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Drones

DJI introduces simpler, more wallet-friendly Phantom 3 Standard

By Ben Coxworth
August 05, 2015
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The new DJI Phantom 3 Standard, with its included controller
DJI Innovations
The new DJI Phantom 3 Standard, with its included controller
DJI Innovations
The DJI Phantom 3 Standard has a flight time of about 25 minutes per charge of its lithium-polymer battery
DJI Innovations
Like the Advanced and Professional, the DJI Phantom 3 Standard features a 3-axis gimbal-mounted video camera
DJI Innovations
With a maximum resolution of 2.7K/30fps (12MP jpeg or RAW for stills), the DJI Phantom 3 Standard's camera offers higher resolution than the Advanced's 1080p/60fps model, but is lower than the Professional's 4K/30fps shooter
DJI Innovations
Like the other two Phantom 3's, the DJI Phantom 3 Standard features 720p real-time video streaming to the user's mobile device
DJI Innovations
Upcoming software updates should additionally allow the DJI Phantom 3 Standard to autonomously follow pre-programmed flight paths, fly along above the user (Follow Me mode), and fly around a designated point of interest while continuously facing towards that point
DJI Innovations
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Earlier this year, DJI unveiled two new quadcopters – the Phantom 3 Advanced and Phantom 3 Professional. With respective price tags of US$1,259 and $999, however, they're perhaps "more drone" than the average user needs. That's why DJI has now announced the less expensive, more basic Phantom 3 Standard.

Like the Advanced and Professional, the Standard features a 3-axis gimbal-mounted video camera. With a maximum resolution of 2.7K/30fps (12MP jpeg or RAW for stills), that camera actually offers higher resolution than the Advanced's 1080p/60fps model, but is lower than the Professional's 4K/30fps shooter.

Also like the other two Phantom 3's, the Standard additionally features 720p real-time video streaming to the user's mobile device, GPS-assisted position-holding and Return-to-Home functions, and a flight time of about 25 minutes per charge of its lithium-polymer battery. Upcoming software updates should additionally allow it to autonomously follow pre-programmed flight paths, fly along above the user (Follow Me mode), and fly around a designated point of interest while continuously facing towards that point.

Like the Advanced and Professional, the DJI Phantom 3 Standard features a 3-axis gimbal-mounted video camera
DJI Innovations

So, what's been left out?

Well, while the Phantom 3 Professional and Advanced use both the GPS and GLONASS satellite systems for navigation/positioning, the Standard just uses GPS. Additionally, the Standard lacks the other two models' downward-facing visual and ultrasonic sensors, which allow them to hold their position even when indoors and out of satellite range.

Finally, the 1-km (0.5-mi) distance over which it can be controlled is shorter than the 2-km (1.2-mi) range of the other two. This is because while the Standard utilizes basic Wi-Fi, the Advanced and Professional are equipped with DJI's Lightbridge communications system.

Should you decide that the Standard is all that you really need, though, you can buy it as of today for $799 – the Phantom 2 models and the Phantom 1 are no longer being produced. You can see footage shot with the Standard in the video below and for a closer look at the top of the line model, check out our full DJI Phantom 3 Professional review.

Source: DJI Innovations



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Ben Coxworth
Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment.
3 comments
deekaybee
I'd be careful making the assumption "Upcoming software updates should additionally allow it to autonomously follow pre-programmed flight paths, fly along above the user (Follow Me mode), and fly around a designated point of interest while continuously facing towards that point." For the P3 Pro version, DJI has stated they will leave the writing of those software updates to third party developers. So now if I want those functions, I have to entrust my quad to a software developer who may or not know the complexities of the system? Not a good business practice in my opinion.
deekaybee
I stand corrected. Apparently DJI is planning on providing better software for the P2S than the P2P. There site (http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-3-standard/feature) does state that those features are coming soon. They seem to be very adept at getting more and more customers, but totally indifferent to the needs of their current customers. Since the ousting of Collin Guinn, I feel the company has discarded it's moral compass for a turbo charged riches divining rod. I love my P3P and my P1 but, they will likely be my last from this company. Products without services and support quickly loose value.
Nostromo47
Radio control hobbyists and future commercial operators have a vested interest in maintaining a good reputation of their activities. The worry is that more knuckleheads will be abusing the use of these ever more powerful new devices to ruin things for the rest of us. We see in the news commonly that some reckless narcissist has crashed his "drone" in some sensitive government facility such as the White House, injured someone in a crowd, crashed into a European cathedral or disrupted fire fighting aerial vehicles. This latest "less expensive" Phantom just adds to the concerns.
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