DJI Mavic Pro 2 [Updated 2021]

Updated: February 11, 2021

It’s no secret that we’ve been impatiently waiting for the release of the Mavic 2 Pro and the Mavic 2 Zoom from DJI for months now. At the end of August, the “See The Bigger Picture” event both revealed and launched the Mavic Pro 2, which was originally scheduled to take place on July 18th.

Mavic 2 Series – Zoom vs Pro

Mavic 2 Zoom

• Camera:10 MP photo/4K video
• Range:8 miles
• Time:31 minutes

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Mavic 2 Pro

• Camera:20 MP photo/4K video
• Range:8 miles
• Time:31 minutes

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The Mavic Pro began a new line for DJI that paved the way for the Spark and the Mavic Air. Since then, unfortunately, they haven’t touched the line. We’re incredibly stoked to dig deep into these new ones, finally, and give you the full rundown.

Mavic 2 Pro Features and Specs

The Mavic 2 Pro comes with the drone, a battery, the remote controller, the charger, and 4 pairs of propellers. However, if you’re looking to upgrade to the Fly More Kit, you’ll receive the drone, 2 additional batteries, a multi-battery charging hub, a charger for your car, a battery for the power bank adapter, 2 pairs of propellers, and even a carrying bag.

The Mavic 2 Pro and the Mavic 2 Zoom do have their differences. For example, the Mavic 2 Pro has a total of 14 stops of dynamic range, while the Mavic 2 Zoom only has up to 13 stops of dynamic range.

DJI Mavic 2 Camera

The camera uses a 1” CMOS sensor and boasts 20 MP, just like the camera on the Phantom 4 Pro. The pictures are clear and you can expect very little lag when it comes to processing. You can easily get a sharp, epic wide angle with it. It’s easily the perfect camera for those who want great photos without a massive camera.

In addition, the 1” CMOS sensor uses a 10-bit Dlog-M color profile. This means that the camera is able to capture 4 times as many color levels per channel when you compare it to the Mavic Pro. This provides the maximum amount of flexibility you can get when editing your photos and videos.

The First Hasselblad Camera Drone

Colour accuracy is enhanced due to the use of the unique Hasselblad Natural Colour Solution, or HNCS, technology from Hasselblad. You also gain access to additional control with a number of lighting conditions, thanks to the adjustable aperture from the f/2.8-f/11.

Finally, it comes with 4K HDR support, which means you can plug it into your 4K TV with HLG and watch all of your footage using the proper colour tones the camera was designed for.

The Mavic 2 Zoom Camera – Specs

The Zoom’s camera, however, comes with double the optical, specifically 24 to 48 mm, and double the zoom. Because of this, you’re able to simulate the effects you’d get from a 96 mm lens, which is something that’s incredibly valuable for videographers. This is especially true for those who need to get in close for whatever reason.

Instead of a 1”, the Zoom’s camera uses a 1/2.3” CMOS sensor that allows for lossless, full HD video. It uses a hybrid auto-focus that combines contrast and phase direction for a higher amount of focus accuracy and an increase in focus speed, which is up to 40% faster.

It offers extremely vivid 12 MP photos, but you can use the Super Resolution feature in order to zoom optically to automatically capture and then stitch up to 9 photos together for a 48 MP, awesome image.

This is perfect for those in real estate, construction, and those in landscape photography, in general.

Dolly Zoom QuickShot Mode

Exclusively to the new Mavic 2 Zoom, the Dolly Zoom QuickShot mode created warped, otherworldly-like perspectives. It was initially reserved only for professional cinematographers, interestingly enough.

The camera zooms in as the drone flies away from whatever it’s taking a photo of, allowing the subject to stay the same size while revealing the scene of the full background.

Features of Both Cameras

Both cameras, however, are capable of 4K UHD video, massive detail, and are able to record at the highest bitrate of 100 megabits per second. This is done using the H.265 compression codec, which allows you to use a massive amount of latitude when it comes to post-production workflows. In addition, the Enhanced High Dynamic Range capabilities allow you to blend a number of photos for a high dynamic range, all ghost-free.

Both drones feature Hyperlapse, which work with the camera to produce and establish shots that showcase the passing of time. RAW and JPEG photos are able to be saved simultaneously saved right on a Micro SD card or the drone’s internal storage, which leaves room for post editing.

Mavic 2 Battery

The battery for the Mavic 2 Pro and the Mavic 2 Zoom is similar, as they give you a total of up to 31 minutes of flight time.

DJI Mavic 2 Controller

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro and the DJI Mavic Zoom come with a redesigned controller features a number of detachable sticks that make it incredibly easy to store it and bring it around with you.

It’s fully compatible with the DJI Goggles, has yaw or gimbal control range of up to -75 degrees and + 75 degrees when in Head Tracking mode. This helps to offer users an immersive FPV experience.

All in all, the controller is fairly similar to those of the other models.

However, it works with both Android and Apple headsets. Unfortunately, larger headsets, such as the Galaxy Note 9, for example, are on the awkward side to slot in.

One of the greatest things about the controller is the fact that it slow-charges your smartphone so you won’t burn through your phone’s battery while you film and take some shots.

Mavic 2 Price

At this time of writing, the Mavic 2 Pro is currently going for $1,449 USD, while the Mavic 2 Zoom is currently priced at $1,249 USD. You can also opt to purchase the Fly More Kit for either drone, which comes at an additional price of $319 USD.

Flying the Mavic 2

Flying the Mavic 2 is an experience unlike any other. Though the controls will take some getting used to, flying it is intuitive. However, getting it off the ground can also take some getting used to, but once you get the hang of the 2 joysticks, you’ll have the time of your life.

Conclusion – Should You Buy A DJI Mavic 2?

Yes – you should absolutely buy a DJI Mavic 2. You’re looking at an upgraded powerhouse, but, honestly, what more could we possibly expect from DJI? The specs and the features are all exceptional, they tie together in the most magical of ways, and they come at a price that’s more than reasonable for everything offered.

August 23, 2018 UPDATE

Well, folks, it’s finally here! The much-publicized “See The Bigger Picture” event was, indeed, a reveal and launch for the Mavic Pro 2. Dronethusiast will publish a full review of this new drone shortly, but for now let’s talk about the great new specs that DJI unveiled today.

As rumored, the drone will simply be known as the “Mavic 2”, even though it’s a sequel to the Mavic Pro and has nothing to do with the Mavic Air. It will be split into two versions, which we describe in detail below:

In short, the Pro version of the Mavic 2 comes with a much better-quality camera than the Zoom, and is the only real choice for serious photographers.

In short, the Zoom version of the Mavic 2 is cheaper, easier to use, and more versatile. It may not be the ideal choice for photographers, but it still takes great video and is sure to become one of the most popular folding drones on the market.

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August 20, 2018 UPDATE

DJI has been teasing its “See The Bigger Picture” announcement for almost two months now. The event – originally scheduled for July 18th – is now scheduled for August 23rd, 2018, and DJI has just released a new video with some clues as to the nature of the event:

DJI Instagram Update

The video features sweeping aerial photography with a wide angle lense and at least one shot that appears to have been taken with a 360 degree camera. The focus of this event definitely seems to be on the photography features of DJI’s newest drone (pictured briefly in the Instagram video’s opening shot). Even the name of the event – “SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE” – suggests that higher image quality and/or resolution is the key feature on offer.

The video also features spoken narration, which reads:

For more than a decade we’ve taken the dimension of space to give you the freedom of flight. But did you think we’d stop there? Let us take you beyond the horizon, where something incredible awaits. It’s about time.

The suggestion that the focus of DJI’s previous products have been about space, and that the new one will be about time, most likely implies that the new drone’s camera will have some kind of slow motion or time lapse photography feature (unless DJI has decided to leave the drone industry and start building time machines instead.) Indeed, the footage in the video appears to speed up and slow down at various points, and one can assume said footage was taken with whatever the new drone is.

Most commentators suspect that the August 23rd announcement – which DJI promises will be their “biggest announcement of the year” – will be the reveal of the long-rumored Mavic Pro 2. Indeed, DJI all but confirmed it a couple of weeks ago when the latest version of the Argos catalog contained a listing for the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom editions.

When questioned about the link, DJI replied that “This preprinted catalogue was scheduled before we postponed our ‘See the Bigger Picture’ event” and that “This early look just hints at the many exciting features and capabilities DJI will announce at the proper time.” This would certainly seem to suggest that the original See The Bigger Picture announcement was going to reveal this new drone and that the new announcement will do the same thing.

The DJI Phantom 5 was also rumored to release sometime this year. If this is DJI’s “biggest announcement of the year,” one can assume that only one of these two drones is getting an official announcement – or, potentially, that they’re both getting announced at once. However, with the recent buzz in the Chinese press suggesting production difficulties with the Phantom 5, the Mavic 2 seems like the more likely choice.

What do you think? Do you agree with the majority of drone enthusiasts who believe that this announcement is going to reveal the latest in the DJI Mavic line? Do you think the Phantom 5 is finally going to take the stage? Or will we see something else entirely? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check this page after the announcement on the 23rd – we’ll be keeping it updated with all the latest information as soon as said information is available.

July 15, 2018 Update
At 10 AM on July 18th, 2018, DJI will be making a major announcement to the public and press. The event is simply titled “See The Bigger Picture” and was announced with a single mysterious teaser image. Some people think they might be officially announcing a release date for the DJI Phantom 5, while others think it might just be more info about their HQ’s new skybridge. But many believe and hope that “See The Bigger Picture” means that DJI is finally coming out with an updated version of their most advanced camera drone, and that we might soon be seeing the DJI Mavic Pro 2 in stores and on Amazon.

There’s lots of rumors surrounding the upcoming DJI Mavic Pro 2, but how much of it is true? We’ve compiled all the information we have in this handy article so that you can see for yourself.

DJI Mavic Pro 2 Release Date Rumors

Rumors from the Chinese press indicate that beta testing on the Mavic Pro 2 ended sometime in January of this year and that mass production started in February. This, combined with other buzz from organizations in China, suggests that the Mavic Pro 2 will be available sometime in the year 2018.

However, none of the Mavic Pro 2 leaks can agree on when exactly that time will be. The first rumored date was March. When March passed with no news, leaks suggested that it would be coming out in late spring. It’s now the middle of summer, and we still have no official word on when this new drone will be available for sale.

Many people think that the “See The Bigger Picture” event which DJI originally scheduled for July 18th, 2018 was going to be the official launch date of the drone. However, the mysterious event has been postponed indefinitely, for reasons which we cover in a later section of this article.

DJI Mavic Pro 2 Specs Rumors

Most of these leaked Mavic Pro 2 specs come from a Chinese journalist who goes by OsitaLV, who has a good track record with leaks in the past and who is generally considered a trustworthy source. In addition to the following specifications, he also provided this image:

The biggest difference between these images and the existing DJI Mavic Pro are the chevron design on the front of the vehicle and the implication that the Mavic Pro 2 will be equipped with a new 1/1.7 inch Sony IMX226 sensor. That would be huge, as it would make the new version of the Mavic Pro definitively better than the Phantom 4 Pro, whose biggest selling point over its more portable cousin at the moment is the larger sensor.

That said, the veracity of these hand-drawn images have been called into question, largely because the camera appears far too large for a foldable drone of this type. This will be an issue no matter what the drone’s specs actually end up looking like: DJI will have to balance the portable appeal of the Mavic line with the consumers’ desires for better high-tech features.

UPDATE: A more recent image has been leaked by DroneDJ.com:

This quadcopter looks similar to the original Mavic Pro, with the same silver body and foldable limbs, but it appears to confirm the rumors that the new drone has a wide-angle lens, more object awareness sensors, and a removable gimbal. It also has the name “Mavic 2” printed on the side.

There is a good chance that this photo has been faked – the similarities to the old Mavic Pro may be an indication that this is simply an edited version of that existing drone rather than a functional prototype. Furthermore, DroneDJ would have a lot of incentive to have the first scoop on a drone that doesn’t actually exist, and we don’t know how scrupulous that website is. However, DJI has not yet responded to the leak, which suggests to some that they are unwilling to deny that the drone is real.

Here are some RUMORED specs for the Mavic 2, most of which come from OsitaLV and other members of the Chinese press:

The “See The Bigger Picture” Event

So. On July 18th, 2018, DJI will be holding a press conference in New York where they are expected to announce a new consumer drone. They teased the event with this image:

The picture is a panoramic view of a camera range taken with the “tiny planet” photographic technique, which suggests that whatever they’re announcing will have a 360 degree camera. This is supported by the “bigger picture” slogan, but that could also be referring to a larger sensor. All of these are potential features of the new Mavic Pro 2.

In addition, the Chinese press has been actively discussing the impending release of the Pro 2, leading some to believe it may be released sometime in the next 48 days, a window which would include the July 18th event.

Finally, in perhaps the most ridiculous piece of speculation, some forum users have pointed out that if you draw lines on the words, you can kind of make it spell “M II,” which could stand for Mavic II. This is a real stretch – the “I”s are sideways, it only works if you turn the picture upside down, there’s no reason they would call it a “II” with roman numerals when DJI’s other sequel drones all have the numbers written Arabic-style (e.g. “Mavic 2”) and “M” could refer to the Mavic Air just as much as it could refer to the Mavic Pro.

I mean, look, by drawing different lines we can make the letters spell “P5” for Phantom 5 and it’s equally likely:

Leaving aside the more ridiculous claims, the idea that DJI will be announcing the Mavic Pro 2 at this July 18th event is certainly very possible, though even if they announce it on that day we may have to wait a bit longer before it hits shelves. We will be certainly watching the event closely and will update this article as the story develops.

UPDATE: DJI has postponed the “See The Bigger Picture” Event indefinitely, citing that they want to make sure that they can “exceed customers’ expectations for our technology by the time of the event… and deliver according to our standard of innovation.”

The statement certainly seems to suggest that DJI is in fact planning to reveal a new drone at the event, and the delay might have been in response to the release of the new Parrot Anafi only a month earlier. This drone, which is similar to the Mavic Pro, could potentially be a competitor for the Mavic 2, so DJI might want to hold off on releasing the drone until the competition is a little less stiff.

We will update this article when DJI sets a new date and time for the event.

Conclusion

The DJI Mavic Pro is our favorite of DJI’s small drones, so we definitely can’t wait for a sequel! Of course, it’s important to remember that rumors and leaks, no matter how reliable, are just that. Don’t get your hopes up too much. We know the Mavic Pro 2 is coming, so just be patient and trust that the world’s most innovative drone company won’t let us down.

Kennedy Martinez

kennedy@dronethusiast.com

Kennedy Martinez is a resident writer who joined Dronethusiast at the beginning of 2019. She has years of experience reviewing drones and other tech products. When it comes to flying drones, Kennedy loves the ability to create artistic videos from a unique point of view. Kennedy enjoys researching new drones and other exciting products that are available to consumers which is why she is committed to creating the best buyer's guides for our readers.