The DJI Neo 2 has officially launched in Australia and is a massive upgrade on the original game changing device. This new product is arguably the most user-friendly and accident-resistant drone ever introduced by any drone developer, but there is one feature that is off the charts good that I’ll get to in a moment.
There’s no doubt that the DJI Neo 2 is the kind of device that opens up the world of high-quality aerial photography, videography and even vlogging to virtually everyone. It achieves this by being smart enough to look after itself in any sketchy situation, you could say it has inbuilt “street smarts”.
Triple Protection So You Can Fly Without Fear
That’s why the defining feature of the Neo 2 is really how incredibly difficult it is to crash. DJI designed this drone to eliminate that fear completely. It achieves this through a comprehensive suite of advanced protective technologies that deliver “Triple Protection for Beginner Confidence”.
I remember the day I used the original Neo and how many times the wind picked it up and flew it into the surrounding trees and fences, I know what you are thinking and I’m still going to blame it on the “wind”. It was super tough so I didn’t have any damage issues with it. Now with the Neo 2… and touch wood, I’m yet to have that issue and that’s after a good few weeks of solid use.
The Neo 2 is fitted with an omnidirectional monocular vision system coupled with a forward-facing LiDAR sensor, creating a robust 360-degree awareness bubble around the drone. This omnidirectional obstacle sensing capability means that if the Neo 2 approaches any hazard, be it a pole, a tree, or a wall, it will automatically slow down or stop before impact. This real-time detection is crucial for safe, confident flying.
The design includes fully enclosed propeller guards, offering all-around physical protection. Combined with the advanced sensing systems, this makes the Neo 2 one of the safest drones engineered, especially for new pilots. Weighing just 151 grams, it is also well under the registration weight limits for many hobbyists.
For further peace of mind, the Neo 2 is built with level 5 wind resistance and features enhanced hovering and positioning capabilities in traditionally challenging environments, such as indoors, near buildings, or over reflective surfaces like water or snow, although there was a pic of water in the setup with “stay away” that i promptly ignored
Should the worst happen, Aussies can purchase “DJI Care Refresh”, which covers accidental damage, including collisions and flyaway incidents, probably not “accidental drone drownings” though.
Unprecedented Ease of Use
The Neo 2 shines in its accessibility, making sophisticated flying controls obsolete for casual users. It’s light enough to feel like a toy but smart enough to perform like a pro.
Here’s the feature I mentioned earlier, the one that surprised me more than any other. Must like it’s predecessor you don’t even need a traditional remote controller to operate it, the pack I received has one, but it’s the gesture controls that really take off.
The drone supports an improved palm takeoff and landing, allowing the user to launch it from their hand by pressing the take-off button while pointing the device toward themselves. Crucially, the innovative “Return-to-Palm feature” means the Neo 2 can precisely locate the user’s hand, returning safely and landing steadily. Other hand gestures can now perform tasks like up and down, forward and back, simply by holding your palm up in a “stop” position and moving your arms in and out as if conducting an orchestra. The tech in this alone is simply superb and I spend hours just playing with gestures to push it to its limits. On occasion it stuttered or didn’t pick up a hand action, but it generally performed exceptionally.
For other optional hands-free controls, the Neo 2 is operated using either the DJI Fly app on a smartphone or using voice commands (via smartphone or Bluetooth headphones)
For quick adjustments, there’s a small onboard display screen that allows users to switch modes or start recording without having to connect anything at all. This focus on simplicity ensures the Neo 2 delivers a stress-free and fun flying experience. It’s like they truly listened to all the niggles we had with the original neo and just fixed them.
Significant Upgrades Over the Original Neo
The DJI Neo 2 elevates the experience far beyond its predecessor. Now, I loved the original Neo, but now it feels obsolete in comparison. It’s funny how something that felt so smart a year ago, is just so much more advanced in this new model. Technology isn’t slowing down at all and in a world where people are getting personal robots the substantial upgrades in intelligence in a device like the Neo 2 is breathtaking.,
When it comes to imaging and performance. While the original Neo already offered 4K video, gesture, and voice control, plus a safe propeller cage, the Neo 2 dramatically enhances the core functionalities:
1. Safety & Sensing: The biggest leap is the transition from simpler protection to omnidirectional obstacle sensing via the monocular vision system and LiDAR. The original Neo lacked this sophisticated 360-degree environmental awareness.
2. Imaging Quality: Creators will appreciate the upgraded optics. The Neo 2 features a larger 12MP 1/2-inch CMOS sensor with an f/2.2 aperture, which is an improvement over the original Neo’s smaller 1/2.3-inch sensor. It also supports 4K/60fps video and 4K/100fps slow motion capabilities and 2.7K vertical video, perfect for Instagram Reels or TikTok.
3. Storage: The internal storage has been vastly improved, increasing from 16GB to a generous 49GB. This allows the capture of up to around 105 minutes of 4K/60fps video. Data transfer is also faster, reaching speeds up to 80MB/s.
4. Intelligent Tracking: The Neo 2’s Intelligent Follow system features enhanced tracking performance, offering faster response, improved stability, and the ability to track subjects (running or cycling) at speeds up to 12 m/s (27 mph). The addition of eight-direction tracking produces more natural and dynamic follow shots, a major advantage for capturing outdoor sports.
Why We Loved It
When they say that the Neo 2 is a “flying photographer” they aren’t kidding. Its Smart Selfie mode automatically frames the subject (waist-up, full-body, or wide group) and manages camera movement and timing autonomously. Coupled with intelligent shooting modes like Dolly Zoom, QuickShots, and MasterShots, the Neo 2 allows users to create stable, cinematic clips without needing advanced flying skills or a second person. It’s like taking a cameraman on a shoot with you, but you don’t need to shout them a coffee.
The DJI Neo 2 represents a significant step forward in making cinematic drone footage a reality for everyday users. Australians can purchase the Neo 2 starting at $409 AUD (Drone Only), with various Fly More Combos available up to $989. The professional-grade safety and creative tools are in a small package that feels personal enough to want to use with confidence.
The DJI Neo 2 is available to order from store.dji.com/au and authorised retail partners, with shipping starting today, in the following configurations:
- DJI Neo 2 (Drone Only) retails for $409.
- DJI Neo 2 Fly More Combo (Drone Only) retails for $549.
- DJI Neo 2 Fly More Combo retails for $709.
- DJI Neo 2 Motion Fly More Combo retails for $989.
