DJI Phantom 4 Pro: A Comprehensive Review

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Posted Oct 19, 2024

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Free stock photo of aerial photography, detail, dji
Credit: pexels.com, Free stock photo of aerial photography, detail, dji

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro is a high-end drone that's packed with impressive features. It has a 1-inch 20-megapixel sensor that captures stunning photos and videos.

Its camera system is incredibly versatile, with a range of shooting modes and a mechanical shutter that reduces rolling shutter effects. This results in smoother footage and more accurate exposure.

One of the standout features of the Phantom 4 Pro is its obstacle avoidance system, which uses a combination of ultrasonic sensors and cameras to detect and avoid obstacles in real-time. This makes flying the drone a breeze, even in complex environments.

With a top speed of 45mph, the Phantom 4 Pro is also incredibly agile and responsive, making it a joy to fly.

Camera and Gimbal

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro has an incredible gimbal camera that features a 1-inch 20MP CMOS sensor and a mechanical shutter, eliminating rolling shutter distortion.

This advanced camera system is capable of recording video at up to 4K at 60fps and Full HD, or 1080P at up to 120fps, making it perfect for slow motion shots.

Credit: youtube.com, DJI Tutorials - Phantom 4 - How to Change the Gimbal Behavior

The camera's optimized f/2.8 wide-angle lens ensures consistently detailed photos and videos that remain vivid and sharp while maintaining color accuracy.

A mechanical shutter is a nice feature, as it eliminates the rolling shutter distortion that can occur when using an electronic shutter to take pictures of fast moving subjects or when flying at high speeds.

The camera also has a memory card slot where you can insert a micro SD card, and the Phantom 4 Pro Obsidian comes with a 16GB card, so you'll want to consider getting a larger card if you plan on using multiple batteries.

Take a look at this: Dash Cam Pro Camera

Gimbal Camera

The Gimbal Camera is a crucial component of the DJI Phantom 4 Pro, featuring a 1-inch 20MP CMOS sensor and a mechanical shutter that eliminates rolling shutter distortion.

This advanced sensor and processing power capture every detail and provide the image data needed for advanced post-production. The camera's optimized f/2.8 wide-angle lens ensures consistently detailed photos and videos that remain vivid and sharp while maintaining color accuracy.

Credit: youtube.com, Introducing the Feiyu Pocket 3 - The World's First Wireless Gimbal Camera

The Phantom 4 Pro camera can record video at up to 4K at 60fps and Full HD, or 1080P at up to 120fps, which is perfect for slow motion shots. This allows for flexibility in post-production, enabling you to re-frame and crop the video to get the exact shot you want.

A mechanical shutter is a nice feature, as it eliminates rolling shutter distortion that can occur when capturing fast-moving subjects or when flying at high speeds. This is especially important for aerial photographers who need to capture sharp images of fast-moving subjects.

The camera also features a mechanical shutter that can shoot 14 fps at 20 MP in Burst mode, allowing you to catch the perfect moment.

About the Aircraft

The Phantom 4 Pro aircraft is a highly advanced drone that features a sleek and durable design. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1.67 kg and a maximum speed of 45 mph.

Credit: youtube.com, ATOMRC High-Resolution 3D Print Wide Angle Range Gimbal for FPV Airplane Fixed Wing

The aircraft is equipped with a 24 GB internal storage, which allows for extended flight times and more storage for your footage. This is especially useful when flying in areas with limited access to power or storage.

The Phantom 4 Pro has a robust camera system with a 1-inch CMOS sensor, capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos. This camera system is also equipped with a mechanical shutter, which helps to reduce rolling shutter effects and provides a more natural look to your footage.

The aircraft's gimbal system provides smooth and stable footage, even in windy conditions. This is due to its 3-axis mechanical design, which allows for precise control over the camera's movements.

The Phantom 4 Pro also features a range of advanced sensors, including a GPS, GLONASS, and vision positioning system. These sensors work together to provide accurate positioning and navigation, even in areas with limited satellite coverage.

Visionary Intelligence

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro is a game-changer for filmmakers, allowing them to capture stunning 4K/60fps videos and 20MP photos with its 1-inch CMOS sensor.

Credit: youtube.com, Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 - Super Product DJI Visionary Intelligence Elevated Imagination

This advanced sensor gives you absolute creative freedom to capture your vision. The OcuSync 2.0 HD transmission system ensures stable connectivity and reliability, making it a reliable tool for professional creators.

Five directions of obstacle sensing provide an additional layer of safety, giving you peace of mind while flying. A dedicated remote controller with a built-in screen grants even greater precision and control over your shots.

The Phantom 4 Pro is equipped with a wide array of intelligent features that make flying easier. These features include ActiveTrack, which can recognize and automatically follow people and objects like cars and boats.

ActiveTrack is incredibly useful for capturing smooth, professional-looking footage. The RTH feature automatically calculates an optimal route according to the environment and bypasses obstacles along the way.

Draw Mode allows you to draw a flight path in real time on the camera screen, and the aircraft will compute a corresponding route. This makes aerial photography a more streamlined experience.

The improved Return to Home feature records and tracks the flight path, so it can return to home while avoiding obstacles if the transmitter ever loses connection with the drone or if you lose sight of it.

Safety and Sensors

Credit: youtube.com, DJI Tutorials - Phantom 4 Pro - Gesture Mode

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro has a comprehensive flight safety system thanks to its advanced aerial intelligence and flight automation platform, known as FlightAutonomy.

FlightAutonomy provides a real-time view of the environment and a 3D map, giving you crucial data to make informed decisions. It also features redundant IMUs and compasses that monitor critical data and rule out possible errors, enhancing the reliability of flight.

Obstacle sensing in five directions significantly improves safety and the overall flight experience. However, it's essential to remember that these sensors are not foolproof and shouldn't be relied upon blindly.

Comprehensive Safety

FlightAutonomy is an advanced aerial intelligence and flight automation platform that provides filmmakers with the confidence to capture more complex images. It gives a real-time view of its environment and a 3D map, providing crucial data.

Redundant IMUs and compasses monitor critical data and rule out possible errors, dramatically enhancing the reliability of flight. This means that even if one sensor fails, the drone can still rely on the other to prevent accidents.

A quadcopter drone in flight against a cloudy sky, showcasing modern technology.
Credit: pexels.com, A quadcopter drone in flight against a cloudy sky, showcasing modern technology.

Obstacle sensing in five directions improves safety and overall flight experience. This feature is particularly useful when flying through tight spaces.

The Phantom 4 Pro has infrared sensors on the left and right sides, but they don't work in every flight mode. This means that even with these sensors, you can still crash if you're not careful.

It's always best to think of safety features like insurance, rather than something to blindly rely on. You should always take steps to prevent accidents from happening in the first place.

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro has a feature called Narrow Sensing, which allows you to manually adjust the sensing range of the aircraft to fly more flexible flight paths through small or narrow gaps. This feature is exclusive to the Phantom 4 Pro.

Before taking to the sky, it's essential to perform a few important safety checks. This will help ensure a safe and successful flight.

Flight Calibration

Credit: youtube.com, Flight Calibration Navigational aids with pinpoint accuracy

Flight calibration is an essential step in ensuring your drone's safety and performance. You may be prompted to complete a Compass or Vision System calibration for your drone, and it's crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

DJI's Phantom 4 Pro requires calibration, which can be done by watching a video tutorial provided by DJI. This will guide you through the simple steps of the calibration process.

Calibration is necessary to help your drone's sensors work accurately, which is vital for safe flight. A compass calibration, for instance, helps your drone determine its orientation and position in space.

Watching a video tutorial, such as DJI's tutorial on Phantom 4 Pro calibration, can help you understand the basics of flight maneuvers. This can also help you become more familiar with your drone's systems and how to use them effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the DJI Phantom 4 Pro discontinued?

Yes, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro is discontinued, as DJI ended support for it on July 1, following the end of support for other Phantom models.

How old is Phantom 4 Pro?

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro was released in November 2016, making it around 7 years old. This advanced drone model was a significant upgrade to the Phantom series, featuring improved obstacle avoidance and camera capabilities.

What is the difference between Phantom 4 and Phantom 4 Pro V2?

The main difference between the Phantom 4 and Phantom 4 Pro V2 is the upgraded transmission system, with the Pro V2 using OcuSync HD for high-resolution and low-latency video transmission. This upgrade also enables wireless connectivity with DJI Goggles RE and automatic dual-frequency band switching.

How fast can the DJI Phantom 4 Pro fly?

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro can fly up to 45mph (72kph) in Sport Mode. Its speed can be adjusted depending on the flight mode selected.

Do you need a license to fly a DJI Phantom?

To fly a DJI Phantom under the FAA's Small UAS Rule, you need to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate. This certificate ensures you understand the regulations and procedures for safe drone operation.

Samuel Forte

Senior Writer

Samuel Forte is a seasoned writer with a passion for sharing his experiences and knowledge. He has been writing for over 20 years and has covered various topics ranging from technology to personal development. Samuel's work has been featured in several publications, including Forbes and The Huffington Post.

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