DJI has announced a new, fun-sized drone designed to be more accessible to the average user, while still offering some fairly powerful, fun features.
The DJI Spark is the first drone that users can control by hand gestures alone, removing the barriers between you and your camera in the sky. Even if you’ve never flown a drone before, flying Spark is said to be easy because the only remote controller you’ll need is your hand.
When Spark takes off from your hand, it automatically enters Gesture Mode. This features new advanced gesture controls like PalmControl, which lets users control Spark with hand movements. In Gesture Mode, you can also send Spark up and away from you, take a selfie, and call it back with just your hands.
DJI’s Paul Pan says this of the new control mechanism:
“Controlling a camera drone with hand movements alone is a major step towards making aerial technology an intuitive part of everyone’s daily life, from work and adventure to moments with friends and family. Spark’s revolutionary new interface lets you effortlessly extend your point of view to the air, making it easier than ever to capture and share the world from new perspectives.”
What else does it do?
Besides being easy to use, the Spark includes a number of quick shooting modes called QuickShots, designed to help both professional and novice drone pilots take some cool shots. Four of these modes are included: Rocket, sending Spark straight up into the air with the camera pointed down; Dronie, flying up and away from your subject; Circle, rotating around the subject; and Helix, spiraling away from a subject as it flies upward. For each QuickShot, Spark will automatically create a 10-second video from your flight that is ready to share on social media, where everyone can see your special moments.
It’s not just fun and games; the Spark includes fairly sensible equipment for an entry-level drone. Spark houses an impressive camera with a 1/2.3” CMOS sensor that captures 12 megapixel photos and shoots stabilized HD 1080p videos. Spark’s 2-axis mechanical gimbal and UltraSmooth technology dramatically reduce shake and rolling shutter effect to capture cinematic shots effortlessly.
All this in a drone which weighs just 300 grams.
When can I get one?
The Australia retail price of a DJI Spark, including an aircraft, a battery, a USB charger and three pairs of propellers, is $859 AUD. The Spark Fly More Combo includes an aircraft, two batteries, four pairs of propellers, a hardware remote controller, propeller guards, a charging hub, a shoulder bag and all necessary cables, with a retail price of $1,199 AUD.
Spark is now available for pre-order at store.dji.com,, four DJI Flagship Stores, and DJI Authorized Dealers in Australia. Spark pre-orders will start shipping in mid-June. Color options and Fly More Combo availability may vary at different sales channels.
