The DJI Phantom 4 Will Get New Camera Features

March 23, 2016 11:16 AM EDT

Drone maker DJI’s latest release, the Phantom 4, makes it easier than ever to capture beautiful aerial photos and videos. But the Chinese firm is working on ways to make the process simpler still.

The company is currently building a set of automatic camera maneuvers that could allow Phantom 4 owners to nail complex shots by just pushing a button.

“A lot of people, what they’ll do is they’ll fly around and their first shots aren’t that great because they’re getting used to it,” says Pan.

The feature would allow Phantom 4 owners to choose from a selection of camera maneuvers that the drone would be able to execute on its own. DJI is experimenting with preset commands that would, for example, tell the drone to fly up to a certain height as it keeps the subject centered. Then, the camera would tilt up to reveal its location.

Another idea involves automatically completing a 360-degree rotation from a certain height. A different move would tell the drone to aim down at the ground as it flies forward before tilting the camera up when it reaches a certain distance. These types of capabilities are possible thanks to the drone’s visual tracking sensors.

“[It’s] almost like applying a filter to a photo, but instead you’re creating a video with a preset move,” said Pan.

The addition wouldn’t just be aimed at novices; it’s also meant to help filmmakers and photographers capture steady footage.

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An overhead view of a pool in China. — An overhead view of the Mengzhuiwan pool in Chengdu, Sichuan province in China.Zhang Zhi. Courtesy of SkyPixel.

A long exposure photo of downtown Vancouver.Mark Calayag. Courtesy of SkyPixel.

A circulation of sheep in Kazakhstan.Dmitry Balakirev. Courtesy of SkyPixel.

An overhead view of Sakrisøya, Norway.Daniel Haussmann. Courtesy of SkyPixel.

Volcanic stones and autumn forest in Germany. Eberhard Ehmke. Courtesy of SkyPixel.

Barona Speedway in Lakeside, Calif.Colin Smith. Courtesy of SkyPixel.

Farming in Germany.Eberhard Ehmke. Courtesy of SkyPixel.

Shipping containers at a port in Germany.Claudius Paul. Courtesy of SkyPixel.

The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field Fare Thee Well Tour Aerial Photo — The Grateful Dead at Soldier Field during Fare Thee Well tour on July 5, 2015.David G. Oppenheimer—Performance Impressions. Courtesy of SkyPixel.

Algae and geo-thermal landscape at the Volcanic Valley near Rororua, New Zealand.Grant Sheehan. Courtesy of SkyPixel.

In this alternative approach, Piotr attacked lights to a drone during a long exposure photograph. — In this alternative approach titled "Xmas Tree", Piotr attacked lights to a drone during a long exposure photograph.Piotr Parzybok. Courtesy of SkyPixel.

A maple tree during autumn in Illinois.Stacy Garlington. Courtesy of SkyPixel.

Fog rolling through Hamilton, Ontario.Chirs Ross. Courtesy of SkyPixel.

Motobike jam in Phanthiet Muine, Vietnam.Courtesy of SkyPixel.

Woods during autumn in Germany.Eberhard Ehmke. Courtesy of SkyPixel.

Since this is a feature DJI is currently developing, these details are subject to change before launch. Pan also couldn’t provide a time window for when this camera functionality would arrive on the Phantom 4.

“[It’s] something that we’re working on,” he says.

Other consumer drones already offer similar features. The 3D Robotics Solo, for example, offers Smart Shots, which the company describes as “automatic scripted camera moves.” Some of these choices include an orbit shot, a cable cam-style view, and a selfie.

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