DJI Phantom FC40 Reviews and Ratings

Phantom FC40 Review and Analysis

The very first DJI drone, the Phantom, proved to be a revolutionary product. Let’s check out one of the successors of the original DJI quadcopter and how this model ranks alongside other drones on the market today.

Phantom FC40 Specs

The DJI Phantom FC40 takes its structure from the original Phantom, albeit with a few adjustments. Before we proceed with our DJI FC40 reviews, let’s see the full spes of this quadcopter:

The Pros

Like the first Phantom, the FC40 uses an app for a preview of its flight path. The difference this time is that it is easier to control the DJI drone while in the air. The app allows the user to turn start or stop recording video clips, plus it can control the 10x digital zoom function of the camera. Most importantly, the app has a friendly user interface for easier navigation. It’s also worth noting that the drone can sync the photos and videos it takes with the user’s phone.

Based on our hands-on DJI Phantom FC40 review, the drone can stay in the air for 10 to 15 minutes. Its flight time is dependent on how clear and windy the weather is. The flight time may be short, but the FC40’s battery is worth mentioning as one of its positive qualities considering its weight.

The main quadcopter uses two lithium ion batteries included in the package. What’s great about it is that there’s a separate battery for the mounted camera. Instead of taking the power from the UAV, the FC40’s camera uses its own power reserve.

In terms of durability, this DJI quadcopter is a good choice, too. Its body can withstand minor crashes, even when it drops from a few feet after it runs out of juice. Plus, its propellers are self-tightening, making it tougher than other drones available today.

Design-wise, the FC40 is commendable. Its sleek, white appearance looks stunning despite its simplicity. The LED light strips make the drone easy to spot from a distance, even at night.

The Cons

The FC40’s camera is a bit of a letdown. Its lens aperture can go up f2.2 and the resolution is at 1280×720. Nonetheless, the image sensor can only record videos at 720p, 30fps at most. The problem with this is that there are already other cameras that do better than what the FC40 offers. Some GoPro cameras go beyond the 720p, 30fps settings, so the FC40 falls quite short in this department.

See the DJI FC40 in action on this video from YouTube user Mike H:

The Verdict

As what the video shows, the camera on the FC40 is very basic. While it is enough to do drone photography, it is certainly not for advanced users who want high-definition pictures and videos.

Weight is also a key issue for this quadcopter. At over 3,000 grams, the drone is a little too bulky, to the point that it cuts the flight time. Had this been a little lighter, the battery can probably last up to 20 minutes in midair.

Our "DJI Phantom FC40 review" proves that this UAV is a truly solid quadcopter with camera, at least back when it was first released in early 2014. It has a smart camera that can capture some good images, not to mention that it is generally easy to use. While it’s not the best quadcopter for drone photography, it’s good enough for those who aren’t advanced users.

Unfortunately, today, the drone Phantom FC40 is outdated. The only time this will be a good deal is when you find a bargain price or when you buy it second hand. You’re better off buying the newer DJI drones available like the Phantom 2 Vision+