2 Pro Vs. Air 2

R1Mavic · Apr 29, 2020

Hopefully this quiets the debate....

sar104 · Apr 29, 2020

No - it won't. He makes some good observations about the video modes, but his comments on the advantage of 48 MP over 20 MP are a bit off the mark. Yes - you can record a 48 MP image, but the quality is poor - the pixels are only ~ 1/10 the area of the M2P sensor pixels, so it is noisy and soft. It's far better to think of it as a Quad Bayer 12 MP sensor with improved specs relative to the M2Z sensor.

R1Mavic · Apr 29, 2020

sar104 said:
No - it won't. He makes some good observations about the video modes, but his comments on the advantage of 48 MP over 20 MP are a bit off the mark. Yes - you can record a 48 MP image, but the quality is poor - the pixels are only ~ 1/10 the area of the M2P sensor pixels, so it is noisy and soft. It's far better to think of it as a Quad Bayer 12 MP sensor with improved specs relative to the M2Z sensor.

I hear what you are saying, but why are you guys challenging what you ‘know’ over what proof is showing you? The man took a photo of the same thing from both drones and said one is better than the other. Why is that still in question? Is it his eyes aren’t as good as yours or what you know to be the truth has to be the truth and there’s no two ways about it?

GadgetGuy · Apr 29, 2020

R1Mavic said:
Hopefully this quiets the debate....

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Not really. Kind of just muddies the waters.
He confuses bytes with bits and falsely claims 48 MP DNG.

Quad Bayer sensors: what they are and what they are not

Marketing departments are trying to sell you on the wrong thing - resolution isn't why these sensors are good, it's the better image processing.

www.gsmarena.com

sar104 · Apr 29, 2020

R1Mavic said:
I hear what you are saying, but why are you guys challenging what you ‘know’ over what proof is showing you? The man took a photo of the same thing from both drones and said one is better than the other. Why is that still in question? Is it his eyes aren’t as good as yours or what you know to be the truth has to be the truth and there’s no two ways about it?

I was commenting on his observation that the image was 48 MP and therefor could be made into a huge print. That doesn't follow. As we have seen from other samples, there are indeed 48 MP available, but the images are not comparable to large-sensor output because the sensor sites are far too small. In fact the IMX586 sensor was not even designed to be used as a 48 MP sensor - it was designed to be used as a Quad Bayer or HDR sensor producing a 12 MP image.

R1Mavic · Apr 29, 2020

sar104 said:
I was commenting on his observation that the image was 48 MP and therefor could be made into a huge print. That doesn't follow. As we have seen from other samples, there are indeed 48 MP available, but the images are not comparable to large-sensor output because the sensor sites are far too small. In fact the IMX586 sensor was not even designed to be used as a 48 MP sensor - it was designed to be used as a Quad Bayer or HDR sensor producing a 12 MP image.

I understand what you are saying and for the sake of ending the discussion, you’re right and he’s wrong. Now, if someone puts two digital images in front of you and choose one over the other and your choice goes against science, do you change your opinion of which “looks better” because scientifically that’s the correct choice?
My point is who cares what something was designed to do if when presented to you it’s inferior.

Not arguing, just trying to understand

sar104 · Apr 29, 2020

R1Mavic said:
I understand what you are saying and for the sake of ending the discussion, you’re right and he’s wrong. Now, if someone puts two digital images in front of you and choose one over the other and your choice goes against science, do you change your opinion of which “looks better” because scientifically that’s the correct choice?
My point is who cares what something was designed to do if when presented to you it’s inferior.

Not arguing, just trying to understand

Well he didn't put two images in front of me - and he only commented on the number of pixels, not the quality of the images. So I didn't say he was wrong - I said his comments were off the mark because they didn't address image quality. "Never mind the quality, feel the width" is no more legitimate in photography than in tailoring.

I've looked at actual raw images that were linked from other tests, and the quality is in line with what one would expect from the specifications. Yes - it's 48 MP, but not 48 useful MP.

ChipDjipro · Apr 29, 2020

I don’t know why people are trying to compare the Air 2 to the Mavic Pro not even close.

R1Mavic · Apr 29, 2020

sar104 said:
Well he didn't put two images in front of me - and he only commented on the number of pixels, not the quality of the images. So I didn't say he was wrong - I said his comments were off the mark because they didn't address image quality. "Never mind the quality, feel the width" is no more legitimate in photography than in tailoring.

I've looked at actual raw images that were linked from other tests, and the quality is in line with what one would expect from the specifications. Yes - it's 48 MP, but no 48 useful MP.

Thanks for the discussion.

Hiflyer808 · Apr 29, 2020

Yes there is a lack of understanding about how they achieve the 48mp image, which is not as good as a "true" 48mp image. However, given enough light the image is certainly better than a 12mp one, putting the Air 2's photo specs above those of the Zoom. Regarding video, he doesn't talk about two points in the Air 2's favor, which are the 4k60fps, and the elsewhere much-discussed softness of the M2 Pro's wider 4k mode. If you already have the M2 Pro I'd keep it for the larger sensor, variable iris, 10 bit, etc., but if buying a new one, unless you are mainly into photography I'd get the Air 2 which is almost as good for video overall, is about the same for range and battery life, has better tracking and other newer-tech goodies, and is far cheaper. 1K for the Fly More which includes nd filters is a great value.

But what's this I hear about no 4k for quickshots? I sure hope he's wrong about that!

Hiflyer808 · Apr 29, 2020

ChipDjipro said:
I don’t know why people are trying to compare the Air 2 to the Mavic Pro not even close.

Not true. Air 2 video is in some ways better, 8k hyperlapse, better tracking, other newer-tech goodies. M2 Pro is not all that much better, while also being almost twice as expensive. The Air 2 is easily a better value.

SCCooper · Apr 29, 2020

It depends on what you're gonna use it for. as a 107 Pilot, I've used M2P to inspect distribution lines for a major utility company. pics only. 1 in sensor is great for that, not sure A2 could get the necessary pixels on target. A2 does better cinematic(4k/60), so, better if you're doing that kind of work. All the newer tech goodies will come with the M3P, whenever that drops, or they may update M2P with some of it. we will see.

CustomRCMods · Apr 30, 2020

I just don’t see the debate here... they are 2 drones from the same manufacturer. DJI didn’t just release a drone that is better than the one that is 2x as much $. Like yes, on paper, 4k60 and 48mp photos look great, but the 1 inch sensor is still going to give the a2 a run for its money on those specs. They are 2 totally different drones aimed at 2 different markets, that sometimes may overlap but still have seperate followings.

Now I am a huge fan of the a2, I just sold off my M1P to upgrade to it. I see it as a prime fulfillment of my needs. As a recreational pilot mainly but doing the occasional commercial gig, I feel like it has just the right mix of consumer and prosumer grade features.

Everyone on here has different circumstances and opinions an uses, so I can’t say that there is a real winner here. All i have observed is that the MA2 is a heck of a drone for 800 bucks.

lee82gx · Apr 30, 2020

Sensor wise Air 2 should be compared to the zoom (at 1x zoom). Why doesn't anyone do that?

Yanix · Apr 30, 2020

CustomRCMods said:
I just don’t see the debate here... they are 2 drones from the same manufacturer. DJI didn’t just release a drone that is better than the one that is 2x as much $.

Except Air 1 video was recognized as "better" vs the Mavic 1 due to higher bitrate or better optics or whatever it was.

scdronemedia · Apr 30, 2020

sar104 said:
No - it won't. He makes some good observations about the video modes, but his comments on the advantage of 48 MP over 20 MP are a bit off the mark. Yes - you can record a 48 MP image, but the quality is poor - the pixels are only ~ 1/10 the area of the M2P sensor pixels, so it is noisy and soft. It's far better to think of it as a Quad Bayer 12 MP sensor with improved specs relative to the M2Z sensor.

Also, regarding the 48MP image, that is only in jpg format. RAW files are 12MP.

scdronemedia · Apr 30, 2020

Hiflyer808 said:
Not true. Air 2 video is in some ways better, 8k hyperlapse, better tracking, other newer-tech goodies. M2 Pro is not all that much better, while also being almost twice as expensive. The Air 2 is easily a better value.

I disagree. I bought a drone mainly for photography at which it is far superior. Any photographer would be disagree that the M2P is 'not aal that much better'.

Having said that, the Air 2, for the price, seems to be an amazing addition to the DJI catalogue.

sar104 · Apr 30, 2020

k84040 said:
Also, regarding the 48MP image, that is only in jpg format. RAW files are 12MP.

No - the raw files are also 48 MP - samples are available.

R1Mavic · Apr 30, 2020

k84040 said:
I disagree. I bought a drone mainly for photography at which it is far superior. Any photographer would be disagree that the M2P is 'not aal that much better'.

Having said that, the Air 2, for the price, seems to be an amazing addition to the DJI catalogue.

Which is far superior?