DJI Phantom 4 Pro Review, photo, video and flight test

Check out this DJI Phantom 4 professional review video and then read the details below. (more videos coming)

DOWNLOAD A RAW DNG PHOTO from Phantom 4 PRO at bottom of page.

Introducing the DJI Phantom 4 Pro.

I have been fortunate to be testing a DJI Phantom 4 Pro, prototype and got to put it through its paces. I’ll just cut to the chase and tell you the big news. The Phantom 4 Professional has a completely new camera with a new sensor. It can now shoot 20mp photos and shoot 4k video (60fps) at 100 mb/s. It also has 360 degrees of obstacle avoidance and comes with a built in screen on the controller.

FAQ

Update: I have already seen a few questions (feel free to ask below in the comments). A big one.. Does it take the same batteries as the Phantom 4. A: Yes, it uses the same batteries and Propellers. There is a higher capacity battery available, but the original P4 batteries work just fine too.

360 Degrees Obstacle Avoidance

At first sight, it looks just like the Phantom 4. But on closer examination, you can see read and sider sensors as well as the downward and front sensors. These all work in tandem to produce forward, backward and downward stereo vision. Get this, the new front and rear sensors can see up to 30m (about 100 feet). This enables the P4P to see and recognize objects in it’s flight path and to track or avoid objects and obstacles. It also has side IR sensors that can detect obstacles from 7m (23 feet). Because of this improved obstacle avoidance, it can now fly up to 31Mph with obstacle avoidance on (P-mode). This is up from 22mph on the Phantom 4. Top speed is still 45mph in sport mode.

The controller on the Phantom 4 Pro

The controller looks the same from the outside (except for the attached screen). it comes in 2 configs. One has the screen attached, 5.5 inch 1920×1080 1,000 cd/m²display. This is about the size of an iPhone 7 plus and has a bright display. Its powered by android and has expandable storage by micro SD. It also has built in compass, GPS, speaker and microphone. The model I have been testing has the build in screen and I love it! No more attaching a mobile device (making sure it’s charged) and looking for cables. The fold down screen is attached firmly and can’t fall off like a phone or iPad. When you charge the controller, the screen is charged at the same time. It’s 2 items, the controller and the drone. Turn on the controller and the screen comes on and the app launches. Its quick and easy! For those of you who love your mobile devices and iPads etc, there is still a controller with BYOD (Bring your own display) option.

Another big thing with the controller is the ability to switch between 2.4 and 5.8 Ghz. This gives better signal in built up areas and also extends the range. (I’m guessing it’s using Occusync, Ill have to confirm). The max range is now rated at 4.3 miles (7km).

The Camera On the Phantom 4 Pro

The big news for Photographers/Videographers is the camera, and it is big. The camera now sports a 1″ 20mp sensor (vs 1/2.3 12.4mp on the Phantom 4). The larger sensor (I’m told Sony sensor by a DJI rep) enables much sharper photos and video than before. You also have an adjustable Aperture as well as shutter speed and ISO. This enables you to get the best exposure, while maintaining the desired shutter speed. This is useful for things like maintaining the best shutter speed for video without the need from ND filters. You can blur, or freeze time.

There are Auto, Manual Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes.

Two more really big things, the low light performance is amazing and mechanical shutter.

The ISO is now adjustable to 6400 for video and 12,800 for photographs. Don’t forget to see the video above to see this in action. I test the low light on video and photographs as well as do a side by side comparison with the Phantom 4 v Phantom 4 Pro.

Here is a panorama shot as ISO 12,800. Yes there is some noise, but it was practically dark when I shot this. I’m not sure if you have tried low light on a drone before? But it has always been almost impossible to get a usable shot.No more!

Here are a couple more in low light with a less extreme ISO setting.

Rolling Shutter vs Mechanical Shutter

The mechanical shutter is also a big deal. You will notice less distortion in shooting photographs and especially in video. When your Phantom 4 is moving horizontally and rotating (yawing) the video is much smoother and there is significantly less distortion. See the video above to get a feel for the better movement.

The usual shooting modes are supported and the burst has been increased to 14 frames at full resolution.

The lens is a 84 degrees 24mm (35mm equ) with f2.8-f11 aperture.

Video modes

Here are the supported video modes (yes, you are reading correctly, it can shoot in H.264 and H.265 at 100Mbps at 4K in both!

H.265

・C4K： 4096×2160 24/25/30p @100Mbps

・4K： 3840×2160 24/25/30p @100Mbps

・2.7K： 2720×1530 24/25/30p @65Mbps

2720×1530 48/50/60p @80Mbps

・FHD： 1920×1080 24/25/30p @50Mbps

1920×1080 48/50/60p @65Mbps

・HD： 1280×720 24/25/30p @25Mbps

1280×720 48/50/60p @35Mbps

H.264

・C4K： 4096×2160 24/25/30/48/50/60p @100Mbps

・4K： 3840×2160 24/25/30/48/50/60p @100Mbps

・2.7K： 2720×1530 24/25/30p @80Mbps

2720×1530 48/50/60p @100Mbps

・FHD： 1920×1080 24/25/30p @60Mbps

1920×1080 48/50/60/120p @80Mbps

・HD： 1280×720 24/25/30p @30Mbps

1280×720 48/50/60/120p @45Mbps

Here are some photos I shot with the Phantom 4 Pro

Some of these are retouched and some aren’t. I may as well show you the kinds of photos that I would share.

I hope you enjoyed my review. Please bookmark this page, I am going to add 2 or 3 more videos and other resources!

Buy the Phantom 4 Pro here

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