Drones are incredible tools for capturing photos and videos from a totally different perspective. The new DJI Mavic 2 Pro boasts a very powerful camera in a small package suitable for travel.
He’s finally here! The perfect flying camera that the traveling photographers have always dreamed. A drone that’s small enough to be can be folded into a backpack, but powerful enough to capture high-end images and pristine 4K videos.
With the new Mavic 2 Pro, DJI handled the impossible by attaching a giant camera 20-inch Hasselblad with 1-inch sensor to a compact drone filled with high-tech sensors to avoid crashing into obstacles.
This new Mavic flies longer, faster and farther than ever before.
What’s new about the DJI Mavic 2 Pro
The Mavic 2 Pro is been improved in many ways compared to the Mavic 1. Batteries are larger, resulting in longer flight time.
Engines are larger, allowing it to fly more and to be able to pass through strong winds. Gimbal is harder, more fluid and the whole drone is more aerodynamic.
But it is the big square Hasselblad camera that stands out i really do.
The Mavic 2 Pro is equipped with a 1-inch professional camera sensor, just like the Phantom 4 Pro much larger, but it is much lighter than the latter and is VERY smaller, about the size of a bottle of water.
Another big change with the Mavic 2 was its new omnidirectional detection system of obstacles through the use of 10 different sensors that help you avoid obstacles obstacles in almost all directions.
The sensors now look forward, backward, up, down and to the sides, improving the drone’s ability to avoid possible crashes.
Specifications of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro
- Video recording: 4K in 24/30fps or 1080p in 24/30/60/120fps
- Pixel Count: 20 Megapixel
- Maximum resolution: 5472 × 3648
- Lens size: 28 mm
- Adjustable diaphragm: f/2.8 – f/11
- ISO Sensitivity: 100-120000
- Maximum speed: 45 mph
- Wind resistance: 29-38 km/h (18-24 mph)
- Average flight time: 31 minutes
- Maximum distance: 11 miles
- Weight: 907 g
DJI Mavic 2 Pro VS Mavic 2 Zoom
With the release of the new Mavic, DJI has decided to offer two different models Mavic 2 Pro e Mavic 2 Zoom. Everyone has their own special features and price, and deciding which is right for you really depends on your needs.
The main difference between them is the ability of the Mavic 2 Zoom to “enlarge” in real time. From 24 mm at the wide end to 48 mm (cutout 2X). This is a nice feature for those who need it.
For example, magnifying near skyscrapers without having to to fly right next to them. Or enlarge your wildlife from further away without scaring them.
The zoom function also allows an interesting effect called Dolly Zoom, made famous in the classic horror films.
While Mavic 2 Pro does not have this ability to physically zoom the camera, it is more professional thanks to the amazing Hasselblad camera, giving users the the possibility of shooting with a 10-bit sensor of the camera.
This means that the images it produces are of quality and have better detail in low light conditions. In addition, you can still produce some basic zoom effects in the post-processing if you shoot in 4K.
Flying the Mavic 2 Pro
DJI Mavic 2 Pro is even easier to fly than the previous model. The remote control seems much more responsive and you might actually want to lower the sensitivity because it reacts so quickly to your inputs.
With even more obstacles that prevent the sensors than the previous versions, you can fly with the maximum security of not crashing against anything!
Before you start flying for the first time, I recommend to always watching the tutorial videos on Mavic 2 on the official DJI channel. Also, try practicing your flying skills in a big field outdoors.
Drones sometimes look like toys, but actually aren’t. They’re expensive flying machines that can do a lot of damage if you are not careful!
Image quality
Mavic 2 Pro is equipped with a fantastic new Hasselblad camera and a large 1″ sensor which allows you to take amazing photos and videos.
This sensor is about 4 times larger than the Mavic 2 Zoom. Mavic 2 Pro can also shoot 10-bit video, with a speed in bits of 100 mb/s. Without becoming too technical here, in essence, records more information for the production of high-end videos and photos.
Battery life
The battery life of the DJI Mavic 2 is improved, now able to fly for 31 minutes with a single charge (compared to 24 minutes in Mavic 1). However, in the use of the real world, these times are a a little high.
It takes about 1.5 hours to recharge these batteries and the same charger now includes an integrated USB cable for the remote control. Because it’s permanently connected, you can’t lose it. Very handy!
Mavic Pro 2 settings
Best settings for video
If you’re trying to capture the most cinematic footage as possible, shooting in 4K to 24p will give you the best movie.
The Mavic can now shoot something called H.265, which is a new video codec much more efficient. While this is definitely the future of the video, H.264 is even more easy to process for most computers.
Two versions of 4K are available, 4K Full FOV and 4K HQ. Basically, 4K HQ cuts out the 4K movie’s zoom on a 40″ frame mm. This can be useful for isolating a subject or compressing a background big to make it look bigger, like high mountains.
I suggest you manually set the balance of the for videos, instead of holding it automatically, then the balance of the white does not change during shooting.
Color Profiles
If you don’t classify the color of your footage, the “Normal” color profile setting works great. However, if you use color grading techniques or LUT with software such as Final color, you’ll probably want the flat color profile called D-LOG M.
Best settings photographed
One of the most interesting features of the Mavic 2 Pro for traveling photographers is the ability to manually change the opening of the camera to regular fire/lighting.
Typically, the focus of the camera lens can be slightly soft with very open openings, such as F/2.8. But can also be a bit soft if the opening is completely closed, at F/11.
Of course, you can also shoot in RAW format with Mavic, which helps to save as much as possible information for flexibility in the subsequent post-processing.
Intelligent flight modes
The Mavic 2 comes supplied with all standard intelligent flight modes, such as “Point” Of Interest”, “Cinematic” and “Quick Shots”.
Tripod mode is no longer here, which has been moved on the side switch on the remote control: a very pleasant modification. Much faster access.
The Quick Shots tell the drone to pilot complicated patterns that it would be very difficult to do on your own without tons of experience of flight, how to fly perfect circles while you get up in the air and maintain a subject in the frame.
Active Track 2
Mavic 2 has a new and improved Active Track system, which is much easier to use. You can identify multiple subjects (vehicles, people, etc.) and simply click on the one you want to start monitoring.
Due to the increase in the number of sensors on the drone (there are are 10 now), it is much better to maneuver through confined spaces with obstacles above, below, to the sides, in front of and even behind it.
Active Track starts in “SAFE” mode, which means that the limits the speed, but it is also possible to deactivate it. Please note that the obstacle avoidance system will not operate at speeds above 26 mph.
NOTE: Side sensors are not always active. Yes turn on only during the Active Track function, Tripod mode and Shooting mode quick.
APAS mode
The Mavic 2 is equipped with a new Advanced Pilot Assistance (APAS) mode which uses the camera sensors to automatically fly around obstacles instead of stopping in front of them.
Previously, DJI drones would stop when they met an obstacle, but the Mavic 2 is smart enough to find an alternate course and keep flying.
Hyperlapse mode
The Mavic 2 also has a new mode called “Hyperlapse.” Basically, this makes fantastic time-lapse videos moving from the drone.
It does this by taking more photos during a given period of time during the flight. You can let the drone process the video clip or choose to save the photos, edit them and convert them into a video time-lapse at a later date.
Just know that this process may require between 5-8 minutes for a 5-second video clip, then it will consume a good part of the battery (about 30%).
DJI Mavic 2 Accessories
The DJI Mavic 2 comes with many accessories specially made by both DJI and PGYTECH.
Mavic 2 accessories can be viewed and purchased from our DJI store website.
