The DJI Mavic 4 Pro is a significant leap in drone technology for both professional and enthusiast users who are looking for high quality imaging and advanced flight abilities.
This new model builds on what was already an excellent product last year, and in a very DJI-like way, it doesn’t wait to see what a competitor does, but instead continues to push the limits of what’s feasible.
Mavic 4 Pro has a number of upgrades, including the camera system, flight duration, and obstacle avoidance. After flying the Mavic 4 Pro for the past two weeks, it is clear that DJI has set out to create a new standard in the prosumer market. Let’s get into the full review.
The design
This drone is a completely new design. It’s also foldable, which saves space when traveling.
Overall, the drone’s build feels premium and robust. It was built with great attention to detail. The prop tips are orange, which adds a pop of color to the grey/black design. The body is covered with cameras to power its obstacle sensing technology. This helps it avoid hitting objects while you concentrate on flying.
The Mavic 4 Pro, compared to previous Mavic models introduces a more advanced gimbal, the “Infinity Gimbal,” that allows 360deg rotation, and 70deg tilt upward, greatly expanding the creative shooting possibilities. This feature sets it apart from its competitors. It offers unique angles and dynamic movements. The rotation feature allows you to film both horizontally and vertically, allowing for different video platforms. This also works with photos and for those who want to print their drone photos this allows the highest resolution to be achieved instead of cropping 16:9 to 9:16.
Design-wise, the remote controller is also a highlight. The joystick can be folded and the screen is large and bright. This makes for an efficient and comfortable user experience.
The screen can be rotated for vertical shooting, which is a thoughtful feature that caters to the growing demand for optimized content for social media. The Mavic 4 Pro’s overall aesthetics are sleek and professional. This reflects its high-end capabilities, and position in the market.
Performace
The DJI Mavic 4 Pro excels at several key performance areas. First, the flight time is impressive. It can last up to 51 minutes. Even if there is a strong wind, poor transmission and recording, or a bad transmission, the battery will still be more than enough.
When I was capturing shots for what seemed like an eternity and looking down, there was still a half-hour of flight time remaining, it was a very frustrating experience. This extra flight time will be most useful to those who want to capture longer-form events, and is especially helpful for those who create timelapses.
The controller’s battery life is also bananas. I charged the controller once and then flew 3,4, and 5 times without needing to recharge the controller. It’s hard to believe that only a few short years ago, we were talking about flight time of a fraction of this number.
Since the Mavic 4 Pro drone isn’t light, it’s a credit to the engineering team that they were able to make the drone only consume the battery. The Mavic 4 Pro comes in several configurations. The review included the Fly More combination, which includes 3 batteries that combine for an insane 2.5 hours of flight.
With a range of up to 30km, the video transmission is also impressive. This allows for reliable connectivity over long distances. The drone’s speed, maneuverability and control are excellent. This allows for precise control and smooth video capture.
With the enhanced obstacle sensing, which includes LiDAR and low-light vision sensor, flying is safer and more reliable. Even in low-light conditions, the drone can navigate complex environments effectively and avoid obstacles. This is especially useful for flying in cities or near terrain that can be challenging.
ActiveTrack 360deg is a great feature for tracking moving objects. The ability to take off without GPS and return to home in areas with weak signals adds an extra layer of reliability.
The Mavic 4 Pro’s visual performance is stunning. The video quality is excellent, as we have come to expect. However, the video taken by the primary 6K sensor is stunning.
As our CASA rules prohibit us from flying at night, the best way to demonstrate the camera’s capabilities is to capture scenes in a variety of lighting conditions, especially later in the afternoon when solar flares bounce off the lens. You can zoom in on footage in post production and still maintain the 4K quality.
Although I’m sure there will be improvements in camera technology, it’s hard to imagine any more. The footage we get with a drone is so close to what we see with our own eyes, and in some ways (HDR), even super-human.
To get the most out of the infinity gimbal you can simply hold the C1 button on the controller and use the right scroll wheel. This will rotate your camera. As you may have seen on the promotional videos of DJI, it is possible to combine these rotations from different locations in order to create an amazing unique effect.
It is hard to imagine that many pilots would need more features than the Mavic 4 Pro offers. The drone has a lot of features, which easily justifies the ‘Pro” label. It will be interesting to see what features DJI can cut to save money on lower models. The Mavic 4 Pro comes with the following features.
Triple-Lens Flagship Camera (
) The Mavic 4 Pro features a 100MP 4/3 Hasselblad CMOS camera with HDR video capabilities of 6K/60fps, as well as two tele-cameras for versatile shooting options. Infinity Gimbal (Model: 19659029)
This gimbal allows 360deg rotation on the roll axis, and 70deg tilt to offer dynamic camera movements and unique angles.
Nightscape Omnidirectional Obstruction Sensing
Six sensors for low-light and a forward-facing LiDAR allow the drone to navigate safely in dark environments. The drone has a large battery that can provide up to 51 minutes flight time.
10bit HDR O4+ Video Transmission 30km
This transmission offers high-quality, long-range video with enhanced interference-optimization.
Collapsible remote controller with 7” Rotatable Bright Display
DJI RC Pro 2 features a 7-inch Mini LED screen with 2000 nits of peak brightness.
Issues & Opportunities
The Mavic 4 Pro is a very impressive drone, but there are some areas that could be improved. Infinity Gimbal’s limitations on vertical shooting angles, and speed, as stated in the product details, can be improved.
Although there is a feature called “Vertical Gimbal Tilt Angle Expansion”it can cause issues such as shaking in the footage. It would be helpful to improve this feature or provide alternative shooting modes.
In addition, the complexity of certain features and settings may require a steeper curve for novice users. More detailed tutorials and user manuals could make the drone easier to use.
Price and Availability
The DJI Mavic 4 Pro is available in Australia through various retailers, including DJI’s official website, major electronics stores, and online marketplaces.
It should not be a surprise to see a significant price tag associated with the new flagship drone in the Mavic lineup. What’s on offer here is a platform for enthusiasts and professionals to make revenue from the content created with this drone. Therefore the price tag is justified, particularly when you consider the amount of hardware and software on offer here.
Prices vary depending on the specific package:
- DJI MAVIC 4 Pro (DJI RC 2): Approximately A$3,099
- DJI Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2): Approximately A$4,039
- DJI Mavic 4 Pro 512GB Creator Combo (DJI RC Pro 2): Approximately A$5,359
Here are some potential links where you can buy the drone.
- DJI Official Website: https://store.dji.com/au
- JB Hi-Fi: https://www.jbhifi.com.au/pages/dji
- Amazon Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=DJI+Mavic+4+Pro
When purchasing drones in Australia, it’s important to be aware of regulations set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Overview
DJI Mavic 4 Pro delivers outstanding performance, image quality and features. It’s a great choice for professional photographers, videographers and commercial users looking for a versatile and reliable aerial platform. Its advanced camera system, innovative design of the gimbal, and robust obstacle avoidance makes it a standout in its category. The Mavic 4 Pro’s superior capabilities and build-quality justify its higher price. The DJI Mavic 4 Pro will be a great investment for those who are looking for a high-performance, advanced drone.
Its long-range transmission and high-quality imaging make it an effective tool for a variety of applications. The DJI Mavic 4 Pro represents a significant leap forward in drone technology, and is highly recommended for serious users.
