Autel EVO Nano+ drone review

The Autel EVO Nano+ is the first lightweight drone which can detect and avoid crashes

Autel EVO Nano+
(Image: © Adam Juniper / Digital Camera World)

Digital Camera World Verdict

The Autel EVO Nano+ represents a striking step up not only for Autel, but for what’s possible in this weight category. Bringing a large sensor and three-way collision sensing, this machine is both safe to operate and brings home excellent images. There are undoubtedly a few niggles, but that list was shortening even during our testing period, which fills us with hope. At the same time aspects like the high-resolution live preview and subject tracking give you professional capabilities with incredible portability.

Pros

  • +

    4K video

  • +

    2.7K live preview

  • +

    Phase-contrast autofocus

Cons

  • -

    Sensor claims 50-megapixels but captures 12.6-megapixel images

  • -

    Limited choice of frame rates

  • -

    Voice alerts don’t seem to add much

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Testing the Autel EVO Nano+ was exciting. Waiting for the weather to let us, not so much, but that’s life. This machine is so significant because – while we’ve seen others chip at DJI’s undoubted “big boy” status – this is the first time in a while a drone has stepped out and appeared to claim market leader status in its category. Not only that, but the category in question – sub 250g aircraft – is probably the most important one in the world of camera drones right now.

How can that have happened? DJI have been laying claim to this ground for some time now, with the DJI Mini 2 and Mini SE offering 4K and 1080P options depending just how much customers are prepared to part with for the camera. Unlike Autel, however, they’ve not managed to (or chosen to) fit vision sensor pairs (collision sensors) on their lightweight aircraft (base excepted). Nor does the Mini 2’s image sensor have anything like the size, with a pretty pedestrian 1 / 2.3” (7.66mm) compared to the Nano+.

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Adam Juniper
Managing Editor

With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors… and, above all, drones. 

Adam is our resident expert on all aspects of camera drones and drone photography, from buying guides on the best choices for aerial photographers of all ability levels to the latest rules and regulations on piloting drones. 

He is the author of a number of books including The Complete Guide to Drones, The Smart Smart Home Handbook, 101 Tips for DSLR Video and The Drone Pilot's Handbook