DJI just released not just one, but two new Mavic drones; the Mavic 2 Pro and the Mavic 2 Zoom. How do they compare to the previous version, the Mavic Pro, and which one should you choose to shoot real estate?

The DJI Mavic 2 Pro

Starting at USD $1,449, the Mavic 2 Pro includes a brand new lens made by the Swedish company Hasselblad. The new lens is a product of the first partnership between the two companies, not only offers a greater picture quality with more dynamic range (better contrast between light and shadows), it also adds, for the first time an Adjustable Aperture for more control over your lighting environment. For example, if it’s too sunny outside, you can increase the aperture without changing the shutter speed which will result with a smoother video without the need to buy ND filters to control the amount of light.

Key features:

• 20 MP 1” CMOS Sensor
• Adjustable Aperture, f2/8 – f/11
• 10-bit Dlog-M (perfect for the color correction enthusiast out there)
• 10-bit HDR Video (creates the very best footage to watch on your shiny new HDR TV)

The Mavic 2 Zoom

A little cheaper, this one starts at USD $1249. It comes equipped with the same video sensor as the original Mavic Pro but the lens has a 24-48 mm Optical Zoom. This means you have a wider angle than both the original Mavic Pro and the Mavic 2 Pro (perfect if you fly in tight spots since you can be closer to the subject without the need to fly backwards). Since the zoom is optical, you can also zoom in without losing any picture quality so let’s say there are electrical wires all around the property and you’re looking to shoot a close up of the backyard from above, you can fly at a safe distance and simply zoom in. Neat!

Key features:

• 12 MP 1/2.3 CMOS Sensor
• 48 MP Super Resolution Photo
• 4x Lossless Zoom FHR Video (emphasis on the word Lossless)

Mavic 2 – new features

The Mavic 2 Zoom & Pro are a good upgrade from the previous generation. Besides the camera, both Mavic 2s are identical.

My favourite new feature is the Omnidirectional Obstacle Sensing. This feature alone is worth the price of admission since I don’t always fly my drone in a straight line. Having the peace of mind that if I’m flying in any directions, the on-board computer will detect (and avoid) obstacles is reassuring for me (no more hitting trees while moving sideways!).

The new Mavic 2 drones also have an increased 31 minutes of battery life (vs 27 minutes in the original Mavic Pro). 4 minutes doesn’t seem like much but drone operators will agree that once you’re in the air, you take every minute you can.

DJI also mention that the new models are quieter and they have a faster top speed of 72 kph (44 mph). Quieter is always good since you don’t want to attract too much attention when shooting. As for the faster flying speed, that features rarely (if ever) applies to real estate.

The last new feature is the 2.4 to 5.8 GHz Real-Time Auto-Switching. The original Mavic Pro relies on 2.4 GHz transmission; a signal frequency commonly interrupted by multiple wireless devices. I’ve had the issue of my video feed disconnecting quite often since I’m usually flying in residential areas where wireless interruption is quite frequent. The new Mavic 2 now auto-switches between 2 radio frequencies (2.4 & 5.8 GHz) which results in a clearer signal.

 

Which drone should I buy for real estate?

Mavic 2 Pro or Mavic 2 Zoom?

Again, if your goal is to shoot real estate, I would seriously consider buying the Mavic 2 Zoom. The fact that the camera has both a wide angle and telephoto zoom means you don’t need to fly as far as the Mavic 2 Pro to get the full house in the frame. That small fact alone can be a deal-breaker if you’re shooting in tight space. Often times, I find myself shooting a property where I don’t really have that much room or I need to safely fly quite high to avoid obstacles. In either case, I’d be glad I chose the Mavic 2 Zoom. 

If you’re looking for the portable drone with the best video quality available (or if you shoot drone footage for things that are not real estate related ie: cinema, commercials, TV), get the Mavic 2 Pro. You won’t be disappointed.

Mavic 2 Pro, Mavic 2 Zoom or the original Mavic Pro?

With all of that being said, if you already have a Mavic Pro, I personally wouldn’t buy the new Mavic 2 unless you have the money or if you’re interested in the upgraded obstacles avoidance.

If you don’t have a drone and money is tight, I would choose the Mavic Pro because with the new models that were just released, a considerable price drop for the original Mavic Pro has been announced. This means you can get the DJI Mavic Pro for less than USD $899. That’s a pretty sweet deal for the drone I paid more than $1200 two years ago.

Plus, you need to consider buying extra batteries and with the new Mavic 2, the Mavic Pro’s batteries are quite cheaper. All this means that for the same price as the Mavic to zoom, you can get the Mavic pro with two extra batteries for the same price. Something to think about.

In short:

For the best portable model with the very best picture quality, get the Mavic 2 Pro.

If you shoot Real Estate and are often shooting in tight or challenging space, get the Mavic 2 Zoom.

If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, get the Mavic Pro.