Latest news with #SamKieldsen
WIRED
21-03-2025
- WIRED
Review: HoverAir X1 ProMax
There's now an entire subcategory of small, pocketable camera drones built just for capturing selfies, and ZeroZero Robotics' HoverAir X1 ProMax might be the most assured, impressive model in it. It's effortlessly portable, making even the likes of the DJI Mini 4 Pro seem bulky. Weighing just 6.79 ounces with a clever folding design and all-over cage to keep the propellers out of harm's way, the X1 ProMax can be tossed into a coat pocket or backpack without fear of it getting damaged. It's the kind of thing you can casually bring along on any day trip or vacation alongside your sunglasses and water bottle, just on the off chance it comes in useful. Photograph: Sam Kieldsen Pull it out, unfold it, hit the power button, select your preferred selfie video style with the left and right buttons, place the drone on your outstretched palm facing you, tap the power button again, and it'll take off, capture your selected shot, and return to land on your palm, ready to be put away again. That whole process takes as little as 30 seconds and offers something impressively different to anyone looking to elevate their 'content.' If you happen upon a picturesque spot and want a quick video of yourself in it from an interesting angle, or want a remotely operated camera following along as you barrel down a coastal road on your bike, the X1 ProMax handles the job with a minimum of fuss. It can auto-follow a subject at a speed of up to 26 mph, and in my tests stuck to me like glue whether I was on foot or cycling. Footage and photos can be transferred quickly to a smartphone using Wi-Fi 6 and the X1 Hover app, which allows settings to be adjusted, firmware to be updated, and the drone to be flown manually via onscreen controls. Photograph: Sam Kieldsen Video Options Galore The X1 ProMax's camera is impressive, with options to record 8K video at up to 30 frames per second, 4K HDR video at up to 30 fps, 4K video at up to 60 fps, and 2.7K HDR video at up to 60 fps. Footage can also be captured in 4K or 1080p resolution at up to 120 fps for smooth 4X slow-motion playback, while still photos are 12 MP or 48 MP.
WIRED
28-01-2025
- WIRED
The DJI Flip Drone Is Small, Collapsible, and Impressively Capable
The Fly More Combo also comes with three batteries (each of which gives the Flip up to 31 minutes of flight time) rather than one, a hub able to hold four batteries at once (recharging them consecutively). and a robust shoulder bag able to accommodate itself and all of the above. I think it's well worth the extra outlay if you plan on using the Flip regularly, but those who want a simple, affordable gateway to the world of camera drones can stick with the base package, which includes the Flip, an RC-N3 controller (which attaches to your smartphone), and a single battery. Camera Quality The camera is built around a 48-MP 1/1.3-inch Quad Bayer CMOS sensor capable of recording 4K/60p video in standard modes and 4K/100p video for slow-motion playback. It's mounted on a three-axis gimbal for stability and smooth movement. It can capture still photos in JPEG and/or DNG RAW format at 12-MP or 48-MP resolution, and for video supports HDR, 10-bit D-Log M, and HLG color profiles. Photograph: Sam Kieldsen default That's virtually identical to the camera on the DJI Mini 4 Pro, with the one key difference being the Mini 4 Pro's ability to rotate the camera through 90 degrees to shoot native 4K 16:9 footage for social media and the like; the Flip can shoot 4K 9:16 footage, but only by cropping, which reduces the maximum resolution to 2.7K. The Mini 4 Pro's omnidirectional obstacle avoidance also boosts its camera functionality by supporting better, more responsive subject tracking, including for faster-moving subjects like cars and motorcycles. That's just not possible on the Flip. In terms of video and photo quality, however, it's hard to see much difference between the two models. In comparison to the much pricier DJI Air 3S, sure, the Flip's detail and dynamic range can seem lacking, but for a tiny drone in this price range I have no major complaints about its camera performance. The sample footage I've shot demonstrates its aptitude for strong dynamic range, sharp detail, and engaging, accurate colors; and compared to the DJI Neo the Flip's images are far, far better. People who already own a DJI Mini 3 Pro or Mini 4 Pro probably won't see any advantage in swapping for the Flip. However, it might be the perfect choice for beginners looking to get into drone photography and videography, but who want a bit more quality and versatility than the ultra-affordable DJI Neo offers. In short, the Flip is the best new entry-level drone on the market, and it comes highly recommended.
