Mavic Air has image signal processor from Phantom 4 Pro - Nice!

[inodes]

Was watching a video and review from cinema5D: https://www.cinema5d.com/dji-mavic-air-hands-on-video-welcome-to-monaco/

After speaking with DJI representative, it was was reveal that the 100 megabit rate from the Mavic Air comes thanks to the image signal processor from the Phantom 4 Pro, where the Mavic Pro uses the older ISP from the Phantom 4. Both Mavic Air and Mavic Pro share the same CMOS sensor.
This is why in daylight shots, the image of the Mavic Pro produces more detail, and in night shots despite being hampered by an f2.8 lens (vs Pro's f2.2), the noise is noticeably less.

It was hinted that colour profiles would be upgraded in the future, which means (given that processing isn't an issue) that an introduction of D-Log would be likely into future.

 

[Cliff_622]

Was watching a video and review from cinema5D: https://www.cinema5d.com/dji-mavic-air-hands-on-video-welcome-to-monaco/

After speaking with DJI representative, it was was reveal that the 100 megabit rate from the Mavic Air comes thanks to the image signal processor from the Phantom 4 Pro, where the Mavic Pro uses the older ISP from the Phantom 4. Both Mavic Air and Mavic Pro share the same CMOS sensor.
This is why in daylight shots, the image of the Mavic Pro produces more detail, and in night shots despite being hampered by an f2.8 lens (vs Pro's f2.2), the noise is noticeably less.

It was hinted that colour profiles would be upgraded in the future, which means (given that processing isn't an issue) that an introduction of D-Log would be likely into future.

In talking about these drones, its important to seperate the sensor from the image processor and the CODEC. They are 3 very seperate factors. The image processor and CODEC in the Air was taken from the Phatom 4 Pro. (HEVC is disabled on the Air)

What hurts the Mavic Pro and helps the Air is the noise reduction algorythm. The Mavic Pro uses an old Ambarella processor that has a crude noise reduction teqnique. Its badly implemented too as there is WAY too much of it being applied. Its temporal filter smears lower toned pixels and creates "blobs" in shadows. There is nothing DJI can do about this. Its hard coded into that old Ambarella processor.

The Air's image processor is more effecient and far better tuned. Yes, it allows a bit more noise back into the image but it does not scrub or smear the life out of shady trees or bushes the way the Mavic Pro does. It uses less noise reduction and peserves more detail. It also handles complex scenes and motion far better.

Now comes the bitrate. Im doing some lab testing on the Air's CODEC. Im doing 500% crops and frame by frame inspections of noise and Macroblocking. That Air/P4P CODEC is rock solid.

So yes,...the Air has a more sophisticated image processor as well as an excellent h.264 encoder advantage over the Mavic Pro.

Im doing a detailed diagnostic video on Monday to show everybody.

 

[inodes]

In talking about these drones, its important to seperate the sensor from the image processor and the CODEC. They are 3 very seperate factors. The image processor and CODEC in the Air was taken from the Phatom 4 Pro. (HEVC is disabled on the Air)

What hurts the Mavic Pro and helps the Air is the noise reduction algorythm. The Mavic Pro uses an old Ambarella processor that has a crude noise reduction teqnique. Its badly implemented too as there is WAY too much of it being applied. Its temporal filter smears lower toned pixels and creates "blobs" in shadows. There is nothing DJI can do about this. Its hard coded into that old Ambarella processor.

The Air's image processor is more effecient and far better tuned. Yes, it allows a bit more noise back into the image but it does not scrub or smear the life out of shady trees or bushes the way the Mavic Pro does. It uses less noise reduction and peserves more detail. It also handles complex scenes and motion far better.

Now comes the bitrate. Im doing some lab testing on the Air's CODEC. Im doing 500% crops and frame by frame inspections of noise and Macroblocking. That Air/P4P CODEC is rock solid.

So yes,...the Air has a more sophisticated image processor as well as an excellent h.264 encoder advantage over the Mavic Pro.

Im doing a detailed diagnostic video on Monday to show everybody.

Extremely good reply Cliff_622. Very informative. Thank you.
I am not as familiar with drones as I am with DSLR's. This makes a lot of sense, and I suppose I've chosen the right drone to cut my teeth on in the Mavic Air.
I was considering the Pro over the Spark (Spark didn't win me over, although it's a lot of fun).

 

[Splats]

In talking about these drones, its important to seperate the sensor from the image processor and the CODEC. They are 3 very seperate factors. The image processor and CODEC in the Air was taken from the Phatom 4 Pro. (HEVC is disabled on the Air)

What hurts the Mavic Pro and helps the Air is the noise reduction algorythm. The Mavic Pro uses an old Ambarella processor that has a crude noise reduction teqnique. Its badly implemented too as there is WAY too much of it being applied. Its temporal filter smears lower toned pixels and creates "blobs" in shadows. There is nothing DJI can do about this. Its hard coded into that old Ambarella processor.

The Air's image processor is more effecient and far better tuned. Yes, it allows a bit more noise back into the image but it does not scrub or smear the life out of shady trees or bushes the way the Mavic Pro does. It uses less noise reduction and peserves more detail. It also handles complex scenes and motion far better.

Now comes the bitrate. Im doing some lab testing on the Air's CODEC. Im doing 500% crops and frame by frame inspections of noise and Macroblocking. That Air/P4P CODEC is rock solid.

So yes,...the Air has a more sophisticated image processor as well as an excellent h.264 encoder advantage over the Mavic Pro.

Im doing a detailed diagnostic video on Monday to show everybody.

But how can this be? The Mavic Air is just a "selfie-drone"? It's just a Gimmick....a toy for people that can't afford a few extra hundred for a real Mavic?

 

[Cliff_622]

It's simple....DJI is FINISHED with that old Mavic Pro Ambarella - A9-A1 chip. Many people think it's garbage by today's standards. DJI has moved on and I believe the Mavic Air is the same platform that the Mavic Pro-II is based on. I believe were developed together and share 95% (ocusynnc aside) of the same chips and software programming. (using a P4P image sensor and of course the same image signal processor as the P4P)

Technology moves "forward". DJI is NOT going to keep using that same old Mavic Pro image processor on the Air just to keep the image quality on the air on par with the current Mavic Pro!

The Mavic Air is going to have a two year shelf life with is Mavic Pro-II cousin. They will continue to develop well together in parallel for the next two years because they probably will share so much software programming.

 

[peros550]

Is there any DJI drone supporting HEVC right now?

 

[Cliff_622]

Is there any DJI drone supporting HEVC right now?

Yup, the Phantom 4 Pro.

It "seems" that the Mavic Air has the processor to do HEVC but its not enabled....and never will be.

This likely means the Mavic Pro-II can do it too. It will be interesting to see if DJI allows it on the Mavic Pro-II.