Dji Spark is the latest drone of Dji company and also the first mini quadcopter of Dji. Spark much smaller than other quadcopters on the market; the body is about the size and weight of a can of the Cross.
With a starting price of just $499 (about £390, AU$670), it’s also priced right to be DJI and the industry’s most approachable drone yet for mainstream users. Dji Spark shoots HD video, has a 2-axis gimbal stabilizer on the camera, and comes with on-board software that mitigates shake and shutter roll. It tops out at 31 mph and stays aloft for 16 minutes. Not crazy-bonkers specs, but it is just so, so tiny.
DJI has been making waves in the drone market for some time now, arguably never more so than when it launched the Mavic Pro last year. It is a drone packed with all the smartest sensors and tech, but also folds so small it can fit in your backpack.
This latest drone [Dji Spark] essentially looks like a much smaller version of the Mavic Pro and, somehow, has many of the same technologies built in.
The company describes the quadcopter as a lifestyle accessory that you can take with you anywher. And, with it weighing just 300 grams, it won't be a burden, regardless of how you carry it. What's more, when it launches from your hand, it automatically enters Gesture Mode, so you can control it with hand gestures.
Dji Spark Design
It’s no joke that the DJI Spark is as small as a can of soda. Measuring in at a scant 143 x 143 x 55mm and 300 grams (10.6 ounces), the mini drone is something you can easily stuff into any bag or even hang off the back of your belt.
While the Sparks limbs don’t fold into the drone like the Mavic Pro and GoPro Karma Drone, you can collapse the propellers that lock into place when the rotors start spinning. During our hands-on event, we slipped the drone into its optional charging case and found it was no bigger than a pair of collapsible headphones we would normal put in our bags.
Dji Spark colors: Alpine White, Sky Blue, Meadow Green, Lava Red and Sunrise Yellow. The splash of color is welcome piece of personalization in a world of drones that have thus far been a mix of gray, white and black.
Dji Spark Camera
Dji Spark camera is equipped with an 12-megapixel 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor that can capture Full HD video at 30p and 3,968 x× 2,976 resolution images. In front of the digital sensor is a 25mm lens (35mm equivalent) that captures an effective 81.8-degree field-of-view.
I expected it to be way inferior to the Mavic Pro, which I own, but was pleasantly surprised with crisp, colorful and well-exposed images. The Mavic shoots in 4K, but the Spark footage looks great.
It’s a step down from the DJI Mavic Pro and GoPro Karma Drone, which can all record video at 4K resolution. We would say this is an unfortunate downside of the entry-level price but the equally-priced Yuneec 4K Breeze can also shoot Ultra HD video – admittedly while sporting many fewer features.
2-axis gimbal for stabilisation
1/2.3" CMOS sensor
12MP resolution
1080p video capture
