DJI Mavic Air 2 vs DJI Mavic 2 Pro Camera Drone Comparison

Spec Comparison of the DJI Mavic Air 2 and the DJI Mavic 2 Pro

Two consumer and professional camera drones by DJI which were released in the last 2 years.

The Mavic 2 Pro (M2P) was released in late 2018 and the DJI Mavic Air 2 (MA2) was released more recently in summer of 2020.

There is a price difference of around $500 depending on what model and accessories you get with each camera drone and both are aimed at the intermediate and professional drone enthusiast who is looking to level up their aerial photography and drone film making.

Physical Comparison

First of all, the physical comparison between the two camera drones.

The DJI Mavic Air 2 is slightly smaller in its folded form compared to the Mavic 2 Pro.

As they both have folding arms, they can be made smaller and the MA2 has a volume of 1466cm³ when completely folded in.

The Mavic 2 Pro is just under 200ml larger, with a full volume of 1635cm³.

Even though they aren't that different in size when folded, the weight is much different between the two camera drones.

The Mavic Air 2 has a full weight of 570 grams at take off.

The Mavic 2 Pro weighs 907 grams, 337grams heavier than the DJI Mavic Air 2.

Performance Comparison

These are both fast camera drones, some of the fastest and quickest on the market for aerial photography and film making.

The MA2 tops out at 68kmh and the M2P is capable of slightly faster speeds at 72kmh.

The Mavic Air 2's ascent and descent speed is 4m/s and the M2P has an ascent of 5m/s, so 1m/s faster but a descent of 3m/s which is 1m/s slower.

They can both be flown in the same wind speed of 38kmh, which isn't the best but are possible to fly in high winds.

You get a slightly larger transmission distance of 10km with the Mavic Air 2 and 2km shorter with the Mavic 2 Pro, with a total transmission distance of 8km.

Flight time is very good for both camera drones, both achieve 30 minute plus flight times.

With the Mavic Air 2 able to fly for around 34 minutes in total and the Mavic 2 Pro capable of flight times of 31 minutes.

The noise level is similar too, both at around 74-75 decibels when taking off, so not quiet but not the loudest camera drones either.

Photo and Video Comparison

Both camera drones have a 3-axis gimbal supporting their camera to make smooth drone films and help with aerial photography.

The field of view is larger on the Mavic Air 2, which has a 84° FOV, compared to a 77° field of view of the Mavic 2 Pro.

This means that the Mavic 2 Pro will see less when flying the two camera drones at the same height in the sky.

The Mavic Air 2 also has a larger bitrate when recording video, of 120 mbps.

The Mavic 2 Pro is similar to other 4k camera drones, offering 100 mbps files.

You get a 1" inch sensor in the Mavic 2 Pro, double the size of the 1/2" image sensor used in the Mavic Air 2, which is the Sony IMX586, as used on the Autel Evo II 8K camera drone as well.

They both offer different photo and video advantages.

With the Mavic Air 2, you get 48MP photos in JPEG file format and 240fps at 1080p. You only get 12MP, although in RAW format, images from the Mavic 2 Pro, as well as 120fps 1080p video, so not bad in comparison, just less options.

The difference between the two 4K video options is that you get 60fps with the Mavic Air 2 which means slow motion high definition video.

In terms of video, you get flat profiles in both, d-cinelike in the Mavic Air 2 and d-log in the Mavic 2 Pro, which means colour grading is made easier in post for both camera drones.

You also get H.264 and H.265 file types and HDR video in both camera drones.

Summary

These are both high-end consumer drones for aerial photographers and film makers.

If you want portability, 4K at 60fps and 48MP photos if you are making prints, the Mavic Air 2 is for you.

If you want the better image sensor, better low light quality and a solid drone option, the Mavic 2 Pro is the drone for you.