The DIJ Air 2S vs the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, which one would you pick? While the DJI Air 2S succeeded the Mavic 2 Pro, the latter has a few advantages. The Mavic 2 Pro has been one of the most popular DJI drones on the market. However, the Air 2S has quickly become the number one choice. In this guide, we will look at a side-by-side comparison between the two drones so that you can decide which one’s best for you.
Specifications Comparison
| Mavic 2 Pro | Air 2S |
|---|---|
| Release: August 2018 | Release: April 2021 |
| Weight: 907g | Weight: 595g |
| Flight time: 31 mins | Flight time: 31 mins |
| Sensor: 20MP 1” CMOS | Sensor: 20MP 1” CMOS |
| Video Resolution: 4K | Video Resolution: 5.4K |
| Lens: FOV – 77° | Aperture: f/2.8-f/11 | Lens: FOV – 88° | Aperture: f/2.8 |
| Price: $2,589 | Price: $999 |
There are several big differences between the two drones. Firstly, the Mavic 2 Pro is a much older drone while the DJI Air 2S is a recent release. This means the latest firmware and better hardware on the DJI Air 2S. Apart from that let’s take a look at some of the major differences.
Weight & Flight Time
This is one of the most significant differences between both drones. The Air 2S is built for travel, thus, it is quite compact and lightweight. You can snugly fit it in the pocket of your backpack and not feel a difference. This is not the case for the Mavic 2 Pro. It weighs almost a kilogram and cannot be called compact exactly. Traveling with a 907 g drone shouldn’t be a problem but there will surely be a noticeable difference.
Surprisingly flight time for both the drones is the same at 31 minutes of maximum flight time under ideal weather conditions. The DJI Air 2S has a 3500 mAh capacity battery, while the Mavic 2 Pro has a 3950 mAh battery. Considering the battery capacity of the Air 2S and its small size, the drone could have done better in terms of flight time. However, under real-world scenarios, both drones will give an average flight time of 20-25 minutes.
Camera Performance
Both drones deliver stellar image quality. The Mavic 2 Pro as well as the Air 2S have 1” 20 MP CMOS sensors to let plenty of light. The Mavic houses a flagship premium Hasselblad sensor. The images captured by both the drones fare well in daylight as well as low-light settings.
However, the Air 2S pulls far ahead in terms of video resolution. It can shoot up to a resolution of 5.4K compared to a mere 4K at 30fps offered by the Mavic Pro. Anyway, unless you’re shooting footage for professional use or for a display that can support 5.4K resolution, that shouldn’t matter. The only downside is the 30fps on the Mavic Pro.
The area where the Mavic 2 Pro takes the lead is its adjustable aperture. This is one of the key features that set it apart from the new Air 2S. It has an adjustable aperture of f/2.8-f/11. What this means is that you do not have to rely on ND filters and have an incredibly higher level of control over your footage. You can adjust the depth of field, shoot in shutter priority, or utilize the manual mode. The Air 2S on the other hand has a fixed aperture of f/2.8.
Price
This is a deal-breaker in this comparison. As of now, the DJI Air 2S retails for $999. This includes the drone, controller, battery, charger, gimbal protector, and a plethora of power cables. That is an extremely affordable package for the flagship performance it offers.
When the Mavic 2 Pro was released in 2018, it was priced at around $1599 and included all the essentials. Presently, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro is no longer available on the DJI store. This means you will have to purchase it off of Amazon or authorized resellers at a much higher price. On Amazon, the drone along with all the essentials cost a whopping $2,589. That is more than double the price of the DJI Air 2S.
Verdict
The DJI Air 2S is the undisputed champion here. It balances flight performance and flagship camera performance, into an extremely compact form factor. Additionally, the pricing is just perfect. However, if you think that adjustable aperture is a feature that is worth paying more for, then the Mavic 2 Pro is for you. It is an extremely easy drone to fly and offers great performance. It is unfortunate that its price has been hiked up. But with the launch of the Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine, the older Mavic series are on their way out.
