A palm-sized mini drone "DJI Spark" review that features self-shooting and sharing functions

From DJI, a leading drone for general users, mini drone with sophisticated processing capability while riding in the palm "Spark"Has appeared. Speaking of DJI, authentic drones such as the Phantom series and Mavic Pro are well known, but Spark seems to be a drone that can be used more casually. In particular, it was that various functions for self-shooting were added, so I tried various things around the area.

Spark - Seize the Moment
http://www.dji.com/jp/spark

This is DJI Spark. It is the smallest size of DJI products so far, colorful body color releases casualness that draws a line with Phantom series and Mavic Pro. Incidentally, this color is called "Sunrise Yellow", in addition to this "Alpine White" "Sky Blue" "Meadow Green" "Laval Red" is a lineup of a total of 5 colors.


The arm part of the propeller is integrated with the main body. The battery occupies more than half of the main body, and the flight time of the catalog value "16 minutes" is about 10 minutes stronger in actuality. As the weight of the aircraft is 300 grams, it will be subject to air law regulation in Japan, but as we will see later, if we can accommodate landscapes such as travel destinations we can use it as a "self-shooting tool" It seems likely to be possible.


On the nose part, it is equipped with a 12 mega pixel camera with effective pixel mounted on a mechanical 2 axis gimbals. With 1 / 2.3 inch CMOS sensor built in, it is possible to shoot 1080p @ 30fps movies and 12 megapixel still images. The square and black area at the top of the camera is the part where the 3D sensing system that prevents collisions is built in.


Sensors for the vision system to sense the downward situation also are placed on the bottom of the aircraft.


On the rear part of the aircraft, such as power button and connector slot.


In the protective cover written as "SPARK", Micro - USB terminal and microSD card slot were hidden.


It is like this when a protective guard is attached to the propeller part. There is no sense of incompatibility because of the design and color melting down with the body.



Since the propeller part can be folded like this, it is possible to carry it easily in a dedicated carrying case.


The following movie can often feel that Spark is a drone suitable for self-taking. Doing a series of self-shooting processes, such as face recognition based on deep learning technology, take off from the palms, take self-taken photographs, return to the original place and landing on the palm of your hand without difficult operation I can.

DJI Spark takes off from the palms and takes self-taking, returning to the palm and landing - YouTube


The picture actually taken is like this. A group shot of myself or a friend from the air called "distance 3 meters · height 2 meters or more" impossible with self-shooting stickWith the landscape inYou can shoot. When used for shooting ourselves with the landscape at the destination we went on a trip, it seems that one of the very nice trips will be included in the picture.


Besides this, automatic tracking function "Active Track" which is perfect for accommodating one landscape of the trip and usual activities is installed. "Dronie (Dronie)" which jumps diagonally backward from the first position and gradually takes surrounding scenery and can capture the majestic landscape ... ...

"Dronie" mode in which DJI SPARK rises diagonally backward and catches the landscape - YouTube


"Circle (Circle)" to shoot by rotating 360 degrees around yourself or an object

"Circle" mode in which DJI SPARK shoots automatically around the subject and shoots - YouTube


It is similar to "Circle", but "Helix (helix)" which gradually rises while turning around the object

"Helix" mode in which DJI SPARK rides while turning round the subject around automatically - YouTube


And you can shoot such as 'Rocket' which rises at a stretch to the altitude of 40 meters while capturing yourself and objects directly underneath.

"Rocket" mode where DJI SPARK shoots the subject just above the subject as the rocket rises - YouTube


In addition to these, active track functions such as "trace" which can be used also in conventional Mavic Pro etc., chase behind the subject, can also turn around, and "profile" keeps track of the subject sideways as it is. It seems to say that DJI Spark is equipped not only with "skipping drone" but also "ability to use for taking and taking self".

Also, you can easily shoot images and videos captured in the application, post them to SNS as they are and share them. So far processed and transferred the data to the PC, but there was a need to take the steps that ...... and upload it to YouTube, the work of "take out" immediately after the shooting has become to be able to immediately upload .


On the other hand, it was also true that there was a disadvantage due to a lightweight and compact airframe. Because the aircraft was light, it became susceptible to the influence of the wind, and on a strong wind day there were things that he could hesitate without thinking about the flight. Also, since the gimbals holding the camera are of 2-axis type, the lateral movement depends on the movement of the axis of rotation (yaw axis) of the aircraft. As a result, horizontal shake of the image sometimes occurred, especially when shooting while turning.

As for the position of DJI Spark, although it is not as stable as the aircraft whose price exceeds 100,000 yen, it seems that people who are dissatisfied with the image quality of the cheaper drone than Spark are sure to be able to satisfy the OK line convincingly surely It seems to be said that it is settled in places. Spark's price tag from a tax-inclusive price of 60,800 yen should be fully appealing if it is a person hesitating that "Phantom series and Mavic Pro can not get out of hand ...".

DJI Spark is a basic set with a spare rotor etc attached to the main body including tax of 60,800 yen, "Spark Fly More Combo" with a set of stick type transmitter and propeller guard set as a set includes 89,000 yen including tax It is on sale for yen.

Buy Spark | DJI store