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Phantom 3 4K and Inspire 1 Pro Black Edition add variety to DJI's drone lineups

The flying camera manufacturer made a couple of tweaks to its flagship consumer and pro models.

Joshua Goldman Managing Editor / Advice
Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.
Expertise Laptops, desktops and computer and PC gaming accessories including keyboards, mice and controllers, cameras, action cameras and drones Credentials
  • More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.
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DJI had a pretty big 2015, releasing some of the best camera drones available with its Phantom 3 line, as well as new cameras for its ready-to-fly professional model, the Inspire 1. It's kicking off 2016 by tweaking those models a bit with the Phantom 3 4K and the Inspire 1 Pro Black Edition.

The Inspire 1 Pro Black Edition is just what it sounds like. Instead of the white body and controller of the original model, this new one is black with a black controller. DJI says it's inspired by high-end filmmaking equipment. Like the $4,500 original, it comes with the company's Micro Four Thirds Zenmuse X5 interchangeable lens camera. Unlike the original, it's priced at $4,800.

The $999 DJI Phantom 3 4K is essentially the same as the current Phantom 3 Professional except that its controller uses a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi video downlink from the quadcopter with a range of up to 1.2km (0.75 mile). The Phantom 3 Professional uses DJI's Lightbridge technology, which has a more reliable connection and a range up to 5km (3.1 miles). UK and Australian details weren't forthcoming, but $999 converts to around £680 or AU$1,390.

You can see how the Phantom 3 4K stacks up against the rest of the line on DJI's site or just order it now.

See all of CNET's coverage of CES 2016 here.