Newly launched foreign-made drones aren’t allowed into the US under Federal Communications Commission restrictions – but now the drones that are allowed are about to be hit with higher import taxes. On August 13, US President Donald Trump announced new tariffs across several categories of drones in a move that will likely raise prices for aerial photographers and videographers.

The largest tariffs in the measure are the oversized military drones that weigh more than 25 kg, which will soon face a 100 percent tariff. But the smaller drones built for photo and video will also be affected, as smaller drones will face a 25 percent tariff.

Drones from certain regions will have a lower import tax, with a 15 percent tariff on drones coming from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan. The lowest tariff rate is a 10 percent tariff applied to drones from the United Kingdom, provided that a majority of the hardware and software also originates from the UK.

I’m an American and a licensed drone pilot and photographer. The additional tariffs are a devastating blow to an already hurting aerial photography and videography industry.

The FCC restrictions on foreign drones already in place mean that the newest drones don’t get the necessary approval to be sold in the US. But the tariffs – which are set to be put in place 21 days from the announcement – are likely to make the drones that are available in the US more expensive.

Under the new measures, previously announced drones, including those from DJI, that are still available with the FCC restrictions would see a 25 percent increase in import taxes.

Photographers have already seen what increased tariffs do to camera prices, as several camera brands raised prices last year amid last year’s tariffs. Some of those tariffs were turned down by the Supreme Court.

The tariffs come as the FCC considers revoking the authorization for previously approved drones that meet a certain set of features, including using LiDAR. A handful of popular consumer drones use LiDAR, including the DJI Mini 5 Pro and the DJI Avata 360. The FCC is seeking public comment on the possible move until September 02.

While new DJI and other foreign-made drones are no longer eligible to obtain the necessary FCC authorization to launch in the US, DJI has filed a lawsuit over the ban, a legal battle that remains ongoing.

Both the tariffs and the FCC restrictions are meant to strengthen US drone production. The White House says that relying on foreign sources for UAVs “poses significant risk to US national security and creates cybersecurity vulnerabilities.”

The challenge for drone photographers, as well as general consumers and first responders using consumer-grade drones, is that the US companies that build drones offer devices for military, agriculture, inspection, and Hollywood-level films, but American drone companies do not yet offer consumer-grade drones after Skydio dropped out of the consumer market.

Another key challenge to building a US-based supply chain is that many components are heavily sourced overseas, including the rare earth magnets used in drone motors and lithium used in batteries.

You may also like

Browse the best drones for aerial photography and videography or the best drones for beginners.

After preventing all newly announced foreign-made drones from hitting US shelves last December, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is proposing a move that would remove some existing drones from the market – including popular consumer models like the DJI Mini 5 Pro and the DJI Avata 360.

Last year, the FCC added DJI and all foreign-made drones to the “Covered List,” effectively preventing all newly announced consumer drones from entering the US, as no US brands currently build consumer drones.

While the move was a devastating blow for drone pilots, the FCC may be about to expand the ban to include some “military-grade” features in a move that would retroactively remove previously approved drones from store shelves.

While the move would revoke FCC approval for those models to be sold in the US, current pilots using those models would be allowed to continue to fly them.

The FCC is currently proposing to retroactively ban foreign-made drones that fall under a list of “military-grade” drone features. That list of military features includes drones capable of spraying aerosol, thermal drones, drone docking stations, and drones that weigh 55 pounds or more.

But the proposal also lists one key feature that could effectively remove several popular consumer-grade drones from the market: LiDAR.

LiDAR technology uses pulses of light to measure distance. Some high-end LiDAR drones are used for 3D mapping but, importantly, several consumer-grade drones use LiDAR for obstacle avoidance.

LiDAR is a key safety feature used to prevent drone crashes on popular consumer models, including the DJI Mini 5 Pro, the DJI Avata 360, and the DJI Air 3S.

As a licensed American drone pilot, I believe the FCC’s proposed “military-grade” ban would seriously impact the drones used by photographers, videographers, and beginner drone pilots.

The DJI Mini 5 Pro is the model that I’ve been eyeing for some time, with its 50MP 1-inch sensor and obstacle avoidance packed inside a drone that’s still lightweight and relatively affordable.

LiDAR on consumer drones is a key safety feature. Using LiDAR, drones can detect and ultimately avoid obstacles – preventing not just damage to the drone but to property and even the people on the ground.

New foreign-made drones are no longer making it to store shelves after the FCC added DJI and all foreign-made drones to the Covered List, effectively preventing new models from getting the approval needed to be sold in the US.

But while there are a handful of US-based drone companies, these brands build military-grade, commercial, and Hollywood-level drones – US drone companies don’t currently offer consumer-grade drones.

Expanding the drone ban to include features like LiDAR and thermal would further limit Americans’ access to the latest drone technology.

The rare earth components used in motors and lithium used in batteries are largely sourced from China, and creating a US-based drone supply chain – while the goal is admirable – will be a long and difficult process.

Removing pre-approved drones from shelves would only exaggerate the problem. Yes, pilots could go out and buy drones like the DJI Mini 5 Pro ahead of the ban, but even with LiDAR obstacle avoidance, crashes happen – and pilots would be left without a suitable replacement.

But I’m not just a licensed drone pilot. I’m the granddaughter of a farmer, and the proposed ban on drones with spraying capabilities could increase costs for farmers, as drones are becoming an increasingly common alternative to crop-sprayer airplanes.

The thermal drone designation in the proposed retroactive ban could also affect the drone fleets used by first responders for search-and-rescue missions – and that affects everyone, not just photographers bummed about the lack of flying camera options.

Drone-maker DJI says that “the FCC’s proposed definition is broad enough to capture many of the civilian drones Americans rely on every day. It could even include consumer models used by hobbyists simply because they use LiDAR to improve positioning and obstacle avoidance – a safety feature, not a military capability.”

The FCC is currently seeking public comments on the proposed drone ban by September 02. The Drone Advocacy Alliance lists detailed instructions for filing a public comment on the proposal.

You may also like

Browse the best drones for photography or the best drones for beginners.

A not-so mysterious teaser has appeared on the DJI website that is clearly regarding the much-anticipated DJI Osmo 360 II. The page, which is only available if your region is set to Hong Kong, is entitled “All Angles. All Epic.” Along with a date of August 13 2026, 12PM GMT.

This appears to contradict other teasers, with a second teaser posted on DJI’s Instagram, stating: “DJI Osmo 360 II will be available for pre-order starting at 8:00PM on August 7th.” (translated using Google Lens). This would appear to corroborate another post that surfaced on Chinese social media and was reported on by Asobinet stating that the 360 camera would be “unveiled on August 7th.” However, as of yet, I haven’t seen any more information regarding the 360 camera’s launch...

The second Instagram teaser is a showreel of 360 footage, captured on the DJI Osmo 360 II, showing POV shots of mountain biking, dancing, skiing and more. When the teaser ends, it simply states: “Coming soon”.

A slightly earlier teaser was released, which features the same video present on DJI’s Hong Kong website. It starts with a top-down view of a square sensor, with the camera pulling back to reveal a lens and then the top of the camera itself. A fisheye lens is then overlaid over the top.

DJI hasn’t yet revealed any specs. However, I’m expecting some juicy upgrades from the Osmo 360’s already very impressive 8K / 50p and 6K / 60p video, 120MP panoramic stills, and 105GB available storage. It would appear that a few commenters are having fun coming up with some entirely unachievable specs, with one ‘hoping for’ “24k resolution, 2000fps open gate global shutter”.

News of the Osmo 360 II comes at a time when both DJI and its customer base face growing uncertainty when it comes to product availability in the US. Government restrictions targeting Chinese-made drones are well documented, but other DJI products have faced scrutiny, including the new DJI Osmo Pocket 4 and 4P. As such, it seems likely the Osmo 360 II will not be available in the US at launch.

Still, the DJI Osmo 360 II is releasing elsewhere and DJI’s teasers will have definitely put its competitors on notice. As soon as we know more about this impending release, we’ll be posting about it right here on Digital Camera World.

You might also like...

Into 360 cameras? Check out the Insta360 X5. Perhaps you're looking for a slightly more conventional action camera like the new GoPro Mission 1 Pro?

DJI did something rare with the Osmo Pocket series – created a new kind of camera. The company fused the lightweight gimbal technology used to keep cameras steady on its dominant range of drones with a simple 'wand' so it could be used handheld, essentially creating a compact camera that was akin to a serious professional Stedicam setup.

Almost inevitably, the world went crazy for what we've called the 'pocket gimbal camera', and DJI company kept refining their offering – the DJI Pocket 3 sold by the millions. The recently released Pocket 4 added a raft of refinements, but stuck to the single camera system and same sized image sensor. For those already equipped with a Pocket 3 there wasn't a "big thing" to upgrade for.

The Pocket 4P, though, is another matter. It brings all the refinements of the Pocket 4 and, crucially, a second camera. mimicking the multi-camera approach used by premium phones to improve telephoto range. Is it the "pocket cinema camera" that is suggested? How does it hold up against the new competitor in town (the Insta360 Luna Ultra)? I've been testing both and here is my verdict...

DJI Pocket 4P Value

When released globally on July 30 (except the USA because of legal issues), the Osmo Pocket 4P had a starting price of £529 (around $710), which represents solid value, considering that the Pocket 4 comes in at £445.

DJI Pocket 4P Specs

DJI Pocket 4P Build and handling

The DJI Pocket 4P feels a lot like its predecessors, which is to say that the handle is superbly well-built of tough plastics with a very convincing grip.

Atop it is a new feature for DJI – a dual camera system with a 20mm EFL camera boasting a 1-inch CMOS sensor with LOFIC (this is a system which adds capacitors to capture additional highlight detail, reducing the chance of over-exposure). The 60mm one is a more standard 1/1.28-inch.

The screen is on a rotating mechanism that also serves as the on-off switch, an elegant piece of design on the Pocket 3, which has been stepped up a level with the arrival of two customisable buttons that are revealed when the camera is active. The left of these is a 'zoom' button by default, quickly switching from the 20mm to the 60mm view (though with a half-second 'zoom' rather than an instant jump).

You can also turn the screen back to vertical and tap the screen before it powers off to easily switch to vertical shooting. This won't actually rotate the camera – but will give you a larger view (at the expense of hiding those two new buttons!)

Control is by those physical buttons, a '5D' thumb joystick, and that OLED touchscreen, the 1,000 nits of brightness serving well even in bright daylight.

The size of the screen is just big enough that it's possible to put a button in each corner and for them to be easy to press. In addition, swiping from the sides reveals features like playback (from the left), settings, resolutions, or the Pro options.

Described like this, it might sound overwhelming, but they are neatly categorised and relatively soon become second nature. For me there was one exception: the thumbstick is switched between operating the camera direction and the zoom level with an icon on the screen. A separate physical zoom slider (as seen on the Luna Ultra) would be a lot easier, ergonomically.

Much of the time, too, you can rely on the camera's ActiveTrack 8.0 feature to keep your subject in shot; it can recognise people and other objects and keep them in frame with the gimbal. This is the true appeal to a solo operator.

Using the same grip makes it compatible with most of the same accessories, but it does mean that it is notably 'top-heavy'. To be honest, I think this is fine, and since I found myself using the battery handle (an added accessory, but one I'd recommend) that is completely offset anyway.

A nice touch is that DJI has stuck to the handle dimensions of the Pocket 3, so if you have the battery handle accessory from that generation, it'll work. It won't deliver quite as much power as the new one, but it'll fit, and it'll work.

The battery life is a solid 210 minutes, about half an hour less than the Pocket 4 standard because of the heavier gimbal, though it will come down if you move around more.

DJI Pocket 4P Performance

Image quality from the Pocket 4P is striking, and I have no complaints about the mechanical stabilization.

The 4K video quality is excellent with natural colors, and I shot in D-Log, D-Log 2 (the new color profile which takes advantage of the LOFIC sensor) and the normal modes.

It was a little irksome that the camera's new D-Log 2 color profile is only available for some of the shooting modes, easily explained by the fact only the 1-inch sensor on the 20mm camera has the LOFIC tech, but less so by some of the other modes that won't play ball, like slo-mo.

Regardless the 60mm telephoto lens is perfect for achieving the background compression from real depth of field, not the horrible simulated alternative offered digitally by phones, and it looks great.

Paired with the camera's ability to act as a receiver for a DJI Mic (all part of the ecosystem), it takes seconds to set up an on-location piece to camera which is then recorded with synced sound.

Battery life is impressive, and the refinements to the newer battery handle are appreciated, That said, I did a lot of my testing in 4K60fps and it will plough through the power notable faster. Hyperlapse and slow-mo had similar issues.

On a long days shooting I found myself topping up the charge with my portable power station, but it wasn't an issue – it fast-charges to 80% in under 20 minutes. Copying files from the device is also pleasingly painless thanks to DJI's Wi-Fi 6 and USB 3.1 support so even 200kbps videos flow off very quickly.

DJI's default shooting modes produce very natural color, and significantly better image quality than a phone. The 60mm lens is f/1.8, so it's very much like a classic portrait lens, but it's also worth remembering that 2x is effectively lossless at 4K (as is 6x zoom). There is even 12x zoom and that does show signs of digital zoom but I was impressed that not only is it 'good enough' when needed, but the subject tracking was still easily able to cope at this distance.

While the D-Log and D-Log 2 confusion is an irritation, it isn't a tragic loss. The camera makes very sensible choices if you shoot in normal mode. If you are determined to use the best possible color science for each shot as you'll need to switch between them in the menus, and ideally a different LUT for each.

The other crucial factor, focus, is generally pretty reliable, too. The camera generally stays on the selected subject or main face in the shot which is crucial for a pocket gimbal camera as it isn't a control you'd want to be handling, given how much movement can be going on. I was genuinely surprised how rarely the camera focused on anything other than my choice of subject – meaning it'd probably make a great choice for product photographers too.

DJI Pocket 4P Overall Verdict

As soon as I knew there was a 4th generation of DJI's Pocket coming along, this was the camera I wanted. First came the Pocket 4, though, and I found myself complaining: "Where is the other lens, from all the rumors?" As someone who wants to be able to put the camera a little way away, trust the camera's subject tracking, and shoot pieces to camera while out alone, this was the upgrade I was waiting for.

So here it is and, honestly, there are very few frustrations. Admittedly, I'd prefer the new Log 2 mode to be available across the lenses, and I still find the 5D joystick somewhat fiddly (especially now I've used the Luna Ultra and know there is an alternative approach).

And I still don't fully understand why there isn't a tripod thread on the standard camera – just a USB-C socket in the base and a plug-in box/handle extension (I get that USB is also the means to connect to accessories, but why not use something like the pogo-pin contacts on the gimbal head, leaving room for a tripod thread?

This, though, was not an issue for the success of the previous generation and, to be honest, if your hands are the size of mine, leaving the handle extension on all the time (except when you have the battery handle) improves the ergonomics anyway.

Would I upgrade for the extra dynamic range and the Log-2? No. But that doesn't matter – the 60mm lens is reason enough.

Alternatives

How I test?

I've tested multiple generations of this camera and other gimbal cameras, and many drones and gimbals, so have built up years of expertise. I've found that the best thing to do is to use it in 'real life' circumstances, so, for the Pocket 4 series, that involved taking the device out into the world and shooting videos, some of which you can see cut into the video at the top of this piece.

I tested with a device DJI loaned me before the release, giving me something of a head start. In that time I was also able to I compare it to the Pocket 3, the Pocket 4 and the Insta360 Luna Ultra.

The DJI Mic Mini 2S has landed and it’s DJI’s first mini wireless microphone to feature internal recording. And not just any internal recording, because the DJI Mic Mini 2S’s 14.5GB of onboard storage boasts up to 28 hours of 32-bit float audio (at 24-bit).

On top of that, it comes with two levels of AI noise canceling, Basic and Strong, which reduces background noise and increases clarity. The former is more suited to tidying up persistent hums, such as air conditioning, while the latter is reserved for noisier environments.

Think of 32-bit float as a RAW file for audio, allowing you to capture as much audio data as possible for maximum pliability in post and a much more limited chance of clipping. The mic also features automatic attenuation in the form of Clipping Control, while maintaining consistent audio output via Loudness Balance. You can even ‘shape’ your voice by applying three voice-tone presets: Regular, Bright and Rich.

For those looking to record multiple audio sources simultaneously, a single DJI Mic Mini 2S RX (receiver) can be connected to up to four TX (transmitters). Existing DJI Mic owners will be pleased to know that this latest mic is compatible with both DJI Mic Mini and DJI Mic Mini 2 transmitters and the DJI Mic Series Mobile Receiver.

Each transmitter weighs just 12g and features clip or magnetic attachments. In a world where many creators proudly attach wireless microphones visibly on clothing and cap brims or simply hold them, you can add a little pizazz to the DJI Mic Mini 2S via a set of eight Multi-Color Magnetic Front Covers as well as four Time Series Magnetic Front Covers that have been designed in collaboration with artist Victo Ngai.

The DJI Mic Mini 2S is compatible with DJI’s extensive ecosystem. A range of compatible Osmo cameras can be connected to a mic via DJI’s OsmoAudio Direct Connection, capturing 48kHz 24-bit audio without the need for a receiver.

DJI’s latest microphone is available today and starts from £59 for the transmitter only. A single transmitter, receiver and charging case costs £79, with packages maxing out at £183 for two transmitters, one receiver, one mobile receiver, a charging case, and the Multi-Color Magnetic Front Covers set. USA availability has not been announced, due to import restrictions on new DJI products.

You might also like...

If you're into DJI then you're probably interested in the best camera drones and the best action cameras. Plus, DJI Osmo Pocket 3 vs Pocket 4 - I've tried them both and I know which one I'd buy.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 4P is now officially available, bringing a dual-camera system to DJI’s pocket gimbal camera range for the first time. Where you can actually buy, however, one depends heavily on where you live, with UK and European shoppers receiving considerably better access than customers in the United States.

In the UK, the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P is available to buy directly from DJI and selected authorized retail partners. The Standard Combo costs £529, while the more comprehensive Vlog Combo is priced at £605.

Both versions are available in black or pearl white, although stock levels may vary between colors and retailers.

Where to buy the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P?

UK Retailers

The Standard Combo is the most affordable way to get started and includes the Osmo Pocket 4P, a fill light, a carrying pouch and a handle with a quarter-inch tripod thread.

It should provide everything that most casual filmmakers, travellers and content creators need to begin shooting straight away, particularly if they already own a compatible wireless microphone or small tripod.

For anyone planning to use the Pocket 4P regularly for vlogging or professional content, the £605 Vlog Combo is likely to offer better overall value.

Alongside the camera, it includes the FrameTap remote controller, DJI Mic Mini 2 transmitter, compact tripod, larger carrying case and additional accessories. The remote screen is particularly useful when filming alone, as it enables the camera and gimbal to be controlled from a distance.

The situation is very different in the United States. At the time of writing, no authorized US retailer currently has official DJI Osmo Pocket 4P stock – and DJI has not announced a formal US launch. This means you will not find an officially supplied US model at the major camera retailers where DJI products would ordinarily be sold.

Third-party and imported listings may occasionally appear through online marketplaces, but these should not be confused with an official US release. Anyone considering an imported model should check the seller carefully and confirm the warranty, returns policy, regional compatibility and possible import charges before placing an order.

We have seen DJI products that were initially unavailable in the United States appear through US retailers at a later date, so the situation may still change. Should the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P officially reach the US market, or become available through a recognized US retailer, we will update this page with the latest prices and buying options.

The Osmo Pocket 4P is more than a modest update to the standard Pocket 4. Its main camera combines a 20mm equivalent f/2 lens with a 1-inch CMOS sensor, while a second 60mm equivalent f/1.8 camera introduces a genuine 3x telephoto perspective.

This gives filmmakers far greater control over composition and makes the camera particularly attractive for portraits, interviews, product videos and more cinematic-looking footage.

DJI has also introduced 10-bit D-Log 2 recording and claims up to 17 stops of dynamic range from the main camera. Video can be captured at up to 4K 60p during normal recording, while the wide-angle camera offers 4K slow-motion at up to 240fps.

A 3-axis mechanical stabilization system, ActiveTrack 8.0 and the rotating 2-inch screen complete what is easily the most ambitious Osmo Pocket camera DJI has produced so far.

You might like...

See how the 4P compares to the best pocket gimbal cameras, and decide whether you might be better off with one of the best cameras for vlogging or even one of the best action cameras.

When the US government agencies first brought up security concerns over the world’s largest drone maker’s ties to China, the conversation centered on drones. But when the Federal Communications Commission added all foreign-made drones to its Covered List late last year, the group specifically called out DJI, effectively banning not just its future drones but its cameras and accessories as well.

One of the most popular vlogging cameras has gotten caught in the crossfire between DJI and the US government – and now even its lookalikes are getting held back. The new DJI Osmo Pocket 4 and 4P won’t be coming to the US, and now lookalikes Xtra Muse 2 and Muse 2 Pro have pulled pre-orders from the US.

The DJI Osmo Pocket series may look strange, but the camera’s gimbal-camera-in-one combo has proven successful for vloggers and content creators. After the Osmo Pocket 3 launched in 2023, the camera’s unusual design and features quickly went viral on social media, leading to a months-long waiting list to find one in stock.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has now been replaced by the DJI Osmo Action 4 and the more advanced 4P. But the vlogging camera arrived after the FCC ban, and as such, the update to the popular vlogging camera isn’t coming to the States.

Now, even the popular Pocket camera’s copycats are becoming difficult to find in the US. After the FCC fined Xtra for failing to respond to inquiries, the agency is seeking public comment over potentially adding the company – as well as eight others selling suspected copies of tech from banned companies – to the Covered List.

Unlike DJI’s addition to the list, the FCC is considering a retroactive ban, which would revoke FCC approval for previously announced products, not just prevent future cameras from getting the necessary approval.

In the meantime, it appears that Xtra has started refunding US pre-orders for the new Xtra Muse 2 and Muse 2 Pro, along with removing the products from the website and halting pre-orders.

The Xtra Muse 2 is a key example of the drone ban’s effects beyond the cameras destined for the skies. The decision to add all “foreign-made drones” to the covered List is a move that effectively puts drone tech on pause in the US. While there are a handful of American drone companies, none of them make consumer drones for hobbyists, beginners, or pro photographers and videographers beyond multi-million dollar budget Hollywood films.

But, DJI is explicitly named on the Covered List. The “all foreign-made drones” addition would have effectively kept DJI’s future China-made drones out of the US, but specifically naming the company also prevents DJI’s non-aerial cameras from entering the US. (Previously existing DJI products are still legal to buy and use in the US; the FCC Covered List currently only prevents future products announced after the ban from receiving FCC approval).

As an American drone pilot, the foreign-made drone ban is a frustrating pause that will prevent me from accessing the latest drone technology until either a US company emerges or regulations change.

But perhaps the most frustrating aspect is that the DJI ban came without a security review – and encompasses far more than drones. The National Defense Authorization Act gave DJI a year to pass a security review or face an automatic ban, but the legislation failed to name what government agency would even be responsible – and then the review never actually happened.

DJI has already been placed on the FCC Covered List, but the turmoil over DJI-branded products (and lookalikes) in the US is far from over. The FCC is currently seeking public comments on the proposed ban for the companies selling products with similarities to those on the Covered List, including Xtra.

DJI’s fight isn’t over either – the drone-maker has filed a lawsuit against the FCC over banning the company without a security review. The lawsuit is ongoing.

You may also like

The DJI Pocket 3 is still available in the US – and the new Insta360 Luna is also available in the US.

DJI has a range of BIG power packs for powering camping holidays or keeping your drones and camera equipment charged up in the field. We saw some great discounts on thesearlier in the season, but now Wex has dropped the ticket price on its mid-range 1kWh model down to a new low.

Wex Photo Video is offering £410 off the DJI Power 1000, which reduces the cost of this to just £469 – the lowest ever price we have ever seen for this monster power bank.

I've fully tested the DJI Power 1000 in my review, and it was impressive. Moreover, DJI has extended the functionality with accessories for any situation that allow you to work with multiple DJI batteries, and charge quickly using a vehicle. so it makes sense to snap some more up even if you already have one.

These are obviously useful if you're out camping or you're our flying. Drone batteries aren't cheap and – if you charge as you go – then you don't need to buy as many batteries to have a fruitful day flying, but DJI will also cover you if you're worried about a collapsing power grid!

I have also seen these devices popular with professional content creators who need to keep topping up on the go and with pilots of fun craft like the Avata 2 drone which, if we're honest, burns through batteries faster when you're having more fun!

You might also like

Check our guide to the best laptop power banks and the best camera drones. (Wanna check the competition – check the Anker Solix C1000).

A decision late last year effectively banned all new DJI products from entering the US while keeping older models on the shelves – but the Federal Communications Commission is considering even harsher restrictions for brands selling DJI lookalikes.

The FCC has released a statement and is looking for public comment on a proposal that would retroactively ban drones and cameras from a handful of companies accused of selling re-branded DJI products.

The companies that could soon see an FCC ban include the brands behind drones like the Skyrover X1 (A DJI Mini 4 lookalike linked to the WaveGo and SZ Knowact brands) and cameras like the Xtra Muse (a DJI Pocket 3 lookalike). The list of targeted brands includes Cogito, Fikaxo, Lyno Dynamics, Skyhigh Tech, Spatial Hover, SZ Knowact, WaveGo, Xtra and XAG.

Notably, brands like Xtra are known for creating more affordable action cameras and gimbal cameras that have several similarities with popular options from DJI. Earlier this month, the FCC proposed a fine when those companies failed to respond to the agency’s request for additional details over whether or not those products source tech from brands on the FCC Covered List, such as DJI.

Unlike the existing limitations on DJI, the proposal could remove those brand’s exsisting products from the shelves rather than just preventing new models from entering the US. The FCC proposal isn’t yet a finalized decision, as the proposal is currently open to public comment over the potential ban.

When the FCC added DJI – as well as all foreign-made drones – to its Covered List late last year, the agency effectively barred new DJI drones, cameras, and accessories from entering the US.

However, while the move effectively “banned” new DJI products, the move did not pull existing DJI products from the shelves, leaving previously approved drones and cameras still available – and legal – to use in the US. Ironically, that means that some lookalikes may be banned when the competing DJI models like the DJI Mini 4 Pro remain on the shelves.

The proposal against the DJI lookalike brands, however, if passed, would be the first time the FCC uses a new ability to retroactively ban previously approved devices. In October 2025, the FCC approved a change that gives the agency the ability to revoke a product’s FCC approval, which would effectively remove that product from US shelves.

The FCC is seeking public comment on the proposal.

DJI has filed a lawsuit over the FCC ban; the case is still ongoing.

You may also like

Read more about what the US drone means for American drone pilots, or browse the best drones for beginners.

I don't want to sound like a DJI apologist, but when a corner of the internet laid into the camera company for an AI-generated ad for its 'Mic Mini', I wondered if it might be quite such a terrible thing?

Don't get me wrong. It's unsettling enough to think that the creative industry I love is at risk of being replaced by AI, and when a company that is meant to support creatives (or, at least, provide products for creatives) gets in on the act, that is more of a worry.

I fully understand why podcasters took the opportunity to jump up and down on the incident and create as much controversy as possible, and it certainly can't have done creators any harm in the short term.

At the same time, though, if we're absolutely honest, posting an AI-generated (so not real) TikTok person showing the DJI Mic is probably not the most serious of crimes.

It definitely sounds more worrying for us all that it was a so-called "dark post" – there is just something about that phrase. In truth, that only means it was a paid ad, so delivered to targeted users (people that fitted target demographics), rather than appearing on DJI's own feed.

Sure, that means it's harder to find after the fact, but Jakob Owens / @buffnerdsmedia managed to record it and share it.

In terms of openness, it was clearly labelled 'AI-generated', so it certainly wasn't 'dark' in that sense.

Perhaps a more serious worry for the future is that – had it been without a label – no one might have spotted it at all.

But there are two positives I can see.

First, the backlash that resulted in the commercial being promptly deleted by the camera firm will undoubtedly keep humans in work for a little longer, and, as a human, I do feel the need to keep back the rise of the machines (and not just because Terminator 2 was the better movie).

Secondly, well, as a consumer, if DJI want to avoid paying an influencer a pile of money for a video, I'm not actually as upset as all that.

I don't especially love photographers and videographers losing out on paid work, but when the shot is a camera (or a phone) in a fixed position and someone talking to it, I'm uncertain just how much creativity would have been involved had it not been AI-generated.

When I'm buying cameras, there are two kinds of content I want to be able to access. One is impartial reviews, ideally from a traditional source.

I'm not just saying that because I write reviews (and participate in some video ones). It is because it's important to me to learn about a device from testers who are entirely outside the company's budget. Call me old-fashioned, but if they're sponsored by the company, they're not really reviews so they're not guidance.

On the other hand, when it comes to usability, I'm perfectly happy for the company to show me how to use a device.

Videos that show features, settings and reveal functions are uesful and, to be honest, if that can be generated by A.I. I don't find that upsetting at all.

In fact, given that influencers can ask for surprisingly large amounts that I'd prefer a company spend on R&D for the next exciting product, I don't really mind A.I. for that specific scenario at all.

But that's just me.

You can see some of our impartial ratings of DJI products in the best action cameras and best camera drones guides.

When I first started at Digital Camera World earlier this year, I wrote an opinion piece shooting down drone photography – to the displeasure of many readers.

Well, since then, I’ve seen so many fantastic images taken with drones that my opinion has gradually shifted, but this image from US-based professional photographer Kah-Wai Lin has me fully converted.

Lin’s image was recently awarded third place in the single image category at the 2026 International Aerial Photographer of the Year (IAPOTY) Awards. This was the second edition of the competition, and Lin walked away with $250 (approximately £190 / AU$360) and will be featured in the awards book showcasing all 101 finalists.

I think the top-down drone perspective is what makes this shot so special. Yes, you could easily capture the essence of this image with a frame taken at eye level, but it wouldn’t depict the immersive nature of the dust cloud surrounding the herd of wild horses, nor the ethereal, golden-yellow sunlight illuminating the scene.

Lin captured this image using a DJI Mini 4 Pro in Cappadocia, Turkey. Yılkı (wild) horses have been domesticated for over a millennium in the Anatolia region – formerly known as Asia Minor – which makes up a large portion of modern-day Turkey.

Since ancient times, Turkish villagers have tamed wild horses for agricultural work and transportation, the traditional enduring today mainly for tourism purposes.

The photographer opted for a 6.7mm focal length (24mm full-frame equivalent), f/1.7, ISO 100 and a 1/160 sec shutter speed, which I think perfectly balances freezing the animals’ movement while allowing a sliver of motion blur which almost leaves a dry, dusty sensation in your mouth.

Congratulations to Kah-Wai Lin on his commended image. The composition really is outstanding and it’s given me a fresh perspective on drone photography.

This year’s overall AIPOTY winner was Azim Khan Ronnie, who snagged the competition crown with a majestic series headlined by a fantastic shot of a fisherman among a colony of feeding migratory birds.

You might also like…

Here’s our expert pick of the best camera drones for capturing photos and video from the sky!

Amid the Federal Communications Commission’s DJI ban in the US, speculation has run rampant over several lookalike companies offering products with eerily similar specifications. But recent documents suggest that the FCC is investigating several companies under suspicion of bringing components of the banned tech into the US.

DJI and all foreign-made drones were placed on the FCC Covered List in December 2025, effectively barring future models from getting the necessary approval to be sold in the US. Now, recent communications from the FCC reveal that the organization has been investigating companies such as Xtra over allegations of using part of the banned technology.

The FCC has been investigating Xtra and other companies since March 2026, but they have not responded to the Commission’s requests, sparking a proposed $25,000 (approximately £18,600 / AU$35,800) fine over failure to respond.

The investigation stems from an article published in The Verge in October 2025, which claimed that Xtra’s line of products contained “exact hardware copies” of DJI’s products.

(While that article came before the FCC ban, DJI was already under threat at that time over legislation requiring the company to pass a security review. Such a review never happened.)

The article isn’t the only factor that sparked the FCC investigation, as the organization is now looking into several companies after a security researcher developed a program to detect hardware copies of the communications equipment listed on that Covered List.

The full list of companies that the FCC has now sent investigation letters to and subsequently fined for failing to respond includes Cogito Tech, Fikaxo Technology, Lyno Dynamics, Skyhigh Tech, Spatial Hover, SZ Knowact Robot, WaveGo Tech, and Xtra Technology.

On July 10, the FCC sent several notices proposing $25,000 penalties for failing to respond to the FCC’s request for more information.

The letters detail only a proposed fine and do not make any moves to place those companies next to DJI on the Covered List. However, the letters clearly suggest that the FCC is looking into whether any brands have ties to DJI’s communications technology.

All foreign-made drones have been placed on the FCC-covered list, so even DJI lookalikes from another brand won’t help unless that brand manufactures in the US.

But, the Covered List specifically calls out DJI, preventing all DJI’s future products from getting FCC approval – including action cameras and the popular Pocket gimbal cameras, not just DJI drones.

“[T]he Commission has a duty to investigate allegations involving potential statutory and regulatory violations and will not tolerate a failure to respond to investigative inquiries, particularly when an investigation may involve risks to national security,” the FCC letter to Xtra reads.

Those named companies have 30 days to either pay the fine or file a statement seeking a delay or cancellation, but also have just 10 days to respond to the FCC’s request for information.

While the letters are, for now, only part of an investigation into whether or not those companies use DJI technology, the investigation suggests that the FCC won’t allow even borrowed DJI components from another brand to enter the US.

Xtra – whose About page lists a Delaware location – offers both action cameras and gimbal cameras.

DJI has filed a lawsuit to fight the FCC ban; legal proceedings are still ongoing.

You may also like

I asked DJI all my biggest questions about what the FCC ban means. Or, read about the best action cameras.

Bangladesh photographer Azim Khan Ronnie has spent more than a decade building an extraordinary international reputation, earning over 800 photography awards throughout his career.

Now, Ronnie has added another major title to that list, winning the International Aerial Photographer of the Year 2026 competition. Using DJI drones, Ronnie's winning images transform familiar scenes across Switzerland, Bangladesh and India into dramatic aerial compositions.

But beyond the awards and mesmerizing visuals, Ronnie's latest achievement carries a wider message about photography itself. At a time when AI-generated images and digital manipulation are raising new questions about trust, the award-winning photographer says protecting the integrity of photography remains central in his work.

International Aerial Photographer of the Year

The story behind the award-winning series
Each of the locations in his award-winning portfolio has a unique story to tell, whether it was the quiet simplicity of rowing on Lake Zurich in Switzerland or the spiritual atmosphere of the Rakher Upobash ritual in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

He explains, "I visited these locations while working on documentary and travel photography projects, and I chose them because I saw the potential to transform everyday scenes into compelling visual narratives.

"Behind each photograph was patience, waiting for the right light, the perfect arrangement of people, or a fleeting moment when everything came together. Those brief moments are what make aerial photography so rewarding."

Ronnie's trusted aerial gear
“For aerial photography, I use the DJI Mavic 4 Pro and DJI Mavic 3 Classic, allowing me to create images that reveal scale, patterns and perspectives impossible to capture from the ground," he explains.

Photography's integrity matters

Ronnie explains, "My post-processing philosophy is based on enhancement rather than manipulation. I believe editing should strengthen an image without altering its truth or narrative.

"Every adjustment is made with the goal of accurately reflecting the atmosphere, light and emotion I experienced when I pressed the shutter.

"Especially in my documentary and photojournalistic work, I am committed to ethical editing practices that preserve the integrity of the photograph.

"For me, post-production is the final step in realising the image I envisioned in the field, not creating a different reality."

You might like...

Browse the best drones for aerial photography and video, the best drones for beginners, and the best travel drones.

Looking for competitions to enter? Here are 10 global photo contests now open for entries from July 2026 to January 2027.

Dual drone cooling

Getting a drone to hover over you to keep you cool sounds risky, but YouTuber @FlyWithAdrien is one of many who claims to have done it successfully. As the drone expert – with experience flying all the major drones on the market – I can't help but offer my thoughts on some of the viral videos of people cooling themselves with flying fans.

I'll get to the best in one second, but first I'll start with the most drones at once!

This effort from @imransaleemvlogs seems a bit risky to my mind. This drone enthusiast, or drone fan, has cooled himself with a ducted (cinewhoop) drone from the DJI Avata series, and another with completely exposed propeller blades.

Perhaps he's added that blanket to protect himself, but that seems to detract a little from the benefit of the drones?

The DJI Avata 2 or DJI Avata 360 would be the safest and most powerful of the two in this pairing, but the irritation might be that the batteries would run out at different times – and there would be a lot of getting up to deal with the drones, even if they safely navigated themselves to a nearby automatic landing site.

The smaller DJI Mini 4K would at least hover longer, for about 25 minutes before landing itself as the battery was nearing exhaustion.

Best choice

If you're feeling warm, there is no reason to wait. I'll start with the best!

The DJI Neo is a great choice because it's not that expensive, has a safety cage, but it offers "follow-me" style tracking.

That means it can fly nice and near you, so you can feel the air movement from the propellers just like fans, and the drone will automatically follow you if you move.

Big drone

These guys are using a mix of big drones and small, but no prop guards. One big advantage of the larger drones – like the DJI Mavic 4 Pro – is that it has big batteries offering a long flight or hover time. Handy if you want to chill out for longer without swapping batteries (or, worse, waiting for them to charge!).

It also has safety sensors, but so do many drones – and, honestly, not all work that well indoors. Caution might be the way forward!

Is this fake?

This definitely looks fake – I mean, where do those motors and propellers hide – but it has been doing the rounds as well. Drone-inspired design and AI video, I'd say. Perhaps look further up for something actually achievable, though!

Big drone indoors

In this clip, we don't exactly see Adrien McGill risking getting under the drone himself, but then he has to walk around it to capture video.

I would, again, offer caution that bigger drones designed for longer flight times are heavy, and if anything were to go wrong, they can cause more damage to you or your possessions.

Machine cooling

The DJI Mini 4 Pro is being used here indoors to keep machines cool. I'd not suggest this is the best way to do so… but better than having it fail, I suppose?

We've all had tech feeling a little too warm in the summer heat – but do make sure that you know your drone's maximum operating temperature, too. Lithium batteries don't always love getting too warm, and indoor hovering will have less draft than when flying around.

Safety tips

If you really are going to try this, here is my safety advice. Protecting the propellers is essential:

• Ideally, use a drone with a ducted design (DJI Neo, Avata) or a safety cage (HoverAir).
• Alternatively, buy propeller guards. These will slightly reduce hover time from the advertised figures, but also protect anyone from the ends of the whirling propellers.
• Keep the area light – especially indoors – with a textured floor, so the drone's sensors have the best chance of 'seeing' stable objects and not drifting.
• Keep the controller near you and be ready to land and keep checking the remaining battery. Keep a few percent for the landing.

Remember, drones have other uses! If you also like a bit of photo and video, check our guides to the best beginner drone and the best camera drone.

360-degree cameras mean you can capture the whole scene, then decide what to focus on later. The DJI Osmo 360 has got a massive discount even though it has some of the best tech – so it's definitely time to check the deals:

Personally I’d say that the era of the 360-degree camera has truly come. If you only have one action camera, you should probably get a 360-degree one.

Why? Because they let you do anything a traditional ‘GoPro’ or equivalent can, but can record footage in every direction at once OR act as a traditional camera. You can choose.

If you opt to record every direction in the moment it saves worrying about where the camera is pointing, and allows you to crop in on and re-direct the footage later.

DJI was not the first company to sell a 360-degree camera; Insta360 has 5 generations of its leading model under its belt, while GoPro is also in the game. The OSMO 360, however, is right up there with the latest and greatest when it comes to specs.

It also has some significant advantages. It has relatively large image sensors, so it’s great in low light. It is at the premium end of resolution with 8K (4K from each side). And, for the many DJI-users out there – it is compatible with DJI OSMO batteries.

The quality of the video was very evident when I tested it for my review.

One of my two main complaints was the price – and of course this deal more than resolves that. My other worry is that DJI’s software isn’t quite as good as the more established Insta360. Now since then there have been some revisions and the features are definitely easier to use and more complete.

And they were always good anyway – especially in the phone app, which also has the advantage of being very fast to download files wirelessly from the camera to.

In other words, this camera was always a tempting choice for someone wanting to start a 360-degree photo / video journey. (And I think you should, by the way.) Now it is even more so.

I've held the new white version of the new flagship DJI OSMO Pocket 4P in one hand, and the black in the other, but I still can't tell you the release date or price!

DJI showed the Osmo Pocket 4P White Edition at a "Product Premiere," so now we're just waiting on the price and release date – and it's time to start putting the pieces together.

It is now a few weeks after the black model was put in my hands at the Cannes film festival hands-on. That suggests we're getting closer to a final on-sale date.

On the price side, there is evidence to suggest that it might be lower than its new arch-enemy (and competitor for top spot in the pocket gimbal camera guide): the newly-launched Insta360 Luna Ultra.

Finally, in China, DJI is accepting orders at CNY 3,799 (around $525) ffor the Pocket 4P already.

Not only does this suggest the moment is very nearly upon us worldwide, but even allowing for higher taxes and the costs DJI will face shipping from China – that's still likely to convert to a figure lower than the Luna Ultra, which went on sale at prices starting at $769.

That's a reasonably steep price, reflecting Insta360's confidence in the product, but that the pocket gimbal camera is a new contender and isn't without the odd hint of being a first-generation product.

DJI has got history in the field (hence the iterative number 4).

The key difference between the Pocket 4P and the recently released Pocket 4 is the addition of a second camera covering 60mm EFL. The Pocket 4 was an incremental update to the already impressive Pocket 3, and only had the 20mm camera with 1-inch sensor.

That sensor affords the camera a 17-stop dynamic range according to the company, and DJI has introduced a new D-Log 2 profile.

Something also worth noting is the effect that all this has had on the price of the Pocket 4's predecessor, especially as Amazon's Prime Day sale is still on today.

One of the other side effects isn't to say that there aren't good deals on the Osmo Pocket 3.

The truth is, the Pocket line always had potential - but it wasn’t until the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 that DJI finally cracked the code for everyday creators. The formula? A genuinely pocketable gimbal camera that feels as simple as a phone, yet looks like you brought a cinematographer on holiday - and it's now just £277 in the Amazon Prime Sale!

The jump to a 1-inch sensor, effortless stabilization, and that clever 2-inch rotatable touchscreen made it the first Pocket that didn’t just appeal to early adopters - it converted casual travellers, parents, and first-time vloggers en masse. Suddenly, “grab-and-go 4K” wasn’t a compromise. It was the point.

Specs alone don’t make culture, but the Pocket 3’s 4K/120 option, 10-bit profiles (D-Log M/HLG), and full-pixel PDAF meant creators could shoot fast and grade later without their footage falling apart. Pair that with DJI’s proven 3-axis gimbal and ActiveTrack updates, and you get footage that looks professional even when you’re sprinting for a train or chasing a toddler down the beach. It’s the rare camera that forgives real life.

Crucially, DJI fixed the friction. The screen flips between vertical and horizontal with a twist, menus are obvious, and the camera talks neatly to the Mimo app for control and updates. Even livestreaming to YouTube is baked in, which quietly turned this tiny stick into a one-hand studio for travel vloggers and city-break storytellers. You don’t need a rig. You don’t need a learning curve. You press record and get on with the day.

That ease-of-use is why the Pocket 3 became the “must-have” travel companion. YouTubers loved the pro-leaning colour and slow-motion headroom; holidaymakers loved that it slips into a jeans pocket and charges fast; families loved that it nails faces and stays steady when little hands are waving at the lens. The Creator Combo sealed it - clean audio, better control, fewer excuses. It’s hard to overstate the impact a zero-fuss, pro-looking camera has when the alternative is juggling a phone, a gimbal, and a mic.

Timing helped. As phone video plateaued for many creators, the Pocket 3 arrived, offering a visible step-up without the bulk of a mirrorless body. Firmware support has kept it fresh, and long-term reviewers still rate its image quality and stabilisation in 2025 - proof that this wasn’t a hype cycle, but a genuine shift in how people capture travel and family life. The Pocket line always promised “cinema in your pocket”; the Pocket 3 finally delivered it in a way that stuck.

So yes, the Pocket range brought new faces into the fold - but it was the Osmo Pocket 3 that turned curiosity into a movement. By making “professional-looking” the default setting, it redefined what vacation videos, city vlogs, and family reels could look like—and who felt confident creating them. The big camera stayed home. The phone stayed as a backup. The Pocket 3 took the trip, and with a $300 discount at B&H, now is the time to take the plunge into amazing holiday videos with a super holiday savings!

Amazon Prime Day is now in full swing, with the sale running across four packed days. We have been searching through the offers to uncover the strongest camera discounts, and some of the most tempting savings we have found so far are on DJI products in both the US and the UK.

Whether you have been waiting for a DJI drone, a Pocket gimbal camera, an action camera, or a 360-degree model, this is an excellent time to start looking. Not every product has received a discount, but there are more than enough worthwhile reductions across the range to make the sale well worth exploring.

Below, we have rounded up the best DJI deals available so far. We will continue updating the page as prices fall, stock changes, and fresh offers appear throughout the event.

🇺🇸 US DJI Prime Day deals

🇬🇧 UK DJI Prime Day deals

I've been flying drones – and sharing secrets about them – ever since the early days, so you can rest assured that I know all the best models out there. This Prime Day I've been checking out the deals on offer and I can confidently say that, while they're available, these are definitely the best.

Prime Day is a bit longer than a day now – it's four days of deals and offers, exclusive to Amazon, that runs from June 23-26. My colleagues and Digital Camera World and I keep looking for the best deals on all cameras, drones, and the devices we cover during the sale and share them with you.

We've been doing this a few years, and one thing we've learned is that the deals come and go quickly – sometimes things sell out – so what I'd suggest is that if you're keen on picking up a drone in the next few days but you don't see what you want just yet, bookmark this page and check back often over the next few days.

Without further ado, here are the best drone deals that I'd buy right now. Beneath each one I've added a little explainer as to why I personally think it's a really good choice right now.

Amazon Prime: Best drone deals

I'd choose this drone because – although there is an upgraded sequel in the form of the DJI Neo 2 – this gives you so much capability for a surprisingly little amount of money in the drone world. It's also incredibly upgradeable. Out of the box it can use AI tracking to follow you and orbit you, or it can be piloted using a phone – but you can add radio remote control for long-distance flying, or even FPV goggles to fly it as if you're a pilot sat inside. A lot of capability in a very small, very safe design, even before you acknowledge the pleasing price.

This Mini 3 is a great choice for photographers, and the RC-N1 is the cheapest control option. What makes this drone coast a little more is that the gimbal (the piece that holds and steadies the camera) features the option to rotate the camera to a vertical position – this being the cheapest drone that offers true portrait mode shooting. Given this is the correct way around for TikTok, Instagram video and YouTube Shorts – and so much other social media – it's easy to see why this would have appeal.

Starting our with the aim of shooting photo and video on a drone? The camera on this drone is more than capable. Why such a big discount here? I think it is so big because of the arrival of the new, but similar-looking Lito series in the UK, but there is a lot to be said for the "Why spend more?" argument if you want 4K video.

The Antigravity A1 is not the cheapest drone, so a price drop is welcome, but the 360-degree camera is extremely impressive and is doubly excellent thanks to the inclusion of Insta360's post-processing software, which is the best in the business in my view. I reviewed this drone and I not only enjoyed flying it, but I found it a breeze to go back after flying and turn the recording into varied and engaging edits from the comfort of my laptop.

Amazon's best deals across Photo & Video

Today's top Amazon deal - up to 40% off!

Best lens deals - Save up to £300 off

Best video deals - up to 15% saving

Best photo printer deals - huge savings across a massive range

The DJI Neo has dropped to just £113.05 in the Amazon Prime sale, down from £169 and saving you an impressive £55.95 on one of the smallest and most approachable drones in DJI’s lineup.

For anyone looking to capture aerial footage without carrying a large drone or learning a complicated control system, this is a deal that immediately demands attention. The Neo is compact, lightweight, and designed to make getting into the air as straightforward as possible.

Its ability to take off from the palm of your hand is a major part of the appeal. Intelligent flight modes can automatically follow and film you, allowing the drone to capture walking, cycling, travel, and outdoor adventures without requiring someone else to operate the camera.

Despite its tiny size, the DJI Neo can record stabilised 4K video, producing smooth and detailed footage that is ready to share. It is particularly well suited to social media creators, families, travellers, and anyone who wants a simple way to add aerial perspectives to their content.

The protected propeller design also makes the Neo feel less intimidating than many traditional drones, while its lightweight construction means it can easily slip into a small bag. It is the kind of camera you can take almost anywhere without having to plan your entire day around carrying additional equipment.

At just £113.05, the DJI Neo offers a huge amount of creative potential for the money. With a £55.95 saving, easy hands-free shooting, and stabilised 4K video, this is one of the most tempting entry-level drone deals in the Amazon Prime sale.

The DJI Osmo Action 7 could be less than 12 weeks away, according to this product history – but some people have suggested that there might be something even sooner than that.

Looking at the number of days that each of the Osmo Action cameras has spent in DJI's list as the flagship before being superseded by a new model, we can see that – at the moment – a life of somewhere between 322 and 425 days seems realistic. We are already at 216.

The first iteration, admittedly, had a very different 896 days. But that was an Action camera during the days of a global pandemic, so there was likely no hurry for a replacement – and there were some unavoidable delaying factors.

For several generations, DJI has comfortably sat at the top of my best action cameras guide thanks to the company's superior low-light capabilities and, frankly, better pricing than the iconic GoPro brand.

The latest GoPro Mission 1 Pro has upped the game for action cameras in several respects, at least for the American brand, by delivering 8K. DJI, however, was already offering most of this – for a lower price. So what can it do, on the technical side at least, to stay ahead of the game?

Bigger sensors have been part of DJI's path before, but there might be a sensible limit in action cameras. DJI has already included a variable aperture in the Action 6, a "feature" that GoPro resisted.

The other most obvious upgrade would be 8K 60fps video, since 8K has been a widely promoted feature not only of the GoPro but also the AcePro 2 from Insta360.

I would anticipate, too, iterative updates to what might be considered 'AI' software – electronic image stabilization, horizon steadying and face tracking.

The real difference for customers, though, will likely still be the lack of first-party support for the DJI camera in the US. DJI has not sold it directly in the US since the company was added to the covered list, though we know that it is still fighting this decision…

If you’ve been looking for a pocket-sized camera that delivers genuinely professional-looking video, the Amazon Prime Sale has produced a tempting Prime member-exclusive offer.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has dropped to just £289, down from its usual £389 price tag, giving you a tidy £100 saving on one of the most capable compact video cameras currently available.

DJI designed the Osmo Pocket 3 specifically for creators who want high-quality footage without carrying around a full camera rig. Despite its tiny footprint, it packs serious imaging power thanks to a large 1-inch sensor and a built-in three-axis mechanical gimbal that keeps footage incredibly smooth even when you’re walking or shooting on the move.

What makes the Pocket 3 stand out from typical action cameras is its focus on video quality and usability. It can record detailed 4K footage at high frame rates and features intelligent subject tracking, making it ideal for vloggers, travel creators, and anyone filming solo content. The rotating 2-inch touchscreen also makes it easy to switch between horizontal and vertical shooting depending on where your footage will be shared.

In practice, the Osmo Pocket 3 feels like a tiny professional camera rather than a gadget. The stabilisation is exceptional, the autofocus is quick and reliable, and the whole thing slips into a jacket pocket without a second thought. For travel shooters or creators documenting everyday life, that level of convenience is hard to beat.

At its normal price the Pocket 3 already represents good value for what it offers, but seeing it fall to £289 (or £384 for the comoc deal) during the Amazon Prime Sale makes it a particularly attractive buy. Deals on DJI’s newer creator tools don’t appear all that often, so when they do, they tend to attract plenty of attention.

If you’re looking for a lightweight vlogging camera that delivers stabilised 4K footage with almost zero setup time, this Amazon Spring deal on the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is easily one of the most compelling creator bargains of the sale.

The US Federal Communications Commission has loosened the restriction on foreign-made drones – but the change isn’t one that will allow drone photographers and videographers to celebrate.

This week, the FCC announced that it will allow certain toy drones made in China to be imported, loosening a restriction put in place in December 2025 that effectively prevents all newly announced drones from receiving the necessary FCC approval to be sold in the US.

The FCC, however, narrowly defines what constitutes a “toy drone” – and one of the key limitations is that the drone can’t have a camera at all. The drone also can’t weigh more than 150g (5.29 oz), and it can’t have network capability or more than ten minutes of flight time.

The idea is that these toy drones don’t threaten national security without the technology to even take photos or communicate with a network. But, as an American photographer with a Part 107 drone license, the change only adds to my frustration.

If a toy drone without the physical ability to connect to a network doesn’t cause any security concerns, why can’t camera drones without network capabilities be permitted? Even existing DJI drones don’t need a network to fly. An internet connection is required for the initial setup, but DJI’s Local Data Mode allows pilots to fly without any network connection at all.

This disables features like the on-screen map, firmware updates, and some real-time safety features – like when I’m flying and get an alert that an aircraft is in the area. But, the mode severs any network connection, leaving the drone only connected with the controller.

If data transmission is still a concern – although a recent third-party security review of two DJI drones found no unexpected data transmissions – DJI drones can also be flown with third-party apps. And, yes, there are apps like this from American companies.

The US drone ban is about more than concern over inadvertently sending photos of US infrastructure to foreign countries, however. The government has also expressed concern that the US does not have a supply chain in place and, in the event of a war, wouldn’t be able to secure parts or build military drones.

The problem with banning all foreign-made drones is that there are currently no American companies that are building consumer drones for photographers and videographers. The handful of US drone companies focus on military drones, expensive Hollywood-level shooters, and quadcopters for commercial and agricultural applications.

Until a US drone company can build a consumer drone, aerial photographers and videographers will be relegated to using older drones launched before the ban. The US currently doesn’t have the supply chain in place for many drone components, but the FCC previously eased the foreign-made drone restriction by allowing drones that are made with at least 65% US components.

The drones that launched before the FCC ban are still legal to purchase and fly in the US. Six months after the drone ban, there’s still plenty of earlier launches to choose from. The DJI Avata 360, for example, had started the FCC approval process ahead of launch in time for those drones to launch in the US. But, eventually, US pilots will only have older consumer drones available to them.

Droe photographers are not the only ones affected by the ban – first responders, small businesses, hobbyist pilots, and others are also impacted. When the FCC called for public comments, it received more than 3,000, a number that’s far higher than the usual number of comments on similar FCC actions.

In February, DJI filed a lawsuit against the FCC ban in the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Notably, the FCC ban includes all foreign-made drones as well as targeting all of DJI’s newly launched products with wireless communication, which affects the brand’s action cameras and Pocket gimbal cameras, as well as flying cameras. The court case is still ongoing.

You may also like...

I asked DJI all my pressing questions about the drone ban and shared them here. Or, browse the best camera drones or the best drones for beginners.

If you’ve been thinking about getting into aerial photography without spending a fortune, this early Prime Day deal on Amazon is very enticing

The DJI Mini 4K Camera Drone has dropped to just £169, down from £329, giving you a tidy £100 saving on one of the most accessible camera drones currently on the market.

• See all of today's early best Prime Day deals

DJI has long dominated the consumer drone world, and the Mini 4K sits firmly in that sweet spot where affordability meets serious performance. It’s designed as an entry-level drone, but one that still delivers the sort of image quality and stability that has made DJI such a trusted name among content creators and hobby pilots alike.

Despite its compact size, the Mini 4K packs a capable camera able to capture crisp 4K video and 12MP stills, stabilised by a three-axis gimbal that keeps footage smooth even when conditions aren’t perfect. The drone weighs just 246g, keeping it under the key 249g threshold that often avoids more complicated drone registration rules in many regions.

Flight performance is also impressive for a drone in this price bracket. The Mini 4K offers up to around 31 minutes of flight time and long-range video transmission of up to 10km, allowing pilots to explore landscapes and capture sweeping aerial shots with confidence.

DJI’s intelligent flight features also make it particularly beginner-friendly. Automated QuickShots modes such as Rocket, Circle and Helix can create cinematic aerial sequences with just a tap, while safety systems like GPS Return-to-Home help bring the drone safely back if the signal drops or the battery runs low.

The Mini 3 is not DJI's latest beginner-friendly drone - but thanks to an overnight price drop, it is now at the lowest price that we have ever seen it at. And at just £219, with the basic RC-N1, this is a brilliant early Prime Day camera deal (and you don't even need to be a Prime member).

This little drone weighs in at 248g, meeting the all-important 249g (0.55 pound) threshold. And while subsequent Mini releases, including the Mini Pro range, have expanded upon the DJI Mini 3’s capabilities, it’s still a very usable little drone for content creators. I’m also very much of the opinion that first-time drone owners are better off purchasing a decent drone they can use to capture content, without spending big on a device that hopefully won’t (but sadly can) end up plunging into the drink or veering into a tree.

What you get with the DJI Mini 3 is a 1/1.3-inch sensor with dual native ISO, the ability to capture stills up to 48MP, and video footage up to 4K / 30p and 2.7K / 60p. A three-axis mechanical gimbal works to keep shots steady, while also enabling True Vertical Shooting (a boon for short-form creators). Level five wind resistance is to be expected in this price range, and the max flight time is rated for 38 mins. It can be expanded to 51 mins with the separately sold Intelligent Flight Battery Plus, at the expense of a higher weight. Do be aware that the Mini 3 doesn’t feature the subject tracking or collision sensors of higher-end DJI Mini drones.

Check our guide to the…
Best camera drones
Best DJI drones
Best cheap drones

Insta360 has struck back against DJI with five patent claims covering gimbals and 360 degree-cameras – this in apparent retaliation for DJI's patent lawsuit launched the same day Insta360 launched the Luna Ultra gimbal camera.

What will this actually mean. First, of course, we'll get to hear a lot of posturing from the two companies. Insta360's founder JK Liu said "At Insta360, we prefer to let our products do the talking. But we are not afraid of a legal battle when challenged."

The patents that Insta360 has asserted as its own are, according to the company, being used by DJI in a number of its major product lines, including the Osmo Pocket series (the center of the storm, of course), the Ronin/RS series of camera gimbals, the Osmo Mobile series of phone gimbals, and the Osmo 360.

Other than the Ronins, these are all product categories that Insta360 now has at least one competing product in since the June 10 launch of the Luna.

That launch was strong, with the Luna Ultra ranking as the best-selling camcorder in Amazon USA in the 24 hours after launch.

Insta360 has been clear that the Luna Ultra is not a response to DJI's product (though the similarities are evident to me as a reviewer). JK added "Development began in 2020, with earlier Insta360 products including the ONE R, Link Series webcams, and Flow Series gimbals helping shape the technology and design direction behind Luna Ultra. DJI filing lawsuits on the same day we launched Luna Ultra speaks volumes—exposing their fear of competition from a highly competitive product."

Though it may not be related, and I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions, it is interesting that the date of launch on Insta360's side was something of a surprise for those of us covering the industry – coming a little sooner than first anticipated. At the time, I thought it was because some retailers accidentally leaked it.

Crucially, the product will not be disappearing from the shelves, and nor are we expecting to see any changes in the timeline of DJI's product launch.

In many cases, new DJI products have become available through different retailers in the USA – buying the Pocket 4 in the USA is possible – before appearing on DJI's own store anyway, and the Pocket 4 is one of those, so the Pocket 4P may be one of them too.

In these cases, the demand for the products of both companies, which appears global and present now, is likely to result in a behind-the-scenes settlement even should a court decide that a patent belongs to one or other company.

Such a decision, if contested, will be some years away, and neither company will suspect product sales in the meantime. The legal solution, should the court decide it is appropriate, will be one of restitution (in other words, paying the money that was lost).

In the meantime, check our guide to the best pocket gimbal camera.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 4 has been released and the Pocket 4P has been shown to journalists (including me), but the cameras lack one feature that the big new competitor from arch-rival Insta360 will bring to the market: a detachable remote control. Not built-in as standard, at least.

The Insta360 Luna and Luna Ultra are also in that pre-release stage; I've seen them and had hands-on experiences, but the final on-sale date is still a little way in the future.

However, if you are looking for a camera from DJI that has a detachable touchscreen, I remembered this morning that you can actually already buy it.

If you want a camera set up with a detachable remote from DJI, you'll find that you actually already own the 'camera' element. That's because the device I'm talking about is the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P, which is a gimbal for your phone – and its major new feature was a magnetically-attached detachable touchscreen with remote control for the gimbal.

This was a spectacular update from the previous gimbals, able to share the screen from your phone to help compose shots remotely – as well as encasing the thumb-controlled joystick and the record button in an even smaller (albeit thicker) remote housing than the one for the Luna.

I find it interesting that this product could be developed by a product development team at DJI HQ for the Mobile 8P phone gimbal, without the idea making its way to the new DJI Osmo Pocket 4P gimbal cameras.

Was it a deliberate choice or do the teams not communicate?

Will it actually set the Pocket 4 and 4P back against its new competition? The DJI Osmo Pocket 4 (the single camera version) already has the advantage of being on sale already, but once all four devices are out – and in all the various colors we've seen (black and white variants) – could the remote make a big difference?

I think there is a lot of potential for the Luna to win because its detachable remote has one extra benefit: a built-in microphone. To be fair, both DJI and Insta's pocket gimbal cameras support wireless microphones – but a built-in detachable mic is a usability boost in some situations.

A gimbal means smooth video. Remote controls like the one on the Luna or the Mobile 8P are ideal for a piece to camera because you can use the device's built-in tripod to position the camera, then ensure your shot is perfect from a distance.

As to which you choose, what matters now is your intended workflow. Whether you want to shoot video straight to your phone or to a dedicated camera, the choice is between these brands (and how much you spend).

Insta360's price point is that of an 8K camera for "a new generation of content creators" (as Max Richter, joint CEO of Insta360, put it). The Mobile 8P, on the other hand, is a premium camera gimbal, and arguably the best smartphone phone gimbal, but that's a much lower outlay.

It's also worth adding that all the cameras in question can be remotely controlled by phone apps, too, but phone apps aren't the same and don't have physical joysticks.

Wearable and not much bigger than your thumb, the POV camera is a new sub-category of action camera that is exciting for vloggers and anyone who wants to capture their lifestyle with as little interruption as possible.

If the traditional boxy GoPro-style action camera is too big, then wearable POV cameras are the solution. Some are small enough to be known as pill cameras (but not for medical reasons). Most designs now include the very practical magnetic clip – so much so that "magnetic camera" is another term for them. They are worn as easily as modern wireless microphones, and sport a range of different solutions to control.

Like the traditional action cameras, these cameras compete on their compact nature and low weight, their ability to capture high-resolution (and store it), and the ability to get stable video despite being worn on clothing. Desirable features also include waterproofing, a good battery life, and some form of remote control – via case, app, or both.

Image stabilization takes processing power, but there is no way that you can wear a camera on a hat, your chest, or handlebars without it picking up some movement. I've already picked all the best action cameras; here I've looked closely at the best tiny POV cameras and put them to the test myself.

Best for most people

Coming with a battery housing (”Action Pod”) that boasts a folding 2.5-inch touchscreen, from which the detachable 4K 60fps camera pops out, even without the ‘tiny camera’ option, this would be a compelling action camera with the vlogger’s favorite benefit of a good-sized fold-up display. A nice touch is that a MicroSD card can be added to the Action Pod to increase storage options, though video is initially recorded to the camera’s internal memory.

The camera has a 1/1.28-inch image sensor, making it ever so slightly bigger than any of the competition. The result is a camera that has very little in the way of compromise, and even has an acceptable low-light mode.

As camera-only, it can be worn in two main ways – clipped onto a hat or, thanks to the magnet, worn on a pendant. Typically, you'd hang the chain around your neck and the other side of the magnet behind your clothes, so you can pop the camera on and off very discreetly. Cleverly Insta360 has also designed the pendant to be twisted to set the camera angle up or down – a very useful touch.

Insta360’s image stabilization does seem to have the edge, and includes a horizion balancing mode which many find useful. There is also support for Insta360's microphones for vloggers.

Read my full review of the Insta360 Go Ultra and see sample video

Best for pro quality

Offering creatives the benefit of a The 1.9-inch display isn’t the biggest in this list, but it is a crisp OLED touchscreen which I found great to use (it's responsive) and it’s worth remembering that it is easily detached from the camera so you can keep it nearby if you are worried about the size. The design also means you can point the camera away from or toward the 'screen side' when it is attached to the "Multifunctional Vision Dock" as DJI call it.

The camera’s other big plus point is the 4K120fps slow motion (though this comes at the cost of the stabilization, but 4K60 can be captured with DJI's impressive digital stabilization – which, like Insta360's, can balance the horizon if you want). Another nice touch is pre-roll (hit record after the moment!), though this feature is never quite as good as I hope – because you do need the lens pointing the right way!

The key advantage, though, to this camera is the 10-bit recording in DJI's D-Log M, which allows a lot of flexibility for those who like to preserve color and brightness information until the edit.

DJI has also built in a receiver for the company’s own microphones, as well as cramming stereo mics into the frame. Included with the camera 9either 64GB or 128GB versions) you'll find a hat clip and a magnetic lanyard, as well as a protective case and a ball joint mount with a suction cup (to, perhaps, sticck the camera on a dashboard?)

See my full DJI Osmo Nano review for a sample video

Best cheap

This is a super-cheap camera without a screen, small in design so it looks a lot like the Insta360 Go 3, or 3S, cameras. It it also worn with a magnetic lanyard so it appears to float on the fabric of what you are wearing but is held in place firmly enough for activity.

Unlike that camera, though, there is no separate wireless controller. There is a TF card slot (compatible with a MicroSD card) in the camera, and it records 4K video directly to this. Simple operation is via a start-and-stop button. It is incredibly compact and remarkably robust, constructed from a sturdy plastic composite that easily survives accidental drops. It also skips a display entirely to keep its footprint as small as possible, making it a very simple, no-nonsense point-of-view shooter.

In low light the camera will look a bit less than ideal – the noise or grain is a factor – but the 120-degree field of view has decent (if not perfect) clarity across the whole image.

The camera offers respectable battery life for an action cam, providing around 90 minutes of 4K recording or up to three hours if you drop the resolution down to 1080P (fine for action, not ideal for the kind of people who might have bought one of Boblov's body cams). Ultimately, for a starter camera or an affordable way to capture memories on vacation without worrying about premium low-light performance, it exceeds expectations at its bargain price.

See our full Boblov W4 review for sample videos

Best for low weight

The Insta360 Go 3S was the first 4K camera in this form factor (though the even cheaper Go 3 came before it if you're happy with 2.7K). It's light enough to clip nearly anywhere and go unnoticed, yet it retains the benefit of the magnetic pendant that many of the other cameras on this list offer.

Insta360 has not left this camera alone since launch, either. Retro chic fans will love the unique 3S Retro Bundle with old-style housing, with prism-and mirror framing device much like an old 110 camera.

In lower light, a camera this small will inevitably experience some "noise" (look a bit grainy), and the battery life is only 30 minutes when you're not inside the 'Action Pod' housing, but the housing can top it up fast. The housing also boasts a flip-up display which, again, makes this a handy vlogging tool.

The camera also has good image stabilization – including horizon balancing, and a 'kids mode' that enables you to let the kids wear the camera while you control it remotely (and they don't press anything that'll ruin your POV capturing of their future memories).

Read my full review of the Insta360 Go 3S with samples

Best glasses

An alternative to a clip-on or body-worn camera is a pair of sunglasses with a built-in camera – controlled from your phone. That is what Meta, the owners of FaceBook, created jointly with Ray-Ban (a brand you just might have heard of). The result is a very convenient in a lot of POV shooting situations.

Smart camera glasses work by connecting to your phone wirelessly, and you can command them from the touchpad on the arm, the app on your phone, or using the built-in microphone with an instruction beginning "Hey Meta...". For example "take a picture," but the AI can also take advantage of the camera to see from your POV, so you could also ask, "What does that sign mean?"

There are hidden speakers over your ears in the arms, which you can use to listen to music and take calls – though the sound is audible to anyone very near you.

Incidentally, here is a cost-saving option: The Gen 2 model that I have chosen here is the better quality option for photo/video with 3K recording but I'll freely admit to being the camera nerd. Just as good (as it uses exactly the same camera system and software) are the Oakley Meta smart glasses.

If you're looking for a cheaper way to capture the fun from your POV, and the specs don't matter the original RayBan Meta smart glasses are still Ray-Bans, so you still look cool, but will have enough left over for a nice holiday drink or ten too.

Read our full review of the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2)

Cheap alternative

How we test POV cameras

Like everything, the best way to get to know something is to try it out in the real world, so this list includes products that we at Digital Camera World have hands-on personal experience with. That also means that if you want to know even more, you can tap through to a full detailed review.

See how we test cameras at Digital Camera World

The finalist images from the most recent Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) Awards were particularly impressive, and I continue to revisit the website not only to admire them, but also to learn from them.

The image we’re looking at here was the runner-up in the Adventures & Experiences Portfolio category, and what I love about this scene — and the biggest takeaway for me — is how the photographer creatively combined different shapes and complementary colors.

Shot by Teo Chin Leong (Singapore) on a DJI Mavic 3 drone, the scene depicts a fisherman in Hoi An, Vietnam, casting a large net over a river from his humble canoe.

While at first this might seem like another ordinary day at work for the fisherman, look more closely, and the way a range of shapes, along with complementary colors, combine becomes clear, and you realize just how brilliant this composition is.

The huge triangle formed by the net over the fisherman’s head mid-cast, which has been frozen with a 1/640 sec shutter speed and perfectly focused with a f/2.8 aperture, frames all the action in the scene.

And within this golden-yellow triangular frame we see a range of other shapes, including the narrow oval canoe and various lines and layers created by folds in the net, all of which combine seamlessly despite the presence of straight and curved lines.

The fisherman’s bright-red t-shirt glows through the net, indicating where your eye should look while complementing the dominant yellow hue of the scene. Further adding to the creative use of color is the tone of the water, which I suspect was edited slightly so the hue better matched the golden yellow.

The Travel Photographer of the Year is an annual competition covering categories from portraiture to wildlife. Amateurs and professionals alike can enter, and the 2026 edition of the competition is now underway.

You might also like…

Want more travel photography award-winning images? Then how about this scene of a muddy duel to the death between a crab and a fish captured on a DSLR, which was a runner-up?

The US government has blocked drone giant DJI from receiving the FCC approval needed for new models to fly in the US. But after the government-mandated security review of DJI failed to even start before the December 2025 deadline, DJI made a security review happen anyway.

On Thursday, May 28, DJI shared the findings from a five-month security review of two DJI drones. The US security firm OnDefend has conducted an evaluation of the DJI Air 3S and Matrice 4E and found no evidence that data is transferred outside the US, while the team was unable to hack, jailbreak, or tamper with the UAVs.

The findings come amid an ongoing DJI lawsuit against the FCC over the ban and follow more than 3,000 public comments on the FCC’s drone proceedings, which DJI says is ten times the typical number of comments on similar FCC measures.

In December 2025, a law required DJI to pass a national security review by the deadline or face an automatic ban by the FCC. That deadline passed without such a security review even starting, effectively blocking not just DJI’s drones but cameras, gimbals, and accessories from receiving FCC approval to launch new products in the US. (DJI products launched before the ban are still available to purchase and use).

With US-based drone manufacturers focused on military and commercial uses, the ban effectively prevents new consumer drones from launching in the US until an American drone maker steps into the consumer market. The ban impacts not only aerial photographers and videographers but also first responders, small businesses, farmers, and other drone users, according to the list of FCC comments.

Before that December 2025 FCC deadline even passed, DJI asked OnDefend for an independent security review, which began in October 2025 and was completed in mid-March 2026. While the study was authorized by DJI, OnDefend is an independent security company whose staff includes US military and government professionals. The consumer drone tested was purchased from a retailer without notifying DJI, while the enterprise drone was purchased from existing dealer stock.

OnDefend put the drones through a list of different tests, including analyzing signals for any unauthorized data transmission, simulating Meddler-in-the-Middle hacks, attempting jailbreaks of the drones' apps, and disassembling the drones to analyze each component.

The inspection did not find any critical, high, or medium risks.

The review identified 10 low-risk findings with “limited real-world impact” that are “consistent with industry norms for complex mobile and embedded systems.” That list includes things like weak TLS protocols on the app and using authentication tokens in URLs. DJI says that those low-risk findings are being addressed with firmware updates.

“This is the most comprehensive independent security assessment ever undertaken on our products," Adam Welsh, Head of Global Policy at DJI, said in a statement. "These findings confirm what DJI has consistently maintained: our products are secure, our data practices are transparent, and the concerns underlying our FCC Covered List designation are not supported by technical evidence. We commissioned this independent assessment because we believe facts should inform policy decisions. We are calling on the FCC to consider these findings carefully as part of our ongoing appeal, and we remain committed to engaging constructively with relevant authorities."

The study suggests that there is no risk of DJI user data being sent to China, one of the concerns politicians voiced on the road to the National Defense Authorization Act that put DJI on the FCC-banned list.

However, the conversation on drone security has also shifted to highlighting supply chain concerns. Several critical drone components, including lithium-ion batteries and the magnets in drone motors, are sourced outside of the US.

The supply chain risk already has a handful of examples of what not being able to secure parts could mean for US drones. Amid the pushback on US tariffs, China temporarily blocked the export of Li-ion batteries to US-based drone companies, which prevented brands like Skydio from getting the batteries needed for their drones. China later paused the export controls for a year.

The security review is only for two drones and their respective controllers and apps, but could play a role in DJI’s ongoing lawsuit in an attempt to reverse the FCC ban.

The full security report is available to read online.

You may also like

Browse the best drones for photographers, or the best non-DJI drones.

Last night DJI shared the much-teased Osmo Pocket 4P and finally put one in my hands – in no less a place than the Hotel Majestic at the center of the Cannes Film Festival.

The new Pocket 4P has no final price – though it’s fair to say it’s going to cost more than the $769 Osmo Pocket 4, which only has the single 1-inch sensor. What I can say is that it is definitely real and that I’m testing it with a review on the way.

It’s nice to have a chance to rub shoulders with movie stars, but once I’d made my way past the red carpet and into the hotel it was clear that the device’s Cannes debut was about positioning the 4P as a distinct product.

While the Pocket gimbal camera has established itself as a camera popular with vloggers – and there were plenty of those outside the hotel. Inside was the hands-on experience with the as-yet-unlaunched Pocket 4P, and that was teeming with cinematographers and professional filmmakers wanting to try out the new device.

Some details aren’t final, but DJI was very clear that the camera boasts 17 stops of dynamic range – which, incidentally, is the same amount as a cinema camera like the Arri Alexa 35 – and shoots D-Log 2.

This concentration on color science is significant and it'll be something I'll look at closely in my upcoming review – which we won't publish until the device's software is final and the price announced.

Clearly, I’ve not fully tested the camera that I was handed last night. But it also clearly has much in common with its sibling, the Osmo Pocket 4, which I reviewed already, so I'm intrigued to see how they compare in real-world use and high-end use.

And judging by the turnout from the filmmaking community, I'm not the only one!

You might also like…

Depending on what you're looking for, check out the best cameras for vlogging and the best cameras for filmmaking.

I’m willing to bet you’ve never seen a camera rig like this before! DJI has posted a video of a photographer who is giving me serious action flick vibes, thanks to a crazy wearable DJI Ronin 4D rig.

The torso and pauldrons look like armor that’s been pinched from one of the colonial marines from Aliens, the shoulder-mounted Ronin 4D looks like War Machine’s shoulder canon from Avengers: Endgame, and the leg supports look like they’ve been ripped from Matt Damon’s exoskeleton in Elysium.

(You forgot to add my Road Warriors reference!!! – Ed)

To top it all off, you’ve got a pair of wrap-around sunglasses that give the whole getup serious T-800 vibes. All of this amounts to what has to be the most intimidating photographer I’ve ever seen…

During the video, the DJI Ronin 4D can be seen moving around on the photographer’s shoulder, while a gimbal arm extending from the torso is attached to what appears to be the Canon EOS C50 and Canon RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM (a $20K / £22K / AU$35K lens in its own right!).

At one point, the photographer spins the hulking 3.4-kg optic around on the armature and catches it. On closer inspection, the body armor appears to be made by Riddell – which makes a lot of sense, considering it produces shoulder pads for football (that's American football, for our international readers).

And as for the exoskeleton legs, they're made by Hypershell and are used to lighten the load.

It would appear that the mastermind behind this totally barmy rig is called HangpaiV. And judging by the comments section on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, people love it! My favorite comments are “Beginners photographers for no reason… [sic]” and “All that and forgot to press record”. Then again, when you look that cool, who cares?

You might also like...

Looking for more futuristic tech? This AI tech creates a 3D map of sports fields in real-time, enabling you to put a virtual camera anywhere. Surely I’m not the only creative who’s worried? Plus, Bolt Hunter camera trigger promises to solve the shutter lag struggle for lightning photographers improving your hit rate using real-time analysis. And for something a little more fun, I REALLY want one of these hand-painted film cameras inspired by the Gundam anime. They’re affordable, too!

DJI has just put out a teaser for what can only be the dual camera version of the – Osmo Pocket 4P if the naming scheme remains the same.

The idea of a dual-camera variant of DJI's gimbal-based camera has been rumored for nearly two years, since the Pocket 3 arrived and sold over expectations. Massively so, in fact – reportedly over 10 million units (KR Asia report). The Pocket 3's market dominance was occasionally associated with supply troubles, such was its popularity.

It had an 11-month run as the top video camera in Japan according to BCN data, and, inevitably, many expected its sequel to bring a raft of major upgrades.

When it did arrive, the Pocket 4 turned out to be more of a refinement, as I covered in Pocket 3 v Pocket 4. Now, though, we can see from this teaser that DJI had the anticipated premium dual-camera model up its sleeve all along.

DJI's teaser doesn't reveal the full feature set, but we can be reasonably confident that it'll beat the Pocket 4 in every category.

It's also possible to see, in the picture, the lens specs. Given that, we should expect:

• Main camera sensor to match Pocket 4 with 1-inch sensor
• 3x optical zoom
• 240fps 4K maximum
• 10-bit D-Log
• Rotating touch-screen – possibly larger than 2-inches, though any significant change would mean a larger device and bigger accessories, which feels implausible to me.
• Wi-Fi 6 and USB 3.1 connectivity
• Impossible to see from the image, but perhaps a bigger battery grip built-in? The detachable handle may be too little for 'Pro' use?
• Built-in beauty / glamour AI tools for vloggers

I am less convinced than some commentators that we'll see much of a change in size, but one big feature that DJI has had success with in its drone range is adding an axis to the gimbal to rotate the camera. At the moment even the Pocket 4 has a 3-megapixel crop for its portrait mode.

It's entirely my speculation, but there is clearly potential for premium vloggers here. Adding this exact feature distinguishes the Mini Pto drone range – currently DJI Mini 5 Pro – and makes it premium. Why not here?

Either way, we now know that this is definitely coming, and can expect to find out more soon – "Stay Tuned" is all we're told.

As an American drone pilot, I was devastated when, in December 2025, the government effectively banned not only popular brand DJI but all “foreign-made drones.” Since then, new drones – as well as cameras and accessories from DJI – have not received the FCC approval to launch in the US.

The US drone ban has long had me wondering if the government understands just how devastating the change is to aerial creators – not to mention the first responders, farmers, and businesses relying on the technology. American drone pilots still have access to drones registered prior to the FCC ban, but the latest drone technology is quickly becoming inaccessible to US users.

While there are American drone brands, none that I’ve found offer consumer drones – just expensive drones for Hollywood-level films, industrial drones, and military drones. That means American drone tech has been effectively placed on an indefinite pause until an American drone company is able to develop and launch a consumer drone – a process that will likely take years.

But now through May 11, the FCC is seeking comments from the public. Drone pilots, first responders, business owners, and any member of the public affected by the ban are invited to share comments on how the restrictions impact the community.

The public input could impact the FCC drone ban moving forward, as DJI has filed an appeal to its inclusion on the FCC Covered List. In an email from a company representative, DJI told me, “We encourage all US-based drone users – from public safety agencies and small businesses to hobbyists – to share their experience on how DJI drones impact their work, business, community, and daily life.”

The Drone Advocacy Alliance has a set of instructions that simplifies the federal forms. For a simple comment, users can navigate to the page, use Proceedings Number 26-22, and the name “In the Matter of SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd.” Public commenters then fill in the details and write their comments.

The deadline for submission is May 11, so the public comments close in a matter of days.

As a drone pilot and tech journalist in the camera space, I think that one of the reasons the foreign-made drone ban is so devastating is that the current US-based companies do not offer consumer-grade models. The non-DJI consumer drones are also built outside of the US.

Skydio, which recently announced a US expansion, does not sell drones made for photography and videography but rather for industrial use, first responders, and the military. Skydio stopped building consumer drones in 2023.

Launching American-made consumer drones will not happen overnight. Skydio’s expansion, for example, is expected to take five years, and the company has not indicated if that growth will even include a consumer drone.

Creating a drone is a time-consuming and complicated process, and newer companies in the category are at a disadvantage. For example, the US-based action camera giant GoPro once launched a drone called the Karma. The quadcopter was recalled due to a battery door failure that had drones falling out of the sky, and GoPro left the drone market shortly after.

Perhaps the reason that the FCC foreign-made drone ban hurt the most, however, is that the government-mandated security review of DJI never actually happened, to my knowledge, perhaps because the law never assigned an agency to the task.

DJI has not only pointed to previous security audits, but has repeatedly stressed that flight logs are never stored on DJI’s servers. DJI drones also support using third-party apps to fly, including some apps made by American companies.

DJI's other products have also – unfairly, in my opinion – fallen under the ban. While the FCC ban includes all foreign-made drones, it also lists all DJI products, not just their drones. That prevents tech like the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 as well as DJI's future action cameras, gimbals, mics, and other tech from entering the US.

Of course, one of the reasons behind the ban isn’t tied to a specific company at all, but worry over interruptions in the supply chain. I understand the need for a US-based supply chain – after all, in retaliation for tariffs, China once blocked American drone maker Skydio from getting any batteries for its drones.

But such an immediate and overarching drone ban is devastating for every American using drone technology, from aerial artists like myself to first responders and business owners.

As a drone pilot and tech journalist, I’m strongly urging the FCC and US government to restore the public’s access to the latest drone technology. Complete a full and fair audit to determine if non-US drone companies are a security risk.

If such an audit determines a security threat, propose an interim plan with the aid of drone users to avoid freezing drone technology that many small businesses, journalists, photographers, videographers, farmers, and others rely on.

You may also like

Browse the best drones for beginners and check out the best non-DJI drones.

DJI has just launched the teased Osmo Mobile 8P, or 'Pro' version of the phone gimbal series, and it comes with a significant new feature – a detachable touchscreen remote control with mirroring.

DJI's social post, showing a tiny piece of the new Osmo Mobile 8P, left the world making wild guesses as to what the now-released product would be (my personal favorite was the suggestion it might be a Tamagotchi-like toy). In practice, though, we saw a compact screen with a joystick and a record button below it.

The device features the 'Multifunction Module 2'. This is a built-in fill-light, and it can be directed to either face either direction, also including a camera which points in the same direction you're shooting.

This has two functions; firstly you can see it on the admittedly compact touchscreen interface and use it as a display (more use when you're using the display as a remote). Secondly, it is the 'eye' for the ActiveTrack system; the AI feature which keeps a subject in frame as you move the gimbal around.

The result is more precise framing, especially for selfies using your phone’s higher-quality rear cameras.

There are other features too. I was pleased to find that the latest version of DJI Mimo – the iPhone / Android app which connects to DJI's consumer devices – now includes a Smart Teleprompter which can show you a script on screen as you record (it's not as 'smart' as I hoped; it doesn't listen in and scroll with AI, but you can choose the speed yourself).

Features from prior Osmo Mobile devices that are still included are the Magnetic Phone Clamp 5, a phone charging cable, and this isn't the first generation to benefit from a direct phone connection for native tracking features (for example Apple's DockKit means some advanced features are available in Apple's Camera app).

The extending telescopic pole is also included, and supported by pop-out tripod legs, and it is easily possible to add a microphone like the DJI Mic 2 to the bottom, making your phone a very practical alternative to the best vlogging camera.

I remember when I first tested a DJI Osmo Pocket camera. The idea was unusual, but now it's a camera type the world can't get enough of, and other manufacturers are racing to catch up to the standard set by DJI – especially by the Osmo Action 3, the edition which really seemed to take off.

Part action camera, part vlogging tool, this device brings everything DJI has learned about keeping video stable even in shaky drones and puts it into anyone's hand – almost like a tiny film rig. With the arrival of the Osmo Pocket 4, DJI hasn’t reinvented the formula, but it has refined it in ways that matter.

So how does the new model stack up against the already excellent Pocket 3? That camera took some big leaps (new image sensor size, big rotating touchscreen). This time there are serious questions – from asking is the (inevitably cheaper) Pocket 3 now better value, through to should you upgrade?

Comparison table

Build and handling

There is very little to tell the two devices apart. Both are simple and easy to use and can be extended at the base with a handle or a battery handle depending on your need. Rotating the screen acts as a switch, though it can also be asked to remain on in portrait mode for social-media creators.

The additional physical buttons do make for easier usability because there is less need to navigate the touchscreen menus which, in turn, have been slightly refined. A minor win for ergonomics – especially people who make regular use of the digital zoom – but no reason to buy a new device if you have a Pocket 3.

Video

If you're out shooting video during the day you will not see a huge distinction between the two cameras. They both comfortably capture 4K60 with good-looking color and even offer good slow motion, though only 120fps on the Pocket 3. It has to be said 240fps is more impressive, and I enjoyed trying this out.

For those more into the subtleties of color and editing, the option of a flat 10-bit D-Log HDR color profile, as well the HLG the Pocket 3 was limited to. Assorted filmic tones in the app is a definite improvement.

The difference in the actual quality in low light isn't all that much, as the sensor is the same, but DJI has managed to eek out 14-stops of dynamic range rather than 12.7-stops in the newer model.

Stills

The Pocket 4 can shoot significantly higher resolution images, at 37 megapixels (and correspondingly bigger panoramic images by automatically turning the gimbal and stitching shots).

In both cases (and in video) the camera handles lower light well thanks to the combination of a larger image sensor than some action cameras, and image processing algorithms.

In no case is the Pocket 4 going to be your main 'stills' camera, but if you have nothing else it'll leave you slightly happier than the Pocket 3. Both leave you a RAW file to tweak though.

Features

The arrival of a generous amount of internal storage does make the Pocket 4 camera easily grab-and-go, but it's not the only thing Vloggers will appreciate. Many will also notice the power for on-board handling of beauty modes and the slight but noticeable improvements to the subject tracking.

Microphone connectivity exists on both models, so it's easy to connect one of DJI's bluetooth mics – and while the Pocket 4 can theoretically record more channels so gets a slight win, the working process will likely be the same.

The Pocket 4 does boast the option of a clip-on fill light which rotates with the camera, however, which is handy for a lot more scenarios than you might imagine (especially if you want sparkling eyes in your vlogs).

Battery life

Although the battery life is a little better on the Pocket 4, both cameras can shoot around two hours or more (in 1080P), so it doesn't feel like a massive leap to add an extra 20 minutes, especially since the camera can also be charged to 80% in that time and it is easy to swap the battery handle for high users.

Overall verdict

My advice is this. If you can get hold of it, the best advice is to get the Pocket 4 for the built-in memory, better slow-mo, and processing capability (hey, we'll all need beauty tools someday).

Yes, the Pocket 3 was the revolutionary device in this category, while the Pocket 4 is a refinement, but who wouldn't want refinements if they could have them?

However those refinements are very definitely non-essential – especially if you already have a Pocket 3 because, lets face it, you'll also already have a memory card!

If, for any reason, you can't get the Pocket 4, then a Pocket 3 and a good memory card or two can will not seriously hold you back as a creative tool. And you will also benefit from a significant price saving if going for the older of the two models.

DJI has dropped a new teaser for a release on May 7, and the photography community is already in full detective mode.

The short clip has the tagline "Wonders in your Palm," a tantalizing silhouetted clip. The photography community has immediately begun examining the clip for details and comparing it to previous DJI releases to get an idea what to expect.

What are we looking at in the clip posted to DJI's social feeds?

It could be anything, from a new version of the DJI Motion Controller seen with DJI's best FPV drones, like the Avata 360.

Many DJI devices, after all, feature an apparently simple arrangement of control buttons like this, including the DJI Pocket 3 and Pocket 4. Or gimbals that do similar jobs; just look at the DJI Osmo Mobile 7P. All, of course, tuck more control options elsewhere, and we might be missing something in the dark.

Certainly, I've read some weird and wonderful suggestions from a broad range of sources. Some of my favorite, I admit, don't seem that likely. One commentator on the official DJI YouTube account suggests that it might be a mini shaver, and @alexkarl1967 sarcastically jokes, "Oh wonderful, an MP3 player with radio, thank you DJI."

On Instagram, boyanoo suggested it might be a DJI tamagotchi!

Several viewers identify the device seen in the hand as a remote, and – watching as an experienced tech expert – it's hard to dispute that.

It looks a lot like the Osmo Action GPS Bluetooth Remote Controller – the remote controller for DJI's existing action cameras (like the Osmo Action 6). In this case, though, at the beginning of the animation, we see something that looks like a handle...

That would make the most popular online guess – some kind of Osmo Mobile variant (8 Pro?) the most logical.

If we're looking at a handle with a remote, this would likely be a new or revised product. Handles exist on a lot of DJI devices, of course, which don't have remotes.

A remote wouldn't make sense on a drone controller (that's a remote device already), but on nearly anything else it does. There are some hopeful guesses looking for a Ronin RS 5 Pro – but check the recent RS 5 review – it is quite 'Pro' already.

In the meantime, do check our guide to the best phone gimbals and the best camera gimbals.

DJI has collaborated with artist Victo Ngai (a Society of Illustrators Gold Medalist, since you ask) to create four colorful magnetic covers for the new DJI Mic Mini 2, released today.

The entry-level microphone is designed for vloggers and others wanting a low-cost (below $100), lightweight, portable microphone system, with a single or multiple 11g microphones with built-in transmitters (TX) and a receiver (RX) that plugs into your phone's USB-C socket.

DJI say the new selection of cases will help creators match the style to any scene. The covers are Dawn (purple), Surge (blue and green), Blaze (red/orange), and Glimmer (black gold) and attach magnetically, just as the mic does to the small magnet underneath the garment, as well as a range of artist-designed covers seen above.

Additionally, for users of DJI's Osmo devices (Pocket 3, Pocket 4, Osmo Action 5, Osmo Action 6, Osmo Nano and Osmo 360), the Mic (TX) can be connected wirelessly without the need for any additional gear.

This is an update to the DJI Mic Mini, 48kHz, 24-bit audio. There is now a choice of modes (Regular, Rich, and Bright) and two-level noise cancellation (offering alternatives for quieter indoor settings as opposed to noisier outdoor environments). As before, there is automatic limiting, five-level gain adjustment, and dual-track recording, all controlled with the DJI Mimo app.

Battery cases can top the devices up to 48 hours, though DJI claims that in ideal circumstances the transmitter can deliver over 11 hours and receiver over 10.

DJI has set prices at £89 GBP for the full bundle – DJI Mic Mini 2 (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case) – and £49 for the DJI Mic Mini 2 (1 TX + 1 Mobile RX + Charging Case). They are shipping in the UK from DJI's own store and other retailers today.

• See on DJI website (link does not work in the USA, due to availability)

I wonder how long before this appears in our guide to the best wireless microphones in place of the older DJI Mic Mini?

DJI has just made choosing your first drone a lot harder. The new Lito series goes all-in on camera quality and longer flight times, while the Neo 2 focuses on safety, simplicity and AI-powered tracking. Both are aimed squarely at beginners, but they take completely different approaches. So which one should you actually buy?

The DJI Neo 2 and the Lito drones both look very physically different, but – in their own way – they both target first-time drone buyers.

Simply put, the Neo 2 puts safety and flexibility at the absolute top of its design goals, while the Lito series prioritizes the camera's capabilities by including a three-axis gimbal for smoother video and building in a radio transceiver.

Specs

In every picture on the Neo 2 here the optional transceiver is attached to the back of the Neo 2, but this isn't included in the cheapest bundles – it can cost around $42.00, or more, plus the price of a remote controller, if you want remote control longer than a few meters.

Flexibility with controls has a positive side too, however. The Neo 2's standard option – following the users using AI – is technically impressive and gets useful shots very easily, but it's also possible to upgrade all the way to FPV control with DJI's wand-like "Motion Controller" and goggles that let you sit "inside" the drone.

Comparison

Key differences

Comparing the features from a photographic perspective, the Lito 1 doesn't seem ahead of the Neo 2 – only when you consider the 3-axis gimbal for providing more stable shots (and the bigger and slightly heavier airframe which will play their part thanks to physics).

The more notable difference is the flight time. The last few minutes of any flight are coming back to land and the time you allow for safety (you don't want the battery to get to zero distance away from you and it falling out of the sky), so the difference here is much more significant than it looks.

Well, except for the fact that if you don't shell out for a proper controller and transceiver for the Neo 2 you can't fly the drone very far from you, so the return journey won't be as long

Cameras: Neo 2 v Lito 1 v X1

As well as choosing between the Lito 1 & Neo 2, there is the distinction between the Litos themselves. The premium Lito X1 makes a much better case for serious photographers and videographers thanks to D-Log M (video you can grade after the fact), and a larger image sensor for better footage across a broader range of light.

Data storage

The slightly more personal choice is the distinction between built-in memory and the Lito 1 having only a MicroSD card slot. For me, I have very little concern about that. Recording to a memory card suits my workflow just fine, but it can be convenient to have built in memory, so why not?

On the Neo 2, built-in memory is almost essential because you're very likely to be using the drone in an app-based workflow, controlling it with your phone (as well as voice controls and gestures), so being able to simply download short clips to your device makes a lot of sense for a more social-ready, speedy, less edit-obsessed workflow.

US Availability

The other big issue here is that new DJI drones don't go on sale on the day of launch in the USA any more because DJI has been added to the 'Covered List' in the USA, which bans the FCC from approving new products by the company. In practice, the FCC has opted not to approve any new drones from Chinese companies in 2026 and onward.

While both drones in the Lito series seem to have been approved before the end of December 2025, DJI has chosen not to release them through its own store in the USA, meaning US customers need to wait and see if other retailers solve the situation (the same situation is also true of the recently released Osmo Pocket 4).

The DJI Neo 2 was one of the first products that DJI didn't launch and sell itself in the USA because these rules banning foreign products (and, by extension, choice) were coming in, but what happened in the end is that some camera retailers (like B&H – see DJI Neo 2 at B&H) started stocking the drone regardless, and, eventually, it made its way to Amazon too.

I don't know if, despite DJI's hands being tied by the US government, the same will happen for the Lito series, but it seems plausible.

This is only an issue for customers in America, because no other government has taken such a harsh stance on Chinese-made consumer drones, but (until availability changes at least, it might be the deciding factor for Americans).

Controller and safety

The DJI Neo 2 has a lot of control flexibility – which means you don't need to buy it all at once. The drone-only can be successfully controlled just by tracking you, the subject it takes off from (and that cage design is good for safety).

At the other end of the scale, the goggles and FPV controller will add a lot of additional cost, but give you a very different way of operating your drone that seems a lot less traditional and makes amazing indoor/outdoor zooming shots achievable.

The Lito 1 series is more traditional in that it has different RC controller options, but the subject tracking is still relatively safe and achievable thanks to the sensors on the drone (despite the unprotected propellors it will refuse to get too close).

Overall

The Lito series is a good example of steady refinement, and a great place to start your drone journey, especially as so much safety tech has been added, but its design focus is definitely on helping the camera fly and the owner create.

The Neo 2 is a different kind of drone to most anyway – a "Cinewhoop" airframe more like a cut-down Avata 2 FPV drone that can do stunts, that is also designed to be a helpful flying friend that follows you and films you doing cool stuff automatically.

If your priority is effortless, safe flying and quick social clips, the Neo 2 still makes a strong case. But if you care more about video quality, stability and longer flight time, the Lito 1 is the better long-term buy – or, even better, the X1 if you have the readies.

Alternatives

Realistically, Americans may have to wait a while for that choice, but the DJI Mini 3 or Mini 4K are FCC-approved alternatives in the meantime – check the best beginners drone or best camera drone guides.

DJI has launched two new drones, Lito and Lito X1. Both are targeting beginners, but there is a choice to be made between the lowest spec available and a more premium camera and features list. Either way, DJI is replacing its 'Mini' series' with these new drones, targeting first timers and content creators looking to make a splash.

In both cases the shell is a refined version of the ultralight folding design seen on the Mini 4K and the Mini 3 series. Crucially, that category is under 249g so it stays free of regulations in most countries.

What is new, however, is the top-and-bottom presence of a fish-eye lens of an all-round collision sensing and object tracking system, meaning this drone doesn't just bring the camera of your choice (1/2-inch sensor for the Lito, or larger 1/1.3-inch sensor for the Lito X1), but better safety and AI assistance than has been known in this class before.

Is it a wise choice, though (and is it a worthy upgrade)?

Lito series: Price

The Lito 1 launches at £299 for the drone and remote, and £429 for a Fly More Combo with a RC-N3 remote (so you still need your phone, but you get more batteries).

DJI Lito X1 retails for £369 – so the camera improvements are effectively costing £70 – but the Fly More Combo is £599 and comes with the RC 2 remote with built in screen.

US pricing is yet to be announced, though rumors suggest that the drone did pass FCC tests, so should be available to American pilots sometime soon.

DJI Lito 1 v Lito X1: Specs

I've shown the comparison with the 'Premium' X1 which is very similar, but uses a larger imaging sensor, and some other additional features.

DJI Lito: Build and handling

As the longstanding drone expert, I've come to accept that the ultralight category always feels a bit light in the hand – it has to. The limit of 249g (just under 9 ounces) is not that much given that the variable weather conditions that most of us attempt to fly in.

This drone, nevertheless, manages (in both variants) to feel tough where it needs to, specifically the sprung hinges for the arms, which also act as on/off switches, an elegant touch, saving a moment of thought (unless, like me, you've been trained to expect to turn the drone on manually for over a decade!)

I've waited a long time for drones to be this easy to get in the air, and it's very pleasing. In terms of data storage, the Lito 1 is an economy option, so it makes sense that – despite DJI offering it with so many products now – there is no on-board memory (that is an extra for the Lito X1). So you do need to budget for a MicroSD card but, for most drones, that was always the case until recently anyway.

Personally I honestly still find memory cards and the adapter the easiest way to get the video to my computer to edit it, too, but that's me. The DJI Fly app is also a good solution, especially for those with a more phone-based workflow.

DJI's airframe is not a surprise, but definitely built on tried and tested. The front arms also have 'legs' so the drone can take off from a flat surface without risking the optical sensors beneath (there are vision sensors and the new fish-eye tracking sensor).

The front of the Lito 1 has vents because it lacks LiDAR, but the fish-eye lens on the top and bottom provide a decent all round collision sensing system in decent light. It was able to detect and avoid trees in my tests.

The main camera of the Lito 1 is a half-inch sensor with 48 megapixels, and the gimbal keeps it impressively stable. Admittedly by this point I would expect nothing else of DJI, but it is definitely a better choice for the more videographically inclined than DJI's base level Neo 2, no matter how flexible.

DJI Lito: Performance

The weather could have been kinder to me during my limited test period with the Lito 1 and Lito X1, so I will be posting some additional images and clips in the coming weeks. I can say, though, that first impressions are good.

The camera quality when shooting video at 4K60fps was great on the day I was testing so long as I stuck to the 1x zoom view. Things were less impressive when I decided to zoom in. It's great that x2 and x3 digital zoom are options but I'd avoid the latter if I were you as the result is just too obvious.

The quality of the video in default mode is tonally good, very crisp, and DJI seem to get the color right – though it's a tough gig with me swinging round from flying into to away from the sun.

You can see how it looks in the video...

In terms of flight characteristics, things were a little tougher for the Lito 1, which I took out in winds at the upper end of its capabilities. It kept reminding me of this with a warning message – fair enough – and it was certainly noticeable how much it affected the flight speed against the wind.

Now I'm very experienced with drones, but perhaps it'd be sensible if that warning message was a bit clearer about the likely effect of the wind – the camera seems stable because the gimbal is so good, but flying against the wind is still going to use a lot more battery and take longer because physics is still physics!

DJI Lito: Overall verdict

To be clear, this is the review of the Lito 1 – though I mention the premium sibling (the Lito X1) once or twice. It's very difficult to think about buying the one without looking at the other, and, ultimately, if you're looking at the Lito 1 the reason is that price likely matters to you more than the subtleties of specification.

So what are you really missing out on? If you're using the drone during the day, and don't need D-Log M / High Dynamic Range (and not that many people really do unless they want to grade footage in editing), arguably not that much. Yes the LiDAR on the X1 also improves the collision avoidance and AI, but it's impressive here, able to detect people and vehicles from a good range.

Admittedly, if you don't have one, you'll also need to find the money for a MicroSD card so – arguably – the price difference is slightly narrowed there, but, in practice, especially when shooting at wider angles, this is an excellent drone. The collision sensing means you can confidently let the kids fly it, too (supervised, mind).

Alternatives

DJI has just launched two new drones at once – the much-teased Lito series. Both come in at 249g and target the beginner market, but offer a choice of cameras (and budget), as well as some significant upgrades over previous DJI drones for this space.

The drones will be priced at £299 (about $403 including UK sales tax) for the Lito 1 and £369 (about $500 including UK sales tax) for the more premium Lito X1.

In keeping with the distinction, there will be Fly More Combos featuring extra batteries, but the Lito 1 version is £429 and sticks with the cheaper remote control, which requires you to use your phone as a screen, while the Lito X1 variant is £599 but comes with DJI's premium RC 2 controller, which has a built-in screen.

The new drones seem to offer a replacement for the DJI Mini 4K, with better improved design features, while the more premium Lito X1 slots into a similar spot to the Mini 3 – with better safety features (so better for true beginners), but without the rotating camera. (You can still opt for vertical video, but the camera does not rotate, so it is not 'True Vertical Shooting' in DJI's own phrasing.)

DJI see the Lito 1 series as "the benchmark with no alternative," citing especially the 360-camera system that powers the active track. That doesn't mean the drone shoots 360 video like the DJI Avata 360, but that the drone is less likely to lose a subject when it is automatically keeping it in shot.

While DJI see the Lito series as replacing the Mini (but not the Mini Pro), there is no confirmed US sale state yet, so both will remain on the market around the world, but new entry-level drones will be 'Lito' while 'Mini Pro' will remain as a brand line.

It'll be interesting to see which, if any, earns a spot on the best drone for beginners guide – which is getting increasingly competitive.

See our full DJI Lito 1 review

We tend to think of portable power stations as big, and power banks as something you can throw in your bag alongside your phone for a few top ups. DJI's Power 1000 Mini sits somewhere between the company's range of bigger battery power stations, but still packs around 1kWh.

Charging is still fast too – the fun retractable USB cable (and the plain old socket – your choice) deliver 100 watts of power, suited for bi-directional fast charging.

That's ideal for creatives – and drone enthusiasts – who might need to carry them some way away from the grid, or even where they parked. It's also handy if you're dabbling your toe into the off-grid world as there is real power here; enough to keep your freezer running in a power outage, for example (there are two AC sockets, and it'll take a charge from an AC cable too).

Oh, and if you're really worried about the times to come, or need to top up the charge fully off grid, then the device is solar-panel compatible too.

DJI Power 1000 Mini: Price

The Power 1000 Mini has a UK RRP of £599, or AU$799 (as with all newer DJI products, it remains to be seen if there will be a US version, but of course it'll need US sockets, so this does depend a bit more on DJI).

It's already not a bad price as there is no need to spend more on a solar converter.

DJI Power 1000 Mini: Specs

DJI Power 1000 Mini: Build and Handling

Built from a reassuringly robust plastic with a very luggable handle, unboxing the DJI Power 1000 Mini gave me no initial concerns. All the connectors and the display are located on the front, as well as a light, so you won't need to go looking around the power station to find things – it's either there or it isn't.

On which subject, this is a portable battery with a finite amount of space, but it still packs in two AC sockets, an AC input, 2 USB-Cs (we'll get to that) and 2 USB-A, and one of DJI's SDC ports (which is essentially an XT90 with some extras, and will take an XT90 connector).

This means that, with a very cheap adapter (I found one for under $10), you can also charge standard drones from traditional FPV brands with XT60 connectors, but DJI have a range of cables on offer for its own drones for the fastest possible charging in the field.

A nice new feature is the pull out USB-C charging cable, which means that you can charge almost any modern phone without needing to remember any other bits of wire at all. It is on a sprung coil and guides itself back in when you don't need it any more.

In terms of monitoring the usage, you have both a detailed display and an app. The latter also allows the changing of settings, for example, a low power alarm, limiting the charging speeds, remote switching of the light (including an SOS mode).

The biggest number on the display – the charge percentage – is easily read from a few meters away, which was very useful for me as I could see it inside the house even when the battery & panel was at the back of a London garden.

The app provides more detailed info like a charge time estimate based on current conditions. There are also a full set of useful management features (firmware updating, energy management. There is a low energy alarm, the option to disable fast charge, and the option to limit the maximum charge to preserve battery life, amongst the controls for things like time out. It's all very easy to understand in the DJI Home app and because Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are supported you can get info from nearby, or keep up to date with the charge status when you're much further afield should you choose.

DJI Power 1000 Mini: Performance

There were several things that immediately pleased me about the power station (which, let's face it, is a fancy way of saying "battery"). Charging time was around an hour – 75 minutes even all the way to 100%.

It took rather longer in the UK, where the weather is not predisposed to show me a lot of sunshine without cloud. Using a 200W solar panel, even with the angle about right and better moments, I didn't see much more than 130W flowing in at once, but it did impress me and occasionally checking and adjusting the solar panel wasn't much of a chore.

Charging from the mains electricity via the AC in port is faster, of course, so ideal if you're in a hurry, but if you're worried about any impending doomsdays, then I'd make sure you pick up a solar panel too! How many other content creators will have planned ahead?

DJI Power 1000 Mini: Overall verdict

To keep camera gear or drones topped up with charge on the road, this is a sensible choice, and the ability to plug a single folding solar panel in means – if you're away camping or just in a good flying field – you should be able to more or less charge the whole battery on a sunny day from a typical 200W solar panel, though you'll need to move it a couple of times to keep the efficency up.

The impressively low weight – DJI has sliced over 3Kg from the DJI Power 1000 while only cutting the capacity from 1024Wh to 1008Wh comes at very little real 'cost' – the Max Output is "only" 1000W at any one time, but that'll run a full-size fridge-freezer when the power is out, and your laptop and wi-fi, for example.

I'm less certain why the USB-C is cut to 100W rather than 140W (less, too, than the older Power 1000), but if it's to keep the components smaller and lighter then it seems a reasonable compromise. The benefits of this design – compact, built-in light (controllable via the app if needs be) – comfortably outweigh the minor restrictions of being 'Mini' in my view. If you disagree, DJI has you covered too.

Alternatives

I have just spotted that DJI's Avata 2 drone has fallen to the lowest price we have seen it in the UK - and can be picked up with goggles and joystick-style controller for just £455 from Park Cameras.

As the DCW drone expert, the Avata 2 is my pick for best FPV drone – but now faces competition from the innovative DJI Avata 360, which has two 180° lenses to capture an image in every direction at once, allowing you to frame the image later.

The Avata 2 is a brilliant refinement and improvement of a first-generation product, with a new airframe, and it's spectacularly robust. I can assure you of that because I, well, let's say deliberately deliberately crash-tesed it! DJI's 1-axis mechanical gimbal – combined with clever electronic image stabilization – in a drone with such acrobatic dynamism seems to result in striking 4K video that swoops and dives through the sky. Latency is of no concern and the controller included with this bundle is so natural that any beginner can pick it up.

Personally, I have never especially enjoyed FPV flying before DJI introduced this kind of controller – now I do. They made it fun!

So is it worth waiting for a sequel when this is available right now for the lowest price we've seen since launch?

The serial DJI news leaker Igor Bogdanov has posted a clip of what appears to be a DJI Osmo Pocket 4P, or Pro, a version of the Pocket 4 with a dual camera system. This video is being shared on the same day the real DJI Osmo Pocket 4 is launched.

The new DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Pro, which was definitely released today, features a single camera with a 1-inch CMOS sensor, though boosted to 14-stops of dynamic range and offering 10-bit D-Log color, an improvement over its predecessor.

The camera on the top is mounted on a 3-axis gimbal, and has 2x lossless zoom, as well as a 107Gb of built-in storage and a 800MB/S transfer speeds, and updated ActiveTrack. You can read more about it in my full Osmo Pocket 4 review or

The wider community, however, has long expected that DJI would launch either a dual-camera system as the Pocket 4, or two different versions, one with a dual camera system.

The expectation is that there will be a 1-inch sensor for the main camera, as well as a 3x optical zoom as the additional camera inside the gimbal head. This would work in a similar way to the extra cameras in the DJI Air 3S or most serious photography-leaning mobile phones. (The iPhone Pro Max, for example, which I use, has three cameras on the back at different focal lengths.)

Now, as soon as DJI has announced the Pocket 4 – and nothing else – the rumor community, in the form of Igor Bogdanov, has stepped in to show what a DJI dual camera version might look like.

Is it plausible? It certainly isn't beyond the bounds of possibility, and the same poster alludes to the reason in his post: Luna, which Insta360 has not been shy about:

Luna is Insta360's anticipated entry into this same market, and the company has shared teasers via some social media accounts and at events already, including the blocky design above on their Japanese X column.

What will be the best pocket gimbal camera in the next few months seems very much open to debate.

The Pocket 4 has a job to do – to follow up on the Pocket 3. That camera managed to make, somehow, the third iteration into the definitive camera of DJI's handheld vlogging camera. So far, anyway.

Until then, the device was a weird niche, sticking one of DJI's drone-like camera gimbals ontop of a handle. After that it was the must-have tool for content creators, capturing amazingly stable shots with all kinds of motion. The Steadicam alternative for the TikTok era.

You'd see everyone carrying them on vacation, or when making movies, and there were good reasons why. For many lone creators, it was like having a friend to film, who has the skills to pick up rotating shots and follow subjects – just as you need to stand out from the crowd online.

We've waited two years for a new model, and such is the popularity of the camera that there have been pages and pages devoted to rumors about it. Is this what we were hoping for?

Price

The Osmo Pocket 4 starts at £445 for the standard combo and £549 for the Creator Combo with the Mic 3 TX, the fill light and a big enough carrying bag! In both cases, that seems like equally fair value to the camera's predecessor.

Thankfully, that's nothing like the price jump from the Pocket 2 (at $349) to the Pocket 3 (at $519), but there was a significant jump in specs on that occasion, and it clearly paid off.

Specs

Build and Handling

The idea is that the Pocket 4 is a stabilized camera on a simple handle – controlled with a couple of buttons. Simple.

In practice, things are a little more complex, which in fact is why one of the most noticeable changes between this camera and its predecessor is the arrival of two physical buttons beneath the rotating 2-inch touchscreen that, when open, provide tactile control for zoom and a customizable option.

The screen on the DJI Pocket 4 rotates from straight in line with the device's body to horizontal, making it as big as reasonably possible. It also acts as an on switch and (depending on your settings) a horizontal/portrait switch.

The camera in the gimbal does not rotate, but you can rotate the screen back to portrait format to shoot for TikTok etc. and the camera now switches to the best cropped resolution it can manage – 3K – which seems adequate.

There are a lot of other settings available via the camera's touchscreen, which operates a 'swipe from the side' approach which is simple on the face of it, but can get quite in depth.

To keep this in the 'compact camera' class, while offering flexibility when it comes to battery, DJI makes the bottom of the grip removable. The standard handle – which just extends it to the length needed for my big hands – can be removed by pressing a button on the front and replaced by a 'Battery Grip' to offer more life (at the cost of more weight).

Without one or the other fitted, though, you find yourself without a tripod thread at the base of the camera; a USB-C port is there instead. That port allows transfers of up to 800Mb/s from the built-in 107Gb of storage that renders a MicroSD card very much optional with this version of the device – one more step toward easier usability.

The camera's 2-inch screen, at 16:9, still isn't massive, but it seems big enough to feature all the controls. It is slightly easier, too, to control the zoom – which is at least lossless at 2x – using the new buttons beneath the screen.

The trick is to get used to swiping from the sides of the screen and the other hope for the bulky-fingered is that the DJI Mimo app can act as your friend; you have remote control of the device via your phone, as well as the ability to view and download content.

Content creators will be very pleased by the arrival of low light capture that works with the ActiveTrack feature, as well as the improved frame rate for slow motion.

Other features which are brilliant fun and offer great variety are the switchable modes, like the FPV mode, which can create cool rotating shots – the one down side being that the gimbal cannot turn 360-degrees so it cannot spin infinitely.

The camera also has some significant new features for new creators – built in AI glamour effects (skin smoothing options) – and some film effects. These are actually pretty impressive, and might be a good reason to buy for a lot of vloggers.

Performance

In the few weeks I've been testing the camera, it has been apparent to me that there are real improvements available here to vloggers, even without the long-anticipated second camera.

If I were looking for issues (and, you know, that is my job), I'd say that on some of the pans where the camera follows a slow subject – I had it follow a clipper boat up the Thames – it seems to judder ever so slightly. That's because the very smooth movement of the subject exposes the motion of the motors, but you don't see it at other times.

Sample images

Overall verdict

Taken on its own, the Pocket 4 remains an amazing camera, and it's easy to see why DJI has chosen to make refinements rather than go with the large-scale changes that some predicted. If it isn't broken, why fix it?

The answer to that question might come from a competitor soon enough, but for now, there isn't one – just this vague suspicion many had that a second camera was the solution (after all, it happened to their phones, didn't it, not to mention the DJI Air 3S drone).

For now, though, the image sensor does a good job, with great standard colors, so despite the ability to apply a profile to Log I found myself perfectly happy using the camera defaults. The subject tracking was quick and responsive. Focusing can be close enough to make this a good vlogging device too – unlike some action cameras.

So, this camera comes along in a category DJI has defined and gets everything right. It doesn't make a huge leap forward, so it might not make much sense on an upgrade list for Pocket 3 owners, but for anyone else, the brilliant smoothing is hard to argue and given the price is still well below full-frame vlogging cameras, this seems a natural first choice.

Alternatives

DJI has just announced its latest gimbal camera, the Osmo Pocket 4, as teased last week. The camera is mounted on a 3-axis gimbal, similar to some DJI drones, helping you get smooth shots all the time, and previous models became very popular with vloggers.

Boasting upgraded features over its hit predecessor, the new camera still has a 1-inch CMOS sensor, but is now capable of 14 stops of dynamic range, or 10-bit D-Log HDR. The camera also boasts faster 4K/240fps slow motion (double the previous frame rate), and gesture control, so the automatic subject tracking can be initiated by a hand gesture or the 'peace' sign.

This comes under the heading of a step from ActiveTrack 6 to ActiveTrack 7 in DJI's linguistics.

In terms of image quality improvements, there are a number of changes, including in-camera AI Beauty effects which can tweak the subject's skin smoothness – this kind of feature has proven very popular with vloggers in my reviews of the best webcams.

The new design adds two new physical buttons, tucked behind the touchscreen until it is rotated to switch on the device. One allows switching between zoom presets (1x, 2x, 4x) and the other is a customisable button.

A significant change that is less obvious – because there is still a MicroSD card slot – is that the Pocket 4 boasts 107Gb of on-board storage for video or images. These can be transferred at up to 800MB/s to an attached computer via USB-C, or wirelessly to the DJI Mimo app.

Stills photo resolution is also 33MP rather than the previous 7MP. In addition, the accessory range now includes an attachable fill light as well as a battery handle.

The Osmo Pocket 4 Standard Combo goes on sale for £445 / €499 today (though officially will not ship until April 22), while the upgraded Creator Combo (including the same plus a wide-angle lens, Mic 3 transmitter & charger, mini tripod and a carrying bag (as well as the carrying pouch).

DJI is confirming two new launch dates with two separate new teaser trailers. One, titled "Just Fly" for April 23, just has to be the Lito drone – and another titled "More than Sound," and with a graphic that looks a lot like a microphone...

I've mentioned the swirling rumors about a DJI Lito drone before on these pages, but frustratingly, DJI has put out an animated graphic that does not reveal a lot more. It vaguely reminds me of the split-flap displays common at stations and airports, with wheels on the side that are reminiscent for kids of my generation of a toy called the Rubik's clock.

But a drone? Well... only the fact it actually shows the name 'Lito' in its 'display' gives that away (along with the tagline "Just Fly").

What we do know is that on April 23 you'll be able to watch the product appear yourself, and at that point we'll know for sure if this is an all new product category (as some say) or a replacement for the Mini 4K with a new look and feel.

Some suspect we'll see on-board memory to record video, as we have with so many other DJI products recently. Others have suggested that there will be a higher-end version with LiDAR obstacle avoidance (again, a common feature on DJI drones now).

What we definitely don't expect is for the drone to climb above the crucial 250g limit; although there are new rules in the UK (Class 0) attempting to encourage an even lower threshold of 100g, the 250g target is still common worldwide.

Also on the DJI socials is this rotating graphic of some rounded squares which certainly bring to mind the shape of the DJI Mic or Mic Mini devices we've seen all over YouTube (and of course I've tested here at DCW).

Is there actually a need for another DJI Mic or Mic Mini at this point? Well, the Mic 3 upgraded from the Mic 2 by reducing the weight significantly (28g to 16g) and boosting the internal storage from 8Gb to 32Gb.

Of course, the next contender for the best wireless microphone from DJI might be in its phone-friendly Mini series, but we'd hope to see similar capabilities (and perhaps some more charging options, without reverting to the case).

GoPro has just announced a new camera – the GoPro Mission 1 – in three distinct variants. The first two are both tiny 8K cinema cameras, but simply tweak the specifications between each other. The third goes all out and allows interchangeable lenses.

"GoPro is entering the premium end of the digital imaging market in a significant way" says the company's Senior VP Pablo Lema, and he isn't wrong about the step up from the GoPro Hero13 Black. That camera was slipping down the best action cameras league to newer competition from the likes of DJI, but the new Mission 1 boasts a 1-inch 50MP image sensor, which, GoPro tells us, offers up to 14-stops of dynamic range.

Backed up with the new image processing chip, the GP3, the company has previously shown, the Mission 1 Pro / Pro ILS cameras can even record 8K at 2x slow mo, through 4K at 8x slow mo (which, for the avoidance of doubt, means 240fps) right up to 960fps for 1080p (for up to 10 seconds). (The Mission 1 not pro is 8K30 at its limit and correspondingly less capable at slow motion too).

The improved GoPro specs don't stop at frame rates either. Data can be stored at 240Mbps, enabling HLG-HDR, 10-bit color and GoPro's GP-Log2, as well as support for Timecode sync.

There is an open gate sensor, which might help with image stabilization (the whole sensor's image is captured, not just the 16:9 that is being used). Sound recording is via four built-in microphones that pull in 32-bit float, as well as support for Bluetooth 5.3 mics.

On the other hand, is the design really that different from its predecessor (in so far as it has one) the GoPro Hero 13 Black?

To be honest, I'm not sure the bodies are as different as you might imagine if GoPro tells you the camera has a new name. The pictures tell you a fair bit there, but another clue for this journalist was the number of comparisons GoPro themselves made to the Hero series. To me, that implies this is seen as a successor, but one intended to make a splash (and it is waterproof to 20m / 66ft – except the ILS).

Now 'Mission' might seem a very topical name at this point in NASA's Artemis cycle, or if you happen to live in central San Francisco, but otherwise it's just a new name we'll have to get used to.

My theory is that GoPro weren't super excited by the idea of reducing the price of the previous 'Hero' model, so it thought that the upgraded model should have a new name. Then there is no need for GoPro to sideline its predecessor to obviously – and the company's cycle of reducing prices on the older model could break.

That doesn't explain the other new camera though – the Mission 1 Pro ILS, which boasts an interchangeable lens. That is a new feature for these compact cameras.

More than that, the swappable lens uses the MFT (Micro Four-Thirds) system, on a one-inch sensor, meaning that it's a bigger lens than the sensor. Presumably, this is essential because MFT is an established size, and GoPro is not in a position to establish a new lens size. DJI used MFT for the Inspire 2 drone, and users like me took advantage of the existing lens system when working.

Perhaps oddly, though, the GoPro cameras won't be capable of adjusting the focus on this system, presumably because the extra parts add size and weight. (It shouldn't be forgotten, though, that the camera system that the DJI Inspire 2 drone carried around supported MFT lenses with powered focus and zoom.)

Is ditching AF really a good idea?

Is getting rid of a feature like AF – key to the usability of cameras for many – really a brilliant idea?

To be fair to GoPro, the company is only really offering it as a way to help a niche gain access to interchangeable lenses. So it's a 'this or nothing' kind of choice, and most people would take the chance to choose themselves over simply not having access to the choice.

I suspect, though, that for many active sports fans the 13 capture modes in the cameras will be more than enough by way of settings, while those using the interchangeable lenses are less likely to be in a rough-and-tumble scenario, so won't mind stopping to check their focus.

Lest we forget, there are also other action cameras that have addressed some of the issues (like low light) that GoPro is finally taking on here. Check the very impressive DJI Osmo Action 6 or the Insta360 AcePro 2, the latter of which even has an equivalent to the point-and-shoot grip that GoPro has also just announced.

Check out our full guide to the best action cameras that are on sale now

Next week, at NAB, GoPro is going to announce a new product line. There are a lot of rumors circulating, but one that would make more sense than you might think at first is that DJI will launch a drone.

Nearly everyone in the industry knows the "Why not" of this story: the truly catastrophic original GoPro Karma drone, but that was launched in 2016, and the world has moved on.

The biggest problem for the Karma, other than a tendency for the sample models to fall out of the sky, was the arrival of far better competition from DJI drones. But nowadays this is where things are looking up for GoPro – the US government is making life very difficult indeed for DJI, which is currently barred from seeking FCC approval for any new products.

The last few approved DJI products are sneaking their way out now, and then GoPro will find itself in a much less competitive landscape.

Ten years is a long time, too, and no doubt a lot of R&D has been going on at GoPro, which might make for a very interesting drone.

The GoPro Max 2, which I reviewed last year, shows the company has moved things a long way in the sphere of 360-degree cameras (a little pun there for the fans). The company is also working on putting cameras in other robust shells, as the acquisition of helmet camera firms suggests.

It's also true that most of the complaints – in so far as there are any – directed at GoPro Hero 13 Black are only about low light photography, which isn't much of a problem for aerial work, so there shouldn't be any worries about the kind of camera GoPro bring to the table.

GoPro has also added a gimbal, the Fluid Pro AI, to its repertoire in the last year, suggesting another key drone tech is in the bag.

Perhaps some of the innovative – but ultimately too complicated – ideas of the original Karma drone could be abandoned in favor of something more straightforward.

The design need not be so complicated, heavy & pricey this time. Forcing the buyer to acquire a gimbal and a GoPro Hero camera, even if it worked more reliably, gave people a lot of tools, but it also pushed prices up and made things difficult to use.

The 2016 product recall had, also, been dreadful timing in terms of the 2016 holiday sales market – the same time DJI was bringing out the foldable Mavic Pro and essentially creating the template for drones as we've known them for a decade.

GoPro has proven that it is able to acquire companies to get the tech it needs, before adding the final shine of usability and the company's well-liked subscription cloud service.

There are likely to be several opportunities around the world to collaborate for a company with a record of approaching things in this way. Ironically, one might even be – depending on how it is approached of course (lawyers would need to take a good look, not to mention the parties in question) the possibility of cooperation with DJI again.

Now, yes, things ended badly before – Karma's position as number 2 to DJI's top spot in the drone market was not enough to save the 250 team members GoPro laid off in early 2018, but things could be different.

DJI CEO Frank Wang and GoPro CEO Nick Woodman did talk together about working together about two years before Karma, and it was largely arrogance on Woodman's part that led to Karma being set up alone (or, rather, with the help of US drone startup 3D Robotics.

DJI had a decade of dominance, 3DR ended up making enterprise software, and the US government has stepped in to change the rules. Fair or not, now is definitely an opportunity GoPro could make the best of!

See the best camera drones that are currently on the market

Camera announcements in 2026 have started at a rather slow trickle – but as a camera expert, I’m predicting that there will be a deluge of new announcements before the end of April.

Camera brands will often time launches with key industry events, and one is coming up in just a matter of days – the NAB Show from the National Association of Broadcasters is set for April 18-22 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

But I’m not basing my predictions on pure speculation. Thanks to teasers, I know creatives will see at least two camera announcements before the end of April.

GoPro has confirmed that it will launch next-generation cameras with the GP3 processor at NAB this year.

Competitor DJI has also released a teaser that confirms the DJI Pocket 4 – an update on a viral gimbal-clad camera – is coming on April 16.

That means I know that there will at least be a new GoPro and a new DJI camera before the end of the month – though of course, while it’s fairly clear when those cameras will be announced, it’s not clear when they will actually ship to eager creators.

I’m expecting both launches to be for cameras that are focused more on videos than photos. The existing Pocket 3 is more for videos than stills, and similarly, GoPro is known for POV videos.

I wouldn’t be surprised if NAB brought more than those two already teased announcements. But, NAB is a video-focused event, so I’m expecting any camera launches tied to the event will be focused on video, like cinema cameras, broadcast cameras, and vlogging cameras. If we see any announcements outside of those categories, I would be shocked if it wasn’t at least a hybrid made for taking videos and stills.

2026 feels like it has started a bit slow with camera announcements – though 2025 ended with a bang with the Canon EOS R6 Mark III and the Sony A7 V. There’s been the Ricoh GR IV Monochrome, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo Cinema, and the Panasonic ZS300/TZ300, along with some budget point-and-shoots. But, that still feels a bit quiet for it now being more than a quarter through the year.

I’m expecting the NAB show will help pick up the pace with new camera launches. The event kicks off April 18.

You may also like

Read more on what we're expecting for the next generation GoPro announcement, or read our take on the DJI Pocket 4 teaser.