DJI Neo 2: DJI’s new Neo 2 drone squeezes impressive tech into a device that weighs just over 150 grams and costs a little over $400. It’s a big step forward from the original Neo, though its upgraded obstacle avoidance still needs some refining.
This follow-me drone is designed for beginners, creators, and anyone who enjoys flying through tight spots using first-person view goggles. The FPV mode is especially exciting, giving you the feeling of sitting right in the cockpit as you glide above trees, water, or open fields.
DJI Neo 2: Easy Ways to Fly
The DJI Neo 2 can be flown with a controller, but it also supports gesture controls and preset routines. Runners and cyclists can use it for low-altitude tracking shots, making it handy for outdoor activities.
In front-tracking mode, the drone struggled to detect a light pole and crashed, though its built-in protection prevented serious damage. Side-tracking worked much better, smoothly shifting around obstacles and keeping pace.
Despite being lightweight, the Neo 2 holds its own in windy weather, offering a noticeable improvement over the previous model. With omnidirectional obstacle avoidance and propeller guards, it’s a safe option for capturing family outings and travel memories.
A small display next to the camera shows the current shooting mode when you’re not using a controller. A side button lets you switch between options. You can even launch the drone from your palm by pointing it at yourself and tapping the takeoff button.
DJI Neo 2: Fun Preset Shots and Handy Features
The preset routines are especially enjoyable for shooting quick videos and photos. At the park, the drone handled a variety of shots with ease. As with any drone, it’s best to fly in open areas away from people and pets.
The Neo 2 includes DJI’s signature quickshots such as dronie, circle, rocket, spotlight, helix, and boomerang. It supports advanced modes like Dolly Zoom and MasterShots, too, which help create more dynamic footage.
Its 12MP, 1/2-inch CMOS sensor with an f/2.2 aperture delivers impressive results without extra editing. A two-axis gimbal now offers better stabilisation. It shoots 4K video up to 100fps for slow motion, or 2.7K vertical videos.
With DJI’s ActiveTrack and new SelfieShot mode, the drone automatically frames subjects. ActiveTrack performed well even on windy days, adjusting its height when passing objects like bins before returning to normal.
In open spaces, Neo 2 can track subjects at up to 12m/s, up from the Neo’s 8m/s. Its eight-direction tracking creates smoother, more natural follow shots, and in tricky areas, it can shift to rear-tracking.
Gesture control is also available. A raised palm controls left or right movement and altitude. Using both palms lets you send the drone farther away or bring it closer. There’s no need for a controller for camera angle changes. Voice control is supported through your phone or Bluetooth headphones.
A Return-to-Palm feature helps the drone locate your hand, fly back, and land safely, marked by a blue light.
DJI Neo 2: Long-Range Control and FPV Fun
When paired with the DJI RC-N3 remote controller, the Neo 2 offers up to 10km of video transmission. Interference from power lines can cause occasional signal drops, but the drone’s return-to-home function reliably brings it back.
The FPV mode is one of the most exciting ways to fly. The goggles fit comfortably, even over glasses, and the compact controller makes the experience more immersive. DJI’s tutorials help make the learning curve smooth, though it’s best to master basic flying before trying FPV.
Modes and settings are thoughtfully designed. For hands-free shots, SelfieShot switches between waist-up, full-body, and long shots, making it useful for parties, picnics, or events.
DJI’s MasterShots feature records multiple clips with creative movements and automatically edits them with music. The drone’s forward-facing LiDAR and downward infrared system help detect obstacles quickly.
Because it’s small, lightweight, and protected by propeller guards, the Neo 2 can be used indoors too. FPV flyers often navigate them through open windows or stairways at high speeds.
DJI Neo 2: Storage, Battery, and Performance
The Neo 2 comes with 49GB of internal storage, more than double the original Neo. That’s enough for up to 105 minutes of 4K/60fps footage, 175 minutes at 4K/30fps, or 241 minutes of 1080p/60fps video. Files transferred to a phone over Wi-Fi at up to 80MB/s.
Level-five wind resistance keeps the drone stable in breezes up to 38km/h, though strong gusts can still push it off course. Battery life is rated at up to 19 minutes, but real-world flying usually brings it closer to 10–15 minutes depending on intensity. Because of this, the combo with three batteries is the smarter purchase.
Final Thoughts
The DJI Neo 2 is a strong upgrade from the original Neo. It’s simple to fly, safer, and better at avoiding obstacles. Its improved tracking, solid image quality, and fun shooting modes make it appealing for beginners and adventurous users alike.
DJI Neo 2 Australian Pricing
The DJI Neo 2 is available in Australia through DJI’s online store and authorised retailers. Options include:
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DJI Neo 2 (Drone Only) for $409
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DJI Neo 2 Fly More Combo (Drone Only) for $549
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DJI Neo 2 Fly More Combo for $709
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DJI Neo 2 Motion Fly More Combo for $989
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