Most review about the DJI Flip focus on its performances as a vlogging and tracking drone
I know many of you are interested in photography, so in this video, I will explain why I believe the Flip is an excellent affordable choice for users interested mainly in still images
The Flip produces outstanding photos in all conditions. I suggest it to users interested mostly in photography considering the difference in price compared to the Mini 4 Pro. It is a better choice for photography compared to the Mini 3 which retails at a similar price
Other related articles you may find interesting:
- Luminar Neo, my favorite photo editor
- Mini 4 Pro for photography
- Mini 4 Pro vs Mini 3 Pro photography
- Mini 3 vs Mini 3 Pro photo quality
Flip in DJI line
DJI has recently focused on models below 250 grams, which is understandable. This market segment is the best-selling due to its affordability, portability, and more relaxed regulations
- The Flip is in the middle of the line, priced close to the Mini 3
- The Neo is the most basic and affordable, with the Mini 4k just above
- At the top of the line, we find the mighty Mini 4 Pro, which is about twice the price
The links above are affiliate, so I get a small commission on purchases
DJI has also diversified the functionalities in the different models to adapt them to the needs of specific categories of users with the Neo targeting close-range vlogging with an introduction to FPV flying
The Mini 4k, and Mini 4 Pro focus on videography and photography
The Flip is the most versatile, bridging the gap between these models
Specs and Features for Photography
The DJI Flip has a 1/1.3” sensor with a field of view equivalent to 24mm and a wide aperture of f1.7. The sensor specs are identical to the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3. The true photo resolution is 12MP, but a 48MP mode is also available
| Sensor size | 1/1.3″ |
| Aperture | f 1.7 |
| Photo resolution | 12 MP (48 MP mode available) |
When I compared the Mini 4 Pro to the Mini 3, I found that photos taken with the more expensive model have more detail and richer colors, a noticeable improvement in image quality. This is due to an improved algorithm for Smart Photos including HDR imaging and scene recognition
It will be interesting to see if the Flip’s photos are as good as those taken with the flagship model
The Flip and Mini 4 Pro have a higher ISO value of 6400 for 12 MP photos, versus 3200 for the Mini 3
They also offer a shutter speed of up to 8” for simulated long exposure with 12 MP photos, which is not available with the Mini 3
The Mini 4 Pro and the Flip can take seven images in HDR mode, while the Mini 3 is limited to five
The Flip’s similar photo features to those of the Mini 4 Pro suggest that they share the same processing algorithm and should have very similar image quality. We will find out further down
Scrolling down the photo menu above the shutter we access the other photo modes:
- AEB
- Burst
- Timed Shot
Timed Shot is very handy with the Flip on two occasions:
- We can activate it, put away the controller, and pose for memorable selfies
- Due to its unusual shape, the Flip fits very well in the hands and can be used like a ground-based camera in urban situations. If we activate timed shots we automate the shooting and can put away the controller
The Panorama mode in the Flip is the same as the Mini 4 Pro with the four modes Sphere, 180 degrees, Wide Angle, and Vertical, while the Mini 3 doesn’t offer Vertical
Hyperlapse mode is also present with the same modes as in the Mini 4 Pro:
- Free
- Circle
- Course Lock
- Waypoint
This very popular feature is not available in the Mini 3
Limitations Compared to the Mini 4 Pro
The Flips has many features for autonomous flight, but I will concentrate only on landscape photography using a remote controller
Several functionalities are missing compared to the Mini 4 Pro to justify the hefty difference in price, but most of them relate to videography and are not crucial for photography
The Flip doesn’t have omnidirectional obstacle detection, an important safety feature. Only a forward infrared sensor is present to detect obstacles in front of the aircraft. When taking photos obstacle avoidance is not as important as the drone is static during the shooting. However, some care is needed when moving between different scenes
Both models have the same announced wind resistance of 10.7 m/s. However, when flying the Flip at a high altitude in medium wind conditions I noticed occasional drifting. This can cause small artifacts in footage, but it is not an issue with still images
The max horizontal speed is noticeably slower with the Flip. This is a limitation when tracking fast-moving targets, but when taking photos is not limiting, as we can use sport mode when moving between scenes
The flight time is about 10% shorter with the Flip. This is a bit annoying when shooting hyperlapses, as we end up with a shorter movie
The other major feature missing from the Mini 4 Pro is Waypoint mode which is only used for filming
On a plus note, it is easier to spot the Flip in flight, due to the bulky propeller guards
Image quality
Let’s start with some images in easy-light conditions. As you can see there is plenty of detail, excellent contrast, and vibrant colors. The Flip performs much better than the Mini 3, especially for detail. We are very close to the quality of the Mini 4 Pro
By turning the camera down for a bird’s eye view we take the sky out of the equation to focus on detail and color rendition. The performance of the Flip is sensational with excellent detail in the vegetation and architectural features
Images taken in the sun’s direction are the most challenging ones. The results are again remarkable. The Flip maintains plenty of information in the shadows without noise while preserving the highlights
In low light conditions, the lens’s wide aperture yields magic results. It is hard to believe that these images were taken at night but believe me, it was very dark. The sensor can gather so much light that I used the lowest ISO value, 100
Speaking of ISO, I have done some tests at ISO 1600. Even at this very high value, the results are more than acceptable. There is still good detail and decent colors, with just a hint of noise in the sky, which is hardly noticeable
Getting rid of noise is easy using Luminar Neo, my favorite photo editing program
Until a couple of years ago I would only take photos in RAW format, but in the last generation of DJI prosumer drones, the quality of JPEG images has improved considerably
With the Flip, the quality obtained with the two formats is very similar. The RAW files respond slightly better to editing, but JPEG files are an excellent alternative when post-processing is not an option
The 48MP photo mode was introduced a few years ago with the Air 2. This technique has constantly improved over the years. As you can see from these examples, photos taken in 48 M are even better than the RAW ones in all conditions
The only downside is that the files are much bigger and more demanding in terms of computer resources