Final yr, DJI modified the sport concerning Mini drones once they launched the DJI Mini 3 Professional.
They took a lot of the options customers wished they’d in Mini drones, equivalent to impediment avoidance and ActiveTrack, and match them in a Mini drone whereas holding it underneath 250 grams.
A yr later, DJI has confirmed they’ve extra tips up their sleeve by releasing the DJI Mini 4 Professional, a sub-250-gram drone with much more options.
When the Mini 3 Professional was launched, I used to be torn between getting it or the Air 2S. I in contrast them right here and defined why I selected the Air 2S on this article.
However now that we now have the Mini 4 Professional, will I make the identical resolution? Between the Mini 4 Professional and Air 2S, which is healthier?
- Suppose you’re on the lookout for the best video and photograph high quality and don’t thoughts manually performing some flight modes. The Air 2S is an effective possibility because it solely has four-way impediment avoidance.
- For those who worth portability and are on the lookout for a lightweight drone with many options, the Mini 4 Professional is the very best.
Learn on to learn the way these drones examine to one another and which I’d select.
DJI Air 2S overview
The DJI Air 2S takes aerial imaging to the following stage. It’s tailor-made for fans and professionals who demand top-tier content material high quality.
Whether or not you’re a filmmaker, photographer, or drone fanatic, this drone raises the bar for picture and video seize.
Its key promoting factors embody:
- Skilled-grade imaging with a 1-inch CMOS sensor
- Beautiful 5.4K video decision
- 20 MP stills for distinctive picture high quality
- 4-way impediment avoidance for security
- Superior imaging options and zoom capabilities
» MORE: DJI Air 2S – A Full Actual-World Assessment
DJI Mini 4 Professional overview
The DJI Mini 4 Professional is a game-changer within the realm of Mini drones, providing distinctive options in a compact bundle.
Designed for newbies, vacationers, vloggers, and content material creators, it stands out as a sub-250-gram drone, making certain a hassle-free flying expertise.
Its notable options embody:
- Light-weight
- 360-degree impediment avoidance
- Vertical capturing mode
- Spectacular digital camera choices
- Night time Pictures mode for enhanced night time pictures
- Prolonged flight time
» MORE: DJI Mini 4 Professional Assessment (Is It Price to Improve?)
Fast verdict
Earlier than we get into the nitty-gritty a part of our assessment, let’s summarize who these drones are finest for.
- For newbies: For those who’re a newbie or prioritize portability, ease of use, and light-weight design, the Mini 4 Professional is an appropriate selection. Its stability, maneuverability, and user-friendly options make it a superb possibility for novice pilots.
- For aerial pictures and videography professionals: For those who’re an expert or an fanatic looking for the best video and photograph high quality, the Air 2S is the popular selection. Its bigger sensor, increased decision, and superior imaging capabilities guarantee excellent efficiency in capturing gorgeous aerial content material.
- For versatility and reasonable wind circumstances: For those who want a drone that balances efficiency and portability, the Air 2S affords agility, good stability in reasonable winds, and a variety of options, making it a flexible possibility for numerous functions.
Key differentiating info
As we’ll see, each drones are ideally equal in some elements, although they differ primarily based on their goal market and once they have been launched.
Let’s take a look at what differentiates them:
DJI Mini 4 Professional
- This drone is the best choice for customers who prioritize portability and ease of use and are on the lookout for a drone that doesn’t require FAA registration in areas just like the USA as a consequence of its sub-250-gram weight.
- It’s good for newbies, hobbyists, vacationers, vloggers, content material creators, and anybody looking for a light-weight companion for numerous actions.
- The Mini 4 Professional’s 360-degree impediment avoidance offers a stage of security unmatched within the Mini drone class.
DJI Air 2S
- However, the Air 2S caters to those that demand professional-grade aerial pictures and videography.
- For those who’re an fanatic or an expert looking for the best high quality content material, the Air 2S, with its bigger 1-inch CMOS sensor and distinctive 5.4K video decision, is the superior selection.
- Its efficiency in low-light circumstances and superior imaging options make it very best for capturing gorgeous visuals.
Introducing the merchandise
Earlier than we examine them, let’s introduce these merchandise and their essential options.
DJI Air 2S
Launched in 2021, the Air 2S got here as a substitute for the Mavic Air 2. It’s a drone I’ve owned for 9 months and one I’ve come to like.
Under are the principle options that influenced my resolution to decide on it over the Mini 3 Professional.
- Bigger sensor – It contains a 1-inch CMOS sensor, which ensures excessive picture high quality.
- 5.4K most video decision – The Air 2S additionally shoots as much as 5.4K, which can be nice for bigger productions the place the highest-quality footage is critical.
- There may be additionally an choice to shoot in 4K, 2.7K, or 1080p, relying on what you must use the footage for.
- 20 MP stills – The bigger sensor permits the Air 2S to take 20 MP stills, which is an effective sufficient decision for a variety of duties.
- 4-way impediment avoidance – It comes with four-direction sensors, permitting it to detect obstacles on the entrance, upwards, downwards, and again.
- Respectable flight time – The AIr 2S contains a 31-minute flight time, about 25 to half-hour of precise flying. I’ve used it for filming and mapping duties, and this flight time was adequate, although you need to get a number of batteries.
- Clever Flight Modes – Like with most DJI drones, you get Clever Flight Modes like Hyperlapse, ActiveTrack, Panoramas, MasterShots, QuickShots, and compatibility with apps like DroneDeploy or Litchi, permitting you to entry much more options that aren’t within the DJI Fy app.
- Enhanced HDR – It helps HDR and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) video, permitting for improved dynamic vary and low-light efficiency.
- Superior imaging – It options superior imaging capabilities like 8x digital zoom and Dlog-M 10-bit colour profile.
- Nevertheless, the zooming functionality solely works in Regular Mode, not in D-Log or HLG, and solely at as much as 4K video decision.
- Zooming can also be solely out there when capturing movies and never in photographs, and it’s additionally restricted relying on the decision.
- You’ve entry to the complete 8X decision when capturing at 1080p at 24 or 30 fps, as much as 6X when capturing 1080p at 48 or 60 fps, and it’s not out there when capturing 1080p at 120 fps.
- When capturing in 2.7k, zooming is accessible as much as 6X at 24 or 30 fps and as much as 4.2X when capturing at 48 or 60 fps.
- When capturing in 4K, zooming is simply out there as much as 4.3X when capturing at 24 or 30 fps, and zooming shouldn’t be out there when capturing at 48 or 60 fps.
DJI Air 2S Fly Extra Combo
Drone with 3-Axis Gimbal Digicam, 5.4K Video, 1-Inch CMOS Sensor, 4 Instructions of Impediment Sensing, 31-Min Flight Time, Max 7.5-Mile Video Transmission, MasterShots, Grey
We earn a fee should you make a purchase order, at no extra value to you.
10/20/2023 11:41 am GMT
DJI Mini 4 Professional
The Mini 4 Professional is the latest launch from DJI and an improve to the Mini drones. Under are the principle options that make it stand out.
- Sub-250-gram drone – As talked about, this drone falls within the class of drones weighing lower than 250 grams. You’ll be able to fly this drone and not using a license and registration in areas just like the USA.
- 360-degree impediment avoidance – That is the primary time we get 360-degree impediment avoidance in a Mini drone, which exhibits how far DJI has come of their tech.
- They began with the DJI Mini, then the Mini SE, and Mini 2, which labored nice however didn’t have impediment avoidance.
- Later, they launched the Mini 3 Professional, which avoids obstacles however solely detects them in three instructions.
- Vertical capturing mode – The Mini 4 Professional contains a vertical capturing mode much like the Mini 3 Professional, permitting you to shoot in portrait mode. This works nice for individuals who publish on social media usually.
- Gimbal tilt – This drone can also be designed with a lot room for gimbal motion, permitting it to tilt 60 levels upward and 90 levels downward. Now, you may get artistic together with your photographs.
- 48 MP and 12 MP high quality – It options 48 and 12 MP pictures choices. Nevertheless, the 48 MP high quality is powered by Quad-Bayer. Mainly, the 12 MP is enhanced to 48 MP, which differs from having a real 48 MP picture.
- D-Log and HLG – It options D-Log and HLG, which have been unavailable within the Mini 3 Professional, providing you with extra room for post-processing.
- Respectable sensor measurement – DJI didn’t change the sensor measurement because the Mini 4 Professional options the identical f/1.7, 24-mm 1/1.3 CMOS sensor that gives a most decision of 4K at 60 fps and 4K 100 fps for slow-motion footage. The one distinction is that the Mini 4 Professional now helps HDR HLG and D-Log M.
- Enhanced ISO efficiency – The Night time Pictures Mode optimizes the drone’s ISO settings to make sure higher publicity in dimly lit environments. This implies you possibly can seize extra element and readability in your night time photographs.
- Noise discount – One of many challenges of low-light pictures is noise. The Mini 4 Professional’s Night time Pictures Mode applies noise discount to provide cleaner, extra professional-looking photos, free from the standard graininess of low-light pictures.
- Superior Clever Flight Modes – DJI not solely added Clever Flight Modes but in addition the most recent variations.
- A great instance is ActiveTrack, which lets you monitor the topic in additional instructions.
- DJI additionally launched a brand new characteristic, ActiveTrack 360, which lets you draw the route the place the drone will observe you and alter the peak and distance from you as you please.
- This makes it extra seamless to create cinematic photographs.
- Prolonged flight time – This drone has a 34-minute flight time and an choice to get a bigger battery with 45 minutes of flight time, although the latter makes the drone heavier than 250 grams. Nevertheless, this battery is accessible in choose areas.
» MORE: DJI Mini 4 Professional – Preliminary Setup (Unboxing to First Flight with Video)
DJI Mini 4 Professional vs. Air 2S – The comparability
Subsequent, let’s assessment how these drones carry out in numerous elements.
Design
Winner: Tie
The Air 2 S and Mini 4 Professional characteristic DJI’s folding design, which you will see of their most up-to-date drones.
One distinction in how they unfold is that with the Mini 4 Professional, you begin by unfolding the rear arms, whereas with the Air 2S, you begin with the forearms.
DJI additionally made a couple of adjustments to the gimbal cowl and secured the props for storage. In contrast to the Air 2S, the place the duvet solely goes over the digital camera, the Mini 4 Professional’s cowl is bigger and covers even the entrance sensors.
For higher safety when storing your drone, DJI has added a strap that holds the arms and the propellers in place.
Have you ever ever tried to pack your drone, and the propellers obtained caught within the bag or snapped? This straightforward however efficient gadget helps stop that.
» MORE: When Ought to You Improve Your Drone? (Learn This First)
Weight
Winner: DJI Mini 4 Professional
Concerning weight, the Mini 4 Professional wins as a result of it meets most individuals’s wants.
As talked about earlier, it weighs lower than 250 grams, catering to those that want a drone and don’t need to get their drone registered.
It additionally appeals to vacationers, vloggers, content material creators, athletes, and different customers preferring having a small and mild drone that they’ll carry wherever as they take part of their actions.
Nevertheless, the Air 2S shouldn’t be that heavy.
Weighing 595 grams, bringing it to your out of doors actions is feasible. Nevertheless, the load will increase if you add the batteries and different equipment.
If you need the bigger sensor and 5.4K capturing functionality and wouldn’t thoughts the load, then the Air 2S is a superb selection.
In case your actions don’t contain carrying the drone, you possibly can select between the 2 primarily based on different options.
Apart from portability, weight does produce other implications. A heavier drone just like the Air 2S withstands winds higher however can also be simply broken if it crashes.
However, a lighter drone just like the Mini 4 Professional won’t function nicely in robust winds, however in case of a crash, the lesser weight minimizes the impression.
» MORE: Greatest 4K Drones Beneath 250 Grams
Value and availability
Winner: DJI Mini 4 Professional
The Mini 4 Professional comes on the identical value because the Mini 3 Professional: $759 for the drone, the DJI RC-N2 controller, and one battery.
The Mini 4 Professional with the DJI RC 2 controller and built-in display screen prices $959.
DJI has two Fly Extra Combos for the Mini 4 Professional; one contains three 34-minute batteries and prices $1,099, and one contains three 45-minute batteries and prices $1,159.
However, the Air 2S’s fundamental bundle contains one battery, which prices $999, whereas the Fly Extra Combo contains three batteries, a shoulder bag, ND filters, and a charging hub, which prices $1,299.
As you possibly can see, you get extra by going for the Mini 4 Professional, however the $300 or so distinction is one to miss should you really feel just like the Air 2S has the options you’ll want.
Each drones can be found from DJI’s web site and different eCommerce platforms.
» MORE: Greatest Digicam Drones Beneath $2,000
Picture and video recording
Winner: DJI Air 2S
Each these drones have quite a bit to supply in relation to photograph and video recording.
Under are their similarities and variations.
Similarities
- Superior imaging modes – Each drones assist superior imaging modes and settings, together with colour profiles like D-Log and HLG, offering better post-processing and colour grading flexibility.
- HDR capabilities – Each cameras assist Excessive Dynamic Vary (HDR) imaging, enhancing the dynamic vary and permitting for higher efficiency in difficult lighting circumstances, equivalent to vivid skies and darkish shadows.
- Impediment avoidance techniques – Whereas the particular expertise could differ, each drones are outfitted with impediment avoidance techniques to boost security throughout flights.
- Clever Flight Modes – Each drones provide a wide range of Clever Flight Modes, equivalent to ActiveTrack, QuickShots, and Hyperlapse, making capturing dynamic and cinematic photographs simpler.
- Zoom capabilities – Each drones have Zoom capabilities. The Air 2S offers as much as 8x digital zoom, whereas the Mini 4 Professional additionally has zooming choices, relying on the decision and body fee.
Variations
- Sensor measurement – Probably the most vital distinction is the sensor measurement. The Air 2S contains a bigger 1-inch CMOS sensor, contributing to increased picture high quality and higher low-light efficiency than the Mini 4 Professional’s smaller sensor.
- Night time Mode – Whereas the Mini 4 Professional has a smaller sensor, the devoted Night time Mode improves its efficiency for night time photographs or low-light circumstances.
- The jury continues to be out on whether or not it performs the identical and even higher as a drone with a bigger sensor with out the Night time Mode characteristic, but it surely’s a fantastic characteristic on a Mini drone.
- Most video decision – The Air 2S can file video as much as 5.4K, providing extra detailed and higher-resolution footage than the Mini 4 Professional, which has a most decision of 4K.
- Nonetheless photograph decision – The Mini 4 Professional affords 48 MP and 12 MP choices for nonetheless photographs, whereas the Air 2S offers 20 MP stills. The Mini 4 Professional’s 48 MP possibility makes use of Quad-Bayer expertise to boost the picture, offering extra flexibility.
- Vertical capturing mode – The Mini 4 Professional contains a vertical capturing mode, permitting customers to seize content material in portrait orientation. That is particularly helpful for social media fans and content material creators.
- Flight time – The Mini 4 Professional affords a barely longer flight time, as much as 34 minutes, in comparison with the Air 2S’s 31 minutes. Moreover, the Mini 4 Professional has an possibility for a bigger battery with as much as 45 minutes of flight time, although it could have an effect on its sub-250 gram classification in some areas.
- 360-degree impediment avoidance – The Mini 4 Professional boasts 360-degree impediment avoidance, offering security in all instructions, whereas the Air 2S affords four-way impediment avoidance.
- Zoom limitations – The zoom capabilities differ between the 2 drones. The Air 2S offers zooming choices as much as 8x digital zoom. In distinction, the Mini 4 Professional affords zooming as much as 4X.
Verdict
The principle variations between the 2 cameras are the sensor measurement, most video decision, and nonetheless photograph decision.
The Air 2S excels in picture high quality and backbone, making it extra appropriate for skilled pictures and videography.
In the meantime, the Mini 4 Professional affords distinctive options equivalent to vertical capturing, night time capturing, prolonged flight time, and 360-degree impediment avoidance, making it an interesting selection for individuals who prioritize these capabilities and worth its light-weight design.
» MORE: DJI Air 3 Assessment
Vary
Winner: DJI Mini 4 Professional
One factor about DJI is that they’re at all times making an attempt to enhance their drones in numerous elements. And certainly one of these elements is the vary.
The Air 2S comes with the OcuSync 3.0, a substantial enchancment on the time of its launch, providing a spread of as much as 7.5 miles.
Having flown the DJI Air 2S for a very long time now, I can attest that the connection is comparatively steady, although if there’s an excessive amount of interference, the reside feed breaks up a bit, and generally you lose the connection fully.
However this has solely occurred to me a couple of occasions, and in areas with much less interference, I might ship the drone as much as 4 kilometers away.
The Mini 4 Professional comes with the latest OcuSync 4.0, which we first noticed within the Air 3.
This new system guarantees a spread of as much as 12 miles and comes with extra improved antennas and higher anti-interference applied sciences in contrast with older drones just like the Air 2S in order that it could carry out higher in lengthy and short-range flights.
Apart from, though you might attempt to fly the drone for 12 miles, it in all probability wouldn’t make it as a result of battery life.
This consumer tried to check the drone’s most vary and will fly it as much as 4 miles earlier than the connection began breaking apart, and he additionally obtained a notification to RTH as a consequence of low battery ranges.
Keep in mind that he was utilizing the 45-minute battery.
» MORE: Lengthy Vary Drones: Final Information
Controllers
Winner: Tie
Each drones use comparable controllers, however the variations differ. The Air 2S comes with the DJI RC-N1, a controller suitable with the earlier Air, Mavic, and Mini drones.
DJI later made it suitable with the DJI RC, which first got here with the Mini 3 Professional that contains a built-in display screen, eliminating the necessity to use a smartphone.
Each controllers are snug in your arms, to say the least. The RC-N1 is a budget-friendly possibility and a good selection for individuals who don’t thoughts streaming the drone’s reside feed utilizing their smartphones.
However if you wish to get your drone within the air as quick as doable and don’t need any background apps working as you utilize your drone, the DJI RC is an effective possibility.
The Mini 4 Professional now comes with the RC-N2, an upgraded model of the RC-N1, and the DJI RC 2, an upgraded model of the DJI RC.
The newer controllers really feel the identical in your arms because the older ones, however as talked about earlier, they’ve extra antennas and are constructed to work with the DJI O4 system.
There are additionally some delicate and not-so-subtle design variations, particularly between the DJI RC and DJI RC 2.
Apart from the additional antennas, DJI appears to have changed metallic gimbal dials with plastic ones.
Additionally they added an additional vent on the again, widened the space between the screws, eradicated the additional USB-C charging port, and eliminated the protecting cowl over the SD card and USB-C ports.
For those who had a lanyard for the DJI RC, you would need to modify its attachment or get a brand new one to make use of with the DJI RC 2. The DJI RC 2 can also be 30 grams heavier, however that distinction doesn’t change how you are feeling about each controllers.
Nevertheless, the display screen measurement, brightness, show high quality, and FPS are similar, besides that the DJI RC comes with a chilly temperature show in comparison with the nice and cozy temperature show within the DJI RC.
One distinction you’ll really feel, particularly you probably have used the unique DJI RC, is the quicker load velocity. Some customers complained that the DJI RC generally took too lengthy to start out or skilled a lag when switching between cameras.
However the DJI RC 2 is quicker, and there’s no lag, because of the upgraded CPU and GPU. Sadly, these newer controllers won’t work on any older drones except DJI decides to vary that in a future replace.
Clever Flight Modes
Winner: DJI Mini 4 Professional
Whereas each include a complete listing of Clever Flight Modes, the principle variations stem from the truth that the Air 2S is 2 years older.
Because of this, it comes with earlier variations of Clever Flight Modes.
As an example, DJI lately launched ActiveTrack 5.0 and ActiveTrack 360 with the Mini 4 Professional.
This lets you observe the drone in additional instructions than the Air 2S, which solely lets you observe the topic in three instructions.
Highlight, Level of Curiosity, and so forth., are additionally upgraded to the most recent variations. Coupled with the 360-degree impediment avoidance, you have got extra choices to be artistic in comparison with the Air 2S.
» MORE: DJI Waypoints (Defined for Novices)
Flight options and efficiency
Let’s take a look at how these drones examine primarily based on their flight options and efficiency.
Stability and wind resistance
- DJI Mini 4 Professional – Resulting from its light-weight design, the Mini 4 Professional could wrestle in robust winds. Whereas it’s extremely moveable, it’s much less steady in antagonistic climate circumstances.
- DJI Air 2S – The Air 2S, being barely heavier, tends to be extra steady in windy circumstances. It may possibly deal with reasonable winds higher however continues to be prone to robust gusts.
Agility and maneuverability
- DJI Mini 4 Professional – The Mini 4 Professional is nimble and affords glorious maneuverability. It may possibly carry out fast turns and agile actions, making it appropriate for capturing dynamic photographs.
- DJI Air 2S – The Air 2S additionally offers agility and maneuverability, permitting for artistic aerial actions. Whereas it’s not as light-weight because the Mini 4 Professional, it stays agile and responsive.
» MORE: Drone Security Options (All You Have to Know)
Ease of use
- DJI Mini 4 Professional – The Mini 4 Professional is beginner-friendly and appropriate for all expertise ranges. Its light-weight and steady flight traits make it simple to manage and a good selection for newcomers to drone piloting.
- DJI Air 2S – The Air 2S can also be user-friendly, with options like impediment avoidance and clever flight modes that help with protected and easy flying. Whereas it affords extra superior options, it stays accessible to newbies and skilled pilots.
Impediment avoidance
- DJI Mini 4 Professional – The Mini 4 Professional takes a major lead on this class with 360-degree impediment avoidance. It’s the first Mini drone to supply full-spectrum impediment detection, making certain security from all instructions.
- DJI Air 2S – Whereas the Air 2S has a succesful four-way impediment avoidance system (entrance, upwards, downwards, and again), it falls in need of the Mini 4 Professional’s complete 360-degree impediment avoidance.
» MORE: Greatest Drones with Impediment Avoidance
Flight time
- DJI Mini 4 Professional – The Mini 4 Professional affords an extended flight time, as much as 34 minutes, on a single battery. There’s additionally an possibility for a bigger battery that extends flight time to 45 minutes (out there in choose areas).
- DJI Air 2S – The Air 2S offers a good 31-minute flight time, translating to round 25 to half-hour in precise flying circumstances. Whereas respectable, it lags behind the Mini 4 Professional on this facet.
Flight vary
- DJI Mini 4 Professional – Geared up with OcuSync 4.0, the Mini 4 Professional boasts a formidable vary of as much as 12 miles. Nevertheless, real-world flights are unlikely to succeed in this most vary as a consequence of battery limitations.
- DJI Air 2S – The Air 2S options the OcuSync 3.0 system, offering a commendable vary of as much as 7.5 miles. Whereas nonetheless spectacular, the Mini 4 Professional has a extra prolonged vary functionality.
Greatest SD playing cards for these drones
Upon getting chosen certainly one of these drones, under are the SD playing cards it is best to use with them.
There are numerous manufacturers of SD playing cards on the market, however these ought to information you in what you have to be on the lookout for.
» MORE: Understanding SD Playing cards for Drones (Defined For Novices)
Greatest SD playing cards for the DJI Air 2S
» MORE: What SD Card Do I Want for DJI Air 2S?
Greatest SD playing cards for the DJI Mini 4 Professional
» MORE: SD Playing cards for DJI Drones (What You Have to Know)
