Summary
The DJI Spark mini-drone is the best model for everyone undecided about spending cash on a professional DJI droning experience.
Pros
- Because it is compact, the DJI Spark drone is quite simple to carry with you anywhere you go.
- This drone enables you to take up to 12 MP still images and shoot 1080p video.
- You can fly DJI Spark quadcopter with no experience. In reality, it is probably the least difficult DJI aircraft you could fly.
- With its intelligent flight modes, anyone can produce shots that were once hard except if you trained a lot.
- Controls and menus are precise and intuitive, and via the application, you could change settings quickly.
Cons
- Its pictures are not perfect right off the camera, yet you can correct any problems with editing tools.
- Flight time may not be what you need – but in 16 minutes, you get considerably more battery life than all other Spark’s direct competitors.
- It is even steady in occasional gusts of wind but struggles once wind speeds hit 20 mi/h or more.
Introduction
Are you looking for a quadcopter? Then the Dji Spark ought to be in the number one spot on your checklist.
It is the ideal starter quadcopter because of being user-friendly, compact enough to bring anywhere and loaded with enough capabilities to rival larger drones.
In this in-depth DJI Spark review, we will explain the quad in more depth and show you why it got so many positive reviews.
You can use this information to educate yourself on the item and help in your final decision.
Specifications
- Model: Spark
- Manufacturer: DJI
- Product type: RTF
- Weight: 0.66 lbs (300 g)
- Dimensions: 143×143×55 mm
- Diagonal Size (Without Propellers): 170 mm
- Camera: 12 MP
- Gimbal: 2-axis gimbal
- Range: Maximum 1.2 miles from remote controller / 100-yard from a mobile phone
- Methods for Controlling: Using the DJI GO 4 app, with a remote, or via advanced gesture commands
- Top speed: 31 mph
- Flight time: 16 minutes
- Operating temperature distance: 32° to 104° F (0° to 40° C)
- Charging time: 80 minutes
- Foldable: yes
- FPV: yes
- Indoor or outdoor: Both
- Price range: $
Spark Design & Durability
The first stuff you see about Spark drone is its overall design. It is smaller compared to the other copters you find on the sale and it’s about the soda can size, maybe a little larger or smaller based on the drink brand.
The front side dominated with a powerful 3D infrared system, a section of the DJI Spark’s 3D Sensor System that checks for obstacles 1 to 16 feet away as well as scans your face the moment launching Spark out of your palm. The Spark’s 4 arms have low noise detachable props on top, 2 rear position indicators, and front LEDs.
On the rear of the UAV, you will find circular infrared units, which combined with the video camera create the Vision Module that assists keep your Spark stable.
These parts get covered from the surface by four small rubber feet behind the camera and on the battery.
Did You Know? Because of the need for multi-rotors dedicated to small hands, DJI incorporated latest products which got designed with all groups of age in mind. For example, DJI’s new Mavic Air, Spark drone, and Mavic Pro are the fun and easy models that any person can enjoy.
DJI Spark Setup
Most quadcopters are big thus require some work to set up. The DJI Spark mini quadcopter drone is the complete opposite.
It is micro enough to sit in your palm and involves none additional installation once you have attached the props. It is pretty much Ready-To-Fly right from the box.
Setting up your Spark takes under 60 seconds. You can turn on the Spark by double pushing the switch on the battery pack, holding in the second push. Lights will beam, music will run, and lots of air should blow through the Spark. All this is usual.
Next, you must pair it using a remote controller or smartphone with Wi-Fi.
The DJI’s GO 4 app presents a tutorial for every pairing, but after you follow the steps one or two times, you will not need instruction.
Pro Tip: But first, ahead of take-off, allow the drone a minute or so to have its GPS set, so you assured not to fly-away it in your first attempt. A voice tells you the battery life, GPS, and position updates.
DJI Spark Camera
The best thing about hovering the Spark (plus the primary purpose to buy it) is capturing quality footage and aerial photography.
With the correct settings, the DJI Spark’s 12 MP camera takes photos that rival a few of the top camera drones you will find.
They are well exposed, detailed, sharp, with natural-looking colors. They are also a bit low in contrast, but excellent overall.
The Spark’s cam settings consist of manual controls to change the speed of shutter, white balance, ISO, and exposure.
While you can use manual controls when you want them, the auto setting of the camera does just okay in the proper lighting.
Also, the Spark captures impressive video clips without many efforts.
Its videos (30FPS HD, 1080P) are buttery soft thanks to its 2-axis gimbal which balances the camera within the flight.
Videos look well exposed and sharp with natural shades.
They are suitable to live stream that you may also perform using the Spark through Facebook, YouTube, and other networks.
Also, there are different shooting methods.
It includes Automatic Exposure Bracketing (snaps three pics at different levels to generate HDR photos), panoramas (Pano), Interval Shots, Burst Shots, and Shallow Focus, which adds a blurry background to images which you can revise to your taste.
The camera is not efficient in dynamic distance and battles in moments with plenty of contrasting elements like sunsets.
Nevertheless, we were amazed by just how much details it captures which can get brought out along with a slight touch up.
DJI Spark Battery & Flight Time
It is advertised to deliver roughly 16 minutes of trip time in no wind circumstances.
We averaged 11 to 13 minutes of flight before hitting 30 percent battery life. If the battery becomes too low, Spark will look to return home.
You may cancel its action at your risk.
The Spark’s flight battery takes around 80 minutes to charge fully with the supplied charger.
Also, you can beef up the drone battery with a computer or car charger, but it will take much longer to finish.
Pro Tip: We highly suggest you get more batteries (at least a backup) or the DJI Spark Fly More Combo kit. It includes a couple of extra batteries, extra propellers, propeller guards, a charging station which charges all three batteries simultaneously, a remote controller, and a shoulder bag.
Spark Controller
The DJI GO 4 software is the brainchild of the DJI Spark portable mini-drone.
It permits you to jump straight into the quadrotor’s camera viewpoint, review and modify videos and photos, or upload those to SkyPixel, DJI Instagram version for its flying machines.
You also can access support stations, review flight logs, and more.
The remote unlock the whole potential of your Spark. Using the controller you can soar as far as 1.2 miles and as higher as 1640 ft.
Remember the permissible height for flying any drone such as this in the United States is 400 ft.
The transmitter features dual holding clips to your smartphone, dedicated photo and video controls and also a programmable key.
Pairing with any smartphone is fine if it is your very first time controlling a drone. You will fly with virtual controls (pretty much like a simulator), but the altitude and distance limited to 164 feet and 328 feet, respectively.
Flight rate gets also decreased to 9 mi/h, and seven mi/h if obstacle avoidance activated.
Pro Tip: Underneath the battery, you will find Wi-Fi connection details to pair together with a remote controller or smartphone.
Flight Range and Performance
There is very much to be aware of when piloting the Spark, yet the learning process is not steep.
You are in for a remarkably snappy and smooth flight with this unmanned aerial vehicle.
It rotates, hovers, and moves with surprising accuracy, especially if you are using a controller.
If it is your first turn, cruise down and have a sense of the handles.
You will grow in confidence with the handles immediately, and it should glide very smoothly in any way you wish it.
You could move around tight spaces outdoors and in, zip through narrow passageways and tunnels, and even dash through your office hallways (Now don’t blame us if your boss finds out this. It’s all about the skill).
If you want to get more blast flying, you shall switch the mode to “sport,” so that it is almost as a small racing drone with a higher X factor.
At such sorts of speed, you need fast hands, a response and connection time that makes up, and quick reflexes.
Dji Spark Flight Modes
Those who are accustomed to DJI quadcopters recognize their unique flight modes. The Dji Spark mini-drone includes a few we are aware and some fresh ones.
They comprise ActiveTrack, QuickShots, Tripod, TapFly, and the Gestural Mode.
Active Track
ActiveTrack tracks dynamic subjects.
It tries to identify cars, animals, bikes, and people automatically. If it does not, you can pull a box over what you would like to track.
You can trail somebody at a constant distance behind them or in front with Trace or through the side with Profile.
But, obstacle avoidance gets disabled in standard Profile mode.
It is a neat feature that is excellent for filming action footage; almost everything from a dog playing in your park to sports events.
QuickShots
In this setting, you lock the UAS onto a target, and then inform it to execute any of 4 pre-programmed flight sequences, or Quickshots while shooting. There are four kinds of QuickShots: Circle, Dronie, Helix, and Rocket.
Circle and Helix: Circle instructs the Spark drone to round you once. Helix mode does the exact when flying up.
Dronie: Dronie is a short video that starts up close then slowly reveals extra as the device flies away and up.
Rocket: Rocket prompts the rig to fly away with the video camera locked on a chosen subject or you.
Tripod
Tripod mode restricts the speed of flight to 2.2 mi/h and minimizes responsiveness of controller for smoother maneuvers. This function is best for flying close to the floor or gradually over a water stream.
TapFly
TapFly enables you to tap & fly to the specific mark on the map in Coordinate Mode or continue hovering in the path you touch within the display in Direction Mode.
Along the journey, you can control the gimbal and camera, so as it flies towards its spot, you can swivel around and capture shots.
Gesture Control
It means you can handle your drone while it is up with the motion of your fingers or hands.
Moving your palm down or up changes the quad’s altitude and shifting side-to-side changes the alignment.
It tracks you when going backward or forward and quickly falling your hand holds PalmControl.
Of course there are more features and modes-too much to list in fact.
However, if you are like us, above mentioned are the modes you will spend the majority of time with at least in early stages.
DJI Spark Features
If anything does not go right, the one key return feature automatically directs the Spark quadcopter to the designated home point or launch point.
When the Spark feels a barrier, it decelerates and beeps noisily at increasing levels as it comes closer.
If it is too nearer, it stops heading in the obstacle direction.
You can signal at the UAV, and it should move 10 feet from you.
Form a frame using your fingers so it will take selfies for you. Pausing your arm in a “Y” position beckons the gadget.
To land, place your fingers under it and it gently descends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dji Spark need to be registered?
Yes. Before piloting the Spark mini-drone, you must register it accordingly with the FAA then activate it via the DJI Go 4 app.
Is Spark foldable?
Yes. If the room is a problem, you can quickly collapse the props to make sure safe storage or transport.
Is DJI Spark waterproof?
No. Spark copter isn’t waterproof, and this we advise that you prevent flying it if it is foggy, raining, snowing, or there is wet climate nearby.
Suppose Spark does crash-land there it may get damaged thus it is better to avoid those situations altogether.
Is DJI Spark worth buying?
Is the Spark model worth the additional cash? First, that is a debate which will never end. People always will have their go-to brands.
Much like some users prefer iPhones when others favor Android.
While it is true that DJI Spark is not the first mini-drone with a camera to enter the market, it is also true never was a quadcopter this little been capable of doing these many and perform it that well.
Conclusion
This DJI Spark drone evaluation must have given you some useful facts about this portable drone.
Overall, we would say it is an exciting product.
The Spark by DJI is way beyond its “selfie quadcopter” nickname.
It provides you with reliable performance plus a feature-packed flying adventure in a little package.
What will you say? Are you going to order the Spark? Or have you preferred any other RC aircraft? Let My Dear Drone team inform in the comment box below or at our social channels (Hint: see the footer for links).
Finally, if you wish to share our DJI Spark review with your family members or friends, you shall go ahead and do this.
Fantastic review and an even more amazing drone! Thank you for sharing and keep up the excellent work.
Hello Daniel, thanks for dropping by to have your say about this Spark drone. In fact, it was named in the top 25 inventions by TIME magazine. So, it is no surprise that Spark has fans like you.