Mavic Air Vs Mavic Pro Platinum 2023: Which Is Better For You?

HanJin

In the drone world, DJI is king. They have been around for a while, and they produce high-quality drones for both professional and amateur use.

DJI Mavic Air vs Mavic Pro Platinum. The Mavic Air is an excellent choice for aspiring aerial photographers on a tight budget, but if you want the best of the best, then check out their new DJI Mavic Pro Platinum! This drone has all of your basic needs covered, with no need to upgrade later on down the road!

Let’s look at this article; Lucidcam will make an in-depth comparison between two drones for you.

Table of Contents

1 Mavic Air vs Mavic Pro Platinum General
- 1.1 Mavic Air
- 1.2 Mavic Pro Platinum
2 Mavic Air vs Pro Platinum – Comparison

Mavic Air vs Mavic Pro Platinum General

Mavic Air

Pros

Portable drone
Video with high bit rate 4K UHD.
HDR and Panorama still capture.
Raw and JPG support.
Asteroid video shot.
It is possible to avoid obstacles.
Automated flight modes

Cons

USB charging is not supported.
No 4K DCI video.
Panorama stitching requires some effort.
The real-world flight takes around 18 minutes.

DJI’s first real effort to sell drones to the masses wasn’t an as rousing success as you’d expect from the company, which has dominated the marketplace in terms of quality and sales since consumer drones have become a thing. The Spark, released last year, was hamstrung by concise battery life and a control interface that needed some refinement to be ready for mass consumption.

The DJI Mavic Air ($919), which is foldable and has a 4K camera, offers longer flight time and is much more affordable than the DJI Spark. It packs a lot of tech into a small package, including some panoramic photo and video tricks, and is an excellent option if you don’t want to spend $1,149 on our Editors’ Choice, the DJI Mavic Pro Platinum.

Mavic Pro Platinum

Pros

Compact, folding design.
Remote control for small devices.
Avoidance of forwarding obstacles
Automated flight options.
Crisp 4K video.
Stills in Raw 12MP and JPG formats
Maximum 28 minutes flight time per charge

Cons

It’s expensive.
Regular firmware updates
For the whole experience, you will need a smartphone.

The DJI Mavic Pro Platinum ($1,1149) is the best small drone you can buy. It folds down quickly and can be carried in a messenger or camera bag. It also has a compact remote control that is easy to use.

The drone’s flight performance is excellent, with 4K video and safety features that automate return-to-home and avoidance of forwarding obstacles. This drone is a perfect choice for YouTubers and aerial videographers.

DJI also offers a few options, such as the Phantom 4 Pro or Inspire 2.

Mavic Air vs Pro Platinum – Comparison

Overview

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Build and Design

The DJI Mavic Air and Pro Platinum are both highly portable drones that are ideal for traveling or capturing aerial footage on the go. However, there are some notable differences in their build and design that may impact your decision when choosing between the two models.

In terms of size and weight, the Mavic Air is significantly lighter and smaller than the Pro Platinum. Weighing in at only 430g and measuring 12.8 x 8.3 x 4.9 cm when folded, the Mavic Air is incredibly compact and easy to transport.

On the other hand, the Pro Platinum weighs 734g and measures 30.5 x 24.4 x 8.5 cm when folded, making it noticeably larger and heavier than the Mavic Air. While both models are still considered highly portable, the Mavic Air may be the better choice for those looking for the ultimate portability.

Another key difference between the two models is their noise level. The Pro Platinum is designed to be much quieter than the Mavic Air, thanks to its quieter ESCs (electronic speed controllers) and redesigned propellers.

This makes it an excellent choice for those who want to fly stealthily and avoid drawing attention to themselves. In contrast, the Mavic Air is still relatively quiet but may be more noticeable in quieter environments.

Overall, both the Mavic Air and Pro Platinum are excellent choices for those in need of a portable and high-quality drone. However, if ultimate portability is your top priority, the Mavic Air may be the better choice.

If, on the other hand, you value a quieter flying experience and want to avoid drawing attention to yourself, the Pro Platinum may be the better option. Ultimately, the decision will come down to your individual needs and preferences.

Camera

The camera is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a drone, and both the DJI Mavic Air and Pro Platinum models have excellent cameras that produce stunning aerial footage. However, there are some notable differences between the two models when it comes to their camera specifications and features.

One of the standout features of the Mavic Air’s camera is its ability to film in 1080p at a frame rate of 120 fps. This is a significant advantage over the Pro Platinum, which can only film in 1080p at 60 fps. Additionally, the Mavic Air has a wider field of view, which allows you to capture more of the surrounding environment in your shots.

Another feature that sets the Mavic Air apart from the Pro Platinum is its high dynamic range (HDR) capability. This feature automatically merges multiple photos of the same subject to create a more balanced exposure with better definition in dark and light areas. This is a feature commonly found in modern smartphones, and its inclusion in the Mavic Air’s camera is a significant advantage.

In terms of ease of use, the Mavic Air’s camera is generally considered more user-friendly than the Pro Platinum’s. The Mavic Air has tap focus, which allows you to easily select the subject you want to focus on, while the Pro Platinum’s autofocus can sometimes result in blurred footage, especially for novice pilots.

Additionally, the Mavic Air’s wider aperture (f/2.8) allows for more of the shot to be in focus, reducing the need for autofocus.

Connection

The connection between a drone and its remote controller is crucial for a safe and stable flight, and the DJI Mavic Air and Pro Platinum both have advanced connection technologies that ensure a reliable and stable connection between the drone and controller.

The Mavic Pro Platinum features DJI’s proprietary Ocusync technology, which provides an HD downlink over long distances and a solid connection even in interference-prone areas. This technology ensures that the live video feed from the drone is clear and stable, even at distances of up to 7 km.

Ocusync is a significant advantage over other connection technologies, such as Wi-Fi, which is used by Mavic Air.

While the Mavic Air does not have Ocusync, it does feature enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity, which is still reliable and provides a stable connection between the drone and controller. The Mavic Air’s Wi-Fi connection can still operate at distances of up to 4 km, which is more than enough for most drone flights.

In terms of connection stability, the Mavic Pro Platinum is the clear winner due to its Ocusync technology, which provides a more stable and reliable connection even in challenging environments. However, the Mavic Air’s enhanced Wi-Fi connection is still very reliable, and most users will not notice any significant difference in connection quality between the two models during normal flights.

Battery life

This is not a contest. The Pro Platinum has a maximum flight time of 30 minutes. Although the Mavic Air gets 20 minutes of flight time, it is not enough for me (I don’t use Platinum’s extra battery very often), I still have to worry about the Air’s battery life. Although it’s not terrible, it’s noticeably shorter.

Sensors

Both the DJI Mavic Air and Pro Platinum come equipped with flight-assisting sensors, which help to prevent collisions with obstacles while flying. The Pro Platinum features sensors on the front and bottom, which are extremely helpful in active track mode when your hands may not be directly on the controller.

The front sensors detect obstacles up to 30 meters away, while the bottom sensors are useful in indoor flights or when landing on uneven surfaces.

On the other hand, the Mavic Air features more advanced obstacle avoidance sensors than the Pro Platinum. In addition to the bottom and rear sensors, the Mavic Air has sensors on the front, which allow it to detect obstacles up to 20 meters away.

This feature comes in handy when you’re flying in an environment with a lot of obstacles, such as trees or buildings. Furthermore, the Mavic Air’s obstacle avoidance system is capable of actively avoiding obstacles, while the Pro Platinum will simply stop when it reaches an obstacle.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Mavic Air’s rear sensors are particularly useful for tracking shots. They allow the drone to fly backward while avoiding obstacles, making it easier to capture footage from different angles without worrying about collisions. The Pro Platinum lacks this feature, which makes it more challenging to capture tracking shots from behind.

Maximum Flight Distance

When it comes to maximum flight distance, the DJI Mavic Pro Platinum and Mavic Air are both excellent drones that offer impressive capabilities. The Mavic Pro Platinum has a maximum flight distance of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) in open, unobstructed areas with no interference, while the Mavic Air has a maximum flight distance of 6.2 kilometers (3.8 miles).

However, it’s important to keep in mind that both of these maximum distances are only achievable under ideal conditions and with fully charged batteries.

In real-world scenarios, the maximum flight distance of both drones will be affected by factors such as the presence of obstacles, the strength of the drone’s connection to the remote controller, and the battery level of both the drone and the remote controller. That being said, both drones are more than capable of flying long distances and capturing stunning aerial footage.

One advantage that the Mavic Pro Platinum has over the Mavic Air is that it uses DJI’s OcuSync transmission technology, which provides a more reliable and stable connection between the drone and the remote controller.

This can be particularly important when flying over long distances, as it can help to minimize the risk of signal interference and dropout. However, the Mavic Air’s enhanced Wi-Fi transmission technology is still very reliable and can provide a solid connection even in areas with interference.

Overall, whether you choose the Mavic Pro Platinum or the Mavic Air, you can be confident that you’ll be able to fly your drone over impressive distances and capture amazing aerial footage.

DJI Mavic Air Vs DJI Mavic Pro Platinum: Flight Speed

There are many reasons that drone flight speed is essential. First, aerial video requires us to follow vehicles, such as boats or cars, that move very fast. You’re likely to struggle to get your shot without a drone capable of keeping up.

Second, it’s great for having some fun. Flying through the DJI Mavic Air in a drone can be pretty thrilling, especially if you have FPV goggles.

Both drones are capable of reaching impressive speeds and offer a variety of speed modes.

The top speeds of all two drones in Sport mode are pretty close, with the Mavic Air just pipping the others by an extra 2.5 mph (3 km/h).

The Pro Platinum can achieve 65kph when used in sports mode. The Mavic Air can reach a maximum of 68.4kph in sport mode. The Mavic Air’s lighter build allows it to accelerate faster than the Mavic Pro.

The Mavic Pro can also achieve 28.8 kph in P-mode, while the Air can reach 36 kph when used in P-mode.

Noise Level

The Mavic Pro Platinum is one of the quietest drones you’re gonna find with both quieter ESC (electronic speed controllers) and a brand new type of propeller that reduces noise. The ESC supports a quieter flight and more air time.

The Mavic Air is roughly 10 decibels quieter than the DJI Spark. I have used other drones, but nothing has been louder than the Platinum.

Video Transmission Technology

The DJI Mavic Pro utilizes its advanced Lightbridge technology to transmit your live video feed to your smartphone. WiFi technology is used by Mavic Air. Although the Mavic Air can switch between bands, it isn’t as good as the Lightbridge signal in the Phantom Pro and Mavic models. Sometimes WiFi range is less available, especially when you fly in residential areas. Advantage Mavic Pro.

Intelligent Flight Modes

These drones are packed with intelligent flight modes, just like all DJI drones. This makes piloting drones easier, especially for beginners.

DJI Mavic Air Intelligent Flight Modes:

ActiveTrack
Tripod Mode
Gesture Mode
Cinematic Mode
Fixed-Wing Mode
TapFly
Terrain Follow
Point of interest
Lock with Couse
Waypoints
Lock Your Home

DJI Mavic Pro Platinum Intelligent Flight Modes:

ActiveTrack
QuickShot
SmartCapture
TapFly
Tripod Mode
Cinematic Mode
Point of interest

DJI is constantly updating drones and adding new flight modes. These lists will continue to change. Check the patch notes for any updates to find out if there are any new flight modes.

This video will explain what these flight modes are and how you can use them.

Obstacle Avoidance

Flight speed is an important aspect to consider when choosing a drone, as it affects the drone’s ability to capture fast-moving subjects and maneuver in different scenarios.

Both the DJI Mavic Air and Pro Platinum offer impressive flight speeds, with the Mavic Air slightly edging out the Pro Platinum in terms of maximum speed. In sport mode, the Mavic Air can reach a maximum speed of 68.4 kph, while the Pro Platinum can achieve 65 kph. This speed is essential when following fast-moving vehicles or capturing action shots that require quick and precise movement.

However, it’s important to note that the Mavic Pro Platinum has a slightly longer flight time than the Mavic Air, which means it can stay in the air for long periods and cover more distance.

The Pro Platinum can fly up to 30 minutes, while the Mavic Air can fly up to 21 minutes on a single battery charge. This is an important consideration if you’re planning to use your drone for longer flights or cover more ground.

Additionally, both drones offer different flight modes that allow for more precise and controlled movement. The Mavic Air has a “Tripod” mode that slows down the drone’s movements, making it easier to capture precise shots.

The Pro Platinum, on the other hand, has a “CineSmooth” mode that allows for smoother and more controlled movements. Both modes are useful in different scenarios and can make a significant difference in the quality of your footage.

Overall, while the Mavic Air offers slightly faster flight speeds, the Pro Platinum’s longer flight time and different flight modes make it a strong contender in terms of flight performance. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

DJI Mavic Air Vs DJI Pro Platinum: Prices & Release date

Which one is the most expensive?

The DJI Mavic Platinum is a lot more expensive than the Mavic Air, by several hundred dollars.

This price difference seems quite dramatic to me, considering the Mavic Air’s debatably superior camera.

This could be due to the significant price difference, the other 9-minute flight duration, and the 7km range of Mavic Platinum.

The original DJI Mavic Platinum was one of our favorite drones, it introduced a new segment to the consumer drone industry, the compact, folding quadcopter. No matter what level of credit you give it for the segment, the is no question that the Mavic Platinum took things to the next level.

Like DJI, these drones come in many different bundles and some convenient accessories.

Can the drones be purchased either as an individual purchase or as part of the? Fly More Bundle’. The fly more bundle comes with spare batteries, which I recommend. You’ll be buying them down the road anyway.

Read more:

DJI Mavic Air Vs DJI Mavic Pro Platinum: Verdict

Which drone is better? the smaller compact Mavic Air or the old reliable Pro Platinum that has a proven camera, better range, and longer flight time.

To be completely honest, there is no definitive solution.

It all comes down to personal preference.

The Mavic Air is ultra-portable and comes with a slightly better camera.

Compared to the Mavic Pro Platinum, with its insanely long flight time and maximum range.

Platinum is the best option if you have the money. However, if you’re willing to spend a little more, you can always go for the Mavic Air.

What will it look like?

We appreciate you taking the time to compare DJI Mavic Air and DJI Mavic Pro Platinum. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section below.

You can check out some of the comparisons between Mavic Air vs other drones:

Last update on 2024-04-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API