With all the technology innovation, one of the break-through is the invention of drone. DJI, one of the drone’s manufacturers, launches the Mavic, one of the drone models. Mavic series comprises of various models depending on what drone will be needed in the field.
Unlike other DJI’s drone, Mavic series has the technology to capture quality and professional aerial photography. This is what the company wants to prove that using a compact drone; it can make aerial shots equivalent to those in acclaimed, nominated movies in Hollywood.
Today, Mavic 2 series is the latest flagship drone of DJI which could live up to old promises. As compared to the original model, Mavic Pro, the Mavic 2 series is slightly larger and has the new aerodynamic elements that will boost the flight time up to 31 minutes with a smoother ride.
You cannot see the difference between Mavic 2 and Mavic Pro. The new drones resemble big, grey beetles and appear to be spider-like when you open them up. However, close inspection will reveal the difference. There has a new array of tiny cameras on all sides of the drone that provides DJI’s first omni-directional obstacle-sensing system.
DJI Drone Camera System
The camera system of both drones is in the seat of questioning whether the two drones have only the same capacity of cameras, given that they have the same drone bodies.
But, really, do they have any differences when they have the same drone bodies?
For Mavic 2 Pro, its camera is a brand new Hasselblad with one-inch CMOS sensor. The actual size is twice the size of the 1/2.3-inch sensor on Mavic 2 Zoom, same size with the sensor of Mavic Pro. DJI elaborates that the reason the Mavic 2 Pro has a bigger sensor camera is that it can capture more visual information. It enables the drone to perform better in low light conditions. One of the factors to have a quality image captured by a drone is proper lighting. However, the weather is unpredictable and constantly changing at a fast pace. And this is one of the rooms for improvement the DJI have noticed.
Previously, DJI Phantom 4 Pro has the same one-inch sensor; thus it was the premiere camera drone of DJI. Even having the one-inch sensor, it was not enough to take shot in the low light conditions. It is a challenging innovation for DJI, so they have acquired the Hasselblad technology in camera. The Hasselblad technology is more than a big sensor, but it definitely changes the course of drone in capturing the image. Hasselblad in Mavic 2 Pro offers 14 stops of dynamic range, better depth of field and, the most important, it has the ability to control the aperture. The correct set of aperture will produce a real-like image of the subject.
The Mavic 2 Pro camera can also film a video at 100 Mbps, with a difference of 40 Mbps from the original Mavic Pro capability up to 60 Mbps. It can perform more likely what a DSLR can achieve because of the wider aperture on the f/2.8-f/11 lens that is adjustable based on the settings and environment at present.
Night Mode
The capability of the Mavic 2 Pro was attested during a night time shot in the city, wherein the black areas of the city could still be identified its details. So, what is in the Hasselblad technology to make the night time shot recognizable?
The Hasselblad technology in the Mavic 2 Pro has a feature called Hasselblad Natural Color Solutions(HNCS), a proprietary color profile to deliver better color accuracy. It does not use a filtering application or auto-correct function. The Hasselblad is designed to produce images that look closest from the analog film camera with a natural look.
Zoom
Maybe you are asking how about the zoom function of the DJI Mavic 2 series. It is a necessity to have a zoom function when using a drone — the higher the optical zoom, the better to focus on capturing the image. Then, let us make a zoom on what the DJI can offer us, shall we?
DJI unveiled the Mavic 2 Zoom which features the 2x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom. The camera of Mavic 2 Zoom is 1/2.3 inch sensor, same with Mavic 2 features, but it was not totally similar to Mavic 2. The Mavic 2 Zoom has optical zoom function from 24-48 millimeters for 2x optical zoom and a digital zoom of 49-96 millimeters.
Having the same camera with Mavic 2, it should not be quickly judged. DJI have known the feedback when they have set the camera of Mavic 2 into Mavic 2 Zoom. Still, they are one step ahead of us because they have put additional features that can do the Quickshot for five seconds. The same as the Dolly-zoom effect in Hollywood movies. This famous camera trick involves the adjustment of the lens while moving the camera forward and backward at the same time.
Others may think that the trick is just a sale scheme by DJI. However, if you study this certain function of the Mavic 2 Zoom, you can understand that the ability to zoom in and out produces various interesting shots when incorporated in the movement of the drones. This has set the fact that the production quality of the drone videos, combining with the zoom effects, has unlocked the future of the drone industry.
DJI Drone for Filming Like a Pro
In most occasions, professionals, and personals, using a drone is one of the requirements. Photography and filming with aerial shots is an experience of being a pilot.
Mavic 2 is slightly bulkier than the original Mavic Pro when flying it. It is designed intentionally for extra movements to make more aerodynamic. Also, it has a propeller design with a slightly skewed tip to improve efficiency and reduce noise. Most of the drones have buzzy sounds that could be annoying because it’s like there’s a huge bee nearby you. But this was address by DJI through Mavic 2.
The altitude of Mavic 2 can perform a glide laterally from one altitude to another. It has stable, and swift feels in flight. But when it comes to Mavic Pro, it has a jerky movement in the air. The feel of the drone flights is distinguished in the movements of the joystick.
DJI also address the handling of the joystick or the controls of the drone. With the autonomous flight modes of DJI, better drone videos have produced because of the steady handling in the joystick. The Hyperlapse is a technique that easily made the creation of time-lapse videos that add an extra element of motion by making a drone fly along the path. Nonetheless, even the most stable handling of joystick has no match when blown by strong gusts during windy days. It is in nature that we cannot control, but we can adapt at times.
High Sensors
The omni-directional obstacle sensing of Mavic 2 series is a significant contribution. It is one of the big upgrades by DJI to the autonomous flight, the ActiveTrack 2.0. The drone has ten sensors on all its sides, but two sensors only work in ActiveTrack 2.0. This feature enables the drone to avoid obstacles along the way. It also has a safe distance around the area before landing.
Other features of Mavic 2 series is the Hyperlight low-light mode. This feature is available on both Mavic 2 Zoom and Mavic 2 Pro. In this mode, the cameras capture the sharper detail and more vibrant colors than you might expect from the small sensors. This feature is highly recommended when capturing images at dusk and dawn. Hence, bigger sensors have another advantage in a drone.
DJI Drone Innovations
DJI is not over in building a drone like Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom. They are just starting to make the drones smarter and more useful. Like other companies in the same line of industry, DJI is blending the best features of big consumer drones such as Phantom series and the Inspire series with the portability of its smaller aircraft, the Mavic Air and Spark. Soon, DJI will release a drone that has both features of big consumer drones but portable.
For instance, the interchangeable camera systems in Mavic 2 can be done in the DJI repair center. How much it costs for the service? The Company did not disclose the service fee on this matter. But they have hopes that drone owners can do the interchanging of camera systems someday.
All features of the DJI Mavic 2 series are distinguished from each other. The real factor that could affect the decision of the buyer is the price of each drone.
Market Value
Mavic 2 Zoom is $1,250, a little cheaper than the Mavic 2 Pro which is around $1,450. When you want to spend lesser than Mavic 2 Zoom, you can give a try with Mavic Pro at $1,000.
Clearly, balancing what is the right drone for you is the hardest thing to do. There are features that if combined with the other, you will end up making your dream drone video shots. But, buying both will cost you a fortune. Or is it?
You can check other drones offered by DJI. If you just want to start and practice, there are lots of drones for beginners. For instance, the Mavic Air for only $800 or the Spark at $400 will be an excellent choice for beginners. If budget is rigid, you can try the Ryze Tello at $100.
DJI offers drones at a reasonable price because the drones they produce for the customers consistently outperform the others. You could stick with the other affordable drones, but expect it to perform below the quality of DJI drones.
