DJI has announced its first FPV (First Person View) drone, which is also the world’s first ready-to-fly FPV drone. In our opinion, this project is one of the most ambitious and sophisticated innovations in the field of FPV. Would it be accepted well by filmmakers?

DJI FPV

After endless rumors and leaks, which have turned to be true, we’re finally been exposed to DJI’s official announcement about its new (and first) FPV drone. Our assumption regarding the goal of DJI taking over the FPV market has just become a solid fact.  This new FPV beast is not just capable of flying like most of those high-end FPV drones, but it’s built to allow the privilege of a measured learning curve, that well calculates safety factors derived by dedicated sensors. Indeed, DJI is eager to put its FPV drone in junior pilots’ hands and get them to dive into the fascinating professional FPV world, step by step.

0-100 kph in 2.0s

The DJI FPV drone owns the performances characterized by racing drones. For instance, this drone is capable of a maximum flying speed of 140 kph and acceleration of  0-100 kph in just 2.0s (when operating under “M” (-Manual mode)). For newcomers, there are more forgiving flying modes like S and N that limit the flying speed and maneuverability around the axes (explore the specs list below for definitions). 

The DJI Virtual Flight App

As explained, FPV drones differ from traditional drones in that the FPV drones typically allow for much higher speeds and limitless maneuvering capabilities with no angle limits on any of the axes. Because of this, FPV drones have typically required a much higher level of skill to fly. DO NOT think of flying it before hard training on the FPV simulator. Thus, DJI offers an app for users to practice flying in lifelike, simulated scenarios before taking off in the real world. Simply connect the DJI FPV Goggles V2 and remote controller, and you’re ready to master flight in a risk-free virtual environment.

Emergency brakes and safety mechanism implemented

Even for experts, manual FPV flight can be intimidating. That’s why DJI FPV comes with an emergency brake and hover feature. The user/pilot has to press a dedicated button on the remote controller while flying in any mode, at any speed, and the aircraft will stop and hover stably within a few seconds. Furthermore, An auxiliary bottom light, Smart Return to Home (RTH), Low Battery RTH, and forward and downward obstacle sensing are all integrated into DJI FPV to help ensure a safe flight, even at high speeds. Moreover, the drone is armed with four sensors: Forward Sensing, Downward Sensing, ToF Sensor, and Auxiliary Bottom Light.

DJI Motion Controller

The DJI Motion Controller is a compact device that allows the aircraft to maneuver based on the pilot’s natural hand motions. This “pilot stick” presents an entirely new and more intuitive way to fly (Think of it like the Wii remote of the Nintendo).

Transmission system

The DJI O3 (OcuSync 3.0) Transmission System was adapted to match the unique needs of DJI FPV. That allows crystal-clear real-time video transmission, at distances of up to 10 km. DJI FPV supports auto-switching between 2.4 and 5.8GHz frequencies and provides a video transmission bitrate of up to 50 Mbps, [8] significantly reducing stutter and compression artifacts. High-gain antennas on the aircraft include three transmitters and four receivers to enhance the signal, resulting in a stable, reliable video feed.

Easily Replaceable Parts

The gimbal camera, landing gear, and top shell of the DJI FPV aircraft are all modular and easily replaceable, making repairs more convenient. DJI Care Refresh is also available, offering coverage for a wide range of damage and giving you greater peace of mind as you fly. Furthermore, there’s a DJI Care Refresh which is dedicated to the FPV drone, that offers accidental damage coverage for DJI FPV. DJI Care Refresh (1-Year Plan) includes up to two replacements in one year. DJI Care Refresh (2-Year Plan) includes up to three replacements in two years in addition to the standard two-year product warranty that starts from the date of purchase. The price of the 1-Year Plan (DJI FPV) is $199. You should seriously consider taking this plan, because you’re gonna crash, for sure.

Specs and highlights

Explore the juicy list of specs below: 

1. Sensor: 1/2.3” CMOS. Effective pixels: 12 million
2. Lens: FOV: 150°, 35mm Format Equivalent: 14.66 mm, Aperture: f/2.8, Focus Mode: Fixed Focus, Focus Range: 0.6 m to ∞
3. ISO: 100-12800
4. Shutter Speed: 1/50-1/8000 s
5. Still Photography Modes: Single shot
6. Max Image Size: 3840×2160
7. Photo Format: JPEG
8. Video Resolution: 4K: 3840×2160 at 50/60fps, FHD: 1920×1080 at 50/60/100/120fps
9. Codecs: MP4/MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, H.265/HEVC）
10. Max Video Bitrate: 120 Mbps
11. Color Profile: Standard, D-Cinelike
12. RockSteady EIS: Available
13. Gimbal: Single-axis (tilt), electronic roll axis, can stabilize footage when the aircraft is tilted at angles of up to 10
14. Takeoff Weight: 800g
15. Max Ascent Speed: M mode: No limit, S mode: 15 m/s, N mode: 8 m/s
16. Max Descent Speed: M mode: No limit, S mode: 10 m/s, N mode: 5 m/s
17. Max Speed: 140 kph; M mode: 39 m/s, S mode: 27 m/s, N mode: 15 m/s
18. Max Acceleration: 0-100 kph: 2 s (in ideal conditions while flying in M mode)
19. Max Service Ceiling Above Sea Level: 6,000 m
20. Max Flight Time: Approx. 20 mins (measured while flying at 40 kph in windless conditions)
21. Max Flight Distance: 16.8 km
22. Max Wind Speed Resistance: 39-49 kph (25-31 mph)

Price and availability

The DJI FPV Combo which covers all initial accessories (excluding the Motion Controller) costs $1,299 and can be ordered from the B&H website. Furthermore, the DJI Care Refresh 1-Year Plan (DJI FPV) is $199, and the Motion Controller which is a MUST for beginners costs $199 as well. So there you go – the initial investment is around $1,700.

Initial insights

As we thought, DJI tries to revolutionize the FPV world, by making it more accessible and user-friendly. Most probably that the DJI FPV drone will impact the FPV industry in micro and aerial filmmaking in macro. We expect that the road for this product would be a fascinating one, but dangerous as well. Remember that this is NOT a toy. The DJI FPV can cause serious damage. Yes, it will get you those impossible shots in a simplified manner compared to other FPVs. But still, it demands high expertise and flying skills. Think of buying it? Download an FPV simulator first and practice (X3) before ordering one!