DJI has recently released a teaser for their latest drone, and it’s finally revealed. Meet Spark, DJI’s smallest drone so far. This compact aircraft practically fits into your palm, and it weighs only 0.66 lbs. Despite the price of their previous models, the latest part of DJI family costs half of, say, Mavic Pro. Spark features some pretty powerful features for a tiny drone like this, but it has certain drawbacks as well. Let’s take a closer look.
The first and the most obvious adventure of DJI Spark is its compact size and small weight. But other than this, it features an integrated camera with motorized stabilization. It achieves 31 mph top speed, and up to 16 minutes of flight time. It has a GPS- and vision-based navigation and a 3D obstacle-detection system. When it comes to image quality, there is an info that may be problematic for some users. DJI Spark captures 12MP still images, like Mavic Pro. But unlike its big brother: Spark shoots Full HD videos instead of 4K.
Let’s take a look at more detailed specs and features:
| Performance | |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight | 10.6 oz / 300 g |
| Maximum Speed | 31 mph (50 km/h) in Sport Mode without wind |
| Maximum Ascent Speed | 9.8 ft/s (3 m/s) in Sport Mode without wind |
| Maximum Descent Speed | 9.8 ft/s (3 m/s) in Auto Landing Mode |
| Flight Ceiling | 13,123′ (4000 m) |
| Flight Time | 16 minutes (no wind at a consistent 12.4 mph (20 km/h)) |
| Hover Time | 15 minutes (no wind) |
| Hovering Accuracy | Vertical: ± 0.3′ / 0.1 m (when Vision Positioning is active) or ± 1.6′ / 0.5 m”Horizontal: ± 0.3′ / 0.1 m (when Vision Positioning is active) or ± 4.9′ / 1.5 m” |
| Flight Control System | |
| Supported Satellite Positioning Systems | GPS / GLONASS |
| 3D Object Detection | |
| Operating Range | 1 to 16′ / 0.2 to 5 m |
| Operating Environment | Surface should be larger than 7.9 x 7.9″ (20 x 20 cm) and enable diffuse reflection, with reflection rate >20% |
| Vision Positioning System | |
| Velocity Range | ≤22.4 mph (36 km/h) at 6.6′ (2 m) above ground |
| Altitude Range | 0 to 26′ / 0 to 8 m |
| Operating Range | 0 to 98′ / 0 – 30 m |
| Operating Environment | Surface with clear patterns, enables diffuse reflection with >20% reflection rate |
| Flight Control System | |
| Wi-Fi | Frequency: 2.412 to 2.462 GHz / 5.745-5.825 GHz |
| Transmit Power | 2.4 GHz: 25 dBm 5.8 GHz: 27 dBm |
| Radio Controller | |
| Maximum Transmission Distance | 2.4 GHz: 1.2 miles / 2 km (unobstructed, free of interference) 5.8 GHz: 1.2 miles / 2 km (unobstructed, free of interference) |
| Transmit Power | 2.4 GHz: ≤26 dBm 5.8 GHz: ≤28 dBm |
| Battery | Capacity: 950 mAh Voltage: 3.7 V |
| Mobile Device Holder | Thickness Range: 0.3 x 0.3″ / 6.5 x 8.5 mm Max length: 6.3″ / 160 mm |
| Camera | |
| Sensor | Type: 1.2/3″ CMOS Effective Pixels: 12 MP |
| Lens | FOV 81.9° Focal Length: 25 mm (35 mm-format equivalent) Aperture: f/2.6 Focusing Distance: 6.6′ (2 m) to ∞ |
| ISO Range | Video: 100 to 3200 Photo: 100 to 1600 |
| Electronic Shutter Speed | 2 to 1/8000 second |
| Video Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) at 30p |
| Photo Resolution | 3968 x 2976 |
| Photo Modes | Single Shot Burst Shooting: 3 frames Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3 bracketed frames at 0.7 EV bias Interval: 2/3/5/7/10/15/20/30/60 seconds |
| Maximum Video Bitrate | 24 Mbps |
| File Formats | Photo: JPEG Video: MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264) |
| Recording Media | Type: microSDHC/SDXC card up to 64 GB Format: FAT32 / exFAT
Note: Class 10/U1/V10 or faster card required (64 GB maximum size) |
| Gimbal | |
| Number of Axes | 2-axis (pitch, roll) |
| Control Range | Pitch: -85° to 0° |
| Flight Battery | |
| Chemistry | Lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) |
| Capacity | 1480 mAh / 16.87 Wh |
| Voltage | 11.4 V |
| Configuration | 3S |
| Maximum Charging Voltage | 13.05 V |
| Charging Temperature | 41 to 104°F / 5 to 40° C |
| Weight | 0.2 lb / 95 g |
| Charger | |
| Power Requirements | 100 to 240 V; 50/60 Hz at 0.5 A |
| Output Power | 5 V / 3 A 9 V / 2 A 12 V / 1.5 A |
| General | |
| Diagonal Size | 6.7″ / 170 mm |
| Overall Dimensions | 5.6 x 5.6 x 2.2″ / 143 x 143 x 55 mm |
| Operating Temperature | 32 to 104°F / 0° to 40°C |
Considering the size and the price, it seems DJI Spark has a lot to offer. Although, it does lack 4K and even some cheaper drones have it. Still, those of you who are fine with Full HD can still get a lot from DJI Spark in a small package. The drone is available for preorders, and you can choose one of five colors: Alpine White, Lava Red, Meadow Green, Sky Blue, and Sunrise Yellow. The price is quite affordable: $500, and it’s expected to start shipping on June 15, 2017.
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