Trying to decide whether to get a DJI Mavic 2 Pro or a Mavic Air 2? There are many factors to consider which drone to purchase. Whether you are looking for a new hobby or want to get into aerial photography, I’m going to help you decide which drone to buy.
The Mavic line of drones is known for their portability and decent cameras. They are fun to fly and have decent battery life. Both drones have a “Fly More Kit” available which provides extra batteries, a charging hub, and a bag to carry everything in. Though the drones look similar and are close in size, there are differences between the two. Before we get into the differences, let’s dive into what each drone is good at.
Drone Links & Pricing:
Don’t feel like reading? Watch the YouTube video! Image examples are also included below.
The YouTube video also includes video examples from both drones.
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
The Mavic 2 Pro comes with an improved camera sensor and lens package from Hasselblad, who DJI had recently purchased and now owns. The 20MP 1-inch sensor offers excellent dynamic range and captures pretty sharp images from edge to edge depending on the distance to the subject.
The Mavic 2 Pro camera allows for manual adjustment of the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. I like to compare this camera to the Sony RX100 line of cameras, a high end point and shoot camera.
You can shoot 1080p footage up to 120 fps and 4K video up to 30 fps. Video footage looks great, especially if you use an ND filter and manual camera settings. There are multiple picture profiles you can choose from including DLog-M and HLG profiles.
The Mavic 2 Pro has many flying modes to help you get dynamic shots. Some of those modes however, only support automatic camera settings, which is unfortunate.
When I first got my Mavic 2 Pro, it was all I wanted to fly. It was more fun to fly than my Phantom 4 and easier to deal with than my Inspire 2 drones. I found myself taking my Mavic 2 Pro everywhere unless I needed the cinematic look the Inspire 2 provided me. I ended up selling my Phantom 4.
DJI Mavic Air 2
At first, I didn’t think I would have a use for the Mavic Air 2, but after the first flight, I knew I was wrong. The Mavic Air 2 took what I loved about flying the Mavic 2 Pro and made it even more simple, and faster. The redesigned control the Mavic Air 2 came with was easier to hold. They should have placed the smartphone on the top of the controller all along.
The 12MP 1/2″ sensor does a fantastic job and utilizes modern-day computational photography to assure you are getting the best image possible. I like to compare this camera to the camera on a high-end smartphone such as the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra or the iPhone 11 Pro.
The Mavic Air 2 camera allows for manual adjustment of the shutter speed and ISO only as the lens on its camera has a fixed aperture similar to most smartphones.
You can shoot 1080p video up to 240 fps and 4K video up to 60 fps which beats out the Mavic 2 Pro. You can also shoot hyperlapses in up to 8K resolution.
Photo Results
Money does buy you happiness in the world of drones. The Mavic 2 Pro camera will provide you with more dynamic range and sharper photos. On top of that, you get manual aperture camera control, which will give you greater exposure and depth of field control.
Mavic 2 Pro Photos
Mavic Air 2 Photos
You will have to watch the YouTube video to see video examples of the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic Air 2.
Conclusion
DJI Mavic 2 Pro: https://jerad.link/mavic2pro
DJI Mavic Air 2: https://jerad.link/mavicair2
Fast Micro SD Cards I Use: https://jerad.link/fastmicrosd128gb
Mavic 2 Pro ND Filters: https://jerad.link/mavic2prondfilters
Mavic Air 2 ND Filters: https://jerad.link/mavicair2ndfilterset
The Mavic Air 2 is a great drone that is fun to fly. It’s photo and video capabilities are on par with higher-end smartphones. You simply can’t go wrong with this drone considering its price.
The Mavic 2 Pro is a better camera option. The 1-inch sensor offers increased dynamic range and clarity in both photo and video capture.
Personally, it is worth paying more to get the Mavic 2 Pro because photo and video quality are more important to me.
