DJI Mavic Air 2 vs DJI Mavic Pro: Is it worth upgrading?

Now the DJI Mavic Air 2 is finally here, it may pose some interesting questions for Mavic Pro pilots who are looking for a new drone. The Mavic Air 2 packs a lot of updates at a very competitive price. Though it’s not the most powerful Mavic drone, it edges out the 4-year-old Mavic Pro in terms of flight performance, camera, range, and obstacle avoidance. Most importantly, it comes with a more competitive price.

Let’s take a look at how the Mavic Air 2 and Mavic Pro Stack up.

DJI Mavic Air 2 vs DJI Mavic Pro

Drone	DJI Mavic Air 2	DJI Mavic Pro
Dimensions (Folded)	H84×W97×L180 mm	H83 x W83 x L198mm
Weight	1.25 lbs/570 grams	1.62 lbs / 734 grams
Max Range	6.2 miles (10 km)	4.3 miles (7 km)
Battery Life	Up to 34 minutes	Up to 30 minutes
Max Speed (Sport Mode)	42 mph (68.4 kph)	40 mph (65 kph)
Obstacle Avoidance	Forward, Backward, Downward	Forward, Downward
Internal Storage	8GB onboard	No
SD Card	Supports a microSD with a capacity of up to 256 GB	Micro SD™ Max capacity: 128 GB. Class 10 or UHS-1 rating required
Sensor	Sony 1/2″	Sony 1/2.3”
Camera	48 MP	12 MP
Video	4K Ultra HD: 3840×2160 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps 2.7K: 2688×1512 24/25/30/48/50/60 fps FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30/48/50/60/120/240 fps 4K Ultra HD HDR: 3840×2160 24/25/30 fps 2.7K HDR: 2688×1512 24/25/30 fps FHD HDR: 1920×1080 24/25/30 fps	C4K: 4096×2160 24p 4K: 3840×2160 24/25/30p 2.7K: 2720×1530 24/25/30p FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30/48/50/60/96p HD: 1280×720 24/25/30/48/50/60/120p
Video Format	MP4, MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264)	MP4, MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264)
Lens	f/2.8	f/2.2
Zoom	No	No
Max Bitrate	120 Mbps	60 Mbps
Shutter speed	Electronic Shutter 8-1/8000s	Electronic Shutter 8-1/8000s
ISO	Video: 100-6400Photo (12 MP): 100-3200 (Auto) 100-6400 (Manual)Photo (48 MP): 100-1600 (Auto) 100-3200 (Manual)	Video: 100-3200 Photo:100-1600
Gimbal	3 Axis	3 Axis
Transmission System	Ocusync 2.0	Ocusync
App	DJI Fly	DJI GO 4
Price	Start from $799	Out of Stock

Mavic Air 2 vs Mavic Pro: What’s the difference?

Similar Design

There is no big change to the aircraft, both Mavic Air 2 and Mavic Pro have a similar foldable design but the Mavic Air 2 comes with a smaller frame and different color. The props on Mavic Air 2 are quieter than those on the Mavic Pro.

The remote controller is one of the major differences between these two models, the new Mavic Air 2 doesn’t use the same design as the Mavic family, it features a bigger controller that is similar to that of a Phantom drone, also it changed the way you mount your phone or tablet, it allows you to attach the mobile device on the top.

Mavic Air 2 Remote Controller

The Mavic Pro’s remote is more compact and has a built-in small screen which allows you to monitor the status of the drone when flying.

Mavic Pro Remote Controller

Flight Performance: Longer Flight Time and Control Range

Mavic Air 2 has the longest battery life in the Mavic family. It packs a 3500 mAh battery that supports up to 34 minutes of flight time. Mavic Pro’s max flight time is 30 minutes.

When it comes to the top speed flying in Sport Mode, They are pretty close. The Mavic Air 2 can fly up to 42 mph (68.4 km/h) while the Mavic Pro’s max speed is 40 mph (65 kph).

The Max control range is crucial for use in some scenarios, it depends on the transmission system a drone uses. The Mavic Air 2 packs the latest Ocusync 2.0 that supports 6.2 miles (10 km), Mavic Pro also packs Ocusync and the Max distance is 4.3 miles (7 km). They both support a 1080p live view.

Obstacle Avoidance: More Sensors

Obstacle Avoidance is one of the features that a high-end drone should have. The Mavic Pro is only equipped with front and downward sensors while the Mavic Air 2 comes with front, back and downward sensors. More sensors mean more robust obstacle sensing.

Intelligent Flight Modes

When it comes to Intelligent Flight Modes, the Mavic Air 2 performs much better than the Mavic Pro. It not only has everything Mavic Pro has but also features the latest and greatest ones including FocusTrack, Spotlight 2.0, QuickShots, SmartPhoto, and more。 FocusTrack includes ActiveTrack 3.0, APAS 3.0, POI 3.0The Mavic Pro features fewer modes and doesn’t work as good as those on the Mavic Air 2.

Better Camera

The difference in cameras is huge. Mavic Air 2 packs a much better camera that has a 1/2″ CMOS sensor. It supports shooting 4k videos at 60fps and 48 MP still photos. It also allows you to capture HDR videos and 8K Hyperlapse. Mavic Pro comes with a smaller 1/2.3″ sensor camera capable of shooting 4K videos at 30fps and 12MP photos. It doesn’t support HDR and Hyperlapse.

Internal Storage

The Mavic Air 2 comes with 8GB onboard storage. Though is far from enough for video-focused pilots, it makes a great backup when you forget to insert a microSD card. It also supports microSD cards that are UHS-I Speed Class 3 or above. The Mavic Pro doesn’t come with built-in storage so you need always remember to pack a microSD card before flying.

Conclusion

The bottom line is the Mavic Air 2 a powerful drone that has quite a few flagship-like features including 34 minutes of flying time, 6.2 miles (10 km) range, and the capability of 4K videos @60fps. It’s likely to be an extremely attractive choice for both DJI or non-DJI users.

If you are not sure which one to choose, just get the Mavic Air 2, it’s much more powerful and comes at a cheaper price.

If you are a Mavic Pro user and want to upgrade your old device, the Mavic Air 2 would be a great choice. It has a lot of things you’d expect: better camera, more robust obstacle avoidance, longer flight time, longer control range, quieter operation. Most importantly, it’s much affordable than the flagship Mavic 2 series.