HOVERAir has launched a modular camera that can record stabilized handheld footage and then gain a set of wings to film its owner autonomously.
The HOVERAir VERSA flying pocket camera starts as a compact three-axis gimbal camera with a rotating 1.64-inch OLED touchscreen. Sliding open its connector and attaching the separate Flight Kit turns it into a fully enclosed quadcopter capable of palm takeoff, subject tracking and more than 10 automated flight modes.
Its camera uses a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor with an f/2 lens. It records video at up to 4K/60 fps, while 10-bit HDR and H-Log are available at 4K/30 fps. Still images are limited to 12 megapixels. HOVERAir also claims as much as 17.5 stops of dynamic range, although that unusually high figure remains a manufacturer claim rather than an independently verified test result.
Storage includes 64 GB internally and a microSD slot supporting cards up to 1 TB. In handheld mode, the VERSA modular gimbal camera provides AI tracking and automatic framing. Once airborne, it adds modes including Orbit, Bird’s Eye, Zoom Out and OmniTerrain, along with creative functions such as Dolly Zoom, motion timelapse and 3D Worlds.
With the Flight Kit installed, the complete aircraft weighs approximately 230 g (8.1 oz). HOVERAir lists a maximum flight speed of 36 km/h (22 mph), Level 5 wind resistance and up to 14 minutes of flight time. The enclosed propeller guards are intended to provide additional protection around people and obstacles, but users must still follow local drone regulations.
The HOVERAir VERSA Indiegogo campaign initially listed early-bird pricing from around US$469 for the camera alone. Packages containing the Flight Kit were advertised from approximately $599Â in supported markets, with shipping originally targeted for October 2026.
The appeal of VERSA lies in its ability to replace two separate pieces of equipment. It can function as a conventional handheld gimbal for walking shots, vlogging and indoor filming, while the detachable Flight Kit adds aerial tracking without requiring the user to operate a traditional camera drone.
That modular approach will be most useful if switching between the two configurations proves as quick and dependable in everyday use as HOVERAir suggests. As with any crowdfunded product, however, the final specifications, pricing and delivery schedule could change before units reach backers.
Sources: HOVERAir, Indiegogo campaign
