Comparison
DJI Neo vs DJI Avata 2
Neo spec · Avata 2 spec · Upgrade from Neo · Upgrade from Avata 2 · All compares
Would you notice?
Neo vs Avata 2: You would notice weight mostly as paperwork, bag mass and how close you may fly to people. You would not really notice flight time, internal storage. UK paperwork is part of the difference: Neo is C0 / sub-250 g (Flyer ID + Operator ID); Avata 2 is C1 (Flyer ID + Operator ID).
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| Spec |  C0 · 135 g |  C1 · 377 g |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | ||
| Released | 5 Sept 2024 Same | 11 Apr 2024 Same |
| App | DJI Fly | DJI Fly / Goggles 3 |
| Weight & UK law | ||
| Takeoff weight | 135 g Ahead | 377 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) | 185 × 212 × 64 mm (with guards) |
| Camera | ||
| Main sensor | 1/2-inch CMOS · 12 MP · 14 mm | 1/1.3-inch CMOS · 12 MP · 12 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 | 100–25600 / 100–25600 |
| Colour / log | Rec. 709 / normal | D-Log M |
| Other cameras | Single camera Same | FPV super-wide (no tele) Same |
| Max video | 4K/30 | 4K/60, 4K/100 Ahead |
| Gimbal / vertical | 60° tilt | 165° tilt Ahead |
| Flight | ||
| Lab flight time | 18 min | 23 min Ahead |
| Hover time | 18 min | 21 min Ahead |
| 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 | 9 / 9 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 | 10 km CE · O4 (13 km FCC) Same |
| Power & storage | ||
| Battery | 10.5 Wh | 31.7 Wh Ahead |
| Internal storage | 22 GB | 46 GB Ahead |
| microSD | None — internal only | microSD UHS-I Speed Grade 3, up to 512 GB |
| GNSS | GPS + Galileo + BeiDou Same | GPS + Galileo + BeiDou Same |
| Operating temperature | −10 to 40 °C Same | −10 to 40 °C Same |
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Questions
Will I notice the camera?
Neo main: 1/2-inch CMOS · 12 MP · 14 mm, 4K/30. Avata 2 main: 1/1.3-inch CMOS · 12 MP · 12 mm, 4K/60, 4K/100. You would notice sensor class in low light; you would not notice the word 4K if both already do it.
Do I need to register the Avata 2 in the UK?
Avata 2 is C1, takeoff about 377 g (With built-in propeller guards.). 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 2 in the UK?
Avata 2 (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 2 carries more mass into DJI’s published wind figure (Neo 8 m/s, Avata 2 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 at dusk?
Avata 2 on paper. Neo is 1/2-inch CMOS with Downward; Avata 2 is 1/1.3-inch CMOS with Downward. Nightscape still needs texture and a minimum lux — it is not night vision.
Which is better for travel?
Neo if the constraint is a bag and UK class (C0, 135 g). Avata 2 if you will accept C1 and 377 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 2 £539 — £360 more for the Avata 2. Street, eBay bands and CeX trade-in are on the board; they move.
Who should buy which?
Neo: First flights, palm takeoff, small sensor. Avata 2: 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 2 as of 2026-08-31 | |
|---|---|---|
| DJI Store UK RRP | £179 Neo (drone only) | £539 Avata 2 Fly More Combo (1 battery) — not original Avata, not 360 |
| Amazon UK | £119 Neo (drone only) | £685 Avata 2 Fly Smart Combo, 3 batteries (dp B0FS18CVHG) |
| eBay UK band | £90–£200 Used drone-only working kits; Fly More is the top of the band | £450–£800 Used Avata 2 Fly More / Fly Smart (not original Avata, not 360) |
| CeX sell | — Neo A, SKU SROBDJINEONRA (unpriced today) | £580 Avata 2 Fly More Combo (A) — product id 6941565980083A EAN 6941565980083 |
| CeX cash / voucher | See CeX Neo A, SKU SROBDJINEONRA (unpriced today) | £255 / £365 Avata 2 Fly More Combo (A) — product id 6941565980083A EAN 6941565980083 |
Reviews that put these together
- Best DJI drone (2026): Mini 5 Pro to Mavic 4 Pro
Sub-250 argument, Mini 5 Pro 1-inch sensor, Air 3S telephoto vs Mini 5 Pro
DroneXL · 2026-03-01
Adjacent comparisons
Same-line alternatives for each side. The rest of the grid is on the drone pages and the compare hub.