DJI Announces the Phantom 4 – The Smartest Flying Camera To Date

Adorama was present at an exclusive, invite-only event hosted by DJI at Terminal 5 in New York City to see first-hand the company’s latest innovation- the DJI Phantom 4. The Phantom is the most autonomous camera DJI has created to date.

At the event on Tuesday, Michael Perry, DJI’s director of strategic partnerships explained that in the past it typically took three people to get a professional looking shots with a drone: a pilot, a spotter and a cameraperson. The Phantom 4 has changed all that with its ActiveTrack and TapFly functions that basically allow the camera to go on autopilot.

In TapFly mode, you can tap on the screen of your smartphone or tablet to fly the drone in that direction. You can also have the drone follow a specific person by simply tapping on them on your screen. Using visual tracking, the camera will recognize your subject, always keeping them in the frame. If, for some reason, the Phantom loses track of your subject, it will stop and hover until they reappear.

Additionally, for the first time the Phantom 4 uses two small forward facing cameras to give it its own pair of eyes, rendering it able to react to and gently stop before colliding into any obstacles that it senses are too close. To further avoid any possibility of collisions, the Phantom 4 will alsogive you an audible and visual warning, and then fly around or over any obstacles.

The Phantom also takes all the guess work out of flight timing thanks to its Smart Return Home feature. The Phantom is constantly analyzing battery power and estimated flight time based on your flight patterns. If you go over the Phantom’s estimated range, it will automatically make its way back to you, so you’ll never have to worry about losing it.

“Just a few years ago, getting an aerial image was very hard,” said Perry. “Just to carry your creative vision into the world.” But that no longer is the case as demonstrated today at the unveiling of the Phantom 4, featuring a main4K camera with 12MP that shoots 120 frames per second with 1080P.

The Phantom 4 puts professional quality aerial photography within reach creative professionals with a vision.

Key Features:

• Sense and Avoid – Obstacle sensory range 2-49 feet
• TapFly Mode – works with your smartphone or tablet, tap to change directions or to recognize subjects
• Visual Tracking – always keep your designated subject in the frame
• Smart Return Home – automatic pilot return home option, will also trigger a return home if you are low on battery life
• Sports Mode – Tracks subjects up to 45 mph

Additional Accessories:

• Optimized Backpack– specially designed for the Phantom 4 with space for chargers, spare batteris and a 15″ laptop

The DJI will be available to pre-order from Adorama by March 23 here.