When it comes to consumer drones, DJI has set quite a high benchmark. However, drone manufacturers such as Autel have some great models that can deliver similar results. DJI’s Mavic series has remained extremely popular. Therefore, here is a complete comparison of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro vs the Autel Evo 2 Pro.

Specifications Comparison

DJI Mavic 2 ProAutel Evo 2 Pro
Release: August 2018Release: January 2020
Weight: 907gWeight: 1191g
Flight time: 31 mins (no wind)Flight time: 40 mins (no wind)
Sensor: 20MP 1” CMOSSensor: 20MP 1” CMOS
Max Video Resolution: 4K @ 30fpsMax Video Resolution: 6K @ 30fps
Lens: FOV – 77° | Aperture: f/2.8-f/11Lens: FOV – 82° | Aperture: f/2.8-f/11
Price: $1,199 (Price as per Amazon)Price: $1,795 (Price as per website)

Autel’s EVO 2 Pro is the perfect contender for the Mavic 2 Pro. Firstly, the EVO 2 Pro is a much recent release compared to the Mavic 2 Pro, therefore it has plenty of new features (hardware and software) that the Mavic has missed out on. Secondly, the form factor is another striking difference between the two. The Mavic 2 Pro is lighter and more compact compared to the bulkier EVO 2 Pro.

Flight Time & Range

The battery capacities between both drones are miles apart. The Mavic 2 Pro has a battery capacity of 3850 mAh while the EVO 2 Pro boasts a massive 7100 mAh battery. The larger battery also translates to an additional 284g heavier take-off weight for the EVO. Under ideal weather conditions, the EVO 2 Pro will give up to 40 minutes of flight time. This isn’t bad considering the weight of the drone. The Mavic 2 Pro falls in the average category here. However, when you take into account more realistic weather conditions, the EVO will provide around 35 minutes of flight time while the Mavic 2 Pro slumps to around 25 minutes.

Flight Time Winner: EVO 2 Pro

The transmission range of both drones is fairly standard. The Mavic 2 Pro has a transmission range of 10km, while the EVO 2 Pro stands at 9km. Although, keep in mind these numbers only depict an unobstructed range. If you’re flying in dense urban environments, you will likely get a transmission range of around 5km on both drones. The real difference between the two drones lies in their maximum flight distance. Here, EVO 2 Pro’s larger battery pulls far ahead of the Mavic. While the Mavic has a maximum flight distance of 18km, the EVO 2 Pro can go up to 25km. This is extremely beneficial if you’re considering autonomous missions or pre-planned flights. The EVO just gives you some additional range to work with.

Range Winner: EVO 2 Pro

Camera Performance

The Mavic 2 Pro and the EVO 2 Pro, both have great cameras with accurate color reproduction and high dynamic range. Both drones sport a 1” 20MP CMOS sensor attached to a 3-axis mechanical gimbal for rock-steady shots. DJI’s images have great detail with some noise at ISO 100 as reviewed by Tech Radar. The EVO 2 Pro also captures similar images with minimal distortion. Additionally, both the drones have adjustable apertures for better manual control over your shots. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference of colors and image processing.

Photo captured by autel evo 2 pro
A still taken by the Autel EVO 2 Pro | Credit: Autel

photo captured by dji mavic 2 pro
A still taken by the Mavic 2 Pro | Credit: Unsplash

The EVO 2 Pro shines through in the video segment due to its 6K recording capability. It can record 6K videos at 30fps compared to 4K 30fps for the Mavic 2 Pro. This allows for a much higher resolution and lossless scale-down to 4K. The 10-bit A-log mode in both drones differs slightly. EVO dulls the contrast and colors slightly more than the Mavic 2 Pro in the Log color profile. Therefore, you may have to adjust the values and contrast higher for the EVO. Either way, footage from both drones will provide you ample room for post-processing.

Still Photography Winner: Tie

Videography Winner: EVO 2 Pro

Safety & Autonomy

Autel’s EVO 2 Pro has 360° obstacle avoidance. The drone is equipped with 19 groups of sensors that create 3D maps and help the drone navigate through complex terrains. Therefore, in terms of obstacle avoidance, the EVO 2 Pro performs much better compared to the Mavic 2 Pro. You can focus on capturing the best shot without worrying about the drone’s safety with the EVO 2 Pro. Mavic also has omnidirectional obstacle avoidance that will slow down the drone and warn the pilot of impending obstacles. However, it will not prevent your drone from crashing into objects.

Safety: EVO 2 Pro

The Mavic 2 Pro takes the lead when it comes to autonomous features. DJI is well known for its autonomous camera modes such as the Quickshot, Active Track, Waypoint, Cinematic, Point of Interest, etc. This makes operating the Mavic 2 Pro extremely beginner-friendly. With just a single tap, the Mavic 2 Pro can capture pre-planned cinematic shots.

Autonomy: Mavic 2 Pro

Verdict

The Mavic 2 Pro and the EVO 2 Pro are drones that cater to different purposes. Both have their unique set of advantages and disadvantages. Another thing you should consider is firmware updates. DJI releases firmware updates more often than Autel. Therefore, with DJI drones some of the features and image processing continue to get better over time. However, if you’re keen on getting a DJI drone, you should definitely check out our comparison of the Mavic 2 Pro vs the Air 2S. Also, DJI recently released the all-new Mavic 3 as well.

On the other hand, if you’re in the market for a non-DJI drone that delivers exceptional flight and camera performance with tons of safety features, the EVO 2 Pro will not disappoint you. Alternatively, for a beginner who’s just learning the sticks, the Mavic 2 Pro might be easier to operate. Therefore, the choice of a drone depends on your experience, budget, purpose, image preference, and portability factor.

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