DJI Phantom
The first commercially successful recreational drone series.
The DJI Phantom is a line of quadcopter drones made by the Chinese company DJI. The first model, released in 2013, was an affordable, easy-to-use drone that stood out from competitors at the time. It is widely regarded as the first commercially successful recreational drone and a highly influential design in the industry.
The original Phantom (later called the Phantom 1) launched on January 7, 2013. It used a 2.4 GHz control link and a 2200 mAh LiPo battery, providing about 15 minutes of flight time. It had no built-in camera but could carry a GoPro HERO via an optional mount. Its GPS-enabled NAZA-M autopilot allowed it to hover and resist wind automatically. Later, DJI released the Phantom FC40, a camera-equipped version of the Phantom 1 with a fixed FC40 camera that recorded 720p video at 30 FPS. The FC40 used 5.8 GHz for control, freeing the 2.4 GHz band for FPV video. It connected to an iOS/Android app via Wi-Fi and GPS, offering near-real-time video on a mobile device, though the camera angle had to be set before flight.
The Phantom 2 Vision arrived in October 2013 as the first Phantom with a built-in camera. It had a one-axis motorized gimbal giving 60 degrees of vertical tilt, recording 1080p video at 30 or 60 FPS and 14-megapixel stills to a microSD card. It included Wi-Fi, GPS position holding, return-to-home, a Naza-M flight controller, and self-tightening propellers. Its 5200 mAh battery allowed 25 minutes of flight. The camera-less Phantom 2 followed in December 2013, with an optional two-axis Zenmuse H3-2D gimbal for a GoPro HERO3. In April 2014, the Phantom 2 Vision+ replaced the single-axis gimbal with a three-axis self-stabilizing unit, giving 90 degrees of vertical tilt for straight-down shots. A late-2014 V3.0 upgrade added more powerful motors, new ESCs, Model 9450 propellers, and an improved compass.
In April 2015, DJI released the Phantom 3 Professional and Phantom 3 Advanced. These introduced a visual positioning system for holding position without GPS, improving indoor and outdoor stability. They used a Lightbridge video transmission system for a stable connection up to 5 km (range varies by market), replacing earlier Wi-Fi. Both had a Sony Exmor 1/2.3" camera: the Professional shot 4K at 30 FPS, the Advanced 2.7K at 30 FPS; both could shoot 1080p at 60 FPS.
Quick Facts
- Aircraft Type
- Unmanned aerial vehicle
- National Origin
- China
- Manufacturer
- DJI
- Construction Date
- 2013–c. 2023
- Introduction
- January 2013
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Phantom series began with the Phantom 1, released on January 7, 2013. It used 2.4 GHz for control, was powered by a 2200 mAh LiPo battery giving about 15 minutes of flight time, and did not include a built-in camera but could be fitted with an optional mount for a GoPro HERO camera. It used a GPS-enabled NAZA-M autopilot system allowing it to hover with automatic wind resistance. A camera-equipped version, the Phantom FC40, followed, featuring an FC40 camera on a fixed mount capable of 720p video at 30 FPS and using 5.8 GHz for control.
The Phantom 2 Vision, released in October 2013, was the first model with a built-in camera, mounted on a one-dimensional gimbal and capable of 1080p video and 14-megapixel stills. Battery capacity increased to 5200 mAh for 25 minutes of flight. The Phantom 2 Vision+ replaced the single-axis gimbal with a self-stabilizing three-axis unit in April 2014. The Phantom 3 series, starting in April 2015, introduced a visual positioning system and Lightbridge video transmission, with models offering 4K or 2.7K video. The Phantom 4, released in March 2016, introduced a new outer shell, obstacle avoidance, ActiveTrack, and TapFly features, with a 5350 mAh battery for about 28 minutes of flight. Later models included the Phantom 4 Pro with a 20-megapixel 1-inch CMOS sensor and the Phantom 4 RTK for aerial mapping.
Reader's Guide
The DJI Phantom series is significant as the first commercially successful recreational drone, capturing the consumer drone market from hobbyists and professionals alike. Its accessibility introduced the modern aerial photography drone form factor to the general public. The series evolved from a basic platform without a built-in camera to models with sophisticated gimbals, obstacle avoidance, and autonomous tracking features. The Phantom 3 introduced visual positioning and Lightbridge transmission, while the Phantom 4 added obstacle avoidance and intelligent flight modes. The Phantom 4 Pro and RTK variants pushed into professional photography and surveying. The series' influence is seen in its widespread adoption and the design cues it established for consumer drones. Production of the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 was suspended in late 2018 or early 2019 due to a parts shortage, but restarted in January 2020.
Did You Know?
- The first Phantom, released in 2013, did not include a built-in camera but could mount a GoPro HERO.
- The Phantom 4 introduced obstacle avoidance using four cameras and an ultrasonic sensor.
- The Phantom 4 RTK, released in October 2018, was designed for aerial mapping and surveying.
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