Last Updated on 08/27/2018 by Pauleth Ip
The new DJI Mavic 2 Pro and DJI Mavic 2 Zoom feature major camera improvements.
DJI introduced the next iteration of the Mavic drone series in Brooklyn this morning. Replacing the Mavic Pro are two new drones: the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, and the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom. It’s been almost two years since DJI first released the Mavic Pro, and DJI has included some major improvements to the pair of new Mavic 2 drones. Front and center are two brand new cameras which differentiate the two Mavic 2 models. The DJI Mavic 2 Pro comes equipped with a Hasselblad L1D-20c camera that features a 28mm lens with an adjustable aperture range of f2.8 to f11. At the heart of the Mavic 2 Pro’s camera is a 1″ 20MP CMOS sensor. The DJI Mavic 2 Zoom on the other hand comes equipped with a 24-48mm optical zoom lens, capable of 2x optical and 2x digital zoom, and is paired with a 1/2.3″ 12MP CMOS sensor. The DJI Mavic 2 Pro’s camera will benefit from Hasselblad’s world renown color science, while the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom comes with a new “Super Resolution” mode that stitches nine images together onboard the drone itself to create one large composite.
Tech Specs
The full tech specs can be seen over at the official DJI Mavic 2 product page.
Mavic 2 Pro Camera Specs
| Sensor | 1” CMOS Effective Pixels: 20 million |
|---|---|
| Lens | FOV: about 77° 35 mm Format Equivalent: 28 mm Aperture: f/2.8–f/11 Shooting Range: 1 m to ∞ |
| ISO Range | Video: 100-6400 Photo: 100-3200 (auto) 100-12800 (manual) |
| Shutter Speed | Electronic Shutter: 8–1/8000s |
| Still Image Size | 5472×3648 |
| Still Photography Modes | Single shot Burst shooting: 3/5 frames Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB): 3/5 bracketed frames at 0.7 EV Bias Interval (JPEG: 2/3/5/7/10/15/20/30/60s RAW:5/7/10/15/20/30/60s) |
| Video Resolution | 4K: 3840×2160 24/25/30p 2.7K: 2688×1512 24/25/30/48/50/60p FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30/48/50/60/120p |
| Max Video Bitrate | 100Mbps |
| Color Mode | Dlog-M (10bit), support HDR video (HLG 10bit) |
| Supported File System | FAT32 (≤ 32 GB) exFAT (> 32 GB) |
| Photo Format | JPEG / DNG (RAW) |
| Video Format | MP4 / MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, HEVC/H.265) |
Mavic 2 Zoom Camera Specs
| Sensor | 1/2.3″ CMOS Effective Pixels: 12 million |
|---|---|
| Lens | FOV: about 83° (24 mm); about 48° (48 mm） 35 mm Format Equivalent: 24-48 mm Aperture: f/2.8 (24 mm)–f/3.8 (48 mm) Shooting Range: 0.5 m to ∞ |
| ISO Range | Video: 100-3200 Photo: 100-1600 (auto) 100-3200 (manual) |
| Shutter Speed | Electronic Shutter: 8–1/8000s |
| Still Image Size | 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 (JPEG: 2/3/5/7/10/15/20/30/60s RAW:5/7/10/15/20/30/60s) |
| Video Resolution | 4K: 3840×2160 24/25/30p 2.7K: 2688×1512 24/25/30/48/50/60p FHD: 1920×1080 24/25/30/48/50/60/120p |
| Max Video Bitrate | 100Mbps |
| Color Mode | D-Clinelike |
| Supported File System | FAT32 (≤ 32 GB) exFAT (> 32 GB) |
| Photo Format | JPEG / DNG (RAW) |
| Video Format | MP4 / MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, HEVC/H.265) |
Ergonomics
Both the DJI Mavic 2 Pro and the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom use the same controller, which looks and feels nearly identical to the controller for the original Mavic Pro. It did inherit the removable joysticks that was first introduced with the Mavic Air’s controller, making the controller much easier to pack away when not in use.
As of right now, the Mavic 2 Pro and the Mavic 2 Zoom are only available in gray. Whether or not the Mavic 2 series will see additional colors and upgrades like the Alpine White and Platinum variants with the original Mavic Pro remains to be seen. The Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom are both slightly larger than the Mavic Pro, and packed on a bit of weight as well, but gains four additional minutes of flight time as a result, topping out at a maximum of 31 minutes. Having used the Mavic Air, the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom feel almost too big. How easily jaded we’ve become.
Drone pilots that have experience using the original Mavic Pro will feel right at home with the Mavic 2 Pro and the Mavic 2 Zoom. The motor arms fold or flip into the body the same way, and the battery (which received a slight bump in capacity: 3850 mAh vs 3830 mAh on the original Mavic Pro) is still located in the top rear of the drones. To get one of the Mavic 2 drones airborne, simply unfold the front motor arms and flip out the rear motor arms. You don’t have to worry about unfolding the propeller blades if you had them folded up during storage, they’ll automatically deploy when you fire up the motors.
Build Quality
In our limited time with the Mavic 2 drones during the launch event, both the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom felt every bit as sturdy as their predecessor. The motor arms feel very solid, folding or snapping into place without any noticeable flex. The motors also sound quieter than those found in the predecessor, but we will have to confirm this during our full review when we’re testing the drones in a more controlled environment.
Our flight time with the Mavic 2 drones were extremely limited during the launch event, but take offs and landings feel just as quick as the original. DJI is claiming a top speed of 44MPH for the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom, a 10% increase from the original Mavic Pro.
Ease of Use
Since the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom are designed with professionals in mind, the controller is required to control the drones unlike the Mavic Spark and the Mavic Air where you can opt to utilize motion controls. With that said, any drone pilot that’s flown with the Mavic Pro or Phantoms will feel right at home controlling the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom.
Both the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom have 10 sensors built into the body, working in conjunction with the improved APAS (Advanced Pilot Assistance System) to helping drone pilots navigate as well as avoid obstacles. DJI has also included downward facing LEDs to help illuminate landing area for when you’re landing in dark conditions.
Image Quality
Unfortunately we did not get a chance to capture any still images with the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom due to the extended wait time associated with getting hands on time with the demo units. We will cover this in depth in our upcoming review.
Drone pilots and aerial photographers looking to upgrade to the latest Mavic 2 drones will be happy to know that both the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom are available for purchase starting today. The Mavic 2 Pro retails for US$1,449 while the Mavic 2 Z00m retails for US$1,249. A Fly More Kit featuring two Mavic 2 series batteries, battery charging hub, car charger, four low noise propeller blades, and carrying case, will retail for US$319.
DJI Introduces Mavic 2 Pro And Mavic 2 Zoom: A New Era For Camera Drones
Mavic 2 Series Features Two Industry First Camera Options With New Intelligent Features And Optimized Flight Performance
August 23, 2018 – DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, today introduced a new era for camera drones with two additions to its iconic Mavic series: Mavic 2 Pro, the world’s first drone with an integrated Hasselblad camera, and Mavic 2 Zoom, the world’s first foldable consumer drone with optical zoom capability.
The Mavic 2 is the most advanced DJI camera drone ever built, designed for professionals, aerial photographers and content creators. Incorporating the iconic folding design of the world’s most popular Mavic Pro, the Mavic 2 is a powerful platform with new gimbal-stabilized cameras and advanced intelligent features like Hyperlapse and ActiveTrack for easier and more dynamic storytelling. With an impressive flight time of up to 31 minutes and a more stable video transmission system, Mavic 2 delivers the optimal flight experience for capturing epic shots.
“When the Mavic Pro was launched two years ago, it redefined the way people looked at a drone and expanded possibilities for creators around the world,” said Roger Luo, President at DJI. “Today, we enter a new era of aerial photography with the introduction of DJI’s new flagship product, the Mavic 2 series. The Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom will enable photographers and videographers to take their inspirations to the air quickly and elevate their creative ideas to new heights.”
Mavic 2 Pro: Superior Image Quality with Hasselblad
Co-engineered in partnership with Hasselblad, the leading manufacturer in medium format photography, the Mavic 2 Pro is the world’s first drone with an integrated Hasselblad camera for outstanding image quality with superior light and color performance. Housing a 1-inch CMOS sensor with a 10-bit Dlog-M color profile, the camera captures four times as many levels of color per channel compared to Mavic Pro to provide maximum flexibility for photo and video editing. The Mavic 2 Pro can capture 20-megapixel aerial shots with utmost color accuracy using Hasselblad’s unique Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS) technology, while an adjustable aperture from f/2.8-f/11 provides more control across a wide variety of lighting conditions. With 4K 10-bit HDR support, the Mavic 2 Pro can be plugged into a 4K TV with HLG and will play back footage with the right color tones.
Mavic 2 Zoom: A Dynamic Perspective with Optical and Digital Zoom
Powered by a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, the Mavic 2 Zoom is DJI’s first foldable consumer drone with zoom, providing a dynamic perspective that ushers in a new era of creative storytelling. With the Mavic 2 Zoom, you can get closer to your subject at a moment’s notice by combining two-times optical zoom (24-48mm) with two-times digital zoom to simulate a 96mm telephoto lens that captures lossless video in full HD resolution. Hybrid auto-focus on the Mavic 2 Zoom combines phase and contrast detection for higher focus accuracy with an increased focus speed of up to 40% faster than before. Shoot vivid 12-megapixel photos or take advantage of the new Super Resolution feature that uses optical zoom to automatically capture and stitch nine photos together for a highly detailed 48-megapixel image, making it an ideal option for landscape photography.Exclusive to the Mavic 2 Zoom, the new Dolly Zoom QuickShot mode opens a new visual language for storytelling that was previously reserved for professional cinematographers. It creates an otherworldly warped perspective by automatically zooming in as it flies away from its subject, keeping the subject the same size while the full background of the scene is revealed.
Mavic 2 Series: DJI’s New Flagship Consumer Drone with Powerful Camera Options
Both cameras capture vivid 4K ultra-high definition video with extreme detail, recording at a maximum bitrate of 100 megabits per second using the H.265 compression codec to give you an exceptional degree of latitude in post-production workflows. For photographers, new Enhanced High Dynamic Range capabilities blend a sequence of photos for ghost-free high dynamic range, giving the Mavic 2 Pro an impressive 14 stops of dynamic range and Mavic 2 Zoom up to 13 stops.New Intelligent Tools For Epic, Cinematic Shots
The Mavic 2 is the ultimate tool for aerial content creation with new intelligent flight modes that make capturing professional-quality results almost effortless. A new Hyperlapse feature[1] produces establishing shots that show the passing of time, which you can share to social media immediately. JPEG and RAW photos can be simultaneously saved on a Micro SD card or the internal storage, leaving more room for post editing. Choose between Circle, Course Lock, Waypoint or Free mode to create timelapses with a simple tap of a button in the DJI GO 4 Mobile App:
- Free– pilots the drone manually while shooting a Hyperlapse video.
- Circle– automatically flies the drone in a circular pattern around a subject you select to create a timelapse video that captures the action.
- Course Lock– keeps the camera fixed on shooting subject while the drone flies in a straight direction to create a unique perspective.
- Waypoint– plans a complex flight path based on both altitude and GPS coordinates to capture complex shots.
Keeping a moving subject in the frame is now easier than ever with ActiveTrack 2.0. This enhanced auto-track feature delivers a powerful combination of autonomous tracking and obstacle sensing capabilities never before seen in a DJI drone. Using the main camera and the front dual vision cameras, the Mavic 2 creates a three-dimensional map of the area in front of it, and uses new trajectory algorithms to analyze motion and predict the subject’s path up to three seconds in the future. When tracking a target, the Mavic 2 can recognize and avoid obstacles while shooting your target without interruption. It can stay on target, even if your subject momentarily goes behind an obstacle, and can track the subject at higher speeds of up to 44 mph (72 km/h).[2]
Safer, Smarter and Stable Flight
The Mavic 2 delivers autonomous flight capabilities that help you capture shots with even more confidence in complex environments. A fully upgraded FlightAutonomy[3] system transmits data to a more powerful central processor for more accurate obstacle sensing and safer flight. For the first time ever in a DJI drone, Mavic 2 has 10 sensors on all sides of the aircraft to automatically detect obstacles in its path and help prevent collisions[4], allowing you to focus on capturing the perfect shot.An improved Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) allows the aircraft to analyze its surrounding environment and automatically fly around obstacles without stopping. In addition, the Mavic 2 has a Bottom Auxiliary Light that turns on automatically to ensure safe and precise landings in low-light situations.A newly designed OcuSync 2.0 video transmission system enables a more stable connection between the drone and its remote controller. The system features stronger interference resistance and auto-switching capabilities that support both 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequency bands with the capability to use different frequencies for uplink and downlink data streams. It delivers 1080p video transmission feeds at a distance of up to 8 km[5], allowing you to instantly edit and upload Full HD footage directly from the video cache in the DJI app in a wider variety of situations. Original resolution photos in JPEG can be saved directly to your mobile device, so you can immediately share what you create without the need to transfer files from the drone.
Aerodynamic Design and Extended Flight Time
The Mavic 2’s redesigned, more aerodynamic airframe reduces body drag by up to 19% compared to the Mavic Pro, allowing the Mavic 2 to fly at speeds of up to 44 mph (72 km/h) in Sport mode. Combined with a more efficient, quieter propulsion system and noise reducing propellers, the Mavic 2 has a maximum flight time of up to 31 minutes.
To ensure crisp photos and smooth, shake-free footage, the Mavic 2 houses an ultra-precise three-axis mechanical gimbal to stabilize its camera even during high-speed motion. Photos and videos can be saved directly to the drone using its 8 GB onboard storage. All DJI users have control over how their data is stored and managed, as part of DJI’s commitment to protecting its customers’ data.
A redesigned remote controller features detachable control sticks for ease of storage and portability. The Mavic 2 is compatible with DJI Goggles with the gimbal (yaw) control range up to -75°– +75° in Head Tracking mode, offering users a more immersive FPV flight experience.[6]
Price and Availability
The US retail price of a Mavic 2 Pro, including the drone, battery, remote controller, charger, and four pairs of propellers, is $1,449 USD. The US retail price of a Mavic 2 Zoom, including the drone, battery, charger, remote controller and four pairs of propellers, is $1,249 USD. A Fly More Kit, including two additional batteries, a multi-battery charging hub, a car charger, a battery to power bank adapter, two pairs of propellers and a carrying bag, retails at $319 USD. A gimbal replacement service exclusively for Mavic 2 will be available soon.
Starting today, the Mavic 2 is available for purchase at store.dji.com and the four DJI Flagship Stores. For more information on all the new features and capabilities of the Mavic 2, please visit https://www.dji.com/mavic-2.