It's no mystery that DJI has become the leading drone manufacturer. Over the last few years, DJI has developed a well-deserved reputation for creating quality drones that push the limits of drone technology.
DJI has created an impressive line of drones, from small beginner drones to large, professional drones. There are many people who are getting into the hobby of flying drones and simply just aren't sure which drone is right for them. This guide is created to help you decide which DJI drone you should buy. It will help you make a more informed decision with your drone purchase by highlighting some of DJI's popular consumer drones.
Spark
The DJI Spark was a game-changer in the drone industry. It was the first consumer drone of its size to be feature-packed and capable in the air. Since its release, the Spark has become a favorite of many travelers and hobbyists looking for a small drone platform.
Weight and Dimensions
The Spark is DJI's second smallest drone. This drone weighs in at a mere 300 grams (0.66 pounds) and its dimensions are 143 x 143 x 55 millimeters.
Intended User
Due to its remarkably small size, the Spark caters to travelers, vloggers, or anyone else that wants a small, portable drone. This drone is a great first drone for people getting into the hobby.
Camera Specifications
The Spark has a 12-megapixel camera that can shoot video in 1080p. This drone has a two-axis gimbal which means the footage is less stable than the larger drones that sport a three-axis gimbal.
Other Specifications and Features
The Spark also has an obstacle avoidance system, GPS positioning, and a Return to Home function. These features help protect the Spark and act as failsafes to minimize the chances of an accident. No drone is completely accident-proof, but these features serve as guardrails for beginners. These features coupled with the Spark's camera quality make this little drone an excellent option for beginners that still want to be able to record decent video footage.
The Spark supports several intelligent flight modes that make capturing cinematic video incredibly easy. One of the more unique features that the Spark is known for is Gesture control, a flight mode that allows you to control the drone with gestures and movements. This feature is truly remarkable for a drone of this size and at this price point.
The Spark has an advertised flight time of 15-16 minutes, a maximum range of just over a mile (with the controller), and a top speed of 31 miles per hour when in Sport Mode. These specifications make the Spark a quality drone for its class and price point.
Mavic Pro
Upon its release, the DJI Mavic Pro transformed the drone world in numerous ways. Although it's a few years old, the Mavic Pro is still an incredible drone for several reasons.
Weight and Dimension
One of the ways the Mavic Pro revolutionized the consumer drone world was its compact, foldable design. When folded, this drone measures 83 x 83 x 198 millimeters, and it weighs 734 grams (1.62 pounds).
Intended User
Although the Mavic Pro has been around for some time, it's still the drone of choice for many enthusiasts. Since its price has gone down over time, the Mavic Pro is a great entry-level professional drone for someone just getting into the hobby. It's an awesome choice for anyone who wants a drone of this size that is full of features and still relatively inexpensive.
Camera Specifications
The Mavic Pro has a 12-megapixel camera that can shoot up to 4K. It has a 1/2.3″ sensor, and the camera has a 78-degree field of view. This drone has a three-axis gimbal for added stability.
Other Specifications and Features
The Mavic Pro has an advertised flight time of 27 minutes, and it has a maximum speed of 40 miles per hour in Sport Mode.
This drone also has GPS position lock, obstacle avoidance, and the Return to Home feature. The Mavic Pro also has several intelligent flight features that aid in capturing cinematic footage.
One of the Mavic's most impressive features is the OccuSync transmission system. This robust transmission system was and still is impressive.
Mavic 2 Pro
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro was arguably the most anticipated drone release since the advent of consumer drones. This model took the revolutionary concept of the Mavic Pro and made it even better.
Weight and Dimensions
The Mavic 2 Pro weighs in at 907 grams (just shy of 2 pounds). When folded, the Mavic 2 Pro measures 214 x 91 x 84 millimeters. Unfolded, it measures 322 x 242 x 84 millimeters. Its diagonal length measures 354 millimeters.
Intended User
Something that DJI did so well with this drone was making its intended user base extremely wide. The intended users for this drone range from simple vloggers all the way up to commercial drone pilots that want a relatively small yet robust drone capable of capturing still photos and video. In this way, the Mavic 2 Pro really has something to offer to just about anyone.
Camera Specifications
This drone has a 20 megapixel Hasselblad camera with a one-inch sensor that shoots video in 4K. The Mavic 2 Pro's camera also has an adjustable aperture, 2X optical zoom, and a 77-degree field of view. The Mavic 2 Pro has a three axis gimbal.
Other Specifications and Features
DJI advertises a maximum flight time of 31 minutes on a full battery. It has a maximum speed of 45 miles per hour when in Sport Mode, and it has 8GB of internal storage. The Mavic 2 Pro has an impressive omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system.
The Mavic 2 Pro's intelligent flight modes include Point of Interest, Timelapse, Active Track, Waypoint, Quickshot, and TapFly.
This drone's transmission system is the new and refreshed version of OccuSync, OccuSync 2.0. The Mavic 2 Pro's transmission system is widely praised by users. OccuSync 2.0 ensures that the transmission on the mobile device is clear and smooth even when the drone is miles away.
Mavic 2 Zoom
The DJI Mavic 2 Zoom is the unique counterpart to the Mavic 2 Pro.
Weight and Dimensions
This drone weighs in at 905 grams (just under 2 pounds). When folded, the Mavic 2 Zoom measures 214 x 91 x 84 millimeters, and when unfolded it measures 322 x 242 x 84. Its diagonal length is 354.
Intended User
The Mavic 2 Zoom is a unique drone. It primarily caters to drone enthusiasts, filmmakers, and content creators that need zoom capabilities. This drone also caters to the commercial market; its mechanical zoom makes it great for inspections.
Camera Specifications
The Mavic 2 Zoom has a 12-megapixel camera with a 1/2.3 inch sensor. It shoots video in 4K. Like we mentioned, the camera has a mechanical zoom; at 24 millimeters the field of view is 83 degrees, and at 48 millimeters the field of view is 48 degrees. The Zoom has a three-axis gimbal.
Other Specifications and Features
The Mavic 2 Zoom shares all of the intelligent flight features and robust obstacle avoidance system as its Pro counterpart. The Zoom also has a 31 minute advertised flight time. The drones are identical except for the camera.
The Mavic 2 Zoom also operates with the OccuSync 2.0 transmission system.
Mavic Air
The Mavic Air is yet another DJI drone that pushes the limits of consumer drone technology. Members of the drone community commonly refer to the Mavic Air as the hybrid of the Spark and the Mavic. The Mavic Air was a groundbreaking concept because it combined the size and portability of the Spark with the camera specifications and obstacle avoidance of DJI's higher-end drones.
Weight and Dimensions
The DJI Mavic Air weighs in at 430 grams (.94 pounds). When folded, the Air measures 168 x 83 x 49 millimeters. Unfolded, the Air measures 168 x 184 x 64 millimeters.
Intended User
The Mavic Air is widely used by travelers and vloggers that care about producing high-quality 4K video. This drone also caters to people that want a small, portable, feature-packed device that produces the same quality of video footage as its larger counterparts. In a nutshell, the Mavic Air is for the adventurous type that strives to create quality content.
Camera Specifications
The Air has a 12-megapixel camera with a 1/2.3 inch sensor, an 85-degree field of view, and it shoots video in 4K. The Air also has a three-axis gimbal.
Other Specifications and Features
The DJI Mavic Air boasts of a 21 minute maximum flight time, an impressive feat for a drone of its size. This drone has a transmission range of four kilometers. The Mavic Air has a maximum speed of 42 miles per hour in Sport Mode, yet another incredible specification for a drone this small.
This drone is packed with intelligent flight features. One thing that makes the Air particularly unique is the APAS system. APAS is an enhanced obstacle avoidance system that allows the drone to detect obstacles and circumvent them without stopping.
Phantom 4 Pro
The Phantom 4 Pro is the pinnacle of DJI's flagship Phantom series.
Weight and Dimensions
The Phantom 4 Pro weighs in at 1,388 grams (3.06 pounds). Diagonally it measures 350 millimeters.
Intended User
The Phantom 4 Pro caters to the serious drone hobbyists and commercial pilots. Due to its size, stability, and camera specifications, this drone has been widely used and trusted by commercial pilots for years.
Camera Specifications
The Phantom 4 Pro boasts of a 20-megapixel camera with a one-inch sensor. The camera shoots video in 4K, and it has an 84-degree field of view. This drone's camera also has a mechanical shutter, which makes it an extremely useful drone for mapping and 3D modeling.
Other Specifications and Features
This drone has a 30 minute flight time, which is an incredible specification for a drone of this size. Its maximum speed ranges from 31 to 45 miles per hour depending on which flight mode is enabled. This gives the pilot superior control over the drone's performance in different situations.
The Phantom 4 Pro is also equipped with a robust obstacle avoidance system. One of the cooler features that makes the Phantom distinct is the large landing gear. This keeps the drone's camera and propellers away from the ground, allowing pilots to take off and land safely in different environments.
Inspire 1
As with virtually every other DJI drone, the Inspire 1 was a game-changer. The Inspire 1 transformed the world of drone cinematography.
Weight and Dimensions
The Inspire 1 weighs between 2845 grams (6.27 pounds) and 3060 grams (6.74 pounds) depending on whether or not a camera is mounted underneath.
This drone has a diagonal distance of 581 millimeters.
Intended User
The Inspire 1 was made with the high quality creator in mind. This drone caters to filmmakers because it has amazing, cinema grade technology coupled with a sleek, highly controllable quadcopter. The Inspire 1 is a great tool for filmmakers because it offers advanced camera and drone technology for a relatively affordable price.
Camera Specifications
Zenmuse X3 – This camera has a 1/2.3 inch sensor, 12 megapixels, and shoots video in 4K. It also has a 360-degree range.
Zenmuse X5- This camera has 16 megapixels and shoots video in 4K.
Zenmuse X5R- This camera has lossless cinema 4K RAW videos, and it has 16 megapixels. It also has a 512 GB SSD.
Zenmuse XT- This is the Inspire 1's thermal imaging camera. It has 640 x 512 resolution with advanced radiometry.
Zenmuse Z3- This camera has a 1/2.3 inch sensor, 12 megapixels, and it shoots video in 4K. It also has a 3.5 x optical zoom.
Other Specifications and Features
The Inspire 1 truly changed the game when it was released. One of the ways it did so was with its dynamic landing gear. When this drone takes off, its landing gear moves up over the drone to not be in the shot. When it lands, the landing gear lowers back down once the landing sequence is initiated. This was an awesome feature that gave filmmakers peace of mind knowing that other parts of the drone (like the props) wouldn't interfere with their cinematography.
The Inspire 1 has a maximum flight time of 18 minutes, a maximum transmission range of 3.1 miles, and a top speed of 49 miles per hour.
Inspire 2
The Inspire 2 is DJI's premier cinematography drone. DJI took the revolutionary design and concept of the Inspire 1 and made it even better.
Weight and Dimensions
The Inspire 2 weighs in at 3,440 grams (7.58 pounds) with both batteries, four props, and no camera attached.
Intended User
The primary intended user of the DJI Inspire 2 is the filmmaker that wants to produce high-quality content without having to purchase a higher-end professional cinematography drone. Another group that Inspire 2 caters to are commercial drone pilots that want a bigger machine with a more capable camera. The wide variety of cameras that are compatible with this drone renders it extremely useful to a host of users.
Camera Specifications
The Inspire 2 has two new compatible cameras, the Zenmuse X7 and the Zenmuse X5S.
Zenmuse X7 – This camera has a Super 35 sensor, 6K cinema DNG, 5.2K Apple ProRes, and it takes 24-megapixel stills.
Zenmuse X5S – This camera shoots in 5.2K at 30 FPS and 4K at 60 FPS. It takes 20.8-megapixel stills.
Other Specifications and Features
The Inspire 2 has a maximum flight time of 23-27 minutes depending on which camera is attached. Its new transmission system offers a maximum transmission range of 4.3 miles.
One of the most impressive feats of the Inspire 2 is its top speed of 58 miles per hour. For a drone of this size with such advanced cinematography capabilities, this speed is incredible. This opens up a world of possibilities for content creators and filmmakers. What's more, this drone can be controlled by two people; one person can fly the drone while the other person operates the gimbal. A two-axis FPV camera allows the operator to navigate while the gimbal operator focuses on capturing the footage.
The Inspire 2 has a host of intelligent flight modes which include TapFly, ActiveTrack, and Spotlight Pro.
This drone has a new Smart Return to Home feature. The system allows the drone to detect and circumvent obstacles during its return to home sequence. This adds an extra layer of protection to the drone.
The Inspire 2 also has a dual battery system for redundancy. The placement of the batteries also makes quick battery swaps quick and easy. As an added bonus, the batteries on the Inspire 2 have a self-healing feature.
In regard to obstacle avoidance, the Inspire 2 has a traditional obstacle avoidance system along with an upward and downward positioning system that helps to drone avoid obstacles in all directions.
Final Thoughts
DJI has remained the dominant manufacturer in the drone world since the advent of consumer drone technology, and for good reason. They have an impressive line of drones that strategically range in price, size, and features.
So which DJI drone should you buy? Well, that's up to your needs and budget. But the good news is that DJI has a drone for everybody; from the beginner that wants to learn to fly drones to the seasoned pilot or professional filmmaker, there's a drone for everyone. We've created an FAQ section to help you make a more informed drone purchasing decision.
FAQ
If you're looking to purchase the DJI drone that's most portable, your solution is the Mavic Air. This drone folds up into what is by far the most compact package that DJI offers. This little drone is also super easy to get up in the air; it can be unfolded and ready to go in no time. The Spark is a close second, however; the only pitfall with the Spark in terms of portability is the fact that the arms don't fold.
We, along with a huge part of the drone community, maintain that the DJI Mavic 2 Pro is the best overall value. This drone is the best bang for your buck; it's feature packed, and its camera is incredible for a drone of its size. The Mavic 2 Pro has everything going for it — size, camera capability, features, flight modes, and range. Virtually every other drone is a compromise of some sort; they sacrifice camera quality for portability or vice versa. This is not the case with the Mavic 2 Pro. DJI took all of the best features a drone can have and made it into the best all around drone to date.
The good thing about DJI's drone line is that they're almost all suitable for commercial work. With the exception of the Spark, all of the drones we discussed can certainly be used commercially, depending on the specific job and situation.
The Mavic 2 Pro has the best range. For instance, this drone has gone over 6 miles away with little to no connectivity issues. At this range, the image transmission is still surprisingly crisp. If you're looking for a consumer drone that can really go the distance, the Mavic 2 Pro is the drone for you.
The Inspire 2 is by far the best DJI drone for cinematography. Its impressive line of compatible Zenmuse cameras makes the Inspire 2 an excellent drone for the serious cinematographer. What's more, the Inspire 2's impressive top speed makes this drone particularly well suited to capture a wide variety of shots.
