When it comes to drones, the DJI Spark and the DJI Mavic Pro are two of the most popular on the market. It really depends on what you’re looking for. The Spark is smaller and more affordable, while the Mavic Pro is more powerful and has a longer flight time. DJI Spark vs DJI Mavic Pro: which one is the better choice?
DJI Spark vs DJI Mavic Pro
About The DJI Mavic Pro
The DJI Mavic changed drone technology in a world where innovation was already prevalent. In recent years, drones like the DJI Phantom Pro series have contributed to a rise in their appeal. The DJI Mavic, however, was a groundbreaking new form of a drone.
The DJI Mavic Pro was the ideal drone. Outstanding video specifications, flight length and battery life, and software features.
Mavic includes essential functions by default, like obstacle avoidance and Follow-me (Active Track). These are essential characteristics for any professional photographer or videographer.
The foldable drone is small and can be folded to become even more compact. This is essential for those who must move a small drone.
When folded, the DJI Mavic dimensions H83mm x W83mm x L198mm. The accompanying image will give you a better sense of the Mavic’s size to put things into perspective.
You will be shocked at how little it is when you first see it in person.
Pros
- Remarkably portable
- Stunning 4K video and 12MP pictures
- Good flight duration
- Many intelligent flight features
Cons
- Low lighting can degrade pictures.
About the DJI Spark
It is almost half the size of the Mavic Pro and can take off and land in the palm of your hand. As we’ve shown, size does matter. In many situations, more minor is not necessarily preferable.
Regarding technology and devices in general, size is frequently preferable. It primarily involves portability. DJI Spark aspires to become a miniaturized consumer technology product.
The DJI Spark has foldable dimensions of H143mm x W55mm x L143mm.
DJI followed suit with Spark. They shrunk every component of the DJI Mavic by fifty percent.
According to the initial image, we believe the Spark is a smaller DJI Mavic Pro than the Spark.
To put the problem into perspective, you might compare the size of your DJI Spark to something else. The diagram below illustrates the size differences between the DJI Spark and a typical mobile smartphone. The iPhone 5S was smaller than the current iPhone models.
Pros
- Portable: palm-sized drone
- Excellent Positioning Systems
- Obstacle Avoidance
- Multiple Control Options
- Intelligent Flight Modes
- Systems for Detecting Obstacles
- Affordable
Cons
- Obsolete Camera
- Very Brief Flight Duration
- Reduced wind resistance
Specifications
Table could not be displayed.The Mavic Cost More. How Much More?
If you compare the base pricing of the Mavic Pro and the Spark, the Spark will be less expensive, but how much? Well, that depends entirely on the intended application. If all you want to do is fly slowly and shoot a few videos here and there, you can probably get by with the Spark model, which includes the controller for free.
However, suppose you’re serious about learning to fly like a pro and want mobility, other batteries, and the ability to charge on the move. In that case, the Spark Fly More Combo is the superior option because it includes an additional battery, carrying case, charging hub, and propeller protectors. Despite Spark’s price reduction, the Spark Fly More Combo is still less expensive than the Mavic Pro.
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Currently, Add 45 Percent
The Mavic Pro will surely leave a more significant dent in your wallet, but when comparing the Mavic Pro and the Spark, there is more to consider than just the drone. The Spark’s batteries are significantly less expensive than the Mavic Pro’s for the Mavic Pro if you wish to fly longer.
When purchasing a drone, you should be aware that you will likely spend an additional 25 percent or more on accessories and DJI care (damage insurance) in the future; hence, the more expensive the drone, the pricier the accessories will be.
The Advantages Of The Spark
It Is So Tiny When Flying
The Spark is not significantly smaller than the Mavic Pro. When folded up, the Mavic Pro is relatively compact, but the size difference between the Mavic Pro and the Spark becomes apparent when in flight. The Mavic Pro’s size makes it challenging to maneuver through narrow spaces such as doorways and hallways.
In addition, the Spark is considerably quieter due to its reduced weight and smaller propellers. This makes it ideal for flying in areas where you do not wish to disturb others. The additional benefit of being quieter is that it attracts much less attention, which might result in a more spontaneous, natural shot in some situations.
Additional Photo Options
Surely you believed the Mavic Pro camera superior to the Spark, correct? At least not for some types of photographs. The Spark has features that are exclusive to the Spark. The name of one of them is ShallowFocus. Using the ShallowFocus setting, it is possible to shoot photographs with a shallow depth of field (like portrait mode on the iPhone).
In addition, there are two new Pano modes for automatically capturing panoramic photographs. The initial mode captures vertical panoramas. The second mode captures horizontal panoramas but with a catch.
It takes photographs vertically and horizontally in a grid-like pattern to create a larger, more detailed panoramic image. In terms of video, the Mavic Pro includes many advanced functions that the Spark lacks, such as Terrain Follow, which allows the drone to fly at the same altitude regardless of the Terrain’s slope.
No controller Or Mobile Device? No Problem!
When you purchase a DJI Spark, you essentially acquire a drone that does not require a controller. Turn it on, double-press the power button, and point it at your face so it can recognize you, and it will begin to fly. If you wish to move it, there is a corresponding gesture.
If you want it to approach you, there’s also a gesture! To snap a picture, you guessed it, different gestures are required. It can even track you down! You can capture it with your hand, and it will automatically switch off when you’re finished. That is some futuristic technology right there! The Mavic Pro also includes Gestures, although less than the Spark. Currently, it can recognize and follow you if you extend your arms and take a selfie if you form a box with your fingers.
If you connect your phone to the Spark, you will have even greater control over the Spark than you can with gestures alone. When using a phone to operate the Spark, you will always be in Position Mode, required if you wish to enable obstacle avoidance and access intelligent flight modes. However, it restricts the maximum speed at which you may fly.
The DJI Go 4 application provides a variety of intelligent flight modes. Under Quickshot mode, it is possible to perform dronies, circles, helixes, and rockets.
Also, there is TapFly. This allows you to press a location on the screen, and the drone will fly there automatically, or you may instruct it to fly in a specific direction. This position can even be modified in real-time.
The gimbal can be easily manipulated by tilting your phone up and down, which feels natural and intuitive. You can also fly manually using the on-screen virtual joysticks. However, it is less precise and less haptic than using the remote control.
You must utilize the controller if you wish to fly in Sport Mode. Since the controller is now included with the Spark, it can be flown exactly like any other DJI drone. Due to the fact that obstacle avoidance is deactivated in Sport Mode, pilots with greater expertise should avoid using the controller in this mode.
When using merely your phone, you are limited to the range of your phone’s Wi-Fi. However, when you use the controller, the range is significantly greater.
Depending on where you’re traveling and how far you wish to travel, this may or may not pose a problem. Having the controller makes the entire flying experience more fun because you can now view the entire screen on your phone instead of your fingers occupying space on the virtual joystick.
With genuine sticks, flying is easier, and control is more precise. It is also convenient to have dedicated buttons on the controller rather than searching for them within an application.
There Is An Awesome Docking Station
You can purchase the DJI Spark portable charging station for $89 dollars. It is an intelligent charger with a total capacity of 5000 mAh. It can charge the Spark’s battery as well as two additional cells while in the field. First, it charges the Spark’s own battery, then it charges the other two batteries, beginning with the one that has the highest charge.
Thus, you will have a completely charged battery in the shortest period possible. It takes roughly an hour and a half to charge the charging station and then 2 hours and 30 minutes to charge the Spark batteries.
In addition, it features a USB connector for charging your phone or other USB devices. It also serves as a carrying case for the Spark and two additional batteries. There is an option to purchase a carrying case for the charging station for an extra $19, but it is not required. It fits comfortably inside a backpack in its current state.
Advantages Of The Mavic Pro
It Is So Tiny When Folded!
The Spark is compact when in flight, but the Mavic Pro’s foldable design makes it more portable. When packed in their respective carrying cases with batteries and controllers, they are nearly identical in size. However, the Mavic Pro alone can fit practically any place a big camera lens can.
The Spark is still quite compact, but because it is not foldable, it is not as easy to cram into every nook and cranny. The Mavic Pro’s foldable components are one of its more expensive features. Mavic Pro components are more sophisticated, there is more material, and assembly takes significantly longer than Spark. This is one of the reasons why the Spark is less expensive. It features a simpler layout.
More Range And Better Controller
I’ve always enjoyed the Mavic Pro controller, and the Spark controller is quite comparable. However, it lacks some of the same functions. The remote for the Mavic Pro comes with OcuSync, DJI’s Premium wireless communication technology.
OcuSync provides a maximum control range of 4.3 miles as opposed to the Spark’s HD Wi-maximum Fi’s range of 1.2 miles. Due to OcuSync, the Mavic Pro is also able to interact wirelessly with the DJI Goggles, offering improved range, lower latency, and extra choices such as 1080p streaming as opposed to 720p.
The Mavic Pro controller also features a luminous LCD display that displays the most vital flying data. You can view information such as speed, altitude, distance from home, and battery life. During the flight, you can view much of this information on the DJI Go 4 app on your smartphone, but it’s good to have a dedicated screen for these essentials.
Better Obstacle Avoidance
The Spark uses a new type of obstacle avoidance sensor. It is a bespoke infrared sensor with limited resolution that can detect obstructions. The Mavic Pro is equipped with two RGB cameras that can build far more detailed maps of obstacles.
This allows it to detect more distant, smaller impediments. Also, remember that in Sport Mode, obstacle avoidance is disabled on both drones.
Faster And More Flight Time
Not everyone like flying quickly, but I do! The size of the Mavic Pro contributes to its speed. In sport mode, the Mavic is 10 mph faster than the Spark at 40 mph. The Mavic Pro is also quicker when utilizing the obstacle avoidance feature. The Spark can avoid obstacles at speeds up to 7 mph, but the Mavic Pro, with its superior sensors, can do the same at 22 mph.
Flight duration is not the most crucial component of drones, but if it’s too short, it can feel as if you don’t have enough time to take all of the photographs you desire. Spark’s advertised flight time is 16 minutes, whereas the Mavic Pro’s is 27 minutes.
I typically achieve approximately 21 minutes with the Mavic Pro, but I only managed 13 minutes with the Spark. Even while you can purchase additional batteries that will improve your flight time overall, it will not be continuous. Before deciding between the two drones, this is a factor to consider carefully.
Better Video Quality
With all of its new photo features and gesture control, the Spark may be a better drone for photos than the Mavic Pro, but the Mavic Pro excels at capturing video.
The most obvious advantage is 4K, which provides a sharper, more detailed image, but did you also know that the Mavic Pro has improved stabilization? On the Spark, only two axes of stabilization are available, as opposed to three axes on the Mavic Pro.
Why is this significant? When flying in settings with little wind, the two-axis stabilization will function well, but if a strong breeze is present, the drone will occasionally yaw back and forth, causing the video to wiggle to the left and right. With three-axis stabilization, this is not a problem because the third axis exists for this purpose.
Slow-motion videos may also be captured in 1080p at 96 frames per second with the Mavic Pro. There is also a 720p 120FPS setting, but I don’t use it very frequently because the quality is quite poor.
DJI Goggles Compatibility
Compatibility with DJI Goggles is the frosting on the cake for the Mavic Pro’s numerous features. You may also use DJI Goggles with the Spark by connecting them to the USB port on the controller, but you will have to deal with cables, and the video transmission quality will be inferior.
You will receive 720p at 30 frames per second, whereas the Mavic Pro can stream 720p at 60 frames per second or 1080p at 30 frames per second. With the Mavic Pro, there is no need to connect the DJI Goggles to the controller, as OcuSync is already included. Putting on the goggles is a thrilling experience. If you haven’t tried it yet, find a friend who has it and test it out. You’ll be captivated.
If you are considering two of these drones, see our guides:
Final Thoughts On The DJI Mavic Pro vs Spark
Typically, when pitting one drone against another, I can determine a victor. There is typically something distinguishing one drone from another in terms of value. Despite my opinion that the DJI Spark is a little overpriced in this instance, I believe it is a good value.
I believe that the DJI Mavic Pro is twice as powerful as the Spark. I am aware that the specifications state otherwise, but this is my opinion. I feel as though the restrictions and concerns I am attempting to ignore from that first defective Spark are inhibiting my enthusiasm. Please keep this in mind while you read my thoughts.
The Mavic Pro has been my partner for the past few months, and we’ve gone through a lot together. I have the same issues with the Mavic Pro that I have with the Spark, specifically that the Android app is less stable than I would want.
According to my calculations, we have reached a standstill. Spark is half the cost and, in my opinion, half the drone, but it is also half the cost. This makes the two drones equivalent in dollars’ worth.
The DJI Spark is a good alternative if you are new to drones or do not need a high-end device.
The DJI Mavic Pro is an exceptionally capable device. Achieve new heights, distances, and flight times while filming a 4K video in full resolution. An amazing drone for both novice and experienced pilots.
