Camera & Drone Gear Blog
Info, Reviews, Comparisons, & News
DJI Product History Timeline (Drones, Gimbals, Cameras, & More)
I was doing an internet search for a consolidated timeline of DJI product releases over the past few years because I was curious about how often they come out with new drones, gimbals, and cameras. I couldn't really find any page that had a consolidated list... all I could find with product release dates was their news archive. So, I went ahead and while I was "relaxing" and watching a movie one evening, compiled a list of (most of?) DJI's product releases of interest since July 2012 based on their press release archive.
DJI Announces the new Mini 3 Pro Camera Drone with Rotating Camera
DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today introduces DJI Mini 3 Pro, its most powerful lightweight and portable camera drone.
My Gear List
I have written a few articles that mention the gear that I use, but I wanted to make simple list of the gear I use for different scenarios. My list includes cameras, tripods, lighting, lenses, backpacks, drones, and more.
DJI Mavic 3 vs. DJI Air 2S - Image Quality Tests, Comparison and Review
Well it’s finally here… the DJI Mavic 3! This announcement was exciting (if you’re a camera nerd like me) because it is the first time I’m aware of that we have a compact, foldable drone with a 4/3 sensor (17.3mm x 13mm). This size sensor was previously only available on a Zenmuse X5, which requires an Inspire to use. Ever since the Phantom 4 Pro was released in 2016 any drones smaller than an Inspire maxed out with a 1” sensor (13.2mm x 8.8mm).
Having a larger sensor should mean less noise and more detail. So naturally I wondered… does the new DJI Mavic 3 beat my previous compact favorite, the DJI Air 2S?
Autel Robotics Announces Evo Lite and Evo Nano Foldable Drones
Autel Robotics has announced their new Nano and Evo series of foldable drones to compete with DJI’s Mavic and Mavic Air series drones.
Pelican 1400 Protector Case - A Customizable Waterproof Case for DJI Mavic Series Drones
A review of the Pelican 1400 Protector Case, which is a waterproof hard case perfectly sized for the DJI Mavic series of drones.
DJI Air 2S Review: Has DJI Finally Created a Superior Successor to the Phantom 4 Pro??
DJI has released the “DJI Air 2S” as the latest drone in the Mavic series. It has the same size sensor and photo resolution as the Mavic 2 Pro and the Phantom 4 Pro with 4K video @ 60fps or 5.4K video @ 30fps. Has DJI finally released a travel-sized drone that can replace my 4-year-old Phantom 4 Pro???
Is the DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo a Good Value vs. the Basic Package?
If you are going to purchase the new DJI Air 2S, which is the same size and shape as the Mavic Air 2 but with a camera sensor as big as a Mavic 2 Pro’s, you will probably encounter the “Fly More Combo” option. This expanded set is available on DJI’s website and Amazon.com. I thought I would break down the cost of the accessories included in the combo so others could decide if they need or want to spend the extra money.
DJI Officially Unveils the DJI Air 2S (Previously Known on Rumor Sites as the Mavic Air 2S)
DJI today has officially announced the DJI Air 2S, an updated version of the Mavic Air 2. It is the same compact size as the Mavic Air 2, and is only slightly heavier (595g vs 570g).
I am thrilled to see they upgraded the camera sensor size to 1-inch like the Phantom 4 Pro and the Mavic 2 Pro. It actually shoots higher resolution video than any of their other sub-$2,000 drones, using every pixel of the sensor to shoot 5.4K video! Barring the much larger, heavier, more expensive professional/enterprise drones like the Inspire 2 and Matrice series, this drone looks to be their new flagship (for now).
How to Take the Free FAA Part 107 Recurrent Exam Released in April 2021
After a few minor delays, the FAA Part 107 free online recurrent exam is now available. It includes a few questions about new regulations for possibilities like Remote ID, flying over people, and flying at night.
I originally got my FAA Remote Pilot Certificate in 2017, and took the recurrent exam in 2019. Both of those tests cost around $150 and had to be done at an FAA-authorized testing center. Fortunately for us drone pilots the new recurrent training & testing is all free, and can be done from the comfort of home!
DJI Releases the New "DJI FPV" - A First-Person View Drone Capable of 87 mph Flight
DJI, the global leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, today launched an entirely new type of drone with an intuitive, immersive flight experience never available until now.
Megapixels vs. Sensor Size: Can the Mavic Air 2 Beat the Phantom 4 Pro?
I got ahold of a Mavic Air 2, and I just had to know how its higher resolution images compared to the 20 megapixel Phantom 4 Pro and its 13.2 x 8.8mm sensor. If the sensor sizes were the same, I would expect the sensor with more pixels to be the winner. But how do they compare when the higher resolution photos are from a much smaller sensor (6.4 x 4.8mm)? Let’s take a look.
DJI Announces the 48-megapixel Mavic Air 2
“Created to make capturing unique, high-quality content from the air simple, fun, and safe, Mavic Air 2 offers flagship capabilities in a compact and easy to use folding drone that features 8K functionality. A larger 1/2” camera sensor offers high-resolution photos and videos to make content stand out, while advanced programmed flight modes, intelligent features and imaging technology make capturing professional-looking content effortless. Pilots can now stay in the sky longer with an enhanced maximum flight time, capture vivid imagery with completely revamped autonomous capabilities, and wholly transform their content with in-app editing features.”
DJI Drone Sensor Size Comparison Page
There are many drones & cameras available from DJI with minor or major differences in sensor size, photo resolution, video resolution, and video format. I thought it would be handy to have a page with specifications and significant differences laid out clearly in order to make comparison easy.