Comparison
DJI Neo vs DJI Avata
Neo spec · Avata spec · Upgrade from Neo · Upgrade from Avata · All compares
Would you notice?
Neo vs Avata: You would notice weight mostly as paperwork, bag mass and how close you may fly to people. You would not really notice sensor. UK paperwork is part of the difference: Neo is C0 / sub-250 g (Flyer ID + Operator ID); Avata is C1 (Flyer ID + Operator ID).
Set I fly on the home bench to see net upgrade cost from your airframe (CeX cash vs used / RRP). It stays in this browser.
| Spec |  C0 · 135 g |  C1 · 410 g |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Released | 5 Sept 2024 | 11 Aug 2022 |
| App | DJI Fly | DJI Fly / Goggles 2 |
| Weight & UK law | ||
| Takeoff weight | 135 g Ahead | 410 g |
| UK class / IDs | C0 · sub-250 g · Operator ID + Flyer ID Ahead | C1 · Operator ID + Flyer ID |
| Open subcategory | A1 Over People Ahead | A1 Over People (C1 until 31 Dec 2027) |
| From uninvolved people | May overfly uninvolved people; not crowds. Flyer ID + Operator ID from 100 g with a camera. Towns OK in A1. Ahead | May overfly uninvolved people; not crowds. Flyer ID + Operator ID. Remote ID on from 1 Jan 2026 (C1 as UK1). Towns OK in A1. |
| Height (Open) | 120 m AGL Same | 120 m AGL Same |
| Folded size | 130 × 157 × 49 mm (guards on) | 180 × 180 × 80 mm (with guards) |
| Camera | ||
| Main sensor | 1/2-inch CMOS · 12 MP · 14 mm | 1/1.7-inch CMOS · 48 MP · 12.7 mm Ahead |
| Aperture | f/2.8 Same | f/2.8 Same |
| Field of view | 117.6° | 155° Ahead |
| ISO (photo / video) | 100–6400 / 100–6400 | 100–6400 / 100–25600 |
| Colour / log | Rec. 709 / normal | D-Cinelike |
| Other cameras | Single camera Same | FPV super-wide (no tele) Same |
| Max video | 4K/30 | 4K/60 Ahead |
| Gimbal / vertical | 60° tilt | 185° tilt Ahead |
| Flight | ||
| Lab flight time | 18 min Same | 18 min Same |
| Hover time | 18 min Same | 18 min Same |
| Wind resistance | Level 4 · 8 m/s | Level 5 · 10.7 m/s Ahead |
| Max speed | 57 km/h Sport | 68 km/h EU · 97 km/h FCC Ahead |
| Climb / descent | 3 / 2 m/s | 6 / 6 m/s Ahead |
| Max takeoff altitude | 2000 m | 5000 m Ahead |
| Sensing | ||
| Obstacle sensing | Downward Same | Downward Same |
| Transmission | ||
| Video range (CE) | 6 km CE · O2 / Wi-Fi / phone (10 km FCC) Same | 8 km CE · O3 (10 km FCC) Same |
| Power & storage | ||
| Battery | 10.5 Wh | 35.7 Wh Ahead |
| Internal storage | 22 GB Same | 20 GB Same |
| microSD | None — internal only | microSD up to 256 GB |
| GNSS | GPS + Galileo + BeiDou Same | GPS + Galileo + BeiDou Same |
| Operating temperature | −10 to 40 °C Same | −10 to 40 °C Same |
The i beside a spec is the explainer — hover or tap.
Questions
Do I need to register the Avata in the UK?
Avata is C1, takeoff about 410 g (With guards. FPV class.). In the UK a Flyer ID is required from 100 g, and an Operator ID is required from 100 g with a camera or from 250 g — this airframe needs both. This is not legal advice; read the CAA Drone Code for the airframe and battery you actually fly. Longer version: the UK Open explainer on this site (/guides/uk).
Do I need to register the Neo in the UK?
Neo is C0, takeoff about 135 g (Palm-sized, propeller guards on.). In the UK a Flyer ID is required from 100 g, and an Operator ID is required from 100 g with a camera or from 250 g — this airframe needs both. This is not legal advice; read the CAA Drone Code for the airframe and battery you actually fly. Longer version: the UK Open explainer on this site (/guides/uk).
How far from people can I fly the Avata in the UK?
Avata (C1): A1 Over People (C1 until 31 Dec 2027). May overfly uninvolved people; not crowds. Flyer ID + Operator ID. Remote ID on from 1 Jan 2026 (C1 as UK1). Towns OK in A1. Open height is 120 m AGL. Never over crowds. This is not legal advice — the CAA Drone Code (March 2026) applies to the airframe and battery you actually fly. Longer version: the UK Open explainer on this site (/guides/uk).
How far from people can I fly the Neo in the UK?
Neo (C0): A1 Over People. May overfly uninvolved people; not crowds. Flyer ID + Operator ID from 100 g with a camera. Towns OK in A1. Open height is 120 m AGL. Never over crowds. This is not legal advice — the CAA Drone Code (March 2026) applies to the airframe and battery you actually fly. Longer version: the UK Open explainer on this site (/guides/uk).
Which is better in wind?
Avata carries more mass into DJI’s published wind figure (Neo 8 m/s, Avata 10.7 m/s). On a UK headland that is often the whole decision. Lab Level numbers that match can still feel different because weight is not in the level name.
Which is better for travel?
Neo if the constraint is a bag and UK class (C0, 135 g). Avata if you will accept C1 and 410 g for the bigger airframe.
Can I keep my Neo batteries, controller or ND filters?
These do not share a battery family. Plan to buy packs, and check ND thread and RC protocol — Mini 4 Pro filters and batteries do not sit on a Mini 5 Pro.
How much more does it cost?
DJI UK RRP (as of 2026-08-31): Neo £179, Avata —. Used and CeX sit on the price board below — some of these are discontinued as new.
Who should buy which?
Neo: First flights, palm takeoff, small sensor. Avata: Goggle flying, not a travel stills drone.
Price board
UK pounds, dated snapshots. Each cell names the box that figure is for. EAN is the barcode on that carton when a UK listing cited one; otherwise we leave it blank rather than guess. Not live APIs. Buying used checklist.
| Neo as of 2026-08-31 | Avata as of 2026-08-31 | |
|---|---|---|
| DJI Store UK RRP | £179 Neo (drone only) | — Discontinued — original Avata (not Avata 2, not Avata 360) |
| Amazon UK | £119 Neo (drone only) | See Amazon Explorer Combo listings exist; no new buy-box GBP (not Avata 2) |
| eBay UK band | £90–£200 Used drone-only working kits; Fly More is the top of the band | £250–£450 Used Avata Fly Smart / Explorer kits (not Avata 2 / 360) |
| CeX sell | — Neo A, SKU SROBDJINEONRA (unpriced today) | £450 Avata Pro-View Combo (A) — product id 6941565939739A EAN 6941565939739 |
| CeX cash / voucher | See CeX Neo A, SKU SROBDJINEONRA (unpriced today) | £198 / £283 Avata Pro-View Combo (A) — product id 6941565939739A EAN 6941565939739 |
Reviews that put these together
- Best DJI drone (2026): Mini 5 Pro to Mavic 4 Pro
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DroneXL · 2026-03-01 - DJI Avata review — is this the FPV drone for all?
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Digital Camera World · 2022-11-01 - DJI Avata: which combo is best?
Pro-View (Goggles 2) vs Fly Smart (FPV Goggles V2) vs drone-only
Heliguy · 2022-08-25 - DJI Avata vs. DJI FPV—Which One Is Right for You?
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UAV Coach · 2022-08-31
Adjacent comparisons
Same-line alternatives for each side. The rest of the grid is on the drone pages and the compare hub.