This is all great information! It makes it easier for me to order the M2P. Would the Smart controller be as intuitive and interchangeable as the standard control?
Smart controller, as I understand it, makes switching aircraft even easier, once set up properly, as you select from among the aircraft you own and have set up previously with it, when you boot up. I use the DJI sequential charger, as speed is not an issue for me, but aftermarket simultaneous chargers are available for M2 batteries. Googling it will turn up the various options, or check PhantomHelp.com. He seems to be on top of all available choices.
Biggest difference between the two sensors is the vastly improved low light capability of the M2P's larger 1” sensor. The M2Z is also a variable aperture zoom, which changes to f/3.8 at 2x, which makes it even worse in low light, sacrificing one more full f stop of sensitivity at 2x on a significantly smaller sensor. Don't choose! Get one of each!
How hard was to swap cameras? Can you supply a link where you got the camera from? Thanks
It was not rumor and speculation. DJI themselves said they would soon provide the service. That's why they had to rewrite their warranty and refresh policies to account for sanctioned gimbal swaps. The problem is they never followed through to provide the service..
Thanks for the correction. Poor choice of wording on my part. Original post edited for accuracy. Unfortunately, it doesn't change the answer to the original question. DJI still won't swap the cameras for any amount of money, even though many still think they will, and I personally don't recommend anyone else do it more than once, as it is too risky to keep repeating it. That's why I bought a second bare M2 aircraft for my other M2 camera.
There's a couple of YouTube videos on the topic. It looks surprisingly easy. The controller automatically detects the difference and becmes functional for the correct drone.
It is also annoying that the Zoom feature takes over the normal exposure compensation setting on the right scroll wheel, meaning that you now have to use the 5 button for exposure compensation, forcing you to remove one hand from the sticks in order to adjust the exposure compensation. This required awkward move discourages changing exposure during tricky maneuvers that create scene changes that require exposure compensation. Also, the Zoom is a variable aperture zoom, which changes to f/3.7 at 2x, losing a full stop wide open when zoomed fully, further degrading the image, as it forces a doubling of the ISO, once the minimum shutter speed dictated by the frame rate has been achieved in low light.
Yes, that would have been the best solution! Too late now. They should have talked to us first!
Some very good points. At this time, I'm doing more stills than video. Using the 5 button will probably be a minor issue until I start recording more videos. I'm very familiar with the shifting aperture. Many of the zoom lens I have used and use today with my SLRs have that same issue.
I downloaded the user manual for the M2Z. I was trying to find the camera settings section to review it's setting options. I did not see much useful info on that topic. Can you give me some examples of these settings options that the Zoom lacks?
I'm spoiled, as all my DSLR zoom lenses are full frame f/2.8 and only one is f/4 (200-400). I got tired of the exposure change every time I zoomed on the much cheaper consumer zooms. Severely affects flash output, too! That expensive glass is now almost obsolete!
