Specs of the Phantom 4 Drones
Phantom 4 is the fourth generation product line of the Phantom series of drones by DJI. These drones have all the signature technologies of DJI such as obstacle sensors, Lightbridge connectivity, 4K video, and smart return-to-home features.
The Phantom series drones are classified as consumer drones on DJI’s website. The Phantom 4 drones, in particular, are considered to be consumer drones with professional-grade video capturing capability. Almost the entire product line uses a relatively better-quality sensor and a 3-axis gimbal. Recreational users, hobbyists, and semi-professional users are all capable of flying the Phantom 4 series drones.
The Phantom 4 consists of the Phantom 4 base model, the Phantom 4 Advanced, the Phantom 4 Pro, and the Phantom 4 Pro V2. They have different specs overall, with some particular specs being the same, while some others being more advanced on the Pro and Advanced models. Let us look at the specs in more detail:
Flight Speed
All the DJI Phantom series drones have a maximum flight speed of 45 miles per hour or a little over 72 kilometers per hour. This speed is normally obtained when using the sport mode. 45 mph is enough to shoot most kinds of video including basic action shots. Following objects and cars is also quite feasible with this speed. However, following a very fast moving car on a highway might be a challenge.
Flight Time
The DJI Phantom 4 base model has a maximum flight time of 28 minutes before its battery runs out. The more advanced Phantom 4 Advanced, the Phantom 4 Pro, and the Phantom 4 Pro V2 can all fly for a maximum of 30 minutes. That is a marginal improvement from what the Phantom 4 base model can do. Generally speaking, most consumer and professional DJI drones (except Matrice 200) have maximum flight time in the 20 or at the most 31 minutes. So, most of the Phantom 4 drones compare quite favorably when it comes to drone flight time.
Weight
All Phantom 4 drones are a shade above 3 lbs.
Phantom 4 base model: 3.04 lbs or 1380 grams
Phantom 4 Advanced: 3.01 lbs or 1368 grams
Phantom 4 Pro: 3.06 lbs or 1388 grams
Phantom 4 Pro V2: 3.03 lbs or 1375 grams
Sensor Size
The DJI Phantom 4 Advanced, the Phantom 4 Pro, and the Phantom 4 Pro V2 all use a 1-inch CMOS sensor. Only the Phantom 4 base model uses a slightly less advanced 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor.
A larger sensor captures more information which, in turn, improves the signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range, and other performance metrics. The 1-inch sensor used in the higher Phantom 4 models is four times larger than the base model’s 1/2.3-inch sensor.
The use of a mechanical shutter means no distortion of the rolling shutter mechanism. This distortion is seen most often during fast movement of the drone or the object being shot.
Camera Video Resolution
Any drone can be great at flying and can have advanced controls. But it has got to be able to take amazing pictures and video. The Phantom 4 does not disappoint on that end. All the Phantom 4 drones are capable of shooting 4k video at 30 frames per second. The Phantom 4 Advanced, Pro, and Pro V2 go a step further with 60 frames per second in 4k.
The Phantom 4 base model supports H.264 codec. However, the Advanced, Pro, and Pro V2 support H.264 and H.265 codecs. H265 video requires double the amount of processing but offers much better quality in return. The more recent iPhone and GoPro models have the capability to handle H.265 codec. However, older laptop models may have a hard time processing this new more advanced codec.
| Phantom 4 | Phantom 4 Advanced | Phantom 4 Pro | Phantom 4 Pro V2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| No H.265 | H.265 C4K: 4096×2160 24/25/30 p @100 Mbps 4K: 3840×2160 24/25/30 p @100 Mbps 2.7K: 2720×1530 24/25/30 p @65 Mbps 2.7K: 2720×1530 48/50/60 p @80 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30 p @50 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 48/50/60 p @65 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 120 p @100 Mbps HD: 1280×720 24/25/30 p @25 Mbps HD: 1280×720 48/50/60 p @35 Mbps HD: 1280×720 120 p @60 Mbps | H.265 C4K: 4096×2160 24/25/30 p @100 Mbps 4K: 3840×2160 24/25/30 p @100 Mbps 2.7K: 2720×1530 24/25/30 p @65 Mbps 2.7K: 2720×1530 48/50/60 p @80 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30 p @50 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 48/50/60 p @65 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 120 p @100 Mbps HD: 1280×720 24/25/30 p @25 Mbps HD: 1280×720 48/50/60 p @35 Mbps HD: 1280×720 120 p @60 Mbps | H.265 C4K: 4096×2160 24/25/30 p @100 Mbps 4K: 3840×2160 24/25/30 p @100 Mbps 2.7K: 2720×1530 24/25/30 p @65 Mbps 2.7K: 2720×1530 48/50/60 p @80 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30 p @50 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 48/50/60 p @65 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 120 p @100 Mbps HD: 1280×720 24/25/30 p @25 Mbps HD: 1280×720 48/50/60 p @35 Mbps HD: 1280×720 120 p @60 Mbps |
| H.264 UHD: 4096×2160 (4K) 24 / 25p 3840×2160 (4K) 24 / 25 / 30p 2704×1520 (2.7K) 24 / 25 / 30p FHD: 1920×1080 24 / 25 / 30 / 48 / 50 / 60 / 120p HD: 1280×720 24 / 25 / 30 / 48 / 50 / 60p | H.264 C4K: 4096×2160 24/25/30/48/50/60 p @100 Mbps 4K: 3840×2160 24/25/30/48/50/60 p @100 Mbps 2.7K: 2720×1530 24/25/30 p @80 Mbps 2.7K: 2720×1530 48/50/60 p @100 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30 p @60 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 48/50/60 p @80 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 120 p @100 Mbps HD: 1280×720 24/25/30 p @30 Mbps HD: 1280×720 48/50/60 p @45 Mbps HD: 1280×720 120 p @80 Mbps | H.264 C4K: 4096×2160 24/25/30/48/50/60 p @100 Mbps 4K: 3840×2160 24/25/30/48/50/60 p @100 Mbps 2.7K: 2720×1530 24/25/30 p @80 Mbps 2.7K: 2720×1530 48/50/60 p @100 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30 p @60 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 48/50/60 p @80 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 120 p @100 Mbps HD: 1280×720 24/25/30 p @30 Mbps HD: 1280×720 48/50/60 p @45 Mbps HD: 1280×720 120 p @80 Mbps | H.264 C4K: 4096×2160 24/25/30/48/50/60 p @100 Mbps 4K: 3840×2160 24/25/30/48/50/60 p @100 Mbps 2.7K: 2720×1530 24/25/30 p @80 Mbps 2.7K: 2720×1530 48/50/60 p @100 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30 p @60 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 48/50/60 p @80 Mbps FHD: 1920×1080 120 p @100 Mbps HD: 1280×720 24/25/30 p @30 Mbps HD: 1280×720 48/50/60 p @45 Mbps HD: 1280×720 120 p @80 Mbps |
Maximum Video Bitrate
The bit rate of the Phantom 4 Advanced, Pro, and Pro V2 drones is 100 Mbps. The maximum video bitrate of the Phantom 4 base model is slightly lower at 60 Mbps. A higher bit rate means better quality video. To put things into perspective, Blu-Ray has a bit rate of 25 Mbps. So, we are talking 4 times the quality of Blu-Ray.
Photo Format
When you shoot your pictures using the Phantom 4 drones, you can store them as JPG or RAW format in the base model. However, the Phantom 4 advanced, Pro, and Pro V2 allow for a third option known as JPG+RAW. With this third option, you can simply browse through the picture folder of the JPGs and select the pictures that came out good. Then you can proceed towards editing the raw files of the selected images. So, it adds to the convenience factor. The only thing you lose is storage space which will be taken up by the JPG and RAW files of the same image.
Gimbal
All the Phantom 4 drones use a 3-axis gimbal (pitch, roll, yaw) with a controllable range of -90o to +30o.
Obstacle Sensors
The Phantom 4 base model and the Phantom 4 Advanced model have front and bottom sensors for obstacle sensing. The front sensors allow the drone to see far out in distance and avoid obstacles, hover around them, and even enable auto brake when flying certain paths or returning to home. It improves the intelligence of the navigation process.
The Phantom 4 Pro and the Pro V2 have two additional side infrared sensors that give the drones a 4-direction obstacle avoidance capability. Such capability is great for complex projects and tight maneuvering.
Communication link between the drone and the controller
The Phantom 4 base model and the Phantom 4 Advanced both use the Lightbrigde communication protocol to link the remote controller to the drone aircraft body. Lightbridge is a lot more advanced than Wi-Fi. It uses 2 separate links, one to communicate with the camera plus gimbal and the other to send and receive drone controls. That enhances the quality of the link and the overall controlling of the drone.
The Phantom 4 Pro V2 uses an OcuSync communication system which allows the connection of multiple controllers and even DJI goggles. The Phantom 4 Pro uses a dual-signal Lightbridge link which is more enhanced than the regular Lightbridge link.
Built-in screen with the controller
The Phantom 4 Advanced, Pro, and Pro V2 models have the options of a controller with a built-in screen. With a built-in screen, there is no need for a mobile device or a tablet to control the drone settings and flight. The Phantom 4 base model has no built-in screen option.
GPS
All Phantom 4 drones use a combination of GPS and GLONASS systems for redundancy and more accurate navigation.
Intelligent Flight Battery and Charger
All the Phantom 4 drones have a similar battery in the drone body. The specs for the battery are the same for all models and are as follows
| Energy | 89.2 Wh |
| Capacity | 5870 mAh |
| Voltage | 15.2 V |
| Max Charging Voltage | 17.4 V |
| Battery Type | LiPo 4S |
| Net Weight | 468 grams |
| Charging Temperature | 5oC – 40oC |
| Max Charging Power | 100 Watt |
The Charger Specs are also the same for all models and are as below:
| Input | 100 – 240 V, 50/60 Hz, 1.4 A |
| Output | 17.5V – 0~5.7A |
| Voltage | 17.5 V |
| Rated Power | 100 Watt |
Remote Controller
The Phantom 4 remote controllers use a 2.4 GHz frequency, which is on par with other models of the Phantom 3 series. However, the Phantom 4 Pro and the Pro V2 remote controller also have second options of a 5.8 GHz frequency band. A higher frequency band gives the controller a longer operating range.
For the 2.4 GHz band, the FCC transmission distance is 7 km and the CE transmission distance is 3.5 km (CE distance is 4km for the Phantom Pro V2). For the 5.7 GHz band on the Phantom 4 Pro and the Pro V2, the FCC distance is 7 km, the CE distance is 2 km, and the SRRC distance is 5 km.
The remote controller battery for all Phantom 4 models is 6000 mAh and the battery type is LiPo 2S.
Operating Temperature
Both the remote controller and the aircraft of all the Phantom 4 drones have an operating temperature range of 0oC to 40oC.