Recommend a DJI drone with a zoom lens .....

[Crow Horse]

I've barely started out in the world of drones and I've got bit really hard by the bug. I currently own 2 Mavic Airs and I'm really amazed at the quality of video from a reasonably priced (I bought them used) drone. A drone with a zoom lens would be awesome addition. What would you recommend in the sub $1500 category (used) and is it possible to find one at that price point. I realize that I won't be able to afford the current offerings so I understand that I won't be getting the latest and greatest. I have a feeling that I'll probably be looking at the $2000 price range......

Any pointers?

(Drooling over the M3).............

 

[Faster]

If you are referring to Optical Zoom there is just 2 Consumer drones capable of it. The Mavic 2 Zoom and the Mavic 3. The M3 is $2199 with just one battery and the remote.

 

[Meta4]

If you are referring to Optical Zoom there is just 2 Consumer drones capable of it. The Mavic 2 Zoom and the Mavic 3. The M3 is $2199 with just one battery and the remote.

Except that the mavic 3 does not have an optical zoom lens at all.
It has two fixed focal length lenses

 

[Meta4]

I've barely started out in the world of drones and I've got bit really hard by the bug. I currently own 2 Mavic Airs and I'm really amazed at the quality of video from a reasonably priced (I bought them used) drone. A drone with a zoom lens would be awesome addition. What would you recommend in the sub $1500 category (used) and is it possible to find one at that price point. I realize that I won't be able to afford the current offerings so I understand that I won't be getting the latest and greatest. I have a feeling that I'll probably be looking at the $2000 price range......

Any pointers?

(Drooling over the M3).............

The only DJI consumer drone with a zoom lens is the Mavic 2 Zoom

 

[JohnnyD913]

What is it called on my Mavic Pro?
I can click the button on the remote and
The subjects become what I call “zoomed”
In?

 

[ArcTenTen]

What is it called on my Mavic Pro?
I can click the button on the remote and
The subjects become what I call “zoomed”
In?

Digital zoom

 

[Joethedrone]

The only DJI consumer drone with a zoom lens is the Mavic 2 Zoom

 

[Starz]

At your price point, the M2 zoom would be the choice.

 

[Rana Jehanzeb]

If you want a small drone then Mavic Mini 2 is also a good addition. Uses Occusync 2.0 transmission technology same as Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom. Tested it till 2.5 kms without signal lost. Level 5 wind resistance same as Mavic 2 Por/Zoom. Also has 4 x Digital Zoom. It is cheaper than Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom as it has only landing sensors and smaller in size where as Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom have all side sensors. Choice is yours...

 

[DVPOWERS]

I own a mavic 2 zoom and love it. It does not have the optical quality of a Pro, but my clients (general contractors, realtors, roofers, etc.) don't have an educated enough eye to know the difference. Plus, having the zoom feature has saved my bacon more than once. I bought it with its own dedicated controller and it has been no fuss, no muss since it came through my door.

 

[Starz]

If you want a small drone then Mavic Mini 2 is also a good addition. Uses Occusync 2.0 transmission technology same as Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom. Tested it till 2.5 kms without signal lost. Level 5 wind resistance same as Mavic 2 Por/Zoom. Also has 4 x Digital Zoom. It is cheaper than Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom as it has only landing sensors and smaller in size where as Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom have all side sensors. Choice is yours...

Big difference here would be the dreaded Fly app verses the tried and true Go4 app.

 

[GFields]

Love my Mavic 2 zoom!

 

[Eagle Eye 62]

I've barely started out in the world of drones and I've got bit really hard by the bug. I currently own 2 Mavic Airs and I'm really amazed at the quality of video from a reasonably priced (I bought them used) drone. A drone with a zoom lens would be awesome addition. What would you recommend in the sub $1500 category (used) and is it possible to find one at that price point. I realize that I won't be able to afford the current offerings so I understand that I won't be getting the latest and greatest. I have a feeling that I'll probably be looking at the $2000 price range......

Any pointers?

(Drooling over the M3).............

I recently purchased the Mavic 3 and absolutely love it. As long as you can justify the expenditure, you will not be sorry. I also upgraded to the RC Pro and although it wasn't cheap it is a huge improvement over the stock controller

 

[KB9Radio]

I've barely started out in the world of drones and I've got bit really hard by the bug. I currently own 2 Mavic Airs and I'm really amazed at the quality of video from a reasonably priced (I bought them used) drone. A drone with a zoom lens would be awesome addition. What would you recommend in the sub $1500 category (used) and is it possible to find one at that price point. I realize that I won't be able to afford the current offerings so I understand that I won't be getting the latest and greatest. I have a feeling that I'll probably be looking at the $2000 price range......

Any pointers?

(Drooling over the M3).............

The Mavic 2 Zoom has an optical zoom and some digital zoom as well and works very well. They are several year old technology, but still very nice with good occusync range. I would think you could pick up a used one pretty reasonably priced. I have one, but I don't want to sell it

 

[Crow Horse]

Again, many thanks to everyone. It appears that my choice is pretty clear. I'm looking for a bargain for a M2Z and I might be able to find one at a "reasonable" price. I would love a M3 but that isn't going to happen at this stage.

 

[shb]

The M30 has a 16X zoom. It's only $10,000. Just sell you car!

 

[JohnnyD913]

Digital zoom

Thank you

 

[Timothy 1939]

I own a mavic 2 zoom and love it. It does not have the optical quality of a Pro, but my clients (general contractors, realtors, roofers, etc.) don't have an educated enough eye to know the difference. Plus, having the zoom feature has saved my bacon more than once. I bought it with its own dedicated controller and it has been no fuss, no muss since it came through my door.

I have one as well and agree with you. I am worried about batteries for it in a year. I was told in this forum that another DJI uses the same batteries. I would like to know which one.

 

[KB9Radio]

I have one as well and agree with you. I am worried about batteries for it in a year. I was told in this forum that another DJI uses the same batteries. I would like to know which one.

Both the Mavic 2 Zoom & Mavic 2 Pro use the same batteries, and there's a lot of them out there. So I can't believe they'll stop supplying batteries any time soon. The Mavic 2 Enterprise is also the same I think, although I have never looked at one. I also have a Mavic 2 Zoom with the Smart Controller and love it, not even interested in the Mavic 3 whatsoever.

 

[Crow Horse]

Thanks to everyone for educating me. I pulled the trigger on a used M2Z and I'm anxiously awaiting it's arrival.