Update (1/5 5:00pm): In a surprising move, Adorama has already discounted the Phantom 3 4K down to $799 (Reg. $999) ahead of its release tomorrow.
DJI today announced that it would be expanding its line-up of popular Phantom 3 and high-end Inspire drones. The most noteworthy addition comes way of the Phantom 3 4K which brings the higher resolution to its lowest price yet from DJI. While 4K video was previously only available on the more expensive Phantom 3 Professional, this new model is more in-line with the drone-maker’s other consumer-focused offerings. Full details below.
The last time that we heard from DJI, it had just released the Osmo 4K handheld camera. It has been nearly half a year since DJI has refreshed its drone line-up. The Phantom 3 4K drone will carry a $999 price tag. Bringing high resolution video down to a more realistic price from DJI’s existing 4K offering that retails for $1,259 (or less). Aside from upgrading the camera to shoot in official DCI 4K formats, the new Phantom 3 4K is the beneficiary of a more powerful Wi-Fi radio that allows users to control the drone from much longer distances. Up to 3,937 feet, actually. That’s over .75 miles, which is an impressive feature for a consumer level drone.
Specifically, the Phantom 3 4K will be able to shoot true DCI 4K video at up to 30fps, with lower resolutions capturing at higher rates. It can also take 12.4MP still photos with a 100-1,600 ISO range. Like its Phantom 3 counterparts, the 4K model can be viewed via the DJI GO app for iOS and Android. It can handle microSD cards up to 64GB, which are bound to fill up fast when shooting at 4K resolutions. DJI expects users to get roughly 25 minutes of flight-time per charge of the battery with a top speed of 52 ft/s.
There isn’t much to report on the Inspire 1 Pro. DJI added black as a color option giving the 16MP camera a Dark Knight-esque design. With its $4,499 list price, the top-of-the-line DJI drone is likely out of reach for most consumers. Of course, both of today’s drone updates will need to be registered with government to avoid a fine.
If you’re interested in getting into aerial video or photography, we recommend DJI’s entry-level Phantom 3 Standard. Although it originally carried a list price of $1,000, it quickly dropped down to $699 shortly after its release. With 2.7K video and 12MP still photos, this is a capable device for hobbyists and prosumers alike. Amazon customers largely agree, delivering a 4.2/5 rating since its release in August.
Or you can just opt for one of these colorful drones for $14.
Follow the entire 9to5 family of sites as the latest Apple, Google, electric vehicle and consumer technology news comes out of CES 2016.
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- ShiftWear sneakers use flexible displays to showcase custom artwork on your shoes
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Source: B&H
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