel rolls or 360° with the flick of your head.
If you prefer RC control, you can pair the DJI Neo with the DJI RC-N3. This gives you traditional RC control sticks for finer aerial control while also upgrading the transmission distance to 20 kilometers. For an immersive flight experience, pair the Neo with the DJI Goggles 3 and the RC Motion 3 or FPV Remote Controller 3. The use of the goggles and one of these controllers will give you a firsthand view of what the drone sees, allowing you to fly through the skies as if you were actually there. The DJI Goggles N3 go even further by allowing Head tracking and EasyAcro, giving you the power to perform barrel rolls or 360° with the flick of your head.
The Neo 2 offers even more ways to control the drone. Like with the Neo, you can launch the Neo 2 from the palm of your hand. With the new Return-to-Palm feature, the Neo 2 can actually locate your palm for a safe return and steady landing. It can be controlled via the DJI Fly App on a smartphone as well as through voice commands, which can be given either directly or through Bluetooth earphones. When connected to your phone, the Neo 2 can intelligently reduce noise while capturing audio, allowing you to record videos without the whirring sound of the propellers.
The Neo 2 also includes Gesture Control, which allows you to adjust the drone’s direction and proximity with one or both hands. Simply point your palm toward the drone and send it flying up, down, or side to side–no remote controller needed. If you prefer RC control, the Neo 2 is compatible with RC-N3 and RC 2 controllers, as well as DJI Goggles N3 and RC Motion 3 for immersive FPV flying. These remote controllers are available in some of the Neo 2 Combo packages.
The Neo 2 also includes Gesture Control, which allows you to adjust the drone’s direction and proximity with one or both hands. Simply point your palm toward the drone and send it flying up, down, or side to side–no remote controller needed. If you prefer RC control, the Neo 2 is compatible with RC-N3 and RC 2 controllers, as well as DJI Goggles N3 and RC Motion 3 for immersive FPV flying. These remote controllers are available in some of the Neo 2 Combo packages.
The Neo features a high-performance 1/2-inch image sensor that captures dynamic 12MP stills. The drone contains several shooting modes, including Single Shot, Burst, and Interval, each of which gives you greater control in a variety of active and stable shooting conditions. The advanced stabilization algorithms allow it to record UHD stabilized video up to 4K/30fps and 1080p/60fps slow motion, while technologies such as RockSteady and HorizonBalancing give even more clarity and stability to the shooting process.
Like the Neo, the Neo 2 features a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor that captures 12MP stills. However, the f/2.2 aperture and high-performance image processor allow it to record clearer, low-noise footage with true-to-life image quality. Video recording is elevated to 4K/60fps, 4K/100fps slow-motion, and 2.7K vertical video, each of which is stabilized by the upgraded 2-axis gimbal and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) technology. Lastly, DJI’s portrait optimization technology enhances portraits’ brightness, contrast, and skin tones for an even clearer, more lifelike appearance in photos.
The Neo has several innovative shooting modes, including Panorama, Time-lapse, and Slow-motion. It also includes the classic QuickShots feature that is a staple on many DJI drones. This feature sends the drone flying in a series of prerecorded movements, including Dronie, Circle, Rocket, Spotlight, Helix, and Boomerang–no manual control required. Safety features include a Return to Home (RTH) feature as well as a Failsafe RTH that sends the drone back to its starting point in the event of a lost signal or low battery.
RockSteady technology maintains clarity during high-speed flights with sharp turns, while HorizonBalancing levels the horizon up to ±45°. Smart Tracking and DirectionTrack rely on advanced AI algorithms to keep the subject in frame throughout the shot, making it easy to record moving subjects as they cycle, run, or skateboard. Glamour Effects within the DJI Fly App offer a quick way to enhance photos, while the endless selection of templates and sound effects can turn a simple video into a masterpiece.
The Neo 2 supports FocusTrack, DJI’s robust tracking feature that includes ActiveTrack (and its new Cycling option), Spotlight, and Point of Interest. In addition to QuickShots, it includes the more elite MasterShots feature, which encompasses an even more advanced series of predetermined movements. It also includes Selfie Shot, a feature that lets you capture solo or group photos from options including waist-up, full-body, or long shots. The Dolly Zoom feature gives even more creative control, automatically lending a cinematic zoom effect to videos. The Neo 2 includes both Return to Home and Failsafe RTH options, with the obstacle avoidance automatically triggered during the return flight.
The Neo supports up to 18 minutes of flight time, which enables over 20 palm takeoffs. The Type-C data cable allows you to connect the aircraft directly to a power source to charge, while the Two-Way Charging Hub can charge three batteries at once for an extended flight time. When used with the mobile app, the Neo has a control range of up to 50 meters. When paired with the DJI RC-N3, the maximum video transmission distance shoots up to 10 km.
The Neo 2 has a slightly longer flight time of 19 minutes, while the transmission range with the mobile app jumps from 50 meters to 500 meters. Like the Neo, the Neo 2 can pair with the DJI RC-N3 to get up to 10 km transmission range. The greatest difference, however, is in the 500-meter transmission range from the mobile app. This opens up a much wider area to play around in without requiring hands-on operation.
The Neo comes with several different combo options, including a standalone option for only $249 CAD. The Neo Fly More Combo includes an RC-N3 Remote Controller, two extra intelligent batteries, and a two-way charging hub for $445 CAD. The Neo Motion Combo adds the RC Motion 3 and Goggles N3 for an immersive experience, selling for $709 CAD.
The Neo 2 comes with similar combo options to the Neo. The standalone option is $309 CAD, while the Neo 2 Fly More Combo with the RC-N3 is available at $549 CAD. The Neo 2 Motion Fly More Combo is $759 CAD, and includes the same RC Motion 3 and Goggles N3 controllers as the original Neo Motion Combo. There is also a Fly More Combo that does not include a controller for a reduced price of $419 CAD.
The Neo and the Neo 2 are very similar drones, but like all DJI drones, the devil is in the details. Design-wise, they are both quite lightweight and compact, making them an excellent option for beginners looking for a fun way to shoot videos while out on a hike or a bike ride. The Neo 2 has a better camera, with an upgraded gimbal and better video recording capabilities. The addition of omnidirectional obstacle sensing makes it even better-suited for new drone pilots who may not yet have a handle on flying the drone around buildings or over water.
The price difference isn’t drastic, but if you’re reluctant to spend more than a couple of hundred bucks on a drone, the Neo will give you plenty of features to work with. However, if you’re willing to splurge just a little, the Neo 2 has enough bells and whistles to make it worth the extra price. MasterShots, Dolly Zoom, and Selfie Shot each elevate the video recording process to new heights of professionalism, while the improved tracking functionality is well worth it for recording moving subjects. If money isn’t as important as flight and camera quality, then the Neo 2 is the way to go.
* All videos and images displayed here were captured by professionals using the DJI Neo 2 in strict compliance with local laws and regulations. Please note that these materials have been edited in post-production and are for reference only; actual results may vary. Always adhere to local laws and regulations and confirm you have the necessary certifications and airspace authorizations before flying.
** Data was obtained from testing a production model DJI Neo 2 in a controlled environment. Actual performance may differ depending on your usage, operating environment, and firmware version.
*** Note that all product images, videos, and screen contents shown here are illustrative and for reference only. The actual product's effects (like appearance, color, and size) and on-screen displays (like backgrounds or UI) may differ.
Dr Drone
Auteur
DrDrone is Canada's leading provider of drone technical services, with over a decade of experience and the distinction of being the first company in the country to offer drone servicing and repairs. As the largest drone vendor in Canada, we are also the primary supplier of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) to the Canadian government. Our team members possess extensive knowledge of each drone's technical specifications and have a wealth of hands-on experience. For more than ten years, we have been dismantling and reconstructing drones, ensuring a deep understanding of these systems.