When it comes to high-end drones, there are really only two names that matter: DJI and Mavic. Both companies make some of the best drones on the market, and both have a loyal following of satisfied customers.
So, which one should you buy? If you’re looking at the DJI Phantom 4 Pro vs Mavic 2 Pro, here’s what you need to know.
DJI Phantom 4 Pro vs Mavic 2 Pro
Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
Design
Design of the Iconic Phantom Series
The Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 is durable and features the trademark Phantom series design, as with all Phantom drones.
Camera Performance
100 Mbps at 4K/60 fps
Professional drone for aerial photography, the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 features a mechanical shutter. This not only reduces the bothersome rolling shutter effect but also enables pilots to freeze fast-moving objects in a frame, which greatly aids in capturing high-speed action with amazing clarity.
The Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 will astonish everyone who appreciates images of exceptional clarity. With an aperture range of f/2.8 to f/11, pilots have more creative latitude when filming in Cinema at 4k/60fps. With a 1-inch CMOS sensor, 20 MP pictures, 14fps Burst shooting mode, and more, it has never been easier to create an excellent film.
Flight Efficiency
30-Minute Max Flight Time
With a maximum flight time of thirty minutes, a maximum transmission range of eight kilometers owing to OcuSync 2.0, and a maximum flight speed of seventy-two kilometers per hour, you have access to remarkable flight performance.
The Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 provides you with state-of-the-art DJI flight performance technology, whether you’re photographing a fast-moving object or soaring above a magnificent mountain range.
Other Features
1. Intelligent Features
Thanks to intelligent features, it’s easy to take artistic photos. Users can film subjects in Profile, Spotlight, or Circle mode with three ActiveTrack choices. The enhanced TapFly mode enables pilots to fly their Phantom drone backward, which is ideal for dynamic aerial selfies.
Are you interested in creatively controlling your flight paths? In Draw mode, you can now draw. Simply create a route on the display screen of the remote controller, and your Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 will move in that direction while maintaining its height.
2. Remote Controller
With the remote controller’s optional 5.5-inch 1080p LCD screen, any of the above-mentioned flight modes, live streaming, and operation in direct sunlight may be accomplished in pristine clarity. The DJI GO 4 application is built into the remote controller, eliminating the requirement for a mobile device during operation.
Maybe you need to see this guide: How To Connect Drone To Controller?
3. Obstacle Sensors
Thanks to sophisticated obstacle sensors, pilots may now fly with ease. With two back optical sensors, forward and downward sensors, and side-mounted infrared sensors, the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 offers reliable obstacle detection in five directions.
If the transmission signal is lost, the drone’s Return to Home feature will return it to its original launch location. What about aviation safety?
Mavic Pro 2
Design
Foldable Design
The foldable design of the Mavic 2 Pro makes this drone very portable and convenient to travel with on your next vacation. The drone may be packed into a backpack and extracted with ease.
Camera Performance
100 Mbps at 4K/30 fps
Mavic 2 Pro’s 10-bit Dlog-M color profile provides superior control over dynamic ranges. This extra versatility is perfect for color grading in post-production, allowing users to capture fascinating images of breathtaking landscapes.
With 4K 10-bit HDR footage, an aperture ranging from f/2.8 to f/11, and a 1-inch 20MP CMOS sensor, you have everything you need to capture outstanding aerial photography.
Flight Efficiency
31-Minute Maximum flight duration
With a maximum flight time of 31 minutes, Mavic 2 Pro is a good alternative for people who prefer to maximize their photography sessions. OcuSync 2.0 enables Mavic 2 Pro to maintain a stable connection up to 8 kilometers away. With a maximum flight speed of 72 kilometers per hour, users have numerous alternatives for capturing the right image.
Other Features
1. Intelligent Features
Mavic 2 Pro is also equipped with an impressive assortment of clever technologies that enable each pilot to express their inner creativity. Not only does Hyperlapse mode allow you to capture spectacular motion photos with four distinct shooting choices, but it also stabilizes clips automatically during post-production.
Now you can effortlessly generate film with a professional appearance and upload it on social media.
With four panorama photography modes and a multitude of QuickShots such as POI 2.0 and Waypoint 2.0, both novice and advanced users have access to a variety of shooting options.
ActiveTracking 2.0
ActiveTrack 2.0 has been significantly enhanced, allowing you to enhance your tracking experience with new capabilities such as exact recognition, trajectory prediction, high-speed tracking, and obstacle detection.
Mavic 2 Pro was the first DJI drone to have omnidirectional obstacle sensors on all sides. This offers the maximum level of safety and comfort for users when flying in a variety of conditions.
General Comparison
I prefer the Mavic 2 Pro over the Mavic 2 Zoom due to its significantly larger sensor size and superior image quality. Note: DJI does not compensate me for any of these comparisons. I purchased both of these drones with my own money. Therefore my opinions are objective and unbiased. Let’s immediately delve into the comparison
First, there is the cost. The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is marginally less expensive than the DJI Phantom 4 Pro, but my Phantom comes with a built-in screen, making it approximately $300 more expensive. Therefore, Mavic wins in terms of price.
Followed by weight and size. The Mavic 2 weighs two pounds, while the Phantom weighs three. Both have almost the same footprint, but the Mavic is around twice as short. The Mavic 2 Pro is more portable than the Phantom 4 because it can be folded and fit into a smaller bag, making it considerably more travel-friendly.
And in terms of portability, which has the quickest setup time? I put both to the test by removing them from their bags and launching them into the air. The DJI Mavic 2 Pro required 1 minute and 13 seconds, while the Phantom 4 Pro required 1 minute and 10 seconds.
This was dependent on my pace, so I’m not going to declare a victory because I didn’t feel that one was faster than the other; both are quick to get up and get airborne.
Next, I was asked about differences in focal length. The focal length of the DJI Phantom 4 Pro is 24 millimeters, whereas the focal length of the Mavic is 28 millimeters. Therefore they are distinct. In addition, the Mavic 2 Pro features a setting called 4K HQ that provides a focal length of around 40 millimeters. Therefore, there is no clear victor, only differences in focal lengths.
Both drones claim to go at 45 miles per hour. Thus neither offers an edge. The Mavic claims a control range of five miles, whereas the Phantom claims only four and a half miles.
Next is obstacle avoidance. After testing DJI Mavic vs Phantom, it appeared that both drones were adept at avoiding obstructions. However, the Mavic 2 Pro appeared to have more advanced technology. I could catch the Phantom with my hand, but the Mavic wouldn’t let me because it could sense my arm.
Therefore I’d give the Mavic 2 Pro a tiny advantage. But they both perform admirably. Bear in mind, though, that I have crashed my Phantom 4 Pro into multiple trees on multiple occasions, so do not rely on these imperfect sensors.
Next, I will evaluate wind resistance. They’re both rated at 23 miles per hour wind resistance, so as far as being able to work in the wind, they both do a terrific job. However, because the Mavic 2 Pro is a bit lighter, it does get tossed around more in the wind, especially while taking slow-moving photos such as Hyperlapse. Thus, I must concede a tiny advantage to the Phantom 4 Pro, but not a significant one.
The next evaluation will focus on tracking features. Active Track 2.0 is included on the DJI Mavic 2 Pro against version 1.0 on the Phantom. It has increased its ability to track prey. Active track 2.0 blew me away since it kept me precisely centered in the frame and rotated 360 degrees around me as I gripped the side joystick.
Active Track on the Mavic 2 has three modes: trace mode, profile mode, and highlight mode. Spotlight is my preferred mode since I can keep the subject in the center of the frame while freely moving the drone, allowing for some incredible parallax movements. Therefore, Mavic wins with its more recent active track system.
Next, I was asked, “Is 120 frames per second quality usable?” After trying both, I would say neither is particularly good. I wouldn’t recommend filming in 1080p with either of these drones because the quality is simply too blurry. Therefore, use it unless you absolutely require that frame rate. I would suggest sticking with 4K.
Usability and learning curve. As far as pulling it out of the box and figuring out how to get it airborne, they appeared comparable. Smooth, buttery shots will require extensive practice, as will learning to control certain movements.
However, they are both quite user-friendly, and anyone could pick one up and operate it competently in a short amount of time. However, I would give the Mavic a little edge in this category due to its superior tracking capabilities, which are perfect for novices who are not yet comfortable taking precise pictures with manual controls.
Next, we will compare the controller’s capabilities. Having the built-in screen on the Phantom 4 Pro controller is preferable to having to use my phone with the Mavic 2 Pro 2 controller. It’s a pain, and it drains your phone’s battery really quickly.
For instance, once, while we were filming a certain scene, I had approximately 60 percent power remaining on my iPhone, and after almost three hours of filming, it died, which was a major annoyance for me.
The next test is construction quality and durability. In general, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro feels more robust and less like a toy. As previously stated, I’ve wrecked my Phantom several times, yet he’s still running strong.
I won’t intentionally crash the Mavic 2 Pro to test its durability, but I’m confident it can withstand typical wear and tear. Both are quite well-constructed, but the Phantom feels slightly tougher, as it should due to its extra pound of weight.
Next, the propeller noise levels were evaluated. I measured the decibel levels of both drones from only a few feet away, and the Mavic 2 registered approximately 70db and the Phantom Pro approximately 80db. Neither of them is discrete in any way and will undoubtedly cause a disturbance anywhere you fly your drone, so don’t be fooled into believing it’s very quiet; it’s only a little bit quieter.
Internal capacity. The Mavic 2 Pro includes 8 gigabytes of internal storage, which is great for those times when I forget to remove my SD card from my computer, which I have done many times, whereas the Phantom 4 has no internal storage. There, the Mavic 2 prevails.
Hyperlapse attributes. This is yet another feature that the Phantom 4 Pro lacks that is new to the Mavic 2 Pro that I find rather cool and could see myself utilizing frequently. However, I noticed that until there is no wind, it is shakier than I anticipated. Thus I would not recommend using this feature unless the weather is good. Please be mindful of this.
Sample Images
Since the arrival of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro with the Hasselblad 1-inch sensor, I’ve wanted to compare it to the DJI Phantom 4 Pro. So now I’ve completed it, and here it is!
Here are some screenshots from the video I recorded yesterday. Auto-balance is enabled for all images:
It is difficult to determine which of these two cameras is my favorite. The first thing I noticed was that the camera on the DJI Mavic 2 Pro is slightly warmer than the camera on the DJI Phantom 4 Pro.
I’ve been using the Phantom 4 Pro for photography for the past two years. I am familiar with the camera, how to color grade the various films, and how to color grade the photographs I take, so this is not an issue. Also, you can easily adjust the white balance; I was shooting in automatic mode. Sometimes I used the manual mode to alter the exposure value, but the white balance was always set to auto.
I believe that the Mavic 2 Pro displayed somewhat more accurate colors. When I was there and personally observing the skyline, I felt that what I saw via the Mavic 2 Pro was rather more natural.
Camera Specifications and Comparison
Table could not be displayed.Two cameras are so similar! Each includes a one-inch sensor capable of capturing 20-megapixel images with a maximum bandwidth of 100 megabits per second. Each of these drones has an aperture that can be adjusted from f/2.8 to f/11.
The Mavic 2 Pro can only capture 4K at 30 frames per second, whereas the Phantom 4 Pro drone can shoot 4K at 60 frames per second. The Phantom is, therefore, the clear winner here. I wouldn’t say this is a deal-breaker, however, unless you shoot a lot of slow-mo, as I find that when I shoot at 60 frames, I wind up speeding it up in post-production anyway, as drone shots already appear very sluggish.
The Phantom can also record cinema 4k films. Thus the maximum video resolution is 4096 by 2160 as opposed to 3840 by 2160 for regular 4k on the Mavic 2 Pro. I frequently record video in Cinema 4K with the Phantom 4 Pro, so its absence from the Mavic 2 is really disappointing.
Next, we will compare color depth. Mavic 2 Pro boasts a 10-bit color compared to Phantom 4 Pro’s 8-bit color, providing you with significantly more color information to work with. This makes a significant difference while shooting in D-log mode.
I’ve never used D-log on my Phantom 4 Pro since applying a severe color grade would cause the image to degrade into a mess of noise and artifacts. But photographs captured with the Mavic are far more resistant to the same strong color grading and reproduce colors more accurately overall. The Mavic wins because it has superior color grading capabilities in D-log and a new HDR profile that the Phantom lacks.
The camera on the Phantom 4 Pro features a mechanical shutter as compared to the electrical shutter on the Mavic 2 Pro. A mechanical shutter is of great assistance when capturing photographs.
The next question is which has superior colors straight out of the camera. This question is for folks who do not want to spend a significant deal of time color grading and simply want nice color straight from the camera. When shooting in standard color mode on either, I’d have to say I prefer the Phantom 4 Pro’s colors somewhat more.
The Mavic’s Hasselblad sensor seems to produce a somewhat warmer hue and a slightly more saturated color palette. When tested, I manually set both of these cameras to 5600 Kelvin, which should make whites appear white in daylight.
However, the Mavic’s images appeared a bit too warm. Just be aware that you will need to reduce the Mavic’s temperature a bit further. In standard color mode, I believe the colors on the Phantom appear slightly more true, but this is really my opinion. Both have excellent colors right out of the camera.
Next, the low-light performance was evaluated. The Phantom 4 Pro exhibits slightly less noise than the Mavic 2 Pro at an ISO of 1600. The Phantom can go as high as 6400 ISO. However, as you can see in the table below, in this setting, the camera is practically unusable.
Therefore, 1600 is as far as I go. In terms of image quality, the answer to the question “Which one is better?” is “Phantom 4 pro v2 0 vs Mavic 2 pro: They’re just different.” Each has advantages over the other, and it depends on the characteristics you value the most. I’m confident you’ll be satisfied with either option, as they both produce excellent video and images.
Other drone comparisons you can check out:
Conclusion
The DJI Phantom 4 Pro and Mavic 2 Pro are two of the most popular drones on the market. Both drones offer excellent features and performance. However, there is some key difference between phantom 4 pro and Mavic 2 Pro. The Phantom 4 Pro is a more expensive drone, but it offers a number of features that the Mavic 2 Pro does not, including a higher quality camera and longer flight time. The Mavic 2 Pro is a more portable drone, but it does not have the same range or flight time as the Phantom 4 Pro.
