DJI has given users of its Flip drone a boost with the latest firmware update. You can now create a dolly zoom shot automatically.
What’s a dolly zoom?
The dolly zoom camera technique was a favourite of Alfred Hitchcock and, more recently, Steven Spielberg. To achieve it, you need to dolly the camera away from your subject while at the same time zooming in. You can also reverse the effect by dollying in and zooming out. The result is that your subject stays the same size on screen, but the background perspective changes dramatically. This is caused by the move from a wide angle to a telephoto focal length or vice versa.
Firmware update
To take advantage of the firmware update, you will need to install the latest version of the DJI Fly app from the company’s website. Once you have done this, the Dolly Zoom option will appear as one of the intelligent flight modes.
Other improvements
As well as adding the Dolly Zoom option, the update offers other improvements for your DJI Flip. DJI says that you get enhanced skin tones for both video and photos shot with the drone. There is also some other fine-tuning applied to your images, which should give sharper edges, better details and even more accurate colors.
What we think
The DJI Flip is a versatile drone that shoots 4K video at up to 60 fps in a horizontal aspect ratio. You can also record 2.7K vertical video. The propeller guards make the Flip a safe drone to fly, even indoors, as well. Even better, its small, folding design means you can easily pop it in your backpack or even a large pocket! The new automated Dolly Zoom feature will give your visuals an extra boost, so if you use a DJI Flip, you should update now.
Pricing and availability
The latest version of the DJI Flip app is available to download from the DJI website now.
