Launch of the DJI Mavic 4 Pro!

Are you a professional looking for a drone with cinematic features for your next project?

The leaks surrounding the DJI Mavic 4 Pro have generated considerable interest, anticipating a drone with significant improvements that, in many cases, redefine professional aerial content production (in other cases, it’s more of a continuation, even taking a few steps back). It doesn’t seem to be just an evolution of the Mavic 3 Pro Cine, but a tool with a different philosophy, more aligned with current, multiplatform workflows. At our drone company, BeeDron Record, we closely follow every advance that transforms the way drones are filmed and operated in professional environments. We always strive to ensure our clients’ productions have the best tools at their disposal. That’s why we’re already preparing our fleet to incorporate this new generation for shoots in the Canary Islands, Spain and around the world.

What new features does the DJI Mavic 4 Pro bring to the audiovisual sector?

One of the most notable new features is the native 6K vertical recording, specifically designed for platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. This eliminates the need for cropping in post-production for multiplatform content. In a context where viewer attention is increasingly focused on mobile and vertical content, we see this as a decisive advantage for digital advertising projects or those focused on social media, although not all professional profiles will consider it an immediate priority. In the Mavic 3 Pro, we already had framing assistants that allowed us to adjust to the 9:16 format to capture images on set with the right framing for the intended platform. The DJI RC Pro 2 controller features practical improvements, including a 7-inch touchscreen (tiltable) and the much-awaited full-size HDMI output. This replaces the previous mini HDMI and offers a more robust and reliable connection to external monitors, aligning with the needs of operators and DOPs. This is especially important as the continuous use of the mini HDMI port often caused connector breakages and required always carrying multiple mini HDMI adapters for these unforeseen issues on set.

6K recording, electronic ND filter, new telephoto lenses and higher effective quality.

Another improvement is the electronic ND filter, which allows you to adjust the exposure instantly from ND4 to ND64 directly from the controller and in flight, without needing to land. We’ll have to assess how this improvement affects the final image and its real impact will depend on the shooting style. In the optics and sensors department, it features new telephoto lenses and larger sensors: 70 mm (48 MP) and 145 mm (50 MP). These offer a significantly higher resolution compared to the 12 MP telephoto lens of the Mavic 3 Pro, resulting in greater quality for close-up and long-distance shots, useful for advertising, tourism or events that demand detail. The estimated real flight time is improved, reaching around 38 to 45 minutes of effective flight per battery in real conditions, up from the 30–35 minutes estimated for the Mavic 3 Pro. This means more operational time and fewer interruptions for battery changes.

Additionally, the Mavic 4 Pro introduces significant workflow changes that require adaptation:

Farewell to Apple ProRes: The drone does not include support for Apple ProRes, which was present in the Cine version of the Mavic 3 Pro. Instead, it uses the XAVC-I 4:2:2 High Profile codec. This professional codec, used in digital cinema, offers lighter files and smoother editing, but for those who use ProRes as standard or due to client requirements, it will necessitate restructuring part of the post-production pipeline.
Reduction of internal SSD from 1 TB to 512 GB: Unlike the Mavic 3 Pro Cine, the Mavic 4 Pro only offers 512 GB of internal memory. While this may be sufficient for many with good external card management, it represents a logistical step backwards in high-volume shoots.

Other features include omnidirectional obstacle detection plus front LiDAR. While this improves detection, in audiovisual productions these sensors are often deactivated for greater creative freedom, limiting their impact on demanding shoots.

The weight of 1,063g for the Mavic 4 Pro compared to the 958g of the Mavic 3 Pro is also a step backwards. With stricter legislation, this trend does not favour the use of drones on set.

Mavic 4 Pro vs Mavic 3 Pro Cine: Technical comparison

Feature	DJI Mavic 4 Pro	DJI Mavic 3 Pro Cine
Max video resolution	6K/60 fps (including vertical)	5.1K/50 fps
Social formats	Native 6K vertical recording	Requires cropping or post-production
Main sensor	CMOS 4/3 – 100 MP	CMOS 4/3 – 20 MP
Telephoto lenses	24 mm (100 MP), 70 mm (48 MP), 145 mm (50 MP)	70 mm (48 MP) and 166 mm (12 MP)
ND filters	Electronic, instantly adjustable	Mechanical (manual)
Estimated real flight time	35–40 minutes per battery	30–35 minutes per battery
Controller	7” touchscreen + full HDMI	Smaller touchscreen + mini HDMI
Professional codec	XAVC-I High Profile 4:2:2 (no ProRes)	Apple ProRes included
Internal storage	512 GB	1 TB internal SSD
Obstacle detection	Omnidirectional + front LiDAR	Standard omnidirectional
Weight and portability	Similar, both portable	Similar, although the Cine includes more accessories
Estimated price	From $2,250 to $4,400 (depending on combo)	Around $4,799 (Cine Premium Combo)

Is it the future… or just a new direction?

In conclusion, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro is an advanced tool with significant technical improvements. However, the absence of Apple ProRes and the integrated SSD, along with the codec change, position it as a drone that requires careful consideration of whether it fits into existing professional workflows. It represents a new philosophy, more versatile and agile, but demands adaptation for those with well-established processes.