With the recent release of the new DJI Mavic 3, it’s time to compare and contrast the different consumer drones in the Mavic lineup by DJI, to help you decide which one is right for you. Whether you’re a newbie considering the DJI Mini 2, a filmmaker interested in the astounding video quality of the DJI Air 2S, or an expert pilot looking for the best aerial photography has to offer in the DJI Mavic 3, you should be able to find a good fit. No matter what your needs are, we’ll be able to help you decide which Mavic is right for you.
Here’s everything you need to know about these three DJI consumer drones:
| DJI Mavic 3 | DJI Air 2S | DJI Mini 2 | |
| | | | |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 221x96.3x90.3 mm Folded 347.5x283x107.7mm Unfolded | 180x97x77 mm Folded 183x253x77 mm Unfolded | 140x82x57 mm Folded 160x202x55mm Unfolded |
| Weight | Mavic 3: 895 g | 595 g | 249 g |
| Image Sensor Size | 4/3 and 1/2 Dual Camera | 1-Inch | 1/2.3-Inch |
| Max Photo Resolution | 20 MP | 20 MP | 12 MP |
| Max Video Resolution | 5.1K/50 fps | 5.4K/ 30 fps | 4K/30fps |
| Video Transmission | OcuSync 3+ 15km 1080p@60fps | OcuSync 3.0 - 12km 1080p@30fps | OcuSync 2.0 10km 720p@30fps |
| Vision System | Omnidirectional | Forward + Backward + Upward + Downward Sensors | Downward Sensor |
| Max Flight Speed | 68.4 kph (S-Mode) | 68.4 kph (S-Mode) | 57.6 kph (S-Mode) |
| Max Flight Time | 46 Minutes | 31 Minutes | 31 Minutes |
| Max Wind Resistance | 43.2 km/h | 38.5 km/h | 37.8 km/h |
| Internal Storage | Mavic 3: 8GB Mavic 3 Cine: 1TB | 8 GB | None |
| DJI Mavic 3 | DJI Air 2S | DJI Mini 2 | |
| | | | |
| Price | DJI Mavic 3: $2,669.00 DJI Mavic 3 Fly More Combo: $3,639.00 DJI Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo: $6,049.00 | DJI Air 2S: $1,249.00 DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo: $1,619.00 DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo with Smart Controller: $2,189.00 | DJI Mini 2: $519.00 DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo: $699.00 |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 221x96.3x90.3 mm Folded 347.5x283x107.7mm Unfolded | 180x97x77 mm Folded 183x253x77 mm Unfolded | 140x82x57 mm Folded 160x202x55mm Unfolded |
| Weight | Mavic 3: 895 g | 595 g | 249 g |
| Image Sensor Size | 4/3 and 1/2 Dual Camera | 1-Inch | 1/2.3-Inch |
| Max Photo Resolution | 20 MP | 20 MP | 12 MP |
| Max Video Resolution | 5.1K/50 fps | 5.4K/ 30 fps | 4K/30fps |
| Video Transmission | OcuSync 3+ 15km 1080p@60fps | OcuSync 3.0 - 12km 1080p@30fps | OcuSync 2.0 10km 720p@30fps |
| Vision System | Omnidirectional | Forward + Backward + Upward + Downward Sensors | Downward Sensor |
| Max Flight Speed | 68.4 kph (S-Mode) | 68.4 kph (S-Mode) | 57.6 kph (S-Mode) |
| Max Flight Time | 46 Minutes | 31 Minutes | 31 Minutes |
| Max Wind Resistance | 43.2 km/h | 38.5 km/h | 37.8 km/h |
| Internal Storage | Mavic 3: 8GB Mavic 3 Cine: 1TB | 8 GB | None |
Each model in the Mavic lineup is similarly designed with a signature-looking matte, light-grey color. They also feature the standard DJI foldable design that allows you to fold the drone down to a compact and portable size when not in use. However, thanks to the different high-tech features and cameras of the more advanced models, the three drones differ greatly in terms of size and weight.
DJI Mini 2 is notable for its small size, with a weight of only 249 grams making it the smallest of the Mavic drones (and all other DJI drones). Because it weighs less than 250 grams, it falls underneath the weight limit set by Transport Canada. This means that you can pilot the Mini 2 without a license or registration. When you’re a beginner pilot looking for something simple to get started with, this is a decent incentive that allows you to quickly start flying.
The Mini 2 has dimensions of 140x82x57 mm (LxWxH) when folded and 160x202x55mm when unfolded. Its small size also makes it easily portable, as it fits in the palm of your hand once completely folded.
The DJI Air 2S is a little over twice the weight of the Mini 2, weighing in at 595 grams. This is a good middle-of-the-road option in terms of weight between the Mini 2 and the Mavic 3. The extra size enables the Air 2S to feature a few more high-tech features than the Mini 2, giving you more fun controls to play around with as you capture stunning footage.
The DJI Air 2S has dimensions of 180x97x77 mm when folded and 183x253x77 mm when unfolded. Its larger size is still quite portable once folded down, as you can easily travel with it in a small bag or case.
The DJI Mavic 3 is the heaviest of all the drones on the Mavic lineup, with a weight of 900 grams. Its extra weight is necessary to house the advanced Hasselblad camera and other intelligent flight features that make it one of the most powerful consumer DJI drones on the market. The Mavic 3 has dimensions of 214x91x84 mm when folded and 322x242x84 mm when unfolded. When folded, however, it’s only about 40 mm longer than the Air 2S, so it’s not difficult to carry around by any means.
All three DJI drones use the same remote controller, which is the DJI RC-N1. However, the DJI Mavic 3 has an optional accessory called the DJI RC Pro that features a fully integrated design with an in-built high-performance tablet. This 1000-nit display guarantees you perfect visibility no matter what your lighting conditions. The RC Pro offers a range of up to 15kms of low latency (120ms) video transmission thanks to the OcuSync 3.0+ system. It also has support for the DJI Cellular Transmission Dongle, giving you 4G capabilities as well.
The Mini 2 comes with a camera capable of shooting 4K video at 30 frames per second, which is pretty decent for a drone of its size. It can also shoot 12-megapixel photos in either JPEG or DNG raw format. The Mini 2 has 4x digital zoom capabilities when shooting in 1080p, allowing you to capture cinematic shots and play around a little bit while filming. For amateurs or beginners looking for something fun to play around with, this should be more than enough to capture the footage you’re looking for.
The Mini 2 comes with a camera capable of shooting 4K video at 30 frames per second, which is pretty decent for a drone of its size. It can also shoot 12-megapixel photos in either JPEG or DNG raw format. The Mini 2 has 4x digital zoom capabilities when shooting in 1080p, allowing you to capture cinematic shots and play around a little bit while filming. For amateurs or beginners looking for something fun to play around with, this should be more than enough to capture the footage you’re looking for.
Professionals will appreciate the upgraded camera of the DJI Air 2S. This camera comes with a 1-inch CMOS sensor that can shoot 5.4K video at 30 frames per second and 4K video at 60 frames per second. It can even shoot 20-megapixel photos that capture great levels of detail and natural color tones in a variety of lighting conditions.
Professionals will appreciate the upgraded camera of the DJI Air 2S. This camera comes with a 1-inch CMOS sensor that can shoot 5.4K video at 30 frames per second and 4K video at 60 frames per second. It can even shoot 20-megapixel photos that capture great levels of detail and natural color tones in a variety of lighting conditions.
The DJI Mavic 3 has a dual-camera system that blows many of the other DJI drones out of the water. The Hasselblad camera and the telephoto camera both offer you unparalleled technology with which to capture video and photos like never before. The camera of the Mavic 3 also features aperture adjustment, allowing aerial photographers to adjust as needed based on the lighting situation. The 24mm equivalent autofocus lens is incredibly lightweight at only 12.5 grams, enabling an 84° field of view to capture crisp and clear details.
The DJI Mavic 3 has a dual-camera system that blows many of the other DJI drones out of the water. The Hasselblad camera and the telephoto camera both offer you unparalleled technology with which to capture video and photos like never before. The camera of the Mavic 3 also features aperture adjustment, allowing aerial photographers to adjust as needed based on the lighting situation. The 24mm equivalent autofocus lens is incredibly lightweight at only 12.5 grams, enabling an 84° field of view to capture crisp and clear details.
Hasselblad Camera
The iconic Swedish camera brand Hasselblad customized a new L2D-20c aerial camera for the DJI Mavic 2, creating a sleek and compact form to house its professional-grade 4/3 CMOS sensor. This sensor boosts the resolution and dynamic range of the Mavic 3 while also suppressing noise in low-light environments, keeping images clean and free from grain.
The Hasselblad camera is built to their signature standards, with hardware and software algorithms capable of shooting higher-quality images than ever before. The camera is capable of shooting 20-megapixel photos and has a wider 12.8-stop dynamic range, giving you greater detail in highlights and shadows on a professional level. This also allows for natural transitions between highlights and shadows, keeping the rich visual information of the footage while adding depth to the images.
Lastly, the camera comes with Vision Detection Auto Focus (VDAF) technology, which uses multiple vision sensors to factor in distance data and optimize focusing speed.
Hasselblad Natural Color Solution
The Hasselblad camera also comes with the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS), which guarantees vividly accurate natural colors that don’t require presets or post-production editing to look simply stunning. These colors are captured starting at the pixel level of the sensors, as the L2D-20c lens adheres to the same tight standards as any other Hasselblad camera. Each pixel is calibrated with the HCNS embedded to make sure its color-capturing quality is up to par. When the camera is shooting, the sensor converts RGB color data through Hasselblad’s unique image processing algorithm and color processing mode. This gives you the best possible natural colors no matter where you’re shooting or at what time of day.
Telephoto Camera
When recording video with the DJI Mavic 3, you’re guaranteed to have aerial videos recorded at high resolutions and frame rates. The 10-bit D-log color profile captures up to a billion colors, giving you the most natural color gradations and making post-production that much easier. The camera records 5.1K video and DCI 4K/120fps.
Telephoto Camera
As if the Hasselblad camera weren’t enough, the DJI Mavic 3 comes with another ½” CMOS-powered 12-megapixel telephoto zoom camera. This camera comes with up to 28x Hybrid Zoom, allowing you to close in on distant scenes or subjects without worrying about having to fly up close. This is perfect for filming areas where it would be too dangerous to fly the drone or where you might disturb the subject. It also comes with a 162mm f/4.4 lens that gives your aerial imagery a new and unique aspect.
As if the Hasselblad camera weren’t enough, the DJI Mavic 3 comes with another ½” CMOS-powered 12-megapixel telephoto zoom camera. This camera comes with up to 28x Hybrid Zoom, allowing you to close in on distant scenes or subjects without worrying about having to fly up close. This is perfect for filming areas where it would be too dangerous to fly the drone or where you might disturb the subject. It also comes with a 162mm f/4.4 lens that gives your aerial imagery a new and unique aspect.
Apple ProRes
This last feature is exclusive to the DJI Mavic 3 Cine. Apple ProRes 422 HQ encoding has a maximum data rate of 3,772 Mbps. The Mavic 3 Cine also comes with a 1TB SSD and a 10Gbps lightspeed data cable, making it easier than ever to professionally film, edit, and create breathtaking photos and videos.
The DJI Mini 2 has a surprisingly long flight time and range for a drone of its size. Its maximum flight time is 31 minutes, with a video transmission range of 10km. This makes sure you have enough time and flexibility to fly around looking for the perfect shot without needing to worry about recharging or moving your physical location. It also has wind resistance of up to 37.8 km/h and can go as fast as 57.6 km/h, which is quite durable and fast for a drone of its size.
The DJI Air 2S has the same maximum flight time as the Mini 2 of 31 minutes. However, it has a higher maximum range of up to 12 km of video transmission at 1080p. It also features the upgraded OcuSync 3.0 transmission system instead of the OcuSync 2.0 transmission system of the Mini 2. This uses Dual Frequency 2.4/5.8 GHz auto-switching with 4 antennae to deliver smooth and reliable video feed in all kinds of weather.
The Mavic 3 has a much longer flight time than either the Air 2S or the Mini 2, giving you 46 minutes of uninterrupted flight time. It also flies farther and transmits signals with greater stability and less video lag thanks to the OcuSync 3.0+ transmission system. This delivers a maximum range of 15 km, much further than all the previous predecessors.
The Mavic 3 also allows you to use the optional Cellular Transmission Dongle to switch to 4G networks in the event that the O3+ signals ever get blocked. The two transmission systems work in tandem during flight to make sure the signal never gets lost. Lastly, the Mavic 3 is the first of all DJI drones capable of transmitting a 1080p/60fps live feed. This means you’re seeing almost the exact resolution of what your camera is recording.
While the DJI Mini 2 has no obstacle avoidance sensors and the Air 2S has sensors in four directions, the Mavic 3 has omnidirectional obstacle sensing for maximum protection. These multiple wide-angle vision sensors work together with the high-performance vision computing engine to detect obstacles in all directions with the utmost precision. This enables you to concentrate on flying the drone and capturing the perfect shot without worrying about the safety of the drone.
One thing that the Air 2S and the Mavic 3 both have in common is the Advanced Pilot Assistance Program (APAS), although the Air 2S uses APAS 4.0 and the Mavic 3 uses APAS 5.0. When the drone detects an obstacle using this technology, it smoothly and quickly avoids them while continuing to record smooth footage the entire time.
The Mini 2 comes with a few basic intelligent flight modes that are both fun and useful. Smart Return to Home will automatically send the drone back to its starting point, while automatic takeoff and precision hovering are both useful to aid beginners in operating the drone. The QuickShot modes are the fun features that allow you to shoot cinematic videos in seconds with only the press of a button. Choose from modes such as Dronie, Helix, Circle, Rocket, and Boomerang, and the drone will fly in a preset movement while filming. These cool effects can make videos to be shared straight to social media.
The Air 2S adds a couple more intelligent flight modes that are useful to more professional photographers and videographers. It includes MasterShots, which gives you even more cinematic aerial maneuvers to choose from. Just mark the subject of your shot on the screen and select from one of 10 MasterShots from either the Portrait, Proximity, or Landscape mode. Then watch as the drone flies around and captures a smooth, stunning shot.
The Air 2S also comes with FocusTrack, a handy feature that allows you to follow your subject or orbit around it in one of three different modes. Spotlight 2.0 is another feature that keeps the subject in the center of the frame during flight and also allows you to zoom in. If you want to keep the camera fixed on a subject even when an obstacle passes by, then ActiveTrack 4.0 will come in handy. And Point of Interest 3.0 is the last cool feature, flying the drone in a perfect circle at a radius and altitude you preset ahead of time to capture a unique circular video.
The Air 2S also comes with FocusTrack, a handy feature that allows you to follow your subject or orbit around it in one of three different modes. Spotlight 2.0 is another feature that keeps the subject in the center of the frame during flight and also allows you to zoom in. If you want to keep the camera fixed on a subject even when an obstacle passes by, then ActiveTrack 4.0 will come in handy. And Point of Interest 3.0 is the last cool feature, flying the drone in a perfect circle at a radius and altitude you preset ahead of time to capture a unique circular video.
The Mavic 3 has the same MasterShots feature as the Air 2S in addition to an upgraded ActiveTrack 5.0 for tracking subjects. In addition to its omnidirectional obstacle sensing and APAS 5.0, the Mavic 3 has a couple more intelligent flight features that the Air 2S and the Mini 2 both lack. It features an advanced Return to Home (RTH) that automatically determines the best route back to its home point and completes a safe return flight on its own.
The Mavic 3 also comes with Wi-Fi 6 QuickTransfer, which will be available in January of 2022 through firmware updates. QuickTransfer will enable you to quickly and easily transfer videos and photos from the drone to your computer or smartphone via Wi-Fi instead of through a cable.
The Mavic 3 comes with a couple of different options to purchase, from just the singular Mavic 3 to the two combos. While the Mavic 3 itself costs $2,669 for just the aircraft, remote controller, and cables and chargers, the other two combos offer extra components for a higher price. The Mavic 3 Fly More Combo costs $3,639 and comes with six Low-Noise Propeller Pairs, a Battery Charging Hub, and a Convertible Carrying Bag.
The Mavic 3 comes with a couple of different options to purchase, from just the singular Mavic 3 to the two combos. While the Mavic 3 itself costs $2,669 for just the aircraft, remote controller, and cables and chargers, the other two combos offer extra components for a higher price. The Mavic 3 Fly More Combo costs $3,639 and comes with six Low-Noise Propeller Pairs, a Battery Charging Hub, and a Convertible Carrying Bag.
It also comes with three Intelligent Flight Batteries. The extra Intelligent Flight Batteries are 4S batteries with a 5000mAh 77Wh capacity. They have sturdy construction with a light weight of only 335.5 grams. The drone itself has a rear-loading battery bay that comes with convenient locks on either side.
Lastly, the Fly More Combo comes with an ND Filters Set (ND4丨8丨16丨32). This accessory is designed specifically for the Mavic 3 camera unit and is also available separately in another version (ND64丨128丨256丨512). The ND filters enable you to control how much light enters the camera lens, giving you smooth video in bright conditions even with a 180° shutter opening.
The second Mavic 3 combo available is the DJI Mavic 3 Cine Premium Combo. Priced at $6,049, this combo comes with the Mavic 3 Cine, which adds 1TB of internal memory and the ability to capture footage with the Apple ProRes 422 HQ encoding. This combo comes with the RC Pro controller instead of the standard Remote Controller. It also comes with both of the ND Filters Sets and a 10Gbps Lightspeed Data Cable.
The second Mavic 3 combo available is the Cine Premium Combo. Priced at $6,049, this combo comes with the Mavic 3 Cine, which adds 1TB of internal memory and the ability to capture footage with the Apple ProRes 422 HQ encoding. This combo comes with the RC Pro controller instead of the standard Remote Controller. It also comes with both of the ND Filters Sets and a 10Gbps Lightspeed Data Cable.
Similar to the Fly More Combo, the Cine Combo also includes three Intelligent Flight Batteries, the extra propeller pairs, the Battery Charging Hub and the Convertible Carrying Bag.
The best consumer drone in the Mavic lineup that meets your needs depends on several factors. Budget is the biggest factor, as the three drones are quite different in price. The DJI Mini 2 is a cheap option at only $519, giving you a nice starter drone to enter the world of aerial photography. If you’re new or you’re just looking for something to shoot fun videos with your friends, then this will more than meet your needs. If you’re in need of something with a more advanced camera to shoot professional-looking photos and videos, then the Air 2S may be more up your alley. This is a higher price at $1,249, but gives you a nice balance between money and capability.
Lastly, the Mavic 3 is going to be the most expensive drone on the list at $2,669 (for just the drone itself). If you’re looking for the best that money has to offer, then you can’t go better than the Mavic 3. The Mavic 3 Cine combo is also excellent if you’re in need of the extra storage space and faster data transfer. However, if you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, the Air 2S certainly holds its ground.
Dr Drone
Author
DrDrone is Canada's leading provider of drone technical services, with over a decade of experience and the distinction of being the first company in the country to offer drone servicing and repairs. As the largest drone vendor in Canada, we are also the primary supplier of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) to the Canadian government. Our team members possess extensive knowledge of each drone's technical specifications and have a wealth of hands-on experience. For more than ten years, we have been dismantling and reconstructing drones, ensuring a deep understanding of these systems.