Camera & Drone Gear Blog
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DJI Product History Timeline (Drones, Gimbals, Cameras, & More)
I was doing an internet search for a consolidated timeline of DJI product releases over the past few years because I was curious about how often they come out with new drones, gimbals, and cameras. I couldn't really find any page that had a consolidated list... all I could find with product release dates was their news archive. So, I went ahead and while I was "relaxing" and watching a movie one evening, compiled a list of (most of?) DJI's product releases of interest since July 2012 based on their press release archive.
See also: DJI Drone Sensor Size Comparison Page
I was doing an internet search for a consolidated timeline of DJI product releases over the past few years because I was curious about how often they come out with new drones, gimbals, and cameras. I couldn't really find any page that had a consolidated list... all I could find with product release dates was their news archive. So, I went ahead and while I was "relaxing" and watching a movie one evening, compiled a list of (most of?) DJI's product releases of interest since July 2012 based on their press release archive. The dates in this list link to the corresponding announcements on DJI's website. If I missed any drones, cameras, or gimbals, feel free to email me and provide the corresponding link to their press release archive, and I will update the list. I'll try to keep this list up to date as new products are announced in the future.
If you're looking for a specific product you can use your browser's "Find" function and type in the product name, e.g. "phantom."
This page contains links to products, so if you find this site useful and use a link to make a purchase, I’ll get a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Enjoy!
Feb 10, 2012 - "Flame Wheel" F330 ARF Kit
Feb 15, 2012 - "Flame Wheel" F550 ARF Kit
Jul 25, 2012 - S800
Jul 26, 2012 - Zenmuse Z15 Camera Gimbal
Jan 7, 2013 - Phantom
Jul 2, 2013 - S800 EVO
Sep 4, 2013 - A2 Multi-Rotor Flight Controller
Sep 13, 2013 - DJI Zenmuse Z15-GH3 3-axis Gimbal
Oct 28, 2013 - Phantom 2 Vision
Nov 22, 2013 - Zenmuse Z15-5D 3-axis Gimbal
Dec 16, 2013 - Phantom 2
Jan 20, 2014 - Phantom FC40
Feb 24, 2014 - S1000
Mar 24, 2014 - Zenmuse H3-3D for Drones
Apr 7, 2014 - Phantom 2 Vision+
May 9, 2014 - Zenmuse Z15-BMPCC
Jun 25, 2014 - Ronin
Jul 16, 2014 - Zenmuse Z15-GH4 (HD)
Aug 4, 2014 - S900
Sep 18, 2014 - Zenmuse Z15-5D III (HD)
Oct 23, 2014 - S1000+
Nov 13, 2014 - Inspire 1
Jan 7, 2015 - 3-axis gimbal for Sony A7 cameras
Jan 19, 2015 - H4-3D gimbal
Apr 9, 2015 - Phantom 3 (Professional & Advanced)
Aug 5, 2015 - Phantom 3 Standard
Sep 11, 2015 - Zenmuse X5 & X5R
Oct 8, 2015 - Osmo
Nov 27, 2015 - Agras MG-1
Jan 5, 2016 - Phantom 3 4K
Mar 2, 2016 - Phantom 4
Apr 17, 2016 - Matrice 600
Jul 14, 2016 - Zenmuse Z3
Nov 10, 2016 - Matrice 600 Pro
Nov 16, 2016 - Phantom 4 Pro
Feb 26, 2017 - Matrice 200 Series
Mar 28, 2017 - Agras MG-1S & MG-1P
Apr 13, 2017 - Phantom 4 Advanced
Aug 24, 2017 - Mavic Pro Platinum
Aug 24, 2017 - DJI Phantom 4 Pro Obsidian
Nov 7, 2017 - DJI Wind 4 and DJI Wind 8
Nov 22, 2017 - DJI Goggles Racing Edition (RE)
Jan 8, 2018 - Tello (Collaboration between Ryze Tech, DJI, and Intel)
May 8, 2018 - Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 Edition
Oct 29, 2018 - Mavic 2 Enterprise
Jan 8, 2019 - DJI Smart Controller
Feb 21, 2019 - Matrice 200 Series V2
Jul 31, 2019 - DJI Digital FPV Ecosystem
Sep 25, 2019 - P4 Multispectral (Based on Phantom 4 Design)
Dec 30, 2019 - Zenmuse XT S (Thermal imaging camera for enterprise)
See Also: Megapixels vs. Sensor Size: Can the Mavic Air 2 Beat the Phantom 4 Pro?
May 7, 2020 - Zenmuse H20 Series
Oct 15, 2020 - DJI RS 2 (part of the Ronin series)
Oct 15, 2020 - DJI RSC 2 (part of the Ronin series)
Dec 15, 2020 - Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced
See Also: DJI Air 2S Review: Has DJI Finally Created a Superior Successor to the Phantom 4 Pro??
Oct 20, 2021 - Ronin 4D with Zenmuse X9-8K and Zenmuse X9-6K Combos
See Also: DJI Mavic 3 vs. DJI Air 2S - Image Quality Tests, Comparison and Review
Mar 21, 2022 - DJI Zenmuse H20N
Jun 15, 2022 - DJI RS 3 & RS 3 Pro
Aug 25, 2022 - DJI Avata (Amazon)
Sep 14, 2022 - Osmo Action 3 (Amazon)
Sep 22, 2022 - Osmo Mobile 6 (Amazon)
Sep 27, 2022 - Mavic 3 Enterprise
Nov 23, 2022 - Mavic 3 Multispectral (Mavic 3M)
Apr 25, 2023 - Mavic 3 Pro (Amazon)
May 18, 2023 - Matrice 350 RTK
Jul 25, 2023 - DJI Air 3 (Amazon)
Aug 2, 2023 - Osmo Action 4 (Amazon)
Sep 25, 2023 - DJI Mini 4 Pro (Amazon) - From the DJI Press Release: “DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and innovative camera technology, today introduces the DJI Mini 4 Pro. Crafted to be the ultimate companion for adventure enthusiasts, the DJI Mini 4 Pro redefines the boundaries of mini-camera drones, setting a new benchmark for capturing and sharing exhilarating moments. With its pioneering omni-directional obstacle sensing and the flagship DJI O4 video transmission technology, this state-of-the-art mini drone empowers users to embrace every heart-pounding experience and channel their creativity into unforgettable endeavors.”
Oct 25, 2023 - Osmo Pocket 3 (Amazon)
Apr 11, 2024 - Avata 2 (Amazon) - From the DJI Press Release: “DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and innovative camera technology, today introduces the DJI Avata 2. Boasting an all thrills, no frills experience, users are presented with a safer, fully immersive enhanced FPV flight experience, an upgraded sensor to improve image quality and increased flight time.”
Apr 25, 2024 - DJI Agras T50 and T25
May 16, 2024 - Zenmuse H30T & H30
Sep 5, 2024 - DJI Neo - (Amazon) - From the DJI Press Release: “DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and innovative camera technology, today announces the DJI Neo, a new personal lightweight and compact aerial videographer for taking cinematic footage of day-to-day adventures or having fun with friends. Weighing less than 5 ounces (135g), Neo can take off and land from the palm of the hand. It can be flown indoors or outside for a flight time of up to 18 minutes and takes 4K ultra-stabilized videos via QuickShots. The propellers are fully enclosed to ensure the safety of users and their surroundings.”
DJI Announces the Mavic 3 Classic
From the DJI Press Release: DJI Makes World’s Best Camera Drone More Accessible With Mavic 3 Classic
“November 2, 2022 – DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, today makes the world’s best camera drone more accessible with the Mavic 3 Classic, giving creators a new way to experience the unparalleled Hasselblad camera and unbeatable flight performance of the Mavic 3 Series. Mavic 3 Classic features the same 4/3 CMOS 20-megapixel camera, 46-minute maximum flight time, and O3+ transmission system as the original Mavic 3 drone, without an additional telephoto lens. Mavic 3 Classic is compatible with existing DJI RC Pro, DJI RC, and DJI RC-N1 to put premium performance in a more affordable package, making it easy for drone creators to move up to the best flying camera on the market.
“The Mavic 3 series has always set the standard for what a drone can do, from the original Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine that transformed aerial photography and cinematography, through the Mavic 3 Enterprise and Mavic 3 Thermal platforms for professional work,” said Ferdinand Wolf, Creative Director at DJI. “Now, DJI is moving forward to give more creators access to the photographic excellence and operational reliability that are the hallmarks of the Mavic 3 Series. With the launch of Mavic 3 Classic, we hope to see even more creators putting our top-of-the-line tools to work and pushing their creativity past their old limits.”
The Best Camera for Your Best Content
With the launch of Mavic 3 Classic, more creators will have full access to the wide possibilities afforded by the Mavic 3 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera. For video work, the camera captures up to 5.1K/50 fps, 4K/60 fps and 1080p/60fps using H.264 and H.265 encoders. In slow-motion applications, Mavic 3 Classic captures video at 4K/120fps and 1080p/200fps. Its 24mm equivalent focal length lens opens to an adjustable aperture spanning f/2.8 to f/11 for 12.8 stops of native dynamic range. When light hits the 20-megapixel sensor, it is processed in 12-bit RAW for photography and 10-bit D-Log for video, making the camera up to the challenge of accurately conveying the vivid colors, peak highlights, and detail-rich shadows of our world.
Because the Mavic 3 Classic camera is based on Hasselblad’s groundbreaking research and development, it is designed to capture true-to-life details matching what the human eye perceives. The Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution directly outputs photos and videos with genuine and accurate colors, and its HLG system for high dynamic range photography generates footage that does not require color tuning in post-production. Even in low-light scenarios such as sunrises and sunsets, a night shot video mode reduces visual noise to allow cleaner shots.
Intelligent in the Air and on Your Screen
Capturing the world’s images accurately is just the beginning of the creative process. Mavic 3 Classic is engineered to put the power of DJI’s flight technology at the service of every creator in a simple and easy-to-use interface that functions smoothly right out of the box, is customizable for the most precise control, and easily outputs images and videos for sharing, editing, and post-production.
Creators who have honed their skills on earlier versions of DJI’s drones will find themselves free to fly for up to 46 minutes with Mavic 3 Classic, which uses the same batteries as the rest of the Mavic 3 Series. The O3+ transmission system for flight control and video can display stellar 1080p/60fps video at a range of up to 15 kilometers (9.3 miles). Transmission distance is a proxy for signal strength, and Mavic 3 Classic should always be flown within the pilot’s line of sight.
From the first moments in the air, Mavic 3 Classic’s array of intelligent algorithms can begin tracking subjects, framing images and automatically moving the camera in cinematic flight patterns. The ActiveTrack 5.0 system uses multiple vision sensors to recognize subjects, lock them in frame, and move the drone and camera in concert to create professional-quality videos. With MasterShots, both shooting and editing functions are automated to make the creative process simple and effective even for new pilots still developing their personal visual language in the air.
Mavic 3 Classic features the automated QuickShots shooting modes that DJI pilots have come to love, as well as continued support for timelapse, hyperlapse, and panorama shooting styles. The new Cruise Control feature allows pilots to set a constant flight speed for their drone, allowing them to focus on the imagery while minimizing any camera shake from manual speed control.
Once Mavic 3 Classic is back on the ground, turning raw imagery into classic content is easier than ever. The High-Speed QuickTransfer option allows quick image and video downloads direct from the drone to a mobile phone over Wi-Fi 6 at speeds up to 80 MB per second without connecting to the remote controller.
Safe and Certified
Mavic 3 Classic features a full array of safety features to help pilots steer clear of hazards and other aircraft while creating amazing content. It has eight visual sensors to detect obstacles in all directions, feeding that information to the APAS 5.0 system that can avoid obstacles and independently plan routes around them. Its advanced Return To Home system scans the environment from up to 200 meters away, then can plot the best path back to its launch point and fly that route if necessary.
DJI has always led the drone industry in safety technology, and Mavic 3 Classic continues that proud tradition. It is equipped with an AirSense ADS-B receiver, giving drone pilots awareness of airplanes and helicopters nearby that are transmitting ADS-B signals – often before the pilot can see or hear those aircraft. DJI’s GEO 2.0 geofencing system gives drone pilots information about airspace restrictions and potential flight hazards in the area, providing an extra margin of safety for flight operations. To learn more about DJI’s safety leadership, visit dji.com/flysafe.
Like all DJI products, Mavic 3 Classic is designed with data security in mind. Creators never have to share their photos, videos or flight logs with anyone unless they choose to do so. The drone never has to be connected to the internet during flight, and transmission systems are encrypted for both the drone’s video signals and its flight controls. Even when flying high-profile photo and video assignments, DJI’s data privacy systems provide the discretion and protection that sensitive assignments demand. To learn more about DJI’s security leadership, visit security.dji.com/data/overview.
Mavic 3 Classic is ready for the latest generation of regulatory system compliance around the globe. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved Mavic 3 Classic’s means of compliance with Remote ID rules, as it has done for the other drones in the Mavic 3 Series. In Europe, the full Mavic 3 Series has been issued the world’s first C1 certificate under the new European Drone Regulation, allowing users to fly in the new A1 Open Category without taking a costly remote piloting licensing exam.
Price and Availability
The DJI Mavic 3 Classic is available for purchase today from store.dji.com and authorized retail partners in three purchase configurations:
Mavic 3 Classic (Drone Only) does not include a remote controller or charger, and is ideal for owners of existing DJI drones who are ready to move up to the top-of-the line camera performance of Mavic 3. It is compatible with any existing DJI RC-N1, DJI RC or DJI RC Pro controller. It is available for the retail price of US$1469.
Mavic 3 Classic includes a charger and the DJI RC-N1 remote controller. It is available for the retail price of US$1599.
Mavic 3 Classic (DJI RC) includes a charger and the DJI RC remote controller. It is available for the retail price of US$1749.
Mavic 3 Classic Fly More Kit includes two Intelligent Flight Batteries, a Battery Charging Hub (100W), 65W Car Charger, three pairs of Low-Noise Propellers, and a DJI Convertible Carrying Bag. It is available for the retail price of US$649.”
DJI Announces the new Mini 3 Pro Camera Drone with Rotating Camera
DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today introduces DJI Mini 3 Pro, its most powerful lightweight and portable camera drone.
DJI Announces the DJI Mini 3 Pro with Rotating Gimbal.
From the DJI Press Release: “DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today introduces DJI Mini 3 Pro, its most powerful lightweight and portable camera drone. Weighing less than 249 grams to be policy-friendly in many regions and countries, it delivers advanced features like 4K/60fps video, ActiveTrack, tri-directional obstacle sensing, and 90° gimbal rotation to shoot high-quality vertical imaging for social media, all while extending its flight time to well over 30 minutes. DJI Mini 3 Pro empowers users everywhere to fly mini, create big.
“When we launched the Mini drone series in 2019, our goal was to give everyone the easiest way to see the world from above for the first time,” said Ferdinand Wolf, Creative Director at DJI. “Through their images and stories, we discovered how capable a small aerial camera could be. Today, we share the integration of excellent flight capability, intelligence, and imaging versatility into our ultra-lightweight aerial camera. DJI Mini 3 Pro raises the bar on what a portable, powerful camera drone can achieve.”
Less Than 249 g, More Than Capable
According to the regulations of many countries and regions, drones under 250 grams have been placed in the safest drone category. At under 249 grams, Mini 3 Pro’s combination of weight, safety, and performance arrives as a new resource for content creators on the move and new pilots looking to fly. With this portable, powerful aerial camera, more people around the world will enjoy safe flight and access a large world of visual storytelling.
Expanding the Possibilities of a Mini Drone
Looking at where to take the Mini series next, DJI asked their users and found the perfect direction: integrate DJI’s excellent flight and imaging versatility into its smallest drone. In the end, DJI Mini 3 Pro is unbelievably powerful for a drone so compact. Like its predecessors – Mavic Mini, Mini 2, and Mini SE – it keeps the same compact foldability for packing and taking anywhere. But Mini 3 Pro was made with more built-in features than any other DJI drone its size, thanks to enhanced flight performance, camera system, battery life, and intelligent features that were previously only available in the Air and Mavic series.
Designed to Face New Possibilities
Every new iteration of a DJI product is an opportunity to explore one question: What can be done better? One unmistakable result of this exploration with Mini 3 Pro is a completely new structural design that brings several performance enhancements. The arms and propellers have been adjusted for more aerodynamic flight that increases flight time. This new design also mounts forward and backward dual-vision sensors at the very front of the drone, broadening sensing range for even safer flight. A complete gimbal redesign unlocks more camera angles than ever, enabling movements like tilt-up shots and vertical shooting. With a fresh, new look, DJI Mini 3 Pro truly unlocks more creative possibilities.
Obstacle Sensing for Safer Flight
In a first for the Mini drone series, DJI Mini 3 Pro features Tri-Directional Obstacle Sensing, consisting of forward, backward, and downward visual sensors. The forward and downward sensors have a wider field of view, providing seamless coverage for better route planning and environmental awareness. These sensors also enable Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems (APAS) 4.0, which automatically detects and finds a safer path around obstacles during flight. [[1]] In addition, these sensors also enable the entire FocusTrack suite, which allows users to select a subject that the drone automatically keeps within the center of the frame during flight while automatically planning a safe flight route. Thanks to its upgraded sensing system, DJI Mini 3 Pro is the first of the Mini lineup to integrate APAS and FocusTrack.
A Camera System for Pro-Quality Content
DJI Mini 3 Pro also brings a completely enhanced imaging system. A 1/1.3-inch CMOS camera sensor has dual native ISO, a capturing technology previously only available on cinema and some micro single cameras. It also has an aperture of f/1.7 and shoots images at up to 48MP and video at up to 4K/60fps. To help capture high-quality easy-to-upload content, the camera rotates 90 degrees for True Vertical Shooting, creating incredible photos and videos in portrait orientation without quality-cutting image zooming and cropping. For the most vivid detail, HDR video recording is available at frame rates up to 30fps. A Normal color profile is available for quick in-app editing, while D-Cinelike allows for more post-editing possibilities. Digital video zoom at up to 2x is available in 4K, 3x in 2.7K, and 4x in Full HD. Among the key pieces of user feedback we’ve applied, DJI Mini 3 Pro also has improved image performance with 2.4μm pixels that capture more image detail, which is especially helpful in low lighting and night.
Extended Battery Life and Transmission Distance
Even though DJI Mini 3 Pro is under 249 grams, it still arrives with extended flight time. At a maximum flight of 34 minutes, Mini 3 Pro can capture more landscapes and destinations on a single charge. To give users more choice, Mini 3 Pro also introduces an extended flight battery option for the first time in DJI drone history. The Intelligent Flight Battery Plus allows for a maximum flight time of 47 minutes, an unprecedented capability for a drone this size. [[2]] Pairing perfectly with this extended flight time, Mini 3 Pro features the O3 transmission system, which delivers a crisp 1080p live view from a distance as far as 12 km. [[3]]
Capture Like a Pro with Intelligent Features
The enhancements onboard DJI Mini 3 Pro already make it an excellent flying camera, but that’s not all. A full suite of intelligent capturing modes from DJI's Air and Mavic series is now available on Mini 3 Pro to let you create like never before. With a single tap, you can do the following:
FocusTrack Suite [[4]]
Spotlight 2.0 keeps the subject in frame while you fly manually.
Point of Interest 3.0 circles the subject in a set flight radius and speed.
ActiveTrack 4.0 follows the subject in two selectable ways:
Trace: The aircraft tracks the subject at a constant distance
Parallel: The aircraft tracks the subject while flying beside it at a constant angle and distance
QuickShots
Dronie: Aircraft flies back and up with the camera locked on the subject.
Helix: Aircraft flies up and spirals around the subject.
Rocket: Aircraft flies up with the camera facing down.
Circle: Aircraft circles around the subject.
Boomerang: Aircraft flies around the subject in an oval path, ascending as it flies away and descending as it returns.
Asteroid: Aircraft creates a shot that begins as a sphere panorama high above the subject and ends with a normal shot hovering near the subject.
MasterShots: Keeps the subject in the center of the frame while executing different maneuvers in sequence to generate a short cinematic video.
Hyperlapse: Creates a dynamic timelapse where the aircraft flies on set paths during capture.
Introducing DJI RC
DJI Mini 3 Pro is perfect for those flying for the first time or coming back for more. To meet everyone’s needs, DJI also is expanding its remote controller lineup with DJI RC, a lightweight remote controller with a 5.5-inch built-in touchscreen. [[5]] With the DJI Fly app already integrated, users don’t need to mount their smartphone to their controller, freeing their personal device during the flying experience.
Accessories to Boost Your Flight
To get the most out of every flight, DJI Mini 3 Pro arrives with several accessories: [[6]]
DJI Mini 3 Pro Intelligent Flight Battery has a maximum flight time of 34 mins
DJI Mini 3 Pro Intelligent Flight Battery Plus has a maximum flight time of 47 mins [2]
DJI Mini 3 Pro Two-Way Charging Hub charges Mini 3 Pro Intelligent Flight Batteries in sequence
DJI Mini 3 Pro ND Filters Set (ND 16/64/256) lets Mini 3 Pro capture more detail in the brightest of conditions
DJI Mini 3 Pro Propellers are essential to help ensure reliable flight every time
DJI 30W USB-C Charger charges an Intelligent Flight Battery to 0-100% in just 64 minutes and an Intelligent Flight Battery Plus in 101 minutes
Price and Availability
DJI Mini 3 Pro is available for pre-order today from store.dji.com and most authorized retail partners in several configurations with shipping starting by late May. DJI Mini 3 Pro (no remote controller) retails for $669 USD and includes DJI Mini 3 Pro, and excludes any remote controller for those who already have a compatible model to control the drone. [[7]] DJI Mini 3 Pro retails for $759 USD and includes DJI RC-N1. DJI Mini 3 Pro (DJI RC) retails for $909 USD and includes DJI RC.”
DJI Mavic 3 vs. DJI Air 2S - Image Quality Tests, Comparison and Review
Well it’s finally here… the DJI Mavic 3! This announcement was exciting (if you’re a camera nerd like me) because it is the first time I’m aware of that we have a compact, foldable drone with a 4/3 sensor (17.3mm x 13mm). This size sensor was previously only available on a Zenmuse X5, which requires an Inspire to use. Ever since the Phantom 4 Pro was released in 2016 any drones smaller than an Inspire maxed out with a 1” sensor (13.2mm x 8.8mm).
Having a larger sensor should mean less noise and more detail. So naturally I wondered… does the new DJI Mavic 3 beat my previous compact favorite, the DJI Air 2S?
Is the Mavic 3 the best drone camera from DJI short of buying an Inspire 2? I tested it out in a few locations and compared it to the DJI Air 2S.
This page contains links to products, so if you find this site useful and use a link to make a purchase, I’ll get a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Enjoy!
Well it’s finally here… the DJI Mavic 3! This announcement was exciting (if you’re a camera nerd like me) because it is the first time I’m aware of that we have a compact, foldable drone with a 4/3 sensor (17.3mm x 13mm). This size sensor was previously only available on a Zenmuse X5, which requires an Inspire to use. Ever since the Phantom 4 Pro was released in 2016 any drones smaller than an Inspire maxed out with a 1” sensor (13.2mm x 8.8mm).
Having a larger sensor should mean less noise and more detail. So naturally I wondered… does the new DJI Mavic 3 beat my previous compact favorite, the DJI Air 2S?
Before we dive into image quality tests vs. the DJI Air 2S (a.k.a. Mavic Air 2S), let’s take a look at how the specs compare.
DJI Mavic 3 vs. DJI Air 2S - Specs
Mavic Air 2S
1” 20MP Sensor (3x2 Ratio)
22mm Focal Length
5472×3648 Photo Resolution
5472×3078 @ 24/25/30 fps Video
Fixed f/2.8 Aperture
Weight = 595g
Flight Time = ~30 Minutes
Wind Resistance = ~24mph
Mavic 3
4/3 20MP Sensor (4x3 Ratio)
24mm Focal Length
5280×3956 Photo Resolution
5120×2700 @ 24/25/30/48/50 fps Video
f/2.8 - f/11 Adjustable Aperture
Weight = 895g
Flight Time = ~45 Minutes
Wind Resistance = ~27mph
Besides having a larger sensor, the other interesting thing about the Mavic 3 is that it features a gimbal with TWO cameras. The telephoto camera not mentioned in the specs above is a smaller sensor with a lower resolution that only produces JPG’s, so I will go over that camera with samples after I compare the Mavic 3’s main camera to the DJI Air 2S.
PLEASE NOTE: I am overly meticulous about image quality and I think both of these drones are great for a variety of purposes. I am going to be nitpicking slight differences in image quality just because it’s interesting (to me anyway!) to see how different sensors can affect the details of your photos.
The first scene we will take a look at was a top down view of a park in the fall. Since the DJI Air 2S is 22mm and the Mavic 3 is 24mm, the Mavic 3 was at 300ft and the DJI Air 2S was at 275ft when these photos were taken in an attempt to make the comparison more similar. A perfect comparison was also difficult since the Mavic 3 is a 4:3 ratio camera and the Air 2S is 3:2 ratio.
Here are the overall images with no adjustments and default sharpening in Adobe Lightroom:
Looking at the above images you can see there is a bit of difference in color with no Lightroom adjustments and the white balance set to the default “daylight” settings. The DJI Air 2S seems a little on the red side, and there also seems to be more color in the Mavic 3 image straight out of the camera.
Let’s zoom in and compare some specific areas of the photos:
You can again see the color difference with these adjustment-free images. One of the things DJI promotes with the Mavic 3 is the “Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution” as a reason to consider paying the extra cost vs. the DJI Air 2S, and it looks like the Hasselblad sensor causes the color to “pop” a bit more. In the Mavic 3 image the red roofs are a cooler red and the ground is a warmer brown, which creates more color contrast for a more vibrant photo. The image from the DJI Air 2S seems a little bit more “drab” right out of the camera. You can certainly make colorful, compelling images with the Air 2S, but the Mavic 3 might have DNG files that start out with a slight advantage.
Even though I prefer the color of the Mavic 3, the DJI Air 2S definitely has a very sharp lens at the center and I’m impressed it was able to keep up with the larger camera on the Mavic 3 in the center of the frame. Both cameras are 20-megapixel and there’s not really much difference in detail.
Let’s see what happens if we venture a little farther away from the center of the lens:
In the above images we can start to see some differences in sharpness. When you look at this tree towards the edge of the frame you can see the photos taken at f/2.8 with both the Mavic 3 and DJI Air 2S are quite a bit softer than the Mavic 3 photo taken at f/5.6. The DJI Air 2S is always at f/2.8 because its aperture is not adjustable, whereas the Mavic 3 has an adjustable aperture. If you are taking photos in the daytime with the Mavic 3, you will almost always want to stop down and avoid using f/2.8 so you can maximize the edge to edge sharpness.
You can again see better color separation with the Mavic 3 over the DJI Air 2S. The colors are more vibrant and varied with the Mavic 3 and the DJI Air 2S almost seems more monochromatic.
Another notable difference in the tree crops is the DJI Air 2S is noisier in the shadow of the tree than in the Mavic 3 photo.
Let’s take a look at a scene with a lake. I tried to make these photos look fairly similar with global adjustment sliders in Adobe Lightroom, but an apples-to-apples comparison didn’t happen here because the sunlight was changing pretty quickly:
I took the above photos knowing the images would be different due to quickly changing lighting, but I wasn’t sure what differences I might find when I started looking closely on the computer. Let’s zoom in on some interesting differences I noticed in the shadows of the foreground:
Keep in mind that these are edited photos. I have saturation at +22 for the DJI Air 2S but just +18 for the Mavic 3. Looking at the above images, you can see the Mavic 3 managed to figure out all the various warm color variations of the leaves in the shadows and their color “pops” against the cooler green color of the grass. In the DJI Air 2S photo the leaves, grass, and trees all sort of blend together with a similar color. The Mavic 3 also managed to figure out the reddish-brown color in the edge of the woods under the trees on the left.
Let’s take a look at another area:
In the crops above it is apparent that there’s quite a bit more noise in the DJI Air 2S photo, which is a a close up of an area that was in the shadows. The Mavic 3 crop you can see individual waves on the water, but in the DJI Air 2S crop it’s a little too noisy to see the waves. You can also compare the brown-leaf tree on the right and the green tree on the left and see the Mavic 3 once again does better distinguishing the color differences of the brown and green leaves against the blue water. The DJI Air 2S crop (which is taken from towards the corner of the frame) is a bit softer than the Mavic 3 shot. The Mavic 3 shot is nice and sharp but shows a tiny bit of aberration on the white boat lift frame.
For my final test I took the drones indoors for a controlled test at ISO 1600 to see what the noise would look like. I used a chair with some crayons as a subject:
Both of these images are at f/2.8, ISO 1600, 1/8th shutter speed, with Vibrance & Saturation +/-0 in Adobe Lightroom. I did overcompensate the focal length difference and placed the Mavic 3 a little bit too far away (it was farther away than where the DJI Air 2S was placed), but we can still check out the noise difference when we zoom in on the crayons:
If you look at the top part of the wrapper of the yellow crayon, you can once again see the Mavic 3 creates better color separation with the orange mark on the yellow wrapper. The Mavic 3 sensor causes the orange mark to stand out as a different color than the wrapper, but the DJI Air 2S renders the orange mark as a similar color. You can also see that there is noticeably less noise on the red chair behind the crayons in the Mavic 3 crop vs. the DJI Air 2S crop.
Should you Buy the DJI Air 2S or the Mavic 3?
I have been using the DJI Air 2S extensively since it came out. It really is a great compact drone and the center of the lens is very sharp. There are a couple things I don’t like about it, however. The aperture is stuck at f/2.8, and if there’s one aperture setting I never imagined myself using to photograph sweeping landscapes it’s f/2.8 (haha)! Usually when I use my “big” camera to take landscape or architectural photos on a tripod I stay away from being “wide open” at the brightest aperture setting because that reduces my depth of field and can soften the edges of the frame, especially at wide focal lengths. With the DJI Air 2S your only choice of aperture is f/2.8. This also makes ND filters absolutely essential to control frame rates when shooting video.
One other thing I don’t like about the DJI Air 2S (and I’m really nitpicking here) is that the edges of the frame are not nearly as sharp as the center of the image, and this seems to be exacerbated by the fact that it is 22mm instead of 24mm. Objects at the edge of the frame are a little more distorted at 22mm than at 24mm.
Despite the aforementioned minor issues, overall the DJI Air 2S is great for a variety of purposes. It’s great for real estate, decent for landscapes, more than enough for hobbyists, and is a lot of fun. The reason I probably will be using the Mavic 3 for most landscapes is reduced noise, sharper frame edges, greater depth of field when stopping down to around f/5.6, and improved color rendition.
The basic Mavic 3 package is more than double the price of the DJI Air 2S. For that cost difference you get a little better image quality, an adjustable aperture, 50% more flight time, and slightly improved wind resistance. Due to the enormous difference in price the choice is certainly debatable, but if you’re serious about landscape photography and want more control over your photo & video settings the improvements might be worth the extra cost.
What’s Up with that Mavic 3 Telephoto Lens?
The gimbal on the Mavic 3 has two lenses and two sensors. The lower lens & sensor is the primary 24mm camera with the 4/3 sensor that produces JPEG & RAW images at 5280 × 3956. The upper camera is a 162mm fixed lens (7x optical zoom) with a 1/2-inch sensor that produces 4000 × 3000 images (RAW shooting only available if firmware is updated after May of 2022).
In order to use the telephoto camera you have to click the little binoculars icon on the right of the Go Fly app interface, which puts the camera into “Explore” mode. Once in explore mode you can click the “1x” button to see a variety of zoom levels all the way up to 28x.
One thing to be aware of is that most of the zoom levels are digital zoom, not optical. Both lenses on the Mavic 3 gimbal are prime lenses, not zoom lenses. Since there are two fixed focal length lenses, there’s really only two levels of detail you’re capturing. In “Explore” mode, 1x, 2x, and 4x are simply using a digitally zoomed (cropped) photo from the 24mm lens, and 7x, 14x, and 28x use the 162mm lens. To illustrate what this means, here are all the different zoom levels cropped into the yellow slide:
You can see a slight increase in detail going from “Explore Mode” 1x to 2x, but then 4x looks identical. I think there is an increase in detail going from 1x to 2x because at 1x it is using the 5280 × 3956 sensor to create a 4000 × 3000 image, which causes loss of detail (there’s less detail in 1x “Explore Mode” than in standard mode). The 7x, 14x, and 28x zoom levels all look pretty much identical.
If you’re not taking video, the only reason to use anything other than standard mode or 7x is If you want to use the different zoom levels to simply view your surroundings for fun (sort of like using flying binoculars). Many Mavic 3 pilots will find it fun to look around and zoom in on things in their vicinity from the air, and won’t be worrying about trying to print large photos with the lower resolution telephoto camera.
If you are creating a video, you can use the digital zoom functionality in Explore mode to add zoom effects to your video, but don’t expect to zoom in to 28x and capture super sharp details in your footage.
Mavic 3 Cine vs. Fly More Combo
Most of DJI’s recent drones offer “Fly More Combos” to purchase, which bundle the basic drone package with extra accessories like extra propellers, batteries, charging hubs, and other items at a slight discount to what you’d pay if you bought all the accessories separately. The basic drone package will get you flying, but if you buy the “Fly More Combos” you will be prepared for more frequent flights in a wider variety of situations. The Mavic 3 once again offers the “Fly More Combo,” but in addition you can instead buy the “Mavic 3 Premium Cine Combo.” You get the exact same aircraft whether you buy the base package or the “Fly More Combo,” but the “Mavic 3 Cine” is actually a special aircraft that includes 1TB of super fast internal storage and the capability to shoot videos in Apple ProRes 422 HQ.
Below are the different packages you can buy. For the “Fly More Combo” and the “Cine Premium Combo” I noted the difference between the combo and the standard package.
Mavic 3 Basic Package
The essential items included when you buy the basic Mavic 3 package.
Mavic 3 Fly More Combo
The items you get when you buy the Fly More Combo.
DJI Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo
The items included with the Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo.
DJI on Amazon.com
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DJI Announces the Dual-Camera Mavic 3 Drone
Mavic 3 is redesigned from tip to tail as worthy of the Mavic series’ reputation as the world’s best and most popular drones. From its 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera and 28x hybrid zoom camera, to its omnidirectional obstacle sensors with a maximum 200-meter range, [1] to its redesigned batteries that provide up to 46 minutes of flight time, Mavic 3 provides unprecedented flight performance and a peerless content creation experience.
The New Mavic 3 Dual-Camera Drone
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From the DJI Press Release: “DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today reimagines what a drone can be with the new Mavic 3, a bold and brilliant update of the iconic folding camera drone that once again redefines how to create magic from the sky. Mavic 3 is the most comprehensive improvement to the world’s most popular drone series in three years, boosting performance in every function to create new aerial possibilities for flight, photography, and fun.
Mavic 3 is redesigned from tip to tail as worthy of the Mavic series’ reputation as the world’s best and most popular drones. From its 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera and 28x hybrid zoom camera, to its omnidirectional obstacle sensors with a maximum 200-meter range, [1] to its redesigned batteries that provide up to 46 minutes of flight time, Mavic 3 provides unprecedented flight performance and a peerless content creation experience. Its upgraded hardware and software can process 5.1K video at 50 frames per second in supple and nuanced color with heightened low-light sensitivity, and support 4K/120fps for higher-quality results for slow-motion footage. An enhanced Mavic 3 Cine edition offers Apple ProRes 422 HQ encoding for richer video processing, with an internal 1TB SSD onboard for high-speed data storage.
“Creating the Mavic 3 was an arduous journey for our engineers who tackled complex technical problems to serve the goal that the Mavic series has always met – build professional-quality imaging and flight technology into a compact consumer drone,” said Ferdinand Wolf, Creative Director, DJI Europe. “The result is incredible. Mavic 3 enables users to effortlessly make epic shots without compromising on small size, stunning performance, pervasive flight safety, and dazzling image quality. We are confident that this drone will astonish videography and photography enthusiasts, as well as professional production houses and media workers around the globe.”
Imaging Above Everything With A Dual-Camera System
DJI pioneered the folding drone category in 2016 with the launch of the original Mavic Pro, which for the first time put professional-quality imaging in a body that could fit in a backpack. Two years later, Mavic 2 Pro launched DJI’s collaboration with iconic Swedish camera maker Hasselblad, integrating a one-inch sensor to push the boundaries of drone imagery further. With its new dual-camera Hasselblad system, Mavic 3 once again sets the new standard for imaging excellence.
DJI Mavic 3’s customized L2D-20c aerial camera embeds a professional-grade 4/3 CMOS sensor with a 24mm prime lens in a sleek and compact form. Rigorous Hasselblad standards for hardware performance and software algorithms allow it to shoot 20MP still images in 12-bit RAW format and videos in 5.1K at 50fps, 4K at 120fps.The higher video definition creates smoother footage and more generous cropping possibilities and allows for slow-motion video at 120fps.
The larger image sensor gives Mavic 3 higher video resolution and dynamic range and more effectively suppresses noise in low-light environments. A native dynamic range of 12.8 stops helps retain more details in highlights and shadows, preserving rich visual information with a greater sense of depth and elevating imagery to a professional level. An adjustable aperture of f/2.8-f/11 is available to meet the needs of aerial photographers in a wide variety of lighting scenarios to get sharper and clearer images.
Weighing just 12.5 grams, the 24mm equivalent autofocus prime lens has an 84° FOV to capture more details with sharp clarity. Mavic 3’s second camera features a 162mm tele lens with 28x Hybrid Zoom (digital + optical) and aperture of f/4.4 that can freely bring distant objects visually closer, offering the user more dynamic perspectives and creative possibilities at a distance. The new Vision Detection Auto Focus technology for quick focusing allows the Hasselblad camera to work with multiple vision sensors on board to capture distance data to optimize focusing speed.
Mavic 3 delivers a deeply accurate color palette straight out of its camera thanks to the unique Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution (HNCS), built on decades of photographic experience and introduced to DJI cameras with Mavic 2 Pro. With professional imaging performance, Mavic 3 records aerial videos at high resolutions and framerates and captures up to 1 billion colors thanks to the 10-bit D-Log color profile, offering natural color gradations and advanced flexibility in post-production.
Mavic 3 Cine is a version with Apple ProRes 422 HQ encoding for a maximum data rate of 3772Mbps, giving professional users a powerful tool to satisfy post-production needs in their daily business. [2] To handle the large amounts of data from the ProRes codec and high frame rate videos, Mavic 3 Cine comes with a built-in 1TB SSD. For a smoother export experience, the new DJI 10Gbps Lightspeed Data Cable helps transfer large data files rapidly.
Effortless Flights With Enhanced Flight Safety
DJI has always led the drone industry in developing innovative safety features, and Mavic 3 continues this tradition with improved obstacle sensing and navigation systems to give drone pilots the guidance they need to stay safe. APAS 5.0 combines inputs from six fish-eye vision sensors and two wide-angle sensors, which seamlessly and continuously sense obstacles in all directions and plan safe flight routes to avoid them – even in complicated environments. [3]
The omnidirectional obstacle sensing system also enables more intuitive subject tracking with the upgraded ActiveTrack 5.0, [4] allowing users to sense obstacles even in Normal mode. Previous iterations of ActiveTrack enabled the camera to follow a subject as it moved directly toward and away from the drone while remaining largely stationary as well as fly alongside a moving subject. ActiveTrack 5.0 allows Mavic 3 to move with the subject as it moves forward, backward, left, right, and diagonally, and fly alongside as well as around a moving subject. In addition, if the subject moves too fast and temporarily goes out of frame, the visual sensors on the aircraft will continue to track and frame the subject intelligently and pick it back up when it reappears. These new directions enable much more fluid and diverse drone and camera movement while using ActiveTrack.
Mavic 3 comes with a powerful positioning algorithm that improves hovering precision with signals from GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou satellites. This enables Mavic 3 to lock onto multiple satellite signals faster than ever. The increased positioning precision also makes Mavic 3 less likely to drift in the air and more stable when shooting long exposures and timelapses.
Mavic 3 features other robust safety systems that DJI has pioneered to keep the skies safe in the drone era. These include geofencing to alert drone pilots when they fly near sensitive locations, altitude limits to ensure pilots are aware of altitude restrictions, and the AeroScope Remote ID system that allows authorities to identify and monitor airborne drones in sensitive locations. Mavic 3’s integrated AirSense system, first widely introduced in DJI Air 2S, warns drone pilots of nearby airplanes and helicopters transmitting ADS-B signals, so they can quickly fly to a safer location.
Longer Flights With Extended Battery Life And Improved Aerodynamics
DJI set a benchmark for drone endurance in 2016 with the Phantom 4 and the original Mavic Pro, which each featured maximum flight times approaching 30 minutes. In the succeeding years, new drone models have slowly increased those times thanks to incremental improvements in flight technology. With Mavic 3, DJI has reshaped every element of the drone’s flight envelope and power management to enable drastically longer flight times – up to 46 minutes in ideal conditions – giving unprecedented freedom for aerial photographers to shoot dynamic scenes.
DJI developed motors and propellers with higher energy efficiency, created a higher-capacity battery, and reduced the weight of the drone’s structure and components. DJI also streamlined the shape of Mavic 3’s arms, body, and gimbal on aerodynamic principles. Wind tunnel testing shows Mavic 3 produces 35% less drag than previous generations, allowing faster top speeds.
Return Safely With Advanced RTH
DJI’s Return To Home (RTH) system has enhanced the safety of DJI drones for years, automatically directing a drone back to its starting point if it runs critically low on battery or loses connection to the controller. The drone would ascend high enough to clear any obstacles in its path, fly back in a straight line, and descend straight down to the home point. Mavic 3 updates and improves this system by allowing the aircraft to automatically determine the shortest, safest, and energy-efficient route to land back at its home point. At the same time, the drone measures the wind speed of the current environment and calculates the power required for returning home based on the wind speed and the return path in real-time. This provides users with more time flying safely before triggering the RTH action.
Signal Loss Prevention with DJI O3+
DJI O3+ is an upgraded transmission system that delivers stable, smooth, and clear video transmission even under challenging conditions, such as flying a drone in an environment with strong signal interference. With a maximum control range of 15km, [5] O3+ enables Mavic 3 to fly further and transmits signals with higher stability and less video lag, offering the pilot a greater peace of mind during flight. Mavic 3 is DJI’s first drone that offers a High Frame-Rate Transmission with a 1080p/60fps live feed. This means the camera view is displayed at a resolution close to what the camera actually records. O3+ also makes Mavic 3 more responsive to the pilot’s control.
Intelligent Modes for Unlimited Possibilities
Mavic 3 offers a new array of Intelligent modes for creating and editing compelling photos and videos by controlling the flight path and camera movements in compelling new ways. These features, such as MasterShots, Panorama mode, and QuickTransfer, allow users to make the most out of their drone.
MasterShots [4] lets users create high-quality content more easily and quickly. After automatic editing and dubbing in the app, videos can be created in minutes and directly shared with friends.
Panorama Mode [4] in Mavic 3 allows pictures to be directly stitched and processed by the drone, without the DJI Fly App or any post-production, allowing users to capture breathtaking landscapes with sweeping breadth and rich detail.
QuickTransfer [4] lets users store and process materials on their mobile devices without linking with the remote controller. Mavic 3 can now transmit materials from the drone to the mobile device more quickly through the Wi-Fi 6 protocol.
New, Advanced Accessories
Along with a suite of new features and performance innovations, DJI introduces new ways to control, capture with, and carry DJI Mavic 3.
The new smart controller DJI RC Pro offers a smoother control experience, upgraded with enhanced antenna power for an extended transmission distance of up to 15 km. [5] Its 1000-nit high-bright screen allows better vision and control for outdoor flights. Its battery system offers an extended operating time of up to three hours and charging as fast as 90 minutes.
The DJI 65W Portable Charger allows a fast-charging option with a charging time of approximately 96 minutes and is compatible with current notebooks and smartphones thanks to its USB Type-C output.
The DJI Convertible Carrying Bag features an entirely new design with a backpack and shoulder bag configuration for taking Mavic 3, accessories, a laptop, and even clothes and other personal items for a weekend trip in style.
The DJI Mavic 3 Wide-Angle Lens offers an FOV of up to 108° for a more immersive FPV-style flight experience.
The DJI Mavic 3 Storage Cover uses a lightweight, minimalist design to protect the camera, gimbal, and propellers when folding and transporting Mavic 3.
The DJI ND Filters Set comes in two ranges – ND4/8/16/32 and ND64/128/256/512 – and lets the camera excel in any bright lighting condition.
The DJI 10Gbps Lightspeed Data Cable enables users to download materials from the drone to their computer at high speed. Material backup is available on-site, thanks to high-speed transmission.”
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Buy Mavic 3 on Amazon.com
Pelican 1400 Protector Case - A Customizable Waterproof Case for DJI Mavic Series Drones
A review of the Pelican 1400 Protector Case, which is a waterproof hard case perfectly sized for the DJI Mavic series of drones.
I wanted to see if the Pelican 1400 Case was really waterproof, so naturally I threw it in the lake.
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DJI’s Mavic series of drones feature foldable arms and propellers that allow the drones to fit into small spaces when traveling. When you’re ready to fly the drone you can unfold the arms and extend the propellers in a matter of seconds, and off to new heights you go.
(The Mavic series of drones include recent products where DJI has dropped the word “Mavic” from the title, like the DJI Air 2S and the DJI Mini 2)
When you buy a Mavic 2 Pro, Mavic 2 Zoom, Mavic Air 2, DJI Air 2S, or DJI Mini 2, the basic drone packages don’t come with a case or a bag. DJI offers “Fly More” combo packages for Mavic series drones that typically include a soft bag (among other accessories), or you can buy a soft bag separately without the “Fly More” package.
DJI also sells a Mavic 2 Series Protector Case and a Mavic Air Series Protector Case for around $169, which are waterproof hard cases custom designed fit to both of those sizes of drone with their accessories.
I recently bought the DJI Air 2S and wanted a waterproof hard case. The DJI Protector cases are probably very nice with the custom fit foam, but I have used Pelican cases before and wanted to see if they had something similar, smaller, and/or cheaper.
After comparing some of the various Pelican cases available, I found the Pelican 1400 Protector Case would probably be the perfect size for DJI’s Mavic series drones. It is slightly smaller than the DJI Protector cases, and at around $94 is a lot cheaper.
The Pelican 1400 Protector Case allows you to customize the shape of the interior space by removing rows of squares with what they call “Pick N Pluck” foam. (Pick N Pluck is a trademark of Pelican Products, Inc.)
Obviously the included foam is not custom fit at the factory for the drone and the accessories like the DJI cases would be, but you can simply remove 1/2 inch foam squares as needed to fit whatever drone or gear you want to store in the case and it will accommodate just about any configuration you can imagine. As you can see in the image above the DJI Air 2S fit in the case nicely along with my phone (in case I want my phone in a buoyant dry box), a couple extra batteries, the remote, a box of DJI ND filters, and some extra propellers. The Mavic 2 Pro is only 1.34 inches longer than the Air 2S so if I wanted to use this case with that size of drone I could just remove another couple rows of foam squares to the left of the drone. As you can see there is a bit of extra space in my DJI Air 2S configuration.
The Pelican 1400 Protector Case is similar in size to the Phantom 4 Pro’s case but is a lot thinner:
The Pelican 1400 Protector Case on top of the Phantom 4 Pro case. You can see parts of the Phantom 4 Pro case underneath, showing how the Pelican 1400 case is slightly smaller.
A side view showing how the Pelican 1400 Protector Case is a lot thinner than the Phantom 4 Pro case.
The most important qualification for a suitable compact drone case is… can it fit on the back of a kayak? I am pleased to say the Pelican 1400 meets that important criteria.
The most important criteria for a compact drone case is: can it fit on the back of a kayak? The Pelican 1400 Protector Case passes this test with flying colors.
Of course if you’re kayaking with a drone in a case, it’s extremely important for the case to be watertight. Fortunately, the Pelican 1400 Protector Case is waterproof and can stay afloat while holding around 20 lbs of gear (the Mavic drones are generally around 2lbs or less).
The splash pattern created by the Pelican 1400 Protector case indicates that it is fun to throw stuff in lakes.
Overall I am happy with the size, price, and quality of the case. If I ever want to reconfigure the case for a different drone, I could order replacement foam for a fraction of the cost of a whole new case.
If you found this article helpful and are considering making a purchase, you can use one of the links on this page and I’ll get a a small commission. Thanks!
Products Mentioned in this Article on Amazon
DJI Air 2S Review: Has DJI Finally Created a Superior Successor to the Phantom 4 Pro??
DJI has released the “DJI Air 2S” as the latest drone in the Mavic series. It has the same size sensor and photo resolution as the Mavic 2 Pro and the Phantom 4 Pro with 4K video @ 60fps or 5.4K video @ 30fps. Has DJI finally released a travel-sized drone that can replace my 4-year-old Phantom 4 Pro???
Testing the image quality of the DJI Air 2S vs. the trusty old Phantom 4 Pro. Will the latest Mavic be my new go-to compact travel drone? Or should I clean the bug guts off the Phantom 4 Pro and keep using it for another year?
I have had a Phantom 4 Pro since February of 2017. It has been my go-to drone for real estate photography and video for a few years. But at some point I can’t help but wonder, “How long do these things last? Is DJI going to release a superior compact travel drone for me to upgrade to someday? Should I just fly this Phantom 4 Pro for years until a motor fails and it crashes in a field?”
Back when the Mavic 2 Pro came out in 2018 many people thought of that drone as the successor to the Phantom 4 Pro, but the Mavic 2 Pro could only do video at 4K @ 30fps, whereas the Phantom 4 Pro could do 4K @ 60fps. So the Mavic 2 Pro failed to be a totally superior successor, though it has been a popular model.
When the DJI Mavic Air 2 came out in 2020 with a 48-megapixel camera (better thought of as a 12MP quad bayer sensor) that could shoot 4K @ 60fps I had high hopes about that being my new compact travel drone, but knowing it had a smaller sensor than the Phantom 4 Pro I had my suspicions. Once I got ahold of one I pitted the Mavic Air 2 against the Phantom 4 Pro in a series of photo quality tests, and I generally preferred the image quality of the Phantom 4 Pro’s camera over the Mavic Air 2. So the Mavic Air 2 didn’t end up replacing my trusty old Phantom 4 Pro.
Now in April 2021 DJI has released the “DJI Air 2S” as the latest drone in the Mavic series. It has the same size sensor and photo resolution as the Mavic 2 Pro and the Phantom 4 Pro with 4K video @ 60fps or 5.4K video @ 30fps. Has DJI finally released a travel-sized drone that can replace my 4-year-old Phantom 4 Pro???
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Shortly after my DJI Air 2S arrived I took it along with my Phantom 4 Pro (P4P) to a couple locations to test out the cameras, because I enjoy meticulously analyzing photo quality (i.e. I’m a dork). The first location was a park. Here are some unedited photos looking straight down at about 393 feet AGL:
The first thing you may notice in the two photos above is that the DJI Air 2S appears to be zoomed out more than the Phantom 4 Pro, even though they are about the same altitude. This is expected because DJI lists the Air 2S as having a 22mm full-frame equivalent focal length, and lists the Phantom 4 Pro as having a 24mm full-frame equivalent focal length. The Mavic 2 Pro has a 28mm focal length. Obviously one focal length is not better than the other, it just depends on the situation.
The other thing I noticed but was NOT expecting is that with these unedited DNG(RAW) photos the Air 2S has better color and contrast than the Phantom 4 Pro right out of the camera. Chalk that up as a win for the DJI Air 2S!
Now let’s see if we can see a difference in sharpness when we zoom in on these photos.
When looking at these crops keep in mind that the DJI Air 2S camera and the Phantom 4 Pro are both about the same distance from the subject (the ground at the park park), but the Phantom is “zoomed in” to 24mm while the Air 2S is “zoomed out” to 22mm. This should be an advantage for the Phantom 4 Pro when comparing crops of the same sized area of the park. If you have two cameras with equal lens sharpness and sensor resolution both the same distance from the subject, but one is at 22mm and the other at 24mm, the camera at 24mm should capture more detail of the subject since it is zoomed in farther.
In the extreme crops of the lower left, middle, and lower right areas of the park photos, the DJI Air 2S crops are 513 x 341 and the Phantom 4 Pro crops are around 570 x 380 (one of them is 576 x 384) due to the variance in focal length between the two drones. If both cameras/lenses were equally sharp the Phantom 4 Pro should have no problem winning, because it is zoomed in farther and has about 23% more pixels covering each cropped comparison area.
With that in mind, can the Air 2S can still win?
Before we jump in I would just like to say it’s obvious that either drone can produce great photos for a variety of professional purposes and I am cropping these more than anyone should ever need to crop them for a real project. We are just going to be looking at the fine details with extreme closeups to see if there’s a noticeable difference.
Here is the first crop from the lower left corner of the main park images:
Surprisingly, despite the Air 2S crop being only (513x341) vs. the P4P crop being (576x384), there is actually more definition in the Air 2S crop. The branches over the white table are sharper and more defined and you can see the brick lines better.
Let’s take a look at an extreme closeup near the middle of the full images:
In this close up of the middle of the photos it’s hard to say which crop has more detail, which in itself is a win for the DJI Air 2S since it’s accomplishing a similar amount of detail with fewer pixels in the crop.
Now let’s take a look at another crop from the lower right corner of the full images:
In this crop you can see significant green and magenta fringing around the edges of the white crosswalk paint and along the edges of the cement in the (570x380) P4P crop, and the fringing is almost non-existent in the (513x341) Air 2S crop. You can also see more detail and less color fringing on the yellow/green crosswalk sign with the Air 2S. Adobe Lightroom was applying lens corrections to both images.
Just so I don’t base my entire test around one photo, let’s take a look at some photos in the city!
These photos were both taken from about the same altitude and location (though it looks like I may have been 5 or 10 feet higher with the DJI Air 2S), and you can again see the difference between the focal lengths of 22mm and 24mm. The DJI Air 2S had better color and contrast right out of the camera for the city scene as well:
Now let’s check out an extreme crop of the left side:
The biggest difference in these drones really shows up at the edges of photos, which is where many lenses show their weaknesses. The (513x341) Air 2S crop of the left side is much cleaner, sharper, and more defined than the (570x380) P4P crop. You can compare the building edges & windows in these crops to see how there’s fairly significant green/magenta fringing on the edge of the P4P lens that’s almost non-existent with the Air 2S.
One more crop from the right side:
There isn’t a ton of difference in this crop, but something that I noticed quickly is how it looks like both cameras ran into a bit of a moiré issue with the right side of that building where the lines were close together. I used a radial filter in Adobe Lightroom to correct the moiré, and here’s the updated comparison:
With the moiré not distracting from the side of the building it looks like the window lines where the moiré was are slightly more defined and less noisy in the (513x341) Air 2S crop than the (570x380) P4P crop. There also might be a little more color fringing and noise with the P4P, but other than that there’s not a huge difference.
I wanted to do one more test in a high dynamic range situation after sunset where the foreground was very dark. In order to take photos at the exact same time identical lighting in each shot I just set both drones on a table and took the photos at the exact same time. Here are the original unedited photos taken at ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/25th shutter speed:
Here are the same photos with highlights reduced to -79 and shadows cranked to +95 in Adobe Lightroom:
And here are crops of the center of each photo:
If you compare the lower part of the tree trunk in the middle, the pine branches, and tree leaves, you can see how much sharper the Air 2S is right in the center of this high dynamic range scene.
Conclusion
The only thing I miss while using the included DJI Air 2S remote and the DJI Fly app is the ability to change camera settings with the wheel on the remote. With the remotes included with the Inspire 2 or Phantom 4 Pro you can press the right wheel to cycle through camera settings and then turn the wheel to change a setting in the DJI Go app. With the DJI Air 2S remote you have to tap on the screen and drag the slider to change values like shutter speed, ISO, or white balance.
Other than minor differences in the remote & app, after comparing the photo capability of the DJI Air 2S with my trusty Phantom 4 Pro in a variety of situations it is clear the Air 2S has a much sharper camera/lens combination. The sharper lens combined with the highest video resolution of any compact drone from DJI (i.e. smaller than an Inspire) has made the DJI Air 2S my new favorite travel drone.
If you found this article helpful and are planning on making a purchase, consider using one of the links on this page and I’ll get a small commission. Thanks!
DJI on Amazon
Is the DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo a Good Value vs. the Basic Package?
If you are going to purchase the new DJI Air 2S, which is the same size and shape as the Mavic Air 2 but with a camera sensor as big as a Mavic 2 Pro’s, you will probably encounter the “Fly More Combo” option. This expanded set is available on DJI’s website and Amazon.com. I thought I would break down the cost of the accessories included in the combo so others could decide if they need or want to spend the extra money.
See Also: DJI Air 2S Reviewed vs. Phantom 4 Pro
See Also: Pelican 1400 Protector Case - A Customizable Waterproof Case for DJI Mavic Series Drones
If you are going to purchase the new DJI Air 2S, which is the same size and shape as the Mavic Air 2 but with a camera sensor as big as a Mavic 2 Pro’s, you will probably encounter the “Fly More Combo” option. This expanded set is available on DJI’s website and Amazon.com. I thought I would break down the cost of the accessories included in the combo so others could decide if they need or want to spend the extra money.
This page contains links to products, so if you find this site useful and use a link to make a purchase, I’ll get a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks!
So the DJI Air 2S was just released, and it costs $999. Here’s what you get in the box for that price:
What you get in the box when you purchase the basic DJI Air 2S package.
And shown below is what you get if you purchase the DJI Air 2S as part of the “Fly More Combo,” which currently sells for $1,299:
What you get if you purchase the DJI Air 2S “Fly More Combo” package.
Here is a breakdown of the prices of the extra items you get with the Fly More Combo, based on prices on DJI’s website:
2 Extra Batteries = $115 x 2 = $230 value
3 Extra Pairs of Low Noise Propellers = $11 x 3 = $33 value
Battery Charging Hub = $59 value
ND Filters Set (ND4/8/16/32) = $99 value
Battery to Power Bank Adaptor = $19
Shoulder Bag = $89
Total Extra Value Included in the Fly More Combo (based on DJI’s website MSRP values) = $529
So now that we know the value of all the accessories, we have to ask ourselves, “which of these accessories do I actually need to buy if I don’t purchase the Fly More Combo?”
Personally I would want the extra batteries, the extra propellers (eventually), the battery charging hub, and the ND Filters Set.
**SIDE NOTE: The ND Filter Set will be important if you’re shooting video because this drone apparently has a fixed aperture of f/2.8 according to the specs page. The Mavic 2 Pro and Phantom 4 Pro specs pages show an aperture range of f/2.8 to f/11. When you’re shooting video you generally want to have your shutter speed about twice the frame rate to get a cinematic look, and I’ve always been able to use a shutter speed of 1/60 at 30fps with the Phantom 4 Pro just by using an ND4 and adjusting aperture as necessary. Since this aperture is not adjustable, I would probably have to use a darker ND filter in broad daylight.
I can’t imagine myself ever using the Battery to Power Bank Adaptor, and I wouldn’t spend money on the shoulder bag because I already have a larger camera bag and I can just put the DJI Air 2S stuff in there. (I might use the shoulder bag since it’s part of the combo package anyway though)
So the value of the Fly More Combo to me personally would be:
2 Extra Batteries = $115 x 2 = $230 value
3 Extra Pairs of Low Noise Propellers = $11 x 3 = $33 value
Battery Charging Hub = $59 value
ND Filters Set (ND4/8/16/32) = $99 value
Total Extra Value for me personally = $421
Cost Difference Between Basic Package and the Fly More Combo = $300
Savings = $121
If you don’t fly very often and don’t think you’d use the extra batteries then there’s no way the Fly More Combo would be a good value, because you also wouldn’t need the battery charging hub and there goes $289 of value. But if you fly enough to run through a couple batteries in a day and shoot video occasionally, just the batteries, ND filters, and charging hub make it a discounted way to get all the extra stuff you need.
DJI Air 2S on Amazon
DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo on Amazon
DJI Officially Unveils the DJI Air 2S (Previously Known on Rumor Sites as the Mavic Air 2S)
DJI today has officially announced the DJI Air 2S, an updated version of the Mavic Air 2. It is the same compact size as the Mavic Air 2, and is only slightly heavier (595g vs 570g).
I am thrilled to see they upgraded the camera sensor size to 1-inch like the Phantom 4 Pro and the Mavic 2 Pro. It actually shoots higher resolution video than any of their other sub-$2,000 drones, using every pixel of the sensor to shoot 5.4K video! Barring the much larger, heavier, more expensive professional/enterprise drones like the Inspire 2 and Matrice series, this drone looks to be their new flagship (for now).
See Also: Is the DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo a Good Value vs. the Basic Package?
See Also: DJI Air 2S Review: Has DJI Finally Created a Superior Successor to the Phantom 4 Pro??
See Also: Pelican 1400 Protector Case - A Customizable Waterproof Case for DJI Mavic Series Drones
This page contains links to products, so if you find this site useful and use a link to make a purchase, I’ll get a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Enjoy!
DJI has announced the new DJI Air 2S with a 1” Sensor, Capable of shooting 20MP photos and 5.4K video.
DJI today has officially announced the DJI Air 2S, an updated version of the Mavic Air 2. It is the same compact size as the Mavic Air 2, and is only slightly heavier (595g vs 570g).
I am thrilled to see they upgraded the camera sensor size to 1-inch like the Phantom 4 Pro and the Mavic 2 Pro. It actually shoots higher resolution video than any of their other sub-$2,000 drones, using every (horizontal) pixel of the sensor to shoot 5.4K video! Barring the much larger, heavier, more expensive professional/enterprise drones like the Inspire 2 and Matrice series, this drone looks to be their new flagship (for now). Given this development, I’ll be interested to see where they end up going with the Mavic series. Will there be a Mavic 3? Time will tell.
In perusing through the specs page for the DJI Air 2S I noticed they’ve changed the camera lens to a 22mm (full-frame equivalent) with an 88-degree field of view, compared with 24mm/84-degree lens on the Mavic Air 2 & Phantom 4 Pro. The Mavic 2 Pro camera lens is 28mm with a 77-degree field of view.
I am looking forward to comparing the camera on this new drone to my trusty old Phantom 4 Pro, which previously beat the Mavic Air 2 in my image quality battle.
DJI Air 2S on Amazon
DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo on Amazon
From the DJI Press Release: “DJI Air 2S Melds Incredible Image Quality With Unmatched Flight Performance
Added Obstacle Sensors Improve Autonomous Flying, While The 1” Sensor Offers 20-Megapixel Photos and 5.4K Video
DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today sets a new benchmark for high-grade flight performance and incredible imagery with the new DJI Air 2S. This portable camera drone is an all-in-one solution, offering robust flight performance, state-of-the-art camera upgrades and high-grade preprogrammed content creation tools.
“Every creator remembers what it felt like to fly a drone for the first time, and they’ll feel the same sense of wonder and possibility when they first experience DJI Air 2S’s unparalleled mix of astonishing flight capability and gripping image quality,” said Ferdinand Wolf, Creative Director, DJI Europe. “DJI Air 2S is a wish list come to life for everyone who demands more from a drone, showcasing upgrades that truly elevate the system into a highly versatile drone. From content creators, to drone enthusiasts and travelers, we are confident that a lot of people will be excited about this drone.”
The DJI Air 2S is the first drone of its size to capture 20-megapixel still images or video in 5.4K with a new one-inch sensor that was previously available only on larger, less agile drones. DJI continues to enable the effortless creation of imaginative content with the new MasterShots feature. This advanced feature uses automatic flight path planning to set the drone’s course while recording video. Upon completion of the flight, DJI Air 2S automatically merges the footage under one theme to create an eye-catching video.
DJI Air 2S’s 31 minutes of maximum flight time and four-way directional obstacle sensors let the pilot focus on the shot while the drone’s safety systems warn when obstacles are getting close. APAS 4.0 is the most advanced autopilot system on any DJI drone and when turned on, seamlessly maneuvers around objects autonomously. O3, DJI’s third iteration of OcuSync, brings the most reliable transmission technology in the drone market to this portable, foldable drone so users know their connection is stable. The upgraded FocusTrack mode includes a suite of programmed modes like Spotlight 2.0, ActiveTrack 4.0 and Point of Interest 3.0 that easily mimic the focus, control and movement of a professional video operator.
An All-In-One Tool for All Your Content Capturing Needs
Expand your creative vision and capture high-grade footage using a new one-inch sensor capable of recording 20-megapixel still images, 5.4K video at 30fps or 4K at 60fps and 150Mbps. The one-inch sensor is larger than the sensor on the original Mavic Air 2 and offers a larger pixel size of 2.4μm, capturing more information and detail for better photos and videos. Get closer to the subject without moving the drone using a new digital zoom that supports 4X zoom at 4K 30fps, 6X at 2.7K 30fps, 4X at 2.7K 60fps, 6X at 1080P 60fps and 8X at 1080P 30fps. DJI’s renowned three-axis mechanical gimbal smooths out footage for professional-level quality and 8 GB of internal storage have been added. Users can choose to record in H264 or H265, depending on their preferences for image detail and storage capacity and can also choose from three video color profiles, Normal (8 bit), D-Log (10 bit) or HLG (10 bit) to match their video needs.
In addition to standard photo options like Timed Photo, AEB and Panoramas, DJI Air 2S’s SmartPhoto mode records 20-megapixel photos using advanced scene analysis and deep learning to automatically choose the best of three options that will create the most visually appealing image for you, including HDR, Hyperlight and Scene Recognition. HDR modes merge several images together for a vibrant scene while Hyperlight is designed for low-light scenarios and Scene Recognition can identify several common settings and apply camera adjustments to capture photos that pop.
Pre-Programmed Modes for Pro-Level Footage
The DJI Air 2S has the most programmed flight modes and image capture modes of any DJI drone of its size. These creative options include:
MasterShots: Professional-level aerial footage has never been easier. After activating MasterShots, the drone will autonomously plan a flight path, choose from three different image capture modes, including Proximity, Portrait or Landscape, and start recording classic aerial footage. Pilots can choose different themes and the DJI Fly app will generate a unique video that’s ready to be shared with the world.
FocusTrack: Focus on the scene and let DJI Air 2S do the hard work for you. Select your subject by drawing a square around it on your mobile device, then choose from Point of Interest 3.0, an autonomous flight path around the subject; ActiveTrack 4.0, a tool that seamlessly tracks the subject and keeps it in the frame; or Spotlight 2.0, where the drone movement is controlled by the pilot while it locks the subject into the frame.
QuickShots: A staple DJI feature, QuickShot modes include Rocket, Circle, Dronie, Helix, Boomerang and Asteroid.
Hyperlapse: See the world sped up from the air and in motion with the Hyperlapse option in resolution up to 4K. Content captured in 4K resolution and lower can apply digital stabilization for an added layer of smoothness.
Safe and Intuitive Flight Operation in an Ultra-Portable Drone
DJI Air 2S uses four high-grade antennas and the latest version of DJI’s proprietary OcuSync transmission tech, O3, to deliver a stable feed at a maximum distance of 12km, even in areas with a high number of signals. A maximum 31 minutes in the air gives pilots more time to capture visually appealing footage while four-way sensors help reduce the risk of collision. The newly upgraded front, rear, bottom and top obstacle sensors incorporate binocular zooming technology to recognize incoming objects from further away at faster speeds.
DJI Air 2S uses the latest and most advanced version of Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) 4.0, which allows the drone to autonomously and seamlessly maneuver around, under and over obstacles. While flying at normal speeds, the newly improved APAS 4.0 offers a wider field-of-view to detect obstacles compared to previous versions. If pilots are flying at higher speeds, as the angle of the drone pitches forward more and the newly added upward obstacle sensor plays a critical part in assisting obstacle detection. As with DJI’s latest drone models, the DJI Air 2S’s AirSense system warns drone pilots of nearby airplanes and helicopters transmitting ADS-B signals, so the drone can be quickly moved to a safer location. Other standard DJI safety features of DJI Air 2S include an improved Return-To-Home (RTH) feature, which can bring a drone back to its launch point if it loses contact with the controller or reaches a critically low battery level, and the GEO 2.0 geofencing system to advise pilots of sensitive locations and help them automatically keep away from high-risk areas such as airports. DJI Air 2S uses the latest version of the DJI Fly app, which features a wealth of educational information and tutorials to get new pilots up in the air quickly.
DJI Care Refresh
DJI Care Refresh is now available for DJI Air 2S, covering various accidents, such as water damage, collisions, flyaway, etc. For an additional charge, DJI Care Refresh offers up to two replacement units within one year, including coverage for one flyaway incident. The two-year plan provides three replacement units in two years, including coverage for up to two flyaway incidents and an extension of the original warranty period by one year (extension durations vary by region). Receive your replacement even sooner with DJI Care Refresh Express. DJI Care Refresh also includes exclusive after-sales support and free two-way shipping.
Price and Availability
DJI Air 2S is available for purchase today from store.dji.com and from authorized retail partners in several configurations. The standard combo retails for $999 and includes the drone, remote controller, one battery and all the cables and parts needed to get into the air. The Fly More Combo retails for $1,299 includes everything from the standard combo with the addition of 2 batteries for a total of 3, ND filters, a charging hub and a shoulder bag.”
DJI Releases the New "DJI FPV" - A First-Person View Drone Capable of 87 mph Flight
DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today launched an entirely new type of drone with an intuitive, immersive flight experience never available until now.
This page contains links to products, so if you find this site useful and use a link to make a purchase, I’ll get a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks!
From the DJI Press Release:
“DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today launched an entirely new type of drone with an intuitive, immersive flight experience never available until now. DJI FPV combines the first-person view and high-speed performance of racing drones, the cinematic camera sweep of traditional drones, the safety and transmission technology of DJI’s leading consumer drones, and an optional innovative single-handed motion controller that allows pilots to control the drone with just hand movements. DJI FPV creates a new drone category, and opens up new worlds of possibilities for content creators and drone fans from beginners to experts alike.
“DJI has been redefining what drones can do since our company began in 2006, and as we celebrate our 15-year anniversary this year, we honor that heritage of innovation by redefining what drone flight can be with DJI FPV,” said Ferdinand Wolf, Creative Director, DJI Europe. “Right out of the box, DJI FPV combines the best available technology for a hybrid drone like no other. It can fly like a racer, hover like a traditional drone, accelerate like a homebuilt project and stop faster than any of them. DJI FPV lets the world experience the absolute thrill of immersive drone flight without being intimidated by the technology or spending hours building a system from scratch. We can’t wait for the world to try it.”
The DJI FPV ecosystem includes the drone, goggles, a dedicated remote controller, and a new intuitive motion controller option that steers the drone based on the movement of your hand. The drone features high-performance motors for incredible speeds, an intuitive user interface and the latest safety features for greater control. The new FPV system lets pilots see from the drone’s perspective in low-latency high definition thanks to O3, the third iteration of DJI’s proprietary OcuSync technology. Its unmatched reliability and transmission range help pilots capture ultra-smooth and stable 4K video at 60 fps with the assistance of RockSteady electronic image stabilization.
Amateur and professional pilots alike can explore the skies with confidence with the assistance of three distinct flight modes designed for all skill levels and to get pilots accustomed to the system. DJI FPV’s advanced safety features include a new Emergency Brake and Hover feature to help make flying safer and less intimidating for new users, as well as DJI’s suite of industry-leading safety solutions, including GPS-based geofencing to advise pilots of airspace restrictions and potential hazards, and an ADS-B receiver system to warn pilots when other manned aircraft are nearby. In many jurisdictions, drone pilots flying with FPV goggles must be accompanied by a visual observer to watch for airspace hazards. Always fly safely and responsibly, and be sure to understand and follow the legal requirements for flight.
A Flight Experience For Every Skill Level
DJI FPV is the first integrated FPV drone that allows pilots from beginners to professionals to choose from multiple flight modes to match their skill level:
Normal (N) Mode: During N mode operation, DJI FPV operates similar to other DJI drones, hovering in place with the use of GPS and/or visual positioning systems (VPS) on the bottom of the drone. The most approachable flight mode, N mode allows for obstacle detection sensors on the front to be activated to warn when obstacles are near and slow down. Pilots are tasked with maneuvering the drone away from any detected obstacles.
Manual (M) Mode: Take full control over the drone with M mode which is designed for more experienced users. While in M mode, all sensors and hovering features are disabled.
Sport (S) Mode: A new hybrid blend of M and N mode, S mode offers some of the dynamic movement capabilities that come with M mode along with some of the key safety features of N mode. S mode is the middle step between the three modes and developed to give pilots more room to explore their skills as they get accustomed to FPV flight.
While in the air, pilots can also use a suite of safety features that make flying not only a memorable experience, but a safe one as well. A dedicated Emergency Brake and Hover feature is available in all flying modes to make the drone stop and hover in place at any time during flight. Obstacle detection sensors can be activated while operating in N mode, which will alert pilots of any detected obstacles and automatically slow down the aircraft. Visual Positioning Sensors (VPS), along with an auxiliary light on the bottom of the aircraft are also available to assist in smooth takeoffs and landings. Failsafe Return to Home is another important feature that will bring the drone back to its home point automatically with a press of a button or in the event that transmission signal is lost. The ADS-B receiver system provides audio and visual notifications to the pilot via the FPV Goggles when traditional aircraft such as airplanes or helicopters equipped with ADS-B transmitters are in the vicinity.
Immerse Yourself In The Experience of Flying
DJI FPV lets you see the world in a new way using the absolute latest in HD transmission technology. Pilots can see a crystal-clear, long-range, low-latency feed from the DJI FPV aircraft while wearing the DJI FPV Goggles V2. State-of-the-art racing motors offer high-speed action during flights, and the O3 transmission system offers unmatched reliability. The new motors bring a heart-racing experience to the system with a max speed of 140 kph (87 mph) and a max acceleration of 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) in just two seconds. O3 transmission is the next step in FPV transmission technology. It offers a 10km transmission range, auto-switching dual-frequencies, a high bitrate of 50 Mpbs, and state-of-the-art anti-interference methods to ensure a reliable feed. Announced in 2019, the DJI HD transmission system brought the world’s first low-latency, HD digital feed to the market. The new DJI FPV system uses that same technology to bring a crystal-clear image to the goggles with ultra-low latency. Pilots can choose from several different viewing options, including:
High-Quality mode: See the world in 1440x810p in either 60 fps with a wider 142° Field of View (FOV), or 50 fps with 150° FOV. In this mode, latency is as low as ≤ 40 ms.
Low-Latency mode: In this mode, pilots activate high frame rates for a more cinematic look to signal latency is decreased to ≤ 28 ms. Resolution is 1440×810p 120 fps with a 142° FOV or 100 fps at 150° FOV.
Audience mode: Share the pilot’s perspective in audience mode, which connects up to eight additional goggle sets to the pilot’s view so even onlookers can experience the flight.
Incredible Flight Performance, Breathtaking Footage
Not only does DJI FPV offer incredible flight performance, it can also capture dynamic, cinematic footage you’ll want to share with the world. The integrated 4K/60fps 120 Mbps camera is on a single-axis gimbal, providing stability during intricate maneuvers while rotating vertically for unique angles. Additionally, RockSteady stabilization technology smooths shaky footage and eliminates the rolling shutter effect when filming fast-moving scenes. Advanced distortion correction software can remove the warped and unappealing fish-eye look common in FPV footage. Pilots can record footage in 4x Slow Motion in 1080p and 120 fps to relive epic moments in every detail. Footage can now be stored in H.265 or H.264 which uses less space on the memory card but preserves fine details during compression.
Price and Availability
DJI FPV is available for purchase today from store.dji.com and from authorized retail partners. DJI FPV can be purchased in several options. The standard DJI FPV Combo includes the FPV drone, remote controller 2, FPV Goggles V2, all required cables and one battery for the retail price of $1,299. The DJI FPV Fly More Kit is also available, which includes two additional Intelligent Flight Batteries and the dedicated charging hub for the retail price of $299. The optional Motion Controller is sold separately and can be purchased for the price of $199.”
DJI FPV on Amazon
Megapixels vs. Sensor Size: Can the Mavic Air 2 Beat the Phantom 4 Pro?
I got ahold of a Mavic Air 2, and I just had to know how its higher resolution images compared to the 20 megapixel Phantom 4 Pro and its 13.2 x 8.8mm sensor. If the sensor sizes were the same, I would expect the sensor with more pixels to be the winner. But how do they compare when the higher resolution photos are from a much smaller sensor (6.4 x 4.8mm)? Let’s take a look.
See Also: DJI Drone Sensor Size Comparison Page
See Also: DJI Air 2S Review: Has DJI Finally Created a Superior Successor to the Phantom 4 Pro??
See Also: DJI Mavic 3 vs. DJI Air 2S - Image Quality Tests, Comparison and Review
See Also: Pelican 1400 Protector Case - A Customizable Waterproof Case for DJI Mavic Series Drones
( This page contains links to products, so if you find this site useful and use a link to make a purchase, I’ll get a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks!)
When DJI announced the Mavic Air 2, I was a bit surprised at its max photo resolution of 8000x6000. Why, that’s 48 megapixels from a 6.4 x 4.8mm sensor! Considering all their more expensive drones with larger sensors produce images around 20 megapixels, what is going on with the camera on this new little drone?
I have had a Phantom 4 Pro for a few years, and they haven’t really released a sub-$2,000 drone with a better camera (as of July 2020). The Mavic 2 Pro is the closest to the Phantom 4 Pro with the same sensor size and photo resolution (though it is 28mm instead of the Phantom 4 Pro’s 24mm), but the Phantom 4 Pro from November 2016 still has better video specs than the Mavic 2 Pro.
2021 Update: DJI has now released the DJI Air 2S (also known as the Mavic Air 2S) which is a MUCH better drone than the Mavic Air 2. See my other article that tests the image quality of the DJI Air 2S vs. the Phantom 4 Pro.
I got ahold of a Mavic Air 2, and I just had to know how its higher resolution images compared to the 20 megapixel Phantom 4 Pro and its 13.2 x 8.8mm sensor. If the sensor sizes were the same, I would expect the sensor with more pixels to be the winner. But how do they compare when the higher resolution photos are from a much smaller sensor? Let’s take a look.
For the first shot, I took both drones to a lake:
The first thing I noticed is the Mavic Air 2’s max resolution is a 4x3 ratio (like a smartphone), whereas the more expensive drones (and most professional cameras) have a 3x2 ratio.
Both images seem great overall, so let’s take a closer look. For the first crop, I zoomed way in to the house on the little pointe in the upper left corner of the main shot:
The first thing I notice when comparing these two crops is that the Phantom 4 Pro seems to produce a much “cleaner” image with less random noise overall. The Mavic Air 2’s noise has the effect of making the image look like it was painted onto a rough texture when we are zoomed in extremely far. The Phantom 4 Pro (P4P) handles the trees with more sharpness and clarity, and produces less noise on the water. The brown house looks sharper and cleaner on the P4P with a sharper, cleaner, more defined shape.
One area I might give a win to the Mavic Air 2 (MA2) would be the shape of the boats to the right of the house. The MA2 picked up the shape of the boats better than the P4P, though there is a bit of noticeable color fringing.
The next crop is the closer house in the middle of the main images:
Again we can see the P4P produces a cleaner image overall. The window lines are more clearly defined and less noisy, the trees are more natural looking and defined, and the shingles on the roof look more natural and defined.
It is interesting to look at the MA2’s effect on the roof shingles at this extreme level of zoom… it’s almost as if the roof shingles have completely changed into an entirely different pattern.
That’s not to say the MA2 lost in every way… I think it did a better job of defining the curved line where the grass meets the cement, and a nicer job with the curved steps on the back patio area. I also think the MA2 did a better job defining the patio furniture in the upper left corner of this crop, and some of the roof lines seem sharper and more defined.
The last crop at the lake will be the boat, lift, and dock to the left of the houses in the middle of the main images:
In the above cropped images the P4P handles the tree leaves much better on the right. The MA2 turns the leaves into odd shapes that almost look like a painting. The P4P also did a better job with the water, as you can see the waves & ripples more clearly defined with less noise. The P4P also has less color fringing on the bright areas like the dock and raft.
The MA2 managed to define the shape of the blue boat lift canopy by the dock better, albeit with more noise than the P4P.
For the next setting I went to a park located north of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and took a shot facing south towards the city. Below are the main shots, which seem similar in quality and would be fine to use in most professional projects:
The first crop will be the big building to the right of the river:
The P4P handles the windows and lines on the buildings in this crop much better, with less noise and a more defined & natural look. The buildings and trees in the background are cleaner, sharper, and more defined. The supports under the nearest bridge are also clearer and sharper. Nothing in this crop jumped out at me as looking better on the MA2.
The next crop we can meticulously analyze will be the buildings in the distance to the left of the river:
I will have to give the win to the Phantom 4 Pro! Cleaner, sharper, more defined, more natural looking.
The MA2 does seem to have more sharpness and definition in the construction crane on top of the building though.
The last crop of the city photos will be some of the closer buildings to the left of the river:
In the above crops it seems like the MA2 again pulls a little more definition in the construction cranes. In this image I found it a little tougher to declare a winner, but the P4P does do a better job with the lines and windows on buildings. The P4P also better defines the tree line and buildings in the background near the upper right corner.
For the final photo location, I took the Phantom 4 Pro and the Mavic Air 2 to a golf course on a hot, hazy summer morning:
The first crop will show the area directly in front of the clubhouse:
In the above crop, the MA2 seems to pull more definition if you look at the roofs on the golf carts. But if you look at the shadow of the big tree in the upper left corner, there is a lot more noise in the MA2 image. Also, the P4P continues to handle the appearance of tree leaves much better (especially the tree on the right).
Next, we’ll zoom in to the shed by the little pond:
If you look at the door on the shed and the shingles on the roof, the P4P shows less noise and more definition, contributing to a more natural look. The water is less noisy on the P4P photo, and… this is the last time I will need to say it… but the leaves and grass on the P4P are more defined.
In the last comparison crop, we’ll take a look at the cars in the parking lot. This was a useful crop because it shows a big difference between the two cameras:
Look at all the sun glares on the cars in the MA2’s photo, and you will see… rampant purple! Look at the same glares in the P4P images, and you see the purple fringing is much more controlled. Wherever you have high contrast bright spots, you will often see purple fringing on the MA2.
I cranked the purple defringe amount to 7 under Adobe Lightroom’s manual lens correction panel, and here is the result:
Lightroom was able to correct the purple fringing for the most part, so that’s good that it’s a fairly easy fix.
Conclusion
I wanted to answer the question, “Are megapixels more important than sensor size?” I think we can answer that question with a “probably not.” In this case, the larger sensor on a 2016 Phantom 4 Pro was able to produce generally better images than a smaller sensor from 2020, even though the smaller Mavic Air 2 produces images with more than twice as many pixels. The P4P’s images were cleaner and handled trees, water, and buildings with more clarity & detail.
(I use the phrase “probably not” because the Mavic Air 2 from 2020 would beat a 6 megapixel APS-C camera sensor from 2006, but that’s obviously an extreme comparison)
That being said, whether you use a Phantom 4 Pro, Mavic 2 Pro, or Mavic Air 2, you have a more than capable drone that can capture quality photos & video for a variety of projects in a variety of environments. It will be hard to tell the difference between an image produced on a Mavic Air 2 and a Phantom 4 Pro (other than the aspect ratio) when you’re looking at the entire image. Whether you’re shooting aerial photos for real estate, landscape photography, or for fun, any of these drones are great options! So here are some additional thoughts I have on the Mavic Air 2 that may help you decide if it’s right for you.
Mavic Air 2 Pros
Super compact, easily fits in a camera bag or carry-on bag
Propellers fold in for transportation without detaching them
Relatively quiet and unobtrusive (especially compared with a Phantom 4 Pro)
Costs half as much as a Phantom 4 Pro or Mavic 2 Pro
Super simple remote app for beginners
Produces great images for most purposes
Only with extreme cropping & zooming will you notice a benefit with the larger, more expensive drones
Mavic Air 2 Cons
Bigger & more expensive drones produce moderately better images that may be helpful for larger prints
I feel like it is more likely to be attacked by or accidentally collide with birds than a larger, louder drone (fortunately I haven’t personally confirmed this)
Remote app and camera options might feel too limited and minimal for professionals (you have to use “DJI Fly,” not the “DJI Go” app)
If you want burst shooting or Automatic Exposure Bracketing (AEB), you have to shoot at 12 megapixels, not 48
2021 Update: DJI has now released the DJI Air 2S (also known as the Mavic Air 2S) which is a MUCH better drone than the Mavic Air 2. See my other article that tests the image quality of the DJI Air 2S vs. the Phantom 4 Pro.
Hopefully this article has been helpful. If you want to support more articles like this, feel free to use any link on this page if you make a purchase. Thanks!
Side Note: This test is also relevant when considering how modern day smartphones are starting to have huge megapixel numbers that are higher than the megapixel numbers of large full-frame cameras. Does that mean that smartphones are as good as full-frame cameras?? The answer is “probably not,” because full frame cameras have much larger sensors.
Products Mentioned in this Article on Amazon
DJI Announces the 48-megapixel Mavic Air 2
“Created to make capturing unique, high-quality content from the air simple, fun, and safe, Mavic Air 2 offers flagship capabilities in a compact and easy to use folding drone that features 8K functionality. A larger 1/2” camera sensor offers high-resolution photos and videos to make content stand out, while advanced programmed flight modes, intelligent features and imaging technology make capturing professional-looking content effortless. Pilots can now stay in the sky longer with an enhanced maximum flight time, capture vivid imagery with completely revamped autonomous capabilities, and wholly transform their content with in-app editing features.”
See Also: Pelican 1400 Protector Case - A Customizable Waterproof Case for DJI Mavic Series Drones
This page contains links to products, so if you find this site useful and use a link to make a purchase, I’ll get a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks!
The new 48-megapixel DJI Mavic Air 2
From the DJI Press Release: “DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, today ushers in a new era of aerial creativity with the Mavic Air 2 drone, combining high-grade imaging, intuitive yet advanced flight performance and revolutionary smart and safe technology in the best all-around drone we’ve ever made.
Created to make capturing unique, high-quality content from the air simple, fun, and safe, Mavic Air 2 offers flagship capabilities in a compact and easy to use folding drone that features 8K functionality. A larger 1/2” camera sensor offers high-resolution photos and videos to make content stand out, while advanced programmed flight modes, intelligent features and imaging technology make capturing professional-looking content effortless. Pilots can now stay in the sky longer with an enhanced maximum flight time, capture vivid imagery with completely revamped autonomous capabilities, and wholly transform their content with in-app editing features.
“Mavic Air 2 is another milestone for DJI, demonstrating that our smartest consumer drone does not have to be the largest,” said DJI President Roger Luo. “While the Mavic Air 2 bears all the hallmarks of the Mavic drone family, we had to completely rethink its design and development process. Our goal was to create a drone that offered the best overall experience possible to even the most novice pilot. We hope our drones can help boost creativity and become a fun yet educational experience that can be enjoyed, even at this unprecedented moment in history.”
Robust Imaging Capabilities for Every Type of Creator
The new Mavic Air 2 reimagines how quality content can be captured in a portable, folding drone. No matter the skill level of the pilot, Mavic Air 2’s features and technology are sure to appeal to every creative visionary. Mavic Air 2 is the first drone in the Mavic series to offer 4K video at 60 fps and 120 Mbps. Additionally, users can record unique content using HDR video, 4X Slow Motion in 1080p at 120 fps or 8X Slow Motion in 1080p at 240 fps. Pilots can record 12-megapixel images or choose a new high-resolution 48-megapixel feature that photographs in stunning detail, while a mechanical 3-axis gimbal helps compensate for camera shake to create smooth and stable footage, even in unpredictable scenarios. Taking full advantage of the large Quad Bayer 1/2" sensor, the Mavic Air 2 is the perfect tool to take creativity to the next level with a suite of image capture modes. The newly added SmartPhoto records 12-megapixel photos using advanced scene analysis and deep learning to automatically choose one of three image capture options.
HDR photos: Mavic Air 2 automatically captures seven varying exposures of the same photograph, merging them together to bring out a highly dynamic image.
Hyperlight: Hyperlight is designed for low-light scenarios, taking multiple photographs and merging them to bring out a clear image with less of the noise which usually occurs in low-light scenes.
Scene Recognition: Mavic Air 2 can recognize five categories of scenes including sunsets, blue skies, grass, snow, and trees, then optimize settings to make the photograph pop by bringing out the highest degree of color, detail, and tones.
Unparalleled Flight Performance
Mavic Air 2 completely rebuilt the basics of drone flight to open up the skies for more exploration for everyone who is passionate about drone technology. Despite only weighing as much as a small water bottle at 570 grams, the Mavic Air 2 features new motors, new electronic speed controllers (ESCs), enhanced battery technology and an aerodynamic design to provide a maximum flight time of up to 34 minutes. DJI’s proprietary OcuSync 2.0 transmission technology has been upgraded to deliver an extremely reliable and stable HD video feed from the drone at a maximum distance of 10km. OcuSync 2.0 supports both 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz frequency bands and uses an auto-switching feature to move between the two based on signal strength, while anti-interference technology blocks unwanted signals to keep the video feed clear.
Setting a New Standard for Drone Safety
Mavic Air 2 is equipped with unprecedented new safety features to help make flying as safe as possible. Obstacle sensors on the front and rear of the drone warn pilots when they’re too close to an object and can also be set to stop the drone from moving any closer to avoid collision. Additional sensors and auxiliary lights on the bottom of Mavic Air 2 assist with several functions including smooth, automatic landing even in difficult lighting. Mavic Air 2 also comes equipped with our GEO geofencing solution to help keep drones away from the highest-risk locations, such as busy airports.
Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) 3.0 brings the next level of autonomous flying to DJI drones. When users enable APAS 3.0, as obstacles come into the drone’s path, Mavic Air 2 will create a new path around, under or over the object to avoid collision, giving pilots the confidence to fly in more complex situations while focusing on capturing their ideal images. Using 3D mapping, the updated version aids in smooth transitions and more fluid movements around objects even in highly complex environments.
In accordance with DJI’s industry-leading 10-point Elevating Safety vision published last year, Mavic Air 2 is also DJI’s first consumer drone designed to include AirSense technology, which provides enhanced safety by warning drone pilots of other aircraft nearby. AirSense uses aviation technology known as ADS-B to receive signals from nearby airplanes and helicopters, and displays their location on the drone pilot’s control screen. As these other aircraft approach the drone, AirSense will warn the drone pilot with messages, sounds and vibrations, enhancing the pilot’s awareness and ability to move the drone safely away.
“DJI has an unwavering commitment to enhance drone safety with technology, and Mavic Air 2 implements yet another pioneering safety solution for drone operations,” said DJI Vice President of Policy & Legal Affairs Brendan Schulman. “Our ambitious commitment to installing ADS-B in our new product models means Mavic Air 2 will be the world’s largest single deployment of ADS-B receiver technology, fulfilling and furthering our vision as the industry’s leader on voluntary safety efforts.”
Powerful Intelligent Features
Mavic Air 2 is packed with optimized intelligent features allowing users to quickly and easily record images and video that deserves to be shared with the world. FocusTrack is the most advanced tracking feature on any DJI drone and offers three different capture modes:
ActiveTrack 3.0: Select a subject for Mavic Air 2 to automatically follow. The third iteration of ActiveTrack uses state-of-the-art mapping technology and new flight path algorithms to offer improved subject tracking and obstacle avoidance, along with the ability to quickly re-engage the subject if it temporarily moves behind an object.
Point of Interest 3.0: Set an automated flight path around a specific subject. The updated iteration improves surface recognition to better dynamically track subjects.
Spotlight 2.0: Found in professional DJI drones, Spotlight locks a subject in the frame while the user has free operation of the drone’s movement.
A Hyperlapse feature brings the visual appeal of timelapse but with the added element of the drone physically moving. For the first time, Hyperlapse can be shot in a max resolution of 8K while pilots can choose four flight modes including Free movement, Circle, CourseLock and WayPoints. Pilots can also choose from several pre-programmed flight maneuvers known as QuickShots, which use a 3-axis mechanical gimbal and electronic image stabilization for unmatched video quality. Simply tap the desired mode and Mavic Air 2 will automatically create stunning, cinematic content. Pilots can choose Rocket, Circle, Dronie, Helix, Boomerang or Asteroid.
Intuitive App, Convenient Editing and a Wealth of Accessories
An updated version of the DJI Fly app adds more advanced functionality for Mavic Air 2 while maintaining its user-friendly navigation. New tutorials get users familiarized with the drone and quickly in the air to start capturing compelling footage. Easy to use in-app editing features make the DJI Fly app a one-stop tool to edit and adjust the footage captured. Mavic Air 2 will be supported by a host of additional useful accessories including a shoulder bag, ND filter sets, propeller guards, protective case, tablet holder for the controller and monitor hood.”
DJI Drone Sensor Size Comparison Page
There are many drones & cameras available from DJI with minor or major differences in sensor size, photo resolution, video resolution, and video format. I thought it would be handy to have a page with specifications and significant differences laid out clearly in order to make comparison easy.
See also: DJI Product History Timeline
See also: Megapixels vs. Sensor Size: Can the Mavic Air 2 Beat the Phantom 4 Pro?
See also: DJI Air 2S Review: Has DJI Finally Created a Superior Successor to the Phantom 4 Pro??
There are many drones & cameras available from DJI with differences in sensor size, photo resolution, focal length, video resolution, and video format. I thought it would be convenient to have a single page with a visual sensor size reference and key camera specifications laid out clearly in order to make camera comparison easy. Did you know that in December 2018 there were five different variations of the Mavic being sold, with two different sensor sizes? =)
I will try to keep this page updated as new products come out.
For more info you can click on the product name and it will take you to DJI’s website.
**Note about camera sensor sizes: I am listing approximate physical sensor sizes in millimeters based on my own calculations and research to make them easier to compare. Actual dimensions may vary slightly.
The main reason I created this page is due to the different ways DJI lists the sesnor sizes in the specs pages, making it difficult to easily compare cameras. For example, DJI’s website lists the sensor size of the Zenmuse X7 in millimeters (23.5 × 15.7 mm) based on the real physical dimensions, but lists the Phantom 4 Pro’s sensor size as a 1” sensor, though it’s real diagonal measurement is probably more like 0.6 inches. By listing all the sensor sizes the same way it should be easier to visualize the difference. For more information on sensor format sizes, check out this table.
If you find this page helpful, most current products on this page have product links, and I'll get a small commission if a purchase is made through one of the links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The information provided here is for convenience only and should be confirmed on DJI’s website before making a purchase. Thanks, and enjoy!
- DJI FPV Series -
- Mavic Series -
Mini 3 Pro
(Mini 3 Pro on Amazon)
Sensor Size: 9.7 x 7.3mm
Max Photo Resolution: 8064×6048 (48 MP Mode) or 4032×3024 (12 MP)
Max Video Resolution: 3840×2160 @ 60fps
Camera Rotates to Vertical/Portrait Orientation: YES
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): 24mm
Aperture: f/1.7 (fixed)
Photo Formats: JPEG or DNG (RAW)
Video Formats: h.264, h.265
Mavic 3
(Mavic 3 on Amazon)
Sensor Size: 17.3 x 13mm
Max Photo Resolution: 5280 × 3956
Max Video Resolution: 5120 × 2700 @ 50fps / 4096 × 2160 @ 120fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): 24mm
Aperture: f/2.8 - f/11
Photo Formats: JPEG or DNG (RAW)
Video Formats: h.264, h.265, Apple ProRes 422 HQ (Apple ProRes is Mavic 3 Cine Only)
Mavic 3 Upper Telephoto Camera
Sensor Size: 6.4 x 4.8mm
Max Photo Resolution: 4000 × 3000
Max Video Resolution: 3840 × 2160 @ 50fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): 162mm
Aperture: f/4.4 (fixed)
Photo Format: JPEG or DNG (RAW)
Video Formats: h.264, h.265
**(Note: DJI released a firmware update in May of 2022 that added multiple features to the telephoto camera, including RAW shooting and video fps options. If the firmware is not updated you won’t see the RAW shooting option or a number of other features.)
DJI Air 2S
(DJI Air 2S on Amazon)
Sensor Size: 13.2 x 8.8mm
Max Photo Resolution: 5472 × 3648
Max Video Resolution: 5472 × 3078 @ 30fps / 3840 × 2160 @ 60fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): 22mm
Aperture: f/2.8 (fixed)
Photo Formats: JPEG or DNG (RAW)
Video Formats: h.264, h.265
DJI Mini 2
(DJI Mini 2 on Amazon)
Sensor Size: 6.3 x 4.7mm
Max Photo Resolution: 4000 × 3000
Max Video Resolution: 3840 × 2160 @ 30fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): 24mm
Aperture: f/2.8 (fixed)
Photo Formats: JPEG or DNG (RAW)
Video Formats: h.264
Mavic Air 2
(Mavic Air 2 on Amazon)
Sensor Size: 6.4 x 4.8mm
Max Photo Resolution: 8000 × 6000 (sort of… see this)
Max Video Resolution: 3840 × 2160 @ 60fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): 24mm
Aperture: f/2.8 (fixed)
Photo Formats: JPEG or DNG (RAW)
Video Formats: h.264, H.265
Mavic Mini
(Mavic Mini on Amazon)
Sensor Size: 6.3 x 4.7mm
Max Photo Resolution: 4000 × 3000
Max Video Resolution: 2720 × 1530 @ 30fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): 24mm
Aperture: f/2.8 (fixed)
Photo Formats: JPEG
Video Formats: h.264
Mavic 2 Pro
(Mavic 2 Pro on Amazon)
Sensor Size: 13.2 x 8.8mm
Max Photo Resolution: 5472 × 3648
Max Video Resolution: 3840 × 2160 @ 30fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): 28mm
Aperture: f/2.8 - f/11 (adjustable)
Photo Formats: JPEG or DNG (RAW)
Video Formats: h.264, h.265
Mavic 2 Zoom
(Mavic 2 Zoom on Amazon)
Sensor Size: 6.3 x 4.7mm
Max Photo Resolution: 4000 × 3000
Max Video Resolution: 3840 × 2160 @ 30fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): 24-48mm Zoom
Aperture: f/2.8 - 3.8 (non-adjustable, changes with focal length)
Photo Formats: JPEG or DNG (RAW)
Video Formats: h.264
Mavic Pro / Mavic Pro Platinum
Sensor Size: 6.3 x 4.7mm
Max Photo Resolution: 4000 × 3000
Max Video Resolution: 4096 × 2160 @ 24fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): 26mm
Photo Formats: JPEG or DNG (RAW)
Video Formats: h.264
- Phantom Series -
Phantom 4 Pro, Phantom 4 Pro v2.0, & Phantom 4 Advanced
Sensor Size: 13.2 x 8.8mm
Max Photo Resolution: 5472 × 3648
Max Video Resolution: 4096 × 2160 @ 60fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): 24mm
Aperture: f/2.8 - f/11 (adjustable)
Photo Formats: JPEG, DNG (RAW), JPEG + DNG
Video Formats: h.264, h.265
Phantom 3 SE
Sensor Size: 6.3 x 4.7mm
Max Photo Resolution: 4000 x 3000
Max Video Resolution: 4096 x 2160 @ 24/25fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): 20mm
Photo Formats: JPEG or DNG (RAW)
Video Formats: h.264
Zenmuse X7 (Inspire 2)
(Zenmuse X7 on Amazon)
Sensor Size: 23.5 × 15.7 mm
Max Photo Resolution: 6016 × 4008
Max Video Resolution: 6016×3200 @ 30fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): 24mm, 36mm, 52mm, or 75mm via the 16mm / 24mm / 35mm / 50mm DJI Lenses (There is a crop factor of 1.5)
Photo Formats: JPEG, DNG (RAW), JPEG + DNG
Video Formats: CinemaDNG, ProRes RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes, h.264, h.265
Zenmuse X5S (Inspire 2)
(Zenmuse X5S on Amazon)
Sensor Size: 17.3 x 13 mm
Max Photo Resolution: 5280 × 3956
Max Video Resolution: 4096×2160 @ 59.94fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): Can take a variety of MFT lenses. Default lens is a DJI 15mm, and with a crop factor of 2, makes it 30mm
Photo Formats: JPEG, DNG (RAW), JPEG + DNG
Video Formats: CinemaDNG, ProRes, h.264, h.265
Zenmuse X4S (Inspire 2)
Sensor Size: 13.2 x 8.8mm
Max Photo Resolution: 5472 × 3648
Max Video Resolution: 4096×2160 @ 59.94fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): 24mm
Photo Formats: JPEG, DNG (RAW), JPEG + DNG
Video Formats: h.264, h.265
Zenmuse X5R (Inspire 1)
(Zenmuse X5R on Amazon)
Sensor Size: 17.3 x 13 mm
Max Photo Resolution: 4608 x 3456
Max Video Resolution: 4096 x 2160 @ 23.98fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): Can take a variety of MFT lenses. Default lens is a DJI 15mm, and with a crop factor of 2, makes it 30mm
Photo Formats: JPEG, DNG (RAW), JPEG + DNG
Video Formats: CinemaDNG, h.264
Zenmuse X5 (Inspire 1)
Sensor Size: 17.3 x 13 mm
Max Photo Resolution: 4608 x 3456
Max Video Resolution: 4096x2160 @ 23.98fps
Lens Focal Length (35mm Equivalent): Can take a variety of MFT lenses. Default lens is a DJI 15mm, and with a crop factor of 2, makes it 30mm
Photo Formats: JPEG, DNG (RAW), JPEG + DNG
Video Formats: h.264