DJI's $500 Spark Drone Launches From Your Palm

Looking to elevate your Instagram game? DJI's new Spark is its smallest camera drone, weighing just 10.6 ounces, or less than a can of soda.

Don't let its small size fool you: Spark is pretty special. It can lift off from the palm of your hand and be controlled via hand gestures alone.

"Even if you've never flown a drone before, flying Spark is easy because the only remote controller you'll need is your hand," DJI wrote in a news release. When it takes off from your hand, it automatically enters Gesture mode, so you can send it flying, take a selfie, or call it back to your palm with simple hand movements. It can also be operated via a remote controller or mobile device.

Spark's camera captures 12-megapixel photos and 1080p video. Besdies Gesture mode, the aircraft offers a QuickShot mode with four choices: Rocket, which sends Spark straight up in the air with the camera pointed down; Dronie, to make it fly up and away from you; Circle, to make it rotate around you; and Helix; which sends it spiraling away as it flies upward. Each QuickShot will create a 10-second video.

There's also a Pano mode for horizontal or vertical panoramic shots and ShallowFocus mode, which keeps the subject of your photo sharp while softening the rest.

Spark is powered by a "high-energy density" LiPo battery and has a maximum flight time of up to 16 minutes.

"Controlling a camera drone with hand movements alone is a major step towards making aerial technology an intuitive part of everyone's daily life, from work and adventure to moments with friends and family," DJI's Senior Product Manager, Paul Pan, said in a statement. "Spark's revolutionary new interface lets you effortlessly extend your point of view to the air, making it easier than ever to capture and share the world from new perspectives."

Spark is available for pre-order now and slated to begin shipping in mid-June. It costs $499, and for that price you get the aircraft, a battery, a USB charger, and three pairs of propellers. It comes in five colors: alpine white, sky blue, meadow green, lava red, and sunrise yellow.

DJI is also selling a bundle that includes a Spark, two batteries, four propellers, a remote controller, propeller guards (which you're going to want when launching from or returning to your hand), a charging hub, shoulder bag, and all necessary cables for $699. DJI has not yet announced pricing for individual Spark accessories.

DJI Inspire 2 Review