It seems like you can’t talk about filmmaking and / or photography in 2017 without mentioning drones — thanks to its ability to…y’know, fly, the aerial camera has vastly widened the realm of possibility by providing a new perspective on the environment, allowing you to take breathtaking shots from previously-unreachable angles with relative ease. As is usually the case with any kind of new technology, however, there are a few caveats that come with such a cutting-edge device: with even the cheapest models coming in at upwards of $1000, (the reliable ones, at least), drones are quite a costly investment, and while those hipster travel videos on YouTube might make it look easy, operating one actually comes with a steep learning curve.
Drone specialist DJI’s newest offering, however, looks poised to change all that, and its list of impressive features is so extensive that we don’t even know where to start. Clearly designed to appeal to the mainstream market, the “Spark” weighs less than 300 grams and is not much bigger than an iPhone, making it one of the smallest and most portable drones we’ve ever seen (and it comes in five colours!). Its 12 megapixel camera is capable of shooting 1080p HD videos — a step down from the crystal clear 4k resolution that’s fast becoming the standard in drones — but everything makes a little more sense when you take its price tag into consideration (more than that later).
On the feature side of things, the Spark has some nifty tricks to help make that steep learning curve a little less steep. If you aren’t comfortable using a remote controller, you can opt to use your smartphone, DJI’s first-person goggles or — get this — your hands to navigate the drone instead. Yup, like some kind of pseudo Jedi you can adjust the Spark’s position by simply moving your hand, and waving at it will cause it to return and land safely in your palm. Thanks to an “obstacle sensing” feature, the Spark is also programmed to avoid crashing into obstacles, so even the most novice of users can fly this with a peace of mind.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Spark is its US$539 price tag, which is a downright steal when you consider the amount of things this small-but-powerful device has to offer. If you’ve ever wanted to get into the drone game but have always been put off by the cost, the Spark is shaping up to be a very viable middle ground, so head on over to DJI’s website to pre-order one, and you’ll literally be taking your photos and videos to a whole other level in no time.
DJI Spark, US$539, available for pre-order now (ships 15th June) at dji.com
Header image: “DJI – Introducing Spark” on YouTube
dji.com
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