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DJI Mavic 2 Pro Review: A Game-Changer for Aerial Photography and Videography
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is not just another drone—it’s a professional-grade aerial photography and videography tool that has redefined what’s possible in the consumer drone market. Equipped with a Hasselblad L1D-20c camera featuring a 20MP 1-inch CMOS sensor, this drone delivers stunning image quality, 4K video, and advanced features like ActiveTrack 2.0, Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing, and Hyperlapse. With a flight time of up to 31 minutes, a max speed of 44 mph, and a compact, foldable design, the Mavic 2 Pro is a powerhouse that fits in your backpack.
Pros and Cons: What Customers Are Saying
Image Quality: A Hasselblad Masterpiece
The Hasselblad camera is the star of the show here. Customers rave about the natural colors, sharp details, and excellent low-light performance. One reviewer compared the image quality to their Nikon Z6, stating that while it’s not quite on par with a full-frame camera, it’s more than capable of producing professional-grade aerial shots. The 1-inch CMOS sensor and adjustable aperture allow for creative flexibility, whether you’re shooting landscapes, weddings, or wildlife.
“The 1" sensor on this drone's camera is nothing short of incredible. It does an incredible job with image quality, both video and photo.”
However, some users noted that the highlights can get blown out in certain conditions, especially when shooting in H.265 without using DLog-M or HLG modes. For those who prefer to color-grade their footage, DLog-M is highly recommended.
Flight Performance: Smooth, Stable, and Safe
The Mavic 2 Pro’s 3-axis gimbal ensures buttery-smooth footage, even in windy conditions. The Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing and Advanced Pilot Assistance Systems (APAS) make flying safer and more intuitive, even for beginners. One user mentioned that the drone’s Beginner Mode was a great way to get comfortable with the controls before diving into more advanced features.
“This thing has very advanced systems to stay in impressively stable flight while you focus on your image composition.”
That said, the battery life can be a limitation, especially in windy areas. While the drone boasts a 31-minute flight time, real-world usage often yields 20-25 minutes due to wind resistance. Carrying extra batteries is a must for longer shoots.
Portability and Design: Compact and Intuitive
The Mavic 2 Pro’s foldable design is a game-changer for professionals on the go. It’s small enough to fit in most camera bags, making it easy to carry alongside your other gear. The remote controller is equally compact and intuitive, with customizable controls to suit your preferences.
“When you open the box and get familiar with it, it’s like these guys just refined every possible thing.”
However, some users found the iPhone compatibility slightly annoying, as they had to remove their phone case to fit it into the controller. This is a minor inconvenience but worth noting for those who frequently switch between devices.
Range and Connectivity: Reliable and Impressive
With a maximum range of 5 miles, the Mavic 2 Pro offers unparalleled freedom for aerial exploration. While most users haven’t pushed it to its limits, the reliable connectivity and real-time battery monitoring provide peace of mind during flights.
“I’ve captured gorgeous photos from over a mile and a half away. If you can afford it, buy it. I can’t imagine you’d be disappointed.”
Battery Life: A Double-Edged Sword
The 31-minute flight time is impressive on paper, but real-world conditions often reduce this to 20-25 minutes, especially in windy environments. While this is sufficient for most shoots, professionals may need to invest in extra batteries for extended sessions.
“Only thing I dislike about the Mavic 2 Pro is that the battery doesn’t last long, especially in the windy beach area I live.”
Conclusion: Is the DJI Mavic 2 Pro Worth It?
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is a near-perfect drone for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Its Hasselblad camera delivers exceptional image quality, while its compact design and advanced flight features make it a joy to use. While the battery life could be better, it’s a minor drawback in an otherwise stellar package.
If you’re serious about aerial photography or videography, the Mavic 2 Pro is worth every penny. As one reviewer put it, “If I were to lose or break mine and had to buy a new one, and they were now selling for $2,500... I’d still buy it.” That’s high praise for a drone that continues to set the standard in its class.
Specification DJI Mavic 2 Pro - Drone Quadcopter UAV with Hasselblad Camera 3-Axis Gimbal HDR 4K Video Adjustable Aperture 20MP 1" CMOS Sensor, up to 48mph, Gray:
Comments from Amazon:
Only thing I dislike about the Mavic 2 Pro is that the battery doesn't last long, especially in the windy beach area I live. I get 20-25 minutes, just because the bird is always self-correcting as it fights the wind gusts. I go easy on the throttle and speed, but still, this area is windy. Other than the battery not lasting long, this thing yields great, satisfying results. You don't need to have prior experience flying RC aircraft, because the thing stays in flight by itself. It automatically does all the corrections and compensations. All you need to do is watch your surroundings and go up, down, left or right as you move the camera gimbal to your liking. Once you get used to the controls, it's intuitive, plus you also can configure them to your preference. This thing has very advanced systems to stay in impressively stable flight while you focus on your image composition. It comes with Beginner Mode enabled, so the drone doesn't get more than 100 feet away from you or higher than 98 feet, and it also restricts its speed and control sensitivity. It also won't take off without a GPS signal lock. It's a nice feature. I used it for three battery changes to really learn everything before disabling it. This type of camera drone feels very different from RC helicopters and smaller drones, which require constant control input. As long as you respect the law and fly safe, you'll find a new source of joy and creativity in a flying camera. Everything looks different from up there. You have so many more possibilities for composing photo and video scenes. Anyway, the colors on the camera are very natural and lifelike. Those shots I enclosed are DNG files converted to JPEG on Snapseed without any adjustments. Last three shots are JPEGs straight out of the drone so you can see that Hasselblad's HNCS color profile look is more than just marketing non-sense. The video I enclosed was shot in H.265 in the regular color mode, not in DLog-M or HLG, to show you what choices the drone made. I do prefer DLog-M to preserve highlights, and to color-grade the footage to my preference. As you can see in that video, the highlights are blown-out in the waves. I highly recommend the Mavic 2 Pro. That little Sony-powered Hasselblad camera is the real deal. Videos look great, too, but you want this model for the photo quality and colors. There are newer DJI drones now, such as the Air 2S, which I also own, and the recently released Mavic 3, but the sensor crop on the Mavic 2 Pro's 4K HQ Mode gives it a cinematic look. It's a unique aesthetic to this drone, plus its video is not ultra-sharp for being 4K, so it looks more filmic and less digital. Peace!
Love this thing. Started out with DJI spark which was good but not great. Got a Air (first gen) and everything that I didn’t like about spark was fixed in the Air. But saw the 1” sensor and wanted to try goggles so purchased this Pro. Glad I did. It’s just fantastic. Raw photos are a joy to edit in photoshop, and I love the waypoint system. The battery life allows you to get super creative as you really don’t have to constantly worry about having to return to home. The picture on iPhone is amazing. And the range is just ridiculous. I’ve captured gorgeous photos from over a mile and a half away. If you can afford it, buy it. I can’t imagine you’d be disappointed.
I have a Nikon Z6 which takes outstanding photos using RAW, particularly of our gardens and land. I wanted to get a drone that would do something close in quality but aerial view. The Magic 2 Pro delivers. It can shoot in RAW and although the quality is not quite as good as the Z6 it is good enough. I don’t shoot much video, but I am enjoying using the video as well. To actually fly the drone and use the camera takes learning and practice. I look forward to it. The battery life is not great so I bought one extra and not the two that come with the extra kit. So far, this is more than enough for my use. I have to take the case off my iPhone 12 for it to fit in the controller. This is annoying but doable. Watching YouTube instruction videos is better than the printed or online instructions.
I'm not exactly sure what year the guys from DJI are from, but its not the 2010's or 2020's. The technology they are creating, and innovating, with really no other competition, is mind boggling. The only explanation is they are from the distant future and DJI created a time machine, probably what the Mavic Pro 5 is going to come with, and they are currently in our dimension to "wow" us. Seriously, though. I have owned some drones in the past from DJI but the Mavic Pro 2 is something special. I paid roughy $1499 for mine, although the price seems to fluctuate these days due to changing tariffs. I would say if you work in the professional photo or video realm, this piece of tech is worth every penny and more. In fact, if I were to lose or break mine and had to buy a new one, and they were now selling for $2,500... I'd still buy it. Thats how much I value this piece of equipment. Work I've done with my drone includes wedding films, YouTube videos, landscape photos for canvas prints, land surveillance, dolphin watching (and Manta-ray watching, yes Id fly it out from the beach shoreline and you can see these awesome animals in their habitat), self filming (using the built in tracking), and general photography and videography from viewpoints otherwise inaccessible. The thing about drones that some people overlook, is they arent just for video, flying over awesome landscapes to get cool video. These things basically give you range and POV that was previously impossible for creators. I included a shot I took of a protest at Jackson Square in New Orleans, this shot would've been impossible without a helicopter 10 years ago. The 1" sensor on this drones camera is noting short of incredible. Some Full Frame users (such as myself, I shoot with an a7iii) will scuff at such a "small" sensor which is honestly silly. Its still much larger than your phone or a GoPros sensor, and it does an incredible job with image quality, both video and photo. Low light, this is the best drone ive ever used as well. Although generally the best time to fly for me is sunrise and sunset. Its when the Earth is most beautiful, and this drone captures every square inch of beauty. This thing apparently can go around 5 miles from the controller!? Ive never even taken it a full mile away (ive gotten close though). I cant imagine going that far, although if the situation called for it, I would. With that said, ive had exactly ZERO issues with losing connectivity. Ive never once had any scares (with the exception of a mamma bird trying to attack it once when I was close to a nest unbeknown to me). The last thing Ill say about this drone that just makes me gush is the portability. When you open the box and get familiar with it, its like these guys just refined every possible thing. The controller breaks down so intuitively and folds up, the drone gets small enough to the size of a DSLR footprint, so it fits in most of my camera bags easily. I never go to a shoot without this thing. My essentials for any shoot is my camera body, my 24-70, and my drone. Its that simple, this is an essential piece of kit to me, and I cannot say enough good things about it. I dont even have anything negative to say. I won't say the battery life is bad, 30 minutes of flight time is plenty if you plan your shots out and dont just fly aimlessly. Bring an extra battery if you're going on a trip somewhere remote. I'm sure the new Mavic Air 2 is amazing as well, and idk what the Mavic Pro 3 is going to bring because this drone, by almost all my criteria, is near perfect.