Why did I choose DJI Mavic Air and not DJI Mavic Pro

March 22, 2018 128

Last year I featured DJI Mavic Pro and DJI Mavic Pro Platinum so you know I recommend those drone.

Today I make a research and evaluate DJI Mavic Air Vs DJI Mavic Pro Vs DJI Mavic Pro Platinum from the features point of view, not the price.

First of all, DJI Mavic Air has new technologies as is released more recently than DJI Mavic Pro/DJI Mavic Pro Platinum.

One of the most important reasons I chose Mavic Air is that drones under 500grams (like the Mavic Air) do not have any flight restrictions in many countries. DJI Mavic Pro/DJI Mavic Pro Platinum has flight restrictions.

Mavic Air features Smart Capture (an improved Gesture Mode)

Smartphone control on the Mavic Air is better.

Mavic Air has better obstacle avoidance as it has two back facing cameras.

Mavic Air has better resolution panoramic shots (4096×8192).

DJI Mavic Air Vs DJI Mavic Pro Vs DJI Mavic Pro Platinum
Key Features	Mavic Pro Foldable 4K Camera RAW Format Photos 3-Axis Mechanical Gimbal 7 km Video Transmission 27-Minute Flight time	Mavic Air 32 MP Sphere Panoramas Foldable & Portable 3-Axis Gimbal & 4K Camera 3-Directional Environment Sensing SmartCapture 21-Minute Flight Time Advanced Pilot Assistance System	Mavic Pro Platinum 30-Minute Flight time Quieter Flight Foldable 4K Camera RAW Format Photos 3-Axis Mechanical Gimbal 7 km Video Transmission
HIGHLIGHTS
Price	USD $999	USD $799	USD $1099
Dimensions	Folded: 198×83×83 mm (L×W×H) Unfolded: 305×244×85 mm (L×W×H)	Folded: 168×83×49 mm (L×W×H) Unfolded: 168×184×64 mm (L×W×H)	Folded: 198×83×83 mm (L×W×H) Unfolded: 305×244×85 mm (L×W×H)
Weight	734 g	430 g	734 g
Flight Performance	Max Flight Time: 27 minutes Max Speed: 65 kph (S – mode^[1]) 36 kph (P – mode)	Max Flight Time: 21 minutes Max Speed: 68.4 kph (S – mode^[1]) 28.8 kph (P – mode)	Max Flight Time: 30 minutes Max Speed: 65 kph (S – mode^[1]) 36 kph (P – mode)
Intelligent Flight Modes	ActiveTrack Tripod Mode Gesture Mode Cinematic Mode Fixed-Wing Mode TapFly Terrian Follow Point of Interest Couse Lock Waypoints Home Lock	ActiveTrack QuickShot SmartCapture TapFly Tripod Mode Cinematic Mode Point of Interest	ActiveTrack Tripod Mode Gesture Mode Cinematic Mode Fixed-Wing Mode TapFly Terrian Follow Point of Interest Couse Lock Waypoints Home Lock
Photography	3-Axis Mechanical Gimbal 1/2.3” CMOS Max Video Resolution: 4K @30 fps Max Photo Resolution: 12 MP	3-Axis Mechanical Gimbal 1/2.3” CMOS Max Video Resolution: 4K @30 fps Max Photo Resolution: 12 MP	3-Axis Mechanical Gimbal 1/2.3” CMOS Max Video Resolution: 4K @30 fps Max Photo Resolution: 12 MP
Obstacle Sensing	Forward Obstacle Sensing: 0.7 – 15 m	Forward Obstacle Sensing: 0.5 – 12 m Backward Obstacle Sensing: 0.5 – 10 m	Forward Obstacle Sensing: 0.7 – 15 m
Control Modes	Mobile Device Remote Controller	Gesture Mobile Device Remote Controller	Mobile Device Remote Controller
Max Transmission Distance (Unobstructed, Free Of Interference)	Mobile Device: 80 m Remote Controller: 2.400 – 2.483 GHz FCC: 7000 m CE: 4000 m SRRC: 4000 m	Mobile Device: 80 m Remote Controller: 2.400 – 2.4835 GHz: FCC: 4000 m CE: 2000 m SRRC: 2000 m MIC: 2000 m 5.725 – 5.850 GHz: FCC: 4000 m CE: 500 m SRRC: 2500 m	Mobile Device: 80 m Remote Controller: 2.400 – 2.483 GHz FCC: 7000 m CE: 4000 m SRRC: 4000 m
AIRCRAFT
Takeoff Weight	734 g	430 g	734 g
Dimensions	Folded: 198×83×83 mm (L×W×H) Unfolded: 305×244×85 mm (L×W×H)	Folded: 168×83×49 mm (L×W×H) Unfolded: 168×184×64 mm (L×W×H)	Folded: 198×83×83 mm (L×W×H) Unfolded: 305×244×85 mm (L×W×H)
Diagonal Distance	335 mm	213 mm	335 mm
Max Ascent Speed	5 m/s (S – mode^[1]) 5 m/s (P – mode) 2 m/s (Wi-Fi mode)	4 m/s (S – mode^[1]) 2 m/s (P – mode) 2 m/s (Wi-Fi mode)	5 m/s (S – mode^[1]) 5 m/s (P – mode) 2 m/s (Wi-Fi mode)
Max Descent Speed	3 m/s (S – mode^[1]) 3 m/s (P – mode) 1 m/s (Wi-Fi mode)	3 m/s (S – mode^[1]) 1.5 m/s (P – mode) 1 m/s (Wi-Fi mode)	3 m/s (S – mode^[1]) 3 m/s (P – mode) 1 m/s (Wi-Fi mode)
Max Speed (Near Sea Level, No Wind)	65 kph (S – mode^[1]) 36 kph (P – mode) 14 kph (Wi-Fi mode)	68.4 kph (S – mode^[1]) 28.8 kph (P – mode) 28.8 kph (Wi-Fi mode)	65 kph (S – mode^[1]) 36 kph (P – mode) 14 kph (Wi-Fi mode)
Max Service Ceiling Above Sea Level	5000 m	5000 m	5000 m
Max Flight Time (No Wind)	27 minutes (at a consistent 25 kph)	21 minutes (at a consistent 25 kph)	30 minutes (at a consistent 25 kph)
Max Hovering Time (No Wind)	24 minutes	20 minutes	27 minutes
Max Flight Distance (No Wind)	13 km	10 km	13 km
Max Wind Speed Resistance	29 – 38 kph	29 – 38 kph	29 – 38 kph
Max Tilt Angle	35° (S – mode^[1]) 25° (P – mode)	35° (S – mode^[1]) 15° (P – mode)	35° (S – mode^[1]) 25° (P – mode)
Max Angular Velocity	300°/s (S – mode^[1]) 250°/s (P – mode)	250°/s (S – mode^[1]) 250°/s (P – mode)	300°/s (S – mode^[1]) 250°/s (P – mode)
Operating Temperature Range	0°C – 40°C	0°C – 40°C	0°C – 40°C
Operating Frequency	2.400 – 2.4835 GHz 5.725 – 5.850 GHz	2.400 – 2.4835 GHz 5.725 – 5.850 GHz	2.400 – 2.4835 GHz 5.725 – 5.850 GHz
Transmission Power (EIRP)	2.400 – 2.4835 GHz FCC: ?26 dBm CE: ?20 dBm SRRC: ?20 dBm 5.725 – 5.850 GHz FCC: ?23 dBm CE: ?13 dBm SRRC: ?23 dBm	2.400 – 2.4835 GHz FCC: ?28 dBm CE: ?19 dBm SRRC: ?19 dBm MIC: ?19 dBm 5.725 – 5.850 GHz FCC: ?31 dBm CE: ?14 dBm SRRC: ?27 dBm	2.400 – 2.4835 GHz FCC: ?26 dBm CE: ?20 dBm SRRC: ?20 dBm 5.725 – 5.850 GHz FCC: ?23 dBm CE: ?13 dBm SRRC: ?23 dBm
GNSS	GPS + GLONASS	GPS + GLONASS	GPS + GLONASS
Hovering Accuracy Range	Vertical: ±0.1 m (with Vision Positioning) ±0.5 m (with GPS Positioning) Horizontal: ±0.3 m (with Vision Positioning) ±1.5 m (with GPS Positioning)	Vertical: ±0.1 m (with Vision Positioning) ±0.5 m (with GPS Positioning) Horizontal: ±0.1 m (with Vision Positioning) ±1.5 m (with GPS Positioning)	Vertical: ±0.1 m (with Vision Positioning) ±0.5 m (with GPS Positioning) Horizontal: ±0.3 m (with Vision Positioning) ±1.5 m (with GPS Positioning)
Internal Storage	?	8 GB	?
GIMBAL
Mechanical Range	Tilt: -90° to +30° Roll: -30° to 120°(Portrait Mode) Pan: -30° to +30°	Tilt: -100° to +22° Roll: -30° to +30° Pan: -12° to +12°	Tilt: -90° to +30° Roll: -30° to 120°(Portrait Mode) Pan: -30° to +30°
Controllable Range	Tilt: -90° to +30° Roll: 0° or 90° (horizontally and vertically)	Tilt: -90° to 0° (default setting) -90° to +17° (extended)	Tilt: -90° to +30° Roll: 0° or 90° (horizontally and vertically)
Stabilization	3-axis (tilt, roll, pan)	3-axis (tilt, roll, pan)	3-axis (tilt, roll, pan)
Max Control Speed (Tilt)	120°/s	120°/s	120°/s
Angular Vibration Range	±0.02°	±0.005°	±0.02°
SENSING SYSTEM
Forward	Precision Measurement Range: 0.7 – 15 m Detectable Range: 0.7 – 30 m Effective Sensing Speed: ?10 m/s Field of View (FOV): Horizontal 60°, Vertical ±27°	Precision Measurement Range: 0.5 – 12 m Detectable Range: 0.5 – 24 m Effective Sensing Speed: ? 8 m/s Field of View (FOV): Horizontal 50°, Vertical ±19°	Precision Measurement Range: 0.7 – 15 m Detectable Range: 0.7 – 30 m Effective Sensing Speed: ?10 m/s Field of View (FOV): Horizontal 60°, Vertical ±27°
Downward	Altitude Range: 0.3 – 13 m Operating Range: 0.3 – 13 m	Altitude Range: 0.1 – 8 m Operating Range: 0.5 – 30 m	Altitude Range: 0.3 – 13 m Operating Range: 0.3 – 13 m
Operating Environment	Forward: Surface with clear pattern and adequate lighting (lux > 15) Downward: Surface with clear pattern and adequate lighting (lux > 15)	Forward: Surface with clear pattern and adequate lighting (lux > 15) Backward: Surface with clear pattern and adequate lighting (lux > 15) Downward: Detects clearly patterned surfaces with adequate lighting (lux>15) and diffuse reflectivity (>20%)	Forward: Surface with clear pattern and adequate lighting (lux > 15) Downward: Surface with clear pattern and adequate lighting (lux > 15)
Backward	?	Precision Measurement Range: 0.5 – 10 m Detectable Range: 0.5 – 20 m Effective Sensing Speed: ? 8 m/s Field of View (FOV): Horizontal 50°, Vertical ±19°	?
CAMERA
Sensor	1/2.3” CMOS Effective Pixels: 12.35 MP	1/2.3” CMOS Effective Pixels: 12 MP	1/2.3” CMOS Effective Pixels: 12.35 MP
Lens	FOV: 78.8° 35 mm Format Equivalent: 28 mm Aperture: f/2.2 Shooting Range: 1 m to ? (auto focus)	FOV: 85° 35 mm Format Equivalent: 24 mm Aperture: f/2.8 Shooting Range: 0.5 m to ?	FOV: 78.8° 35 mm Format Equivalent: 28 mm Aperture: f/2.2 Shooting Range: 1 m to ? (auto focus)
ISO Range	Video: 100 – 3200 (auto) 100 – 3200 (manual) Photo: 100 – 1600 (auto) 100 – 1600 (manual)	Video: 100 – 1600 (auto) 100 – 1600 (manual) Photo: 100 – 1600 (auto) 100 – 3200 (manual)	Video: 100 – 3200 (auto) 100 – 3200 (manual) Photo: 100 – 1600 (auto) 100 – 1600 (manual)
Shutter Speed	Electronic Shutter: 8 – 1/8000 s	Electronic Shutter: 8 – 1/8000s	Electronic Shutter: 8 – 1/8000 s
Still Image Size	4000×3000	4:3: 4056×3040 16:9: 4056×2280	4000×3000
Still Photography Modes	Single shot Burst shooting: 3/5/7 frames Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3/5 bracketed frames at 0.7 EV Bias Interval: 2/3/5/7/10/15/20/30/60 s	Single shot HDR Burst shooting: 3/5/7 frames Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3/5 bracketed frames at 0.7EV Bias Interval: 2/3/5/7/10/15/20/30/60 s Pano: 3×1: 42°×78°, 2048×3712 (W×H) 3×3: 119°×78°, 4096×2688 (W×H) 180°: 251°×88°, 6144×2048 (W×H) Sphere (3×8+1): 8192×4096 (W×H)	Single shot Burst shooting: 3/5/7 frames Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3/5 bracketed frames at 0.7 EV Bias Interval: 2/3/5/7/10/15/20/30/60 s
Video Resolution	C4K: 4096×2160 24 p 4K: 3840×2160 24/25/30 p 2.7K: 2720×1530 24/25/30 p FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30/48/50/60/96 p HD: 1280×720 24/25/30/48/50/60/120 p	4K Ultra HD: 3840×2160 24/25/30p 2.7K: 2720×1530 24/25/30/48/50/60p FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30/48/50/60/120p HD: 1280×720 24/25/30/48/50/60/120p	C4K: 4096×2160 24 p 4K: 3840×2160 24/25/30 p 2.7K: 2720×1530 24/25/30 p FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30/48/50/60/96 p HD: 1280×720 24/25/30/48/50/60/120 p
Max Video Bitrate	60 Mbps	100Mbps	60 Mbps
Supported File System	FAT32 (? 32 GB) exFAT (> 32 GB)	FAT32	FAT32 (? 32 GB) exFAT (> 32 GB)
Photo Format	JPEG/DNG (RAW)	JPEG/DNG (RAW)	JPEG/DNG (RAW)
Video Format	MP4/MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC)	MP4/MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC?	MP4/MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC)
REMOTE CONTROLLER
Operating Frequency	2.400 – 2.483 GHz	2.400 – 2.4835 GHz 5.725 – 5.850 GHz	2.400 – 2.483 GHz
Max Transmission Distance (Unobstructed, Free Of Interference)	2.400 – 2.483 GHz FCC: 7000 m CE: 4000 m SRRC: 4000 m	2.400 – 2.4835 GHz: FCC: 4000 m CE: 2000 m SRRC: 2000 m MIC: 2000 m 5.725 – 5.850 GHz: FCC: 4000 m CE: 500 m SRRC: 2500 m	2.400 – 2.483 GHz FCC: 7000 m CE: 4000 m SRRC: 4000 m
Operating Temperature Range	0? – 40?	0? – 40?	0? – 40?
Transmission Power (EIRP)	2.400 – 2.483 GHz FCC: ?26 dBm CE: ?20 dBm SRRC: ?20 dBm	2.400 – 2.4835 GHz: FCC??26 dBm CE: ?18 dBm SRRC: ?18 dBm MIC:?18 dBm 5.725 – 5.850 GHz: FCC: ?30 dBm CE: ?14 dBm SRRC: ?26 dBm	2.400 – 2.483 GHz FCC: ?26 dBm CE: ?20 dBm SRRC: ?20 dBm
Battery	2970 mAh	2970 mAh	2970 mAh
Operating Current/Voltage	950 mA ? 3.7 V	1400 mA ? 3.7 V (Android) 750 mA ? 3.7 V (iOS)	950 mA ? 3.7 V
Supported Mobile Device Size	Max Length: 160 mm Supported Thickness: 6.5 – 8.5 mm	Max length: 160 mm Supported Thickness: 6.5-8.5 mm	Max Length: 160 mm Supported Thickness: 6.5 – 8.5 mm
Supported USB Port Types	?	Lightning, Micro USB (Type-B), USB-C	?
MOBILE DEVICE CONTROL
Operating Frequency	2.400 – 2.4835 GHz 5.725 – 5.850 GHz	2.400 – 2.4835 GHz 5.725 – 5.850 GHz	2.400 – 2.4835 GHz 5.725 – 5.850 GHz
Max Transmission Distance (Unobstructed, Free Of Interference)	Distance: 80 m Height: 50 m	Distance: 80 m Height: 50 m	Distance: 80 m Height: 50 m
CHARGER
Input	100 – 240 V, 50/60 Hz, 1.4 A	100 – 240 V, 50/60 Hz, 1.4 A	100 – 240 V, 50/60 Hz, 1.4 A
Output	Main: 13.05 V ? 3.83 A USB: 5 V ? 2 A + 2 A	Main: 13.2 V ? 3.79 A USB: 5 V ? 2 A	Main: 13.05 V ? 3.83 A USB: 5 V ? 2 A + 2 A
Voltage	5 V	13.2 V	5 V
Rated Power	50 W	50 W	50 W
INTELLIGENT FLIGHT BATTERY
Energy	43.6 Wh	27.43 Wh	43.6 Wh
Capacity	3830 mAh	2375 mAh	3830 mAh
Voltage	11.4 V	11.55 V	11.4 V
Max Charging Voltage	13.05 V	13.2 V	13.05 V
Battery Type	LiPo 3S	LiPo 3S	LiPo 3S
Net Weight	240 g	140 g	240 g
Charging Temperature Range	5? – 40?	5? – 40?	5? – 40?
Max Charging Power	100 W	60 W	100 W
APP
Video Transmission System	OcuSync	Enhanced Wi-Fi	OcuSync
Name	DJI GO 4	DJI GO 4	DJI GO 4
Live View Quality	Remote Controller: 720 p @30 fps/1080 p @30 fps Intelligent Mobile Device: 720 p @30 fps DJI Goggles: 720 p @30 fps/720 p @60 fps/1080 p @30 fps	Remote Controller: 720p@30fps Smart Device: 720p@30fps DJI Goggles: 720p@30fps	Remote Controller: 720 p @30 fps/1080 p @30 fps Intelligent Mobile Device: 720 p @30 fps DJI Goggles: 720 p @30 fps/720 p @60 fps/1080 p @30 fps
Max Live Video Bitrate	12 Mbps	?	12 Mbps
Latency (Depending On Environmental Conditions And Mobile Device)	160 – 170 ms	170 – 240 ms	160 – 170 ms
Required Operating System	iOS v9.0 or later Android v4.4.0 or later	iOS v9.0 or later Android v4.4 or later	iOS v9.0 or later Android v4.4.0 or later
SUPPORTED SD CARDS
Supported SD Cards	?	microSD Class 10 or UHS-1 rating required	?