Review: DJI Neo 2

DJI’s first-generation Neo made drone flying simple for beginners, combining compact design with intuitive controls.

The new Neo 2 promises to build on that success, with its marketing as a “follow me camera drone” that promises smarter automation, omnidirectional obstacle sensing, and smoother tracking.

Like almost every DJI product, the Neo comes in a variety of forms. The stripped-back version tested here retails for AU$409, which includes the drone, one battery, and propeller guards but no remote controller or charging hub.

For users wanting remote control capability, the standard DJI Neo 2 Fly More Combo retails for AU$709, bundling with it the RC-N3 controller with three batteries and charging hub.

Based on my experience you'll likely want to spring for the version with the controller, but we'll get to that soon.

Design and build

At just 151g, the Neo 2 remains ultra-portable, smaller than most smartphones yet sturdy enough for everyday use. Full propeller guards add peace of mind for new pilots, especially when flying indoors or practicing palm takeoffs and landings.

However, setup relies on pairing with a smartphone, which slows things down.

A built-in display would have made the experience more seamless, and coming from drones with integrated screens, this extra step felt cumbersome for a model aimed at quick deployment.

In flight

The Neo 2 keeps DJI’s beginner-friendly DNA intact. Gesture control, ActiveTrack, and palm launch make flying intuitive, while omnidirectional obstacle avoidance performs impressively in tight spaces.

That said, Return-to-Home (RTH) proved unreliable in my testing. Even moderate wind caused the system to cancel automatically, warning that it couldn’t return.

For inexperienced users, that could be pretty nerve-wracking—especially if the drone is out of sight. This safety limitation undermines confidence in what really should be a fail-safe feature.

Camera and image quality

On paper, the Neo 2’s 1/2-inch CMOS sensor and 4K/100fps recording sound impressive. In practice, image quality was a bit underwhelming. Auto exposure struggled badly in bright light, often blowing highlights beyond recovery in Lightroom. While I normally shoot in manual, many users will rely on Auto—so this could quickly frustrate beginners.

Another issue: the gimbal tilt range. Tilting fully downward introduced a distracting black line (likely part of the body) into the frame. True top-down shots required awkward adjustment to avoid it, which is hardly ideal for creative compositions.

While colours look pleasant in softer light, overall, I found the footage lacked depth and dynamic range. Stability from the dual-axis gimbal is decent, but the results feel flat and limited for professional work.

Battery life

Battery life averages around 19 minutes, consistent with DJI’s claim. Flight stability is solid, and in Sport Mode it reaches 12 m/s while maintaining smooth control. It’s quick, compact, and responsive—perfect for short creative sessions or travel clips.

However, the Neo 2 isn’t built for artistic flexibility. Its design caters to vloggers and social creators wanting dynamic tracking or hands-free footage, not photographers seeking creative freedom. Personally, I found it restrictive and uninspiring for my style of shooting.

The wrap-up

The DJI Neo 2 refines what made the original approachable: safe, simple, and smart automation in a pocket-sized form. Gesture control and tracking make it a fun, accessible tool for newcomers.

But as a photographer, I found the experience lacking. Image quality disappoints, Auto exposure falters, the gimbal’s limited tilt hampers composition, and the lack of a built-in screen feels like a missed opportunity.

Would I buy one? No. It doesn’t serve my professional or artistic needs. But for beginners and content creators wanting effortless flying and automated video, along with the tracking features, the Neo 2 is a good starting point that could do the job well.

The results