Final yr, DJI modified the sport concerning Mini drones after they launched the DJI Mini 3 Professional.
They took many of the options customers wished they’d in Mini drones, reminiscent of impediment avoidance and ActiveTrack, and match them in a Mini drone whereas retaining 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 now we 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 efficient possibility because it solely has four-way impediment avoidance.
- Should you worth portability and are on the lookout for a lightweight drone with many options, the Mini 4 Professional is the most effective.
Learn on to learn the way these drones evaluate to one another and which I’d select.
DJI Air 2S overview
The DJI Air 2S takes aerial imaging to the subsequent degree. It’s tailor-made for lovers 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
- Gorgeous 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 package deal.
Designed for newcomers, vacationers, vloggers, and content material creators, it stands out as a sub-250-gram drone, guaranteeing a hassle-free flying expertise.
Its notable options embody:
- Light-weight
- 360-degree impediment avoidance
- Vertical taking pictures mode
- Spectacular digital camera choices
- Night time Pictures mode for enhanced night time images
- Prolonged flight time
» MORE: DJI Mini 4 Professional Assessment (Is It Value to Improve?)
Fast verdict
Earlier than we get into the nitty-gritty a part of our overview, let’s summarize who these drones are greatest for.
- For newcomers: Should you’re a newbie or prioritize portability, ease of use, and light-weight design, the Mini 4 Professional is an acceptable selection. Its stability, maneuverability, and user-friendly options make it a wonderful possibility for novice pilots.
- For aerial images and videography professionals: Should you’re an expert or an fanatic in search of the best video and photograph high quality, the Air 2S is the popular selection. Its bigger sensor, greater decision, and superior imaging capabilities guarantee excellent efficiency in capturing gorgeous aerial content material.
- For versatility and reasonable wind circumstances: Should you want a drone that balances efficiency and portability, the Air 2S gives agility, good stability in reasonable winds, and a variety of options, making it a flexible possibility for varied purposes.
Key differentiating info
As we’ll see, each drones are ideally equal in some facets, although they differ based mostly on their goal market and after 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 result of its sub-250-gram weight.
- It’s excellent for newcomers, hobbyists, vacationers, vloggers, content material creators, and anybody in search of a light-weight companion for varied actions.
- The Mini 4 Professional’s 360-degree impediment avoidance supplies a degree of security unmatched within the Mini drone class.
DJI Air 2S
- Then again, the Air 2S caters to those that demand professional-grade aerial images and videography.
- Should you’re an fanatic or an expert in search of 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 ultimate for capturing gorgeous visuals.
Introducing the merchandise
Earlier than we evaluate them, let’s introduce these merchandise and their predominant options.
DJI Air 2S
Launched in 2021, the Air 2S got here as a alternative for the Mavic Air 2. It’s a drone I’ve owned for 9 months and one I’ve come to like.
Beneath 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 important.
- There’s additionally an choice to shoot in 4K, 2.7K, or 1080p, relying on what it’s good to use the footage for.
- 20 MP stills – The bigger sensor permits the Air 2S to take 20 MP stills, which is an efficient 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.
- First rate 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 it’s important 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 coloration 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 be solely accessible when taking pictures movies and never in pictures, and it’s additionally restricted relying on the decision.
- You’ve gotten entry to the total 8X decision when taking pictures at 1080p at 24 or 30 fps, as much as 6X when taking pictures 1080p at 48 or 60 fps, and it’s not accessible when taking pictures 1080p at 120 fps.
- When taking pictures in 2.7k, zooming is obtainable as much as 6X at 24 or 30 fps and as much as 4.2X when taking pictures at 48 or 60 fps.
- When taking pictures in 4K, zooming is barely accessible as much as 4.3X when taking pictures at 24 or 30 fps, and zooming will not be accessible when taking pictures at 48 or 60 fps.
DJI Air 2S Fly Extra Combo
Drone with 3-Axis Gimbal Digital camera, 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 further value to you.
10/20/2023 11:41 am GMT
DJI Mini 4 Professional
The Mini 4 Professional is the most recent launch from DJI and an improve to the Mini drones. Beneath 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 with no 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 taking pictures mode – The Mini 4 Professional contains a vertical taking pictures mode just like the Mini 3 Professional, permitting you to shoot in portrait mode. This works nice for individuals who put up on social media usually.
- Gimbal tilt – This drone can be designed with a lot room for gimbal motion, permitting it to tilt 60 levels upward and 90 levels downward. Now, you will get artistic together with your photographs.
- 48 MP and 12 MP high quality – It options 48 and 12 MP images choices. Nevertheless, the 48 MP high quality is powered by Quad-Bayer. Principally, 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, supplying you with extra room for post-processing.
- First rate sensor dimension – DJI didn’t change the sensor dimension 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 images is noise. The Mini 4 Professional’s Night time Pictures Mode applies noise discount to provide cleaner, extra professional-looking photographs, free from the standard graininess of low-light images.
- Superior Clever Flight Modes – DJI not solely added Clever Flight Modes but in addition the newest variations.
- 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 comply with 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 obtainable 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 overview how these drones carry out in varied facets.
Design
Winner: Tie
The Air 2 S and Mini 4 Professional characteristic DJI’s folding design, which you will discover 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 quilt 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 easy however efficient machine helps stop that.
» MORE: When Ought to You Improve Your Drone? (Learn This First)
Weight
Winner: DJI Mini 4 Professional
Relating to 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 will carry anyplace as they take part of their actions.
Nevertheless, the Air 2S will not be that heavy.
Weighing 595 grams, bringing it to your out of doors actions is feasible. Nevertheless, the burden will increase whenever you add the batteries and different equipment.
In order for you the bigger sensor and 5.4K taking pictures functionality and wouldn’t thoughts the burden, 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 based mostly on different options.
Moreover portability, weight does produce other implications. A heavier drone just like the Air 2S withstands winds higher however can be simply broken if it crashes.
Then again, a lighter drone just like the Mini 4 Professional is not going to function nicely in robust winds, however in case of a crash, the lesser weight minimizes the affect.
» MORE: Greatest 4K Drones Below 250 Grams
Value and availability
Winner: DJI Mini 4 Professional
The Mini 4 Professional comes on the similar worth 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.
Then again, the Air 2S’s fundamental package deal 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 Digital camera Drones Below $2,000
Picture and video recording
Winner: DJI Air 2S
Each these drones have quite a bit to supply with regards to photograph and video recording.
Beneath are their similarities and variations.
Similarities
- Superior imaging modes – Each drones help superior imaging modes and settings, together with coloration profiles like D-Log and HLG, offering larger post-processing and coloration grading flexibility.
- HDR capabilities – Each cameras help Excessive Dynamic Vary (HDR) imaging, enhancing the dynamic vary and permitting for higher efficiency in difficult lighting circumstances, reminiscent of shiny skies and darkish shadows.
- Impediment avoidance methods – Whereas the precise expertise could differ, each drones are outfitted with impediment avoidance methods to reinforce security throughout flights.
- Clever Flight Modes – Each drones supply quite a lot of Clever Flight Modes, reminiscent of ActiveTrack, QuickShots, and Hyperlapse, making capturing dynamic and cinematic photographs simpler.
- Zoom capabilities – Each drones have Zoom capabilities. The Air 2S supplies as much as 8x digital zoom, whereas the Mini 4 Professional additionally has zooming choices, relying on the decision and body fee.
Variations
- Sensor dimension – Probably the most important distinction is the sensor dimension. The Air 2S contains a bigger 1-inch CMOS sensor, contributing to greater 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 remains 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, however it’s an ideal characteristic on a Mini drone.
- Most video decision – The Air 2S can report 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 gives 48 MP and 12 MP choices for nonetheless pictures, whereas the Air 2S supplies 20 MP stills. The Mini 4 Professional’s 48 MP possibility makes use of Quad-Bayer expertise to reinforce the picture, offering extra flexibility.
- Vertical taking pictures mode – The Mini 4 Professional contains a vertical taking pictures mode, permitting customers to seize content material in portrait orientation. That is particularly helpful for social media lovers and content material creators.
- Flight time – The Mini 4 Professional gives 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 gives four-way impediment avoidance.
- Zoom limitations – The zoom capabilities differ between the 2 drones. The Air 2S supplies zooming choices as much as 8x digital zoom. In distinction, the Mini 4 Professional gives zooming as much as 4X.
Verdict
The principle variations between the 2 cameras are the sensor dimension, most video decision, and nonetheless photograph decision.
The Air 2S excels in picture high quality and determination, making it extra appropriate for skilled images and videography.
In the meantime, the Mini 4 Professional gives distinctive options reminiscent of vertical taking pictures, night time taking pictures, 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 varied facets. And certainly one of these facets 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 secure, although if there may be an excessive amount of interference, the stay feed breaks up a bit, and typically you lose the connection fully.
However this has solely occurred to me a couple of instances, 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 most recent 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 might carry out higher in lengthy and short-range flights.
Moreover, regardless that 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 result 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 related controllers, however the variations differ. The Air 2S comes with the DJI RC-N1, a controller appropriate with the earlier Air, Mavic, and Mini drones.
DJI later made it appropriate 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 comfy in your fingers, to say the least. The RC-N1 is a budget-friendly possibility and a sensible choice for individuals who don’t thoughts streaming the drone’s stay feed utilizing their smartphones.
However if you wish to get your drone within the air as quick as attainable and don’t need any background apps working as you utilize your drone, the DJI RC is an efficient 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 fingers 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.
Moreover 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 gap between the screws, eradicated the additional USB-C charging port, and eliminated the protecting cowl over the SD card and USB-C ports.
Should you 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 be 30 grams heavier, however that distinction doesn’t change how you’re feeling about each controllers.
Nevertheless, the display screen dimension, brightness, show high quality, and FPS are an identical, 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 if in case you have used the unique DJI RC, is the sooner load velocity. Some customers complained that the DJI RC typically took too lengthy to begin or skilled a lag when switching between cameras.
However the DJI RC 2 is quicker, and there’s no lag, due to the upgraded CPU and GPU. Sadly, these newer controllers is not going to work on any older drones until DJI decides to alter that in a future replace.
Clever Flight Modes
Winner: DJI Mini 4 Professional
Whereas each include a complete record of Clever Flight Modes, the principle variations stem from the truth that the Air 2S is 2 years older.
Consequently, 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 comply with the drone in additional instructions than the Air 2S, which solely permits you to comply with the topic in three instructions.
Highlight, Level of Curiosity, and so on., are additionally upgraded to the newest 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 Freshmen)
Flight options and efficiency
Let’s take a look at how these drones evaluate based mostly on their flight options and efficiency.
Stability and wind resistance
- DJI Mini 4 Professional – As a consequence of its light-weight design, the Mini 4 Professional could battle in robust winds. Whereas it’s extremely moveable, it’s much less secure in adversarial climate circumstances.
- DJI Air 2S – The Air 2S, being barely heavier, tends to be extra secure in windy circumstances. It could deal with reasonable winds higher however remains to be inclined to robust gusts.
Agility and maneuverability
- DJI Mini 4 Professional – The Mini 4 Professional is nimble and gives glorious maneuverability. It could carry out fast turns and agile actions, making it appropriate for capturing dynamic photographs.
- DJI Air 2S – The Air 2S additionally supplies 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 secure flight traits make it simple to manage and a sensible choice for newcomers to drone piloting.
- DJI Air 2S – The Air 2S can be user-friendly, with options like impediment avoidance and clever flight modes that help with secure and simple flying. Whereas it gives extra superior options, it stays accessible to newcomers and skilled pilots.
Impediment avoidance
- DJI Mini 4 Professional – The Mini 4 Professional takes a big lead on this class with 360-degree impediment avoidance. It’s the first Mini drone to supply full-spectrum impediment detection, guaranteeing 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 wanting 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 gives 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 (accessible in choose areas).
- DJI Air 2S – The Air 2S supplies 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 powerful vary of as much as 12 miles. Nevertheless, real-world flights are unlikely to succeed in this most vary as a result 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
After you have chosen certainly one of these drones, under are the SD playing cards it is best to use with them.
There are a lot of manufacturers of SD playing cards on the market, however these ought to information you in what you need to be on the lookout for.
» MORE: Understanding SD Playing cards for Drones (Defined For Freshmen)
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)
