Mavic 4 Pro Review: The Drone Redefining Aerial Photography, But Is It Worth the Upgrade?
How does the Mavic 4 Pro stack up against the beloved Mavic 3 Pro? Does it live up to its 100-megapixel Hasselblad hype? And is it really worth the upgrade for pros and hobbyists alike? Let’s dive in.
Mavic 4 Pro vs Mavic 3 Pro
Here’s a comparison table of key Mavic 4 Pro specs and how they stack against the Mavic 3 Pro:
| Feature | Mavic 4 Pro | Mavic 3 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 100 MP Hasselblad (Quad Bayer) | 20 MP Hasselblad |
| Video Resolution | Up to 6K | Up to 5.1K |
| Focal Length (Main Lens) | 28mm equivalent | 24mm equivalent |
| Photo Output (Tele/Medium) | 48 MP | 12 MP |
| Vertical Shooting | Supported (limited tilt, video issues) | Not supported |
| Stability | Superior (new sensors, steady orbits) | Moderate (altitude wobble) |
| Battery Life | Slightly longer (few mins more) | Excellent |
| Top Speed (Downwind) | ~12% faster than M3 Pro | Slower |
| Top Speed (Upwind) | ~3% faster than M3 Pro | Slower |
| Low-Light Performance | Greatly improved | Average |
| Wide-Angle Lens Accessory | Not currently available | Available |
| Aspect Ratio | Narrower, requires cropping | More standard |
| Memory Card Access | Easier | Less convenient |
Design & Build: Familiar Frame, Fresh Intelligence
At first glance, the Mavic 4 Pro looks a lot like its predecessor—streamlined, compact, and built for portability. But under the hood, this drone is equipped with enhanced sensors that make a big difference in real-world usage. The most noticeable design improvement is its altitude stability. If you’ve ever struggled with the Mavic 3’s tendency to “bob” during orbits—messing up your composition and video smoothness—you’ll love what DJI has done here.
With new positioning sensors, the Mavic 4 Pro maintains a rock-solid altitude, providing a significant leap forward in professional shot consistency.
Flight Performance: Slightly Faster, Much Smarter
In terms of battery life, the Mavic 4 Pro edges out the Mavic 3 Pro by a few minutes—not groundbreaking, but valuable when you’re chasing the golden hour. On paper, it’s faster too. 12% faster downwind and about 3% faster upwind compared to the Mavic 3. However, both drones hit DJI’s artificial speed caps regardless of wind advantage, limiting real-world speed benefits.
Where the Mavic 4 Pro shines, though, is in aerial stability. The difference is clear when shooting complex movements like orbits or tracking fast-moving subjects. If you’re a filmmaker or photographer who relies on precision, this increased stability alone may justify the upgrade.
Camera System: A 100MP Leap (With Caveats)
The centerpiece of the Mavic 4 Pro is its new Hasselblad-branded 100MP main camera. At first, this spec screams perfection. And in practice? It mostly delivers.
Still Photography
- Resolution & Detail: The 100MP output captures more detail than the Mavic 3 Pro ever could, especially in landscape and fine art photography. For drone photographers producing large-format prints, this is a dream upgrade.
- But… Upscaling Woes: Not all megapixels are created equal. The sensor appears to use Quad Bayer technology, meaning the final image is partly upscaled. Compared side-by-side with a true 100MP medium format sensor, the Mavic 4 Pro falls short, particularly in color depth and clarity.
- Aspect Ratio Issue: The new sensor has a narrower native aspect ratio, requiring additional cropping to achieve standard framing. Combine that with the more telephoto 28mm equivalent lens (compared to Mavic 3’s 24mm), and you’re left wishing DJI included a wide-angle lens accessory, which they haven’t, yet.
Vertical Shooting Mode
- Pros: Offers native vertical capture, perfect for Instagram and social-first creators.
- Cons: Severely limited tilt range and unstable gimbal behavior in flight make vertical video nearly unusable. Footage becomes jerky, unreliable, and often ruined, especially in gusty conditions or high-speed maneuvers.
Video Capabilities: Better Specs, Marginal Gains
The Mavic 4 Pro shoots up to 6K resolution compared to the 5K cap of the Mavic 3 Pro. However, side-by-side comparisons in good lighting reveal almost no visible difference, at least in video. Why? Because motion and compression inherently reduce the benefit of added resolution.
Key Differences:
- Lens Focal Length: 28mm lens on Mavic 4 vs. 24mm on Mavic 3. The tighter field of view makes shots feel less dynamic unless you’re shooting from greater distances.
- Medium & Telephoto Lenses: Slight improvements in image sharpness and clarity, especially in still photography, but not game-changing for video.
- Low Light Performance: The real win for the Mavic 4 Pro is its low-light capability. Whether you’re capturing dusk-lit cityscapes or twilight scenes, the Mavic 4 delivers noticeably cleaner images with better dynamic range.
User Experience: Small Touches, Big Impact
One underrated but deeply appreciated improvement is easier access to the memory card—you no longer need to disassemble or fumble with the drone to get your footage. It’s a small quality-of-life upgrade, but it speaks to DJI’s attention to detail.
Also notable is the fact that real estate photographers and high-resolution content creators will benefit from the 100MP files on all three cameras, especially the telephoto lens, which now holds up even during pixel-peeping.
Should You Upgrade? Here’s the Verdict.
Let’s break it down:
Reasons to Upgrade to the Mavic 4 Pro:
- You shoot high-resolution stills and sell large-format prints.
- You need better low-light performance for twilight or indoor aerials.
- You require rock-solid stability for professional videography.
- You want native vertical still photography, even if the video mode is flawed.
Reasons to Stick with the Mavic 3 Pro:
- You already shoot primarily in video and don’t need higher resolution.
- You prefer a wider-angle lens for dynamic compositions.
- You need a reliable vertical video workflow (Mavic 4 currently fails here).
- You’re not ready to deal with DJI’s incomplete wide-angle accessories or wait for potential firmware fixes.
Conclusion: A Leap Forward with Room to Grow
The Mavic 4 Pro is a compelling next step in DJI’s drone lineup. It offers genuine advantages in still photography, low-light performance, and flight stability. But it also brings frustrating limitations, particularly with vertical video and focal length flexibility.
For professional photographers, especially those selling prints, the upgrade is likely worthwhile. For casual users or creators focused on dynamic video content, the Mavic 3 Pro still holds its ground as a remarkably capable machine.
DJI set out to make the Mavic 4 Pro a powerhouse—and in many ways, they did. But it’s not flawless. Not yet.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
