DJI has struck a major blow. After months of waiting since the Mavic 3 Pro, the Chinese giant is back with the Mavic 4 Pro , a technological monster designed to push the boundaries of aerial photography. A formidable triple sensor, a 360° rotating gimbal, and record-breaking battery life: on paper, everything sounds outrageous. But what about once you're in the air?
To find out for sure, we took the Mavic 4 Pro on a real odyssey: from the cliffs of Étretat to the colorful streets of Lisbon, passing by the snow-capped peaks of the Alps. From the first takeoffs, the feeling is clear, this drone is not piloted, it is lived . Each shot becomes a movie scene, each movement a perfectly choreographed aerial ballet.
In this comprehensive review, we take a look at its real-world performance, advanced settings, intelligent piloting aids , and the little details that make all the difference in flight. Ready to find out if the Mavic 4 Pro is the ultimate companion for demanding videographers? Join us in this full-scale test.
The drone has a 3-lens .
A great flight experience. Professional images.
In short, yes, all this comes at a price.
Table of Contents
A design that commands respect
Right out of the box, the Mavic 4 Pro commands respect. You can immediately tell that DJI wanted to take things to the next level: this drone has gained volume, muscle, and almost character. Weighing in at 1060g, it now exceeds the symbolic kilo, a hundred grams more than the Mavic 3 Pro. The dimensions have also grown by 1 to 2 cm on each axis, and once deployed, its wingspan is close to 40 cm between the front arms. On the ground, this is quickly noticeable: in certain improvised takeoff zones, particularly on the cliffs of Étretat, you sometimes have to juggle space for a clean takeoff.
This size gain keeps it in category C2 of European regulations, with all that this implies: mandatory registration on Alpha Tango, A1/A3 multiple choice tests to validate, and a minimum distance of 150 meters from residential areas without a remote pilot's license. A point not to be overlooked before embarking on a purchase.
Visually, the Mavic 4 Pro exudes a completely different presence. The design has become sharper and more aerodynamic, with a massive gimbal now occupying the entire front of the aircraft. The classic curves of the old Mavics have given way to a confident, almost intimidating look that exudes raw power. After a few flights above the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, this impression is confirmed: the drone inspires confidence. Its structural rigidity and stability in the wind are exemplary, even if DJI still has a small recurring flaw: the gimbal protection system, which is still a bit capricious. The shell requires firm pressure to clip properly, a detail that can cause some teeth to grind in the field.
A pleasant surprise, however, is that the arm deployment has been redesigned. There's no longer any need to follow a specific order; everything folds and unfolds naturally. And the icing on the cake is that the drone can now automatically turn on as soon as the fourth arm is deployed (an option that can be disabled in the settings). A welcome time saver, even if the automatic activation still needed improvement during our tests.
Impressive flight performance
The Mavic 4 Pro doesn't just fly: it soars. In Sport mode, it easily reaches 82 km/h , with peaks approaching 90 km/h depending on conditions, a level that approaches the performance of an FPV drone like the DJI Avata 2. Even in Normal mode, the 65 km/h offers a comfortable power reserve, while Cine mode, limited to 10 km/h, ensures perfect fluidity for cinematic shots.
From the very first takeoffs above the cliffs of Étretat, this nervousness is impressive. Accelerations are sharp, changes of direction instantaneous. You feel total control of the drone, as if each movement responds to the slightest impulse of the sticks. But at these speeds, it's better to stay focused: obstacles arrive faster than you think, and the margins for error shrink before your eyes.
Game-changing autonomy
DJI advertises a flight time of 51 minutes . In reality, it's more like 35 to 40 minutes , once you factor in the necessary safety margin. This figure remains impressive: during our comparative tests with the Air 3S (announced at 45 minutes), the Mavic 4 Pro still had 29% battery life while its rival fell to 15%. Over several consecutive sessions, this represents up to a 15-minute lead , a significant gap in the field.
This extra endurance completely transforms the experience. You no longer have to constantly monitor the gauge; you can calmly prepare your shots. It's a mental comfort that changes everything, especially when filming at altitude in the Alps, where every minute counts. With its 94 Wh battery (compared to 77 Wh on the Mavic 3 Pro), the drone delivers on its promises without flinching.
The new 240W charging hub is also a success. It can recharge three batteries simultaneously in 1.5 hours , or a single battery in 50 minutes . For professionals on the go or creators shooting back-to-back photos, this is a major logistical asset.
Transmission and connectivity: OcuSync 4+
OcuSync 4+ technology here , capable of transmitting up to 30 km in FCC (15 km in Europe) . Beyond the numbers, it's the signal stability that impresses. During our tests in mountainous areas, we deliberately hid the remote control behind rocks to create a disturbance. The result speaks for itself: the Mavic 4 Pro retained 3 out of 5 signal bars , while the Air 3S dropped to just one.
The 10-bit HD video transmission on the remote control is exceptionally sharp. Even in Lisbon's narrow streets, lined with tightly packed buildings, the image remains fluid, without any noticeable cuts or latency. It's simply one of the most reliable systems on the market today.
Wind resistance
Announced to withstand winds of 12 m/s (43 km/h) , the Mavic 4 Pro takes it without flinching. During our flights at the top of the Alps, with gusts of 35-40 km/h , the drone remained unfazed. The optical and mechanical stabilization works wonders: no visible vibration, no sudden deviation. Its slightly increased mass and optimized aerodynamic profile give it a reassuring footing, even when the weather deteriorates. The result: a stable, precise and controlled flight, whatever the conditions.
Obstacle Detection: Progress and Frustrations
Flying the Mavic 4 Pro in an alpine forest at dusk is a mixture of excitement and awe. The sensors have been completely redesigned: DJI has swapped the classic directional modules for a 360° vision . The domed lenses scan the front, back, and sides, reducing the number of sensors from eight to six while covering more space. On the ground, the difference is immediately felt: you feel freer to maneuver, even between tight trunks or low branches.
The real highlight is the LiDAR sensor on the right front landing gear. During a flight barely lit by a half-moon, it detects obstacles invisible to human eyes and conventional sensors. Every branch, every invisible wire materializes in the video feedback, allowing you to fly between the trees without fear. DJI announces that the system detects objects 2 cm thick , and in our tests, it was almost magical: the drone glided like a cat between the trunks and branches, never a scratch.
The experience remains palpable, however: the system warns, but does not replace the pilot's vigilance. The avoidance modes, whether automatic avoidance or emergency stop , react with precision and speed, but in very dense undergrowth, every movement must be anticipated. We then feel the power of the technology and the responsibility that comes with it. Being at the controls of the Mavic 4 Pro is a bit like walking on a wire: serenity thanks to the sensors, adrenaline thanks to the speed and the passing landscapes.
The problem of false positives
Even the most advanced technology has its limits. On the Mavic 4 Pro, the new 360° sensors are no exception. In mid-flight, as the sun sinks behind the snow-capped Alps or glides across the rooftops of Lisbon, its curved lenses capture light reflections that trigger false positives . As a result, the drone stops abruptly, as if in a moment of caution, even though there are no obstacles in sight.
During our tests, these incidents multiplied, especially during rapid lateral movements. You can almost feel the pilot's frustration: the Mavic brakes abruptly, suspended in the air, as if convinced it has brushed against an imaginary tree. The temporary solution is to switch to Sport mode , which deactivates the sensors and allows the flight to continue, but at the cost of safety.
It's an irritating detail on a device of this size, and it contrasts with the fluidity and precision of the rest of the experience. It's understandable that DJI will need to refine its algorithms and firmware updates to eliminate these phantom hesitations. In the meantime, piloting the Mavic 4 Pro requires a subtle blend of boldness and vigilance, especially when the light plays tricks on the landscape.
Intelligent RTH and dynamic return
The Return to Home feature is finally intuitive and adaptable. During takeoff, the drone automatically memorizes the trajectory it flew, allowing it to return by the exact same route. This is a valuable feature when taking off under a roof, between branches, or behind a rocky overhang on the cliffs of Étretat. Even without GPS, the visual sensors take over to guide the aircraft safely.
The real innovation comes with the RC Pro 2 remote control and its Dynamic Home Point. The drone no longer systematically returns to the takeoff point, but follows the position of the remote control in real time. In the field, this completely changes the game: whether you're in a car along the Portuguese coast, on a boat gliding between coves, or following a skier descending the Alpine slopes, the Mavic dynamically adjusts its return. No more wasting battery power to return to a point now several kilometers away. Freedom of flight takes on its full meaning here, while maintaining maximum safety.
The revolutionary 360° nacelle
The Mavic 4 Pro is arguably the drone's most spectacular innovation. It can rotate 380° on the roll axis , a first for DJI on a consumer drone, offering almost unlimited creative possibilities. Flying over the cliffs of Étretat or the winding streets of Lisbon, you can experience dynamic inclined planes, original transitions, and even FPV-type effects, without the constraints of a racing drone.
The upward tilt also progresses: 70° compared to 35° on the Mavic 3 Pro , combined with a downward tilt of 90°, allowing for impressive inspection shots. Filming a high antenna, a bridge or an architectural structure becomes a fluid and natural operation, which no longer requires acrobatic gymnastics to find the right angle.
Physical portrait mode is another major advancement. The gimbal actually tilts 90° to film vertically, utilizing the full height of the sensor without cropping. For social media content creators, this is a definite plus. The RC Pro 2 remote controller follows the movement and also automatically pivots vertically, synchronizing the drone for smooth and intuitive control.
But this freedom has its limits. In physical portrait mode, vertical tilt is drastically reduced, from -10° to +10°, which restricts large vertical movements or spectacular reveals. Flight speed is also limited, as the gimbal cannot stabilize the image properly at high speeds. To expand the vertical range, you have to switch to the second vertical mode: a simple recording format that uses the height of the sensor without physically rotating the gimbal. You lose a little image width, but freedom of movement is maintained, a compromise to be aware of.
Finally, when the gimbal is tilted sideways, up/down movements are affected. You quickly find yourself limited to about ten degrees of amplitude. In the field, understanding these constraints is essential to effectively operate the system and make the most of the possibilities offered by this revolutionary gimbal.
The triple camera system: finally coherent
Mavic 4 Pro 's triple camera system marks a real turning point for DJI. The main sensor remains a 4/3 developed with Hasselblad, but everything changes. With its 100 megapixels , it crushes the 20 MP of the Mavic 3 Pro, offering exceptional photo definition. In video, the resolution increases to 6K 50 fps , and slow motion in 4K 120 fps becomes possible, even if the crop is noticeable in this mode. The variable aperture also progresses, from f/2 to f/11, offering more flexibility in low light, even if DJI recommends staying at f/2.8 for optimal sharpness, a small practical detail indicated by a star in the interface.
The focal length of the main sensor increases from 24 mm to 28 mm. In the field, above the Garabit viaduct or on the Alpine peaks, this tighter framing comes closer to human vision and produces more natural, less “fisheye” compositions. But it is especially in low light that the sensor reveals its full potential. The dynamic range announced at 16 stops (more like 13-14 in reality) accurately captures the nuances of sunsets, stormy skies and backlighting, with ISOs going up to 6400 in D-Log while maintaining a clean image. During our twilight flights, sharpness remained remarkable despite the fading light, and details in both highlights and shadows were preserved, a notable improvement compared to the Mavic 3 Pro and Air 3S, even if to the untrained eye, the difference remains subtle. The only irregularity noted: a slight variation in exposure on the clouds in automatic mode, which can create unsightly jumps in the image. To be continued in future updates.
Telephoto lenses, finally usable, make the Mavic 4 Pro shine. The 70mm retains its 1/1.3″ sensor and f/2.8 aperture, but now films in pure D-Log, offering superior dynamic range and more precise calibrations. The 168mm, meanwhile, benefits from a new 50-megapixel 1/1.5″ sensor , f/2.8 aperture and access to full D-Log. In the field, filming the summit of Puy de Dôme from several kilometers away becomes a reality, with a sharp image, low noise and effective stabilization. This long focal length opens up fascinating creative possibilities: compression of depth of field, isolation of distant subjects like climbers or architectural details, and impressive parallax effects. We finally have a true professional telephoto lens in a foldable drone.
The big step forward is the consistency between the three cameras . They now share the same color profiles, frame rates, and harmonized apertures. Shots shot with different focal lengths blend naturally, making edits smooth and seamless—a major problem with the Mavic 3 Pro that has now been resolved. The only notable compromise is the abandonment of ProRes. The Creator Combo version, with 512 GB of internal storage, offers All-Intra encoding in H.264, frame by frame, 10-bit 4:2:2, and a bit rate of 1200 Mbps. The quality is exceptional, but the files are enormous: 9 GB for a minute of rush. For the majority of users, classic H.265 remains more than sufficient, with a file of around 1 GB per minute, while maintaining remarkable quality and optimal software compatibility.
Image quality: real-life comparisons
In broad daylight, distinguishing the Mavic 4 Pro from its predecessor or the Air 3S is nearly impossible for the untrained eye. In our blind comparison tests, few were able to spot the difference. 6K brings a slight increase in definition perceptible only by zooming or pausing the image. For 95% of viewers, the rendering remains indistinguishable. The Air 3S, with its 1″ sensor in 4K, produces magnificent images, sharp and faithful in color. The gain in cropping offered by the Mavic 4 Pro, however, comes at the cost of an increased workload in post-production, often requiring proxies for editing.
It's in low light that the main sensor really comes into its own. At dusk or during blue hour, the extended dynamic range recovers more detail in shadows and highlights, and noise remains contained up to ISO 3200, or even 6400 in D-Log with correct exposure. During our flights above the Garabit viaduct or the Alpine peaks at dusk, the Mavic 4 Pro's images appear brighter and more detailed than those of the Air 3S. The difference is subtle, but real, and it is particularly noticeable for professionals who regularly work during golden hour or blue hour, where every nuance counts.
Telephoto lenses also benefit from this improvement, although they show their limitations more quickly. At ISO 3200, the 168mm begins to show noise, but getting usable images with such a focal length in these conditions is still an impressive performance.
As for photography, the main sensor's 100 MP mode uses pixel binning to extrapolate resolution. Compared to the native 25 MP mode, the gain is modest: around 10% more precision for files four times larger. The native 25 MP is already of excellent quality, superior to the Air 3S and the Mavic 3 Pro for most situations. It will be sufficient for the majority of uses, with the 100 MP being particularly useful for extreme cropping or large-format prints. On the telephoto lenses, pixel binning provides contrasting results: the 70 mm gains in sharpness, while the 168 mm shows a marginal improvement, useful but to be evaluated according to needs.
Flight modes and intelligent features
The Active Track is significantly more precise and responsive than before. As soon as you press the C1 button on the remote controller, the drone automatically identifies the nearest subject and begins tracking it, without having to manually frame it on the screen. During our tests above the Alpine slopes, it followed a hiker on a steep path from 50 meters away, and a vehicle moving on a coastal road from 200 meters away, always with a smooth and natural trajectory. A fun new feature: bird and paraglider recognition. We tested a paraglider flying over the Puy de Dôme, and the drone identified and tracked it correctly, even at a great distance. Spectacular, even if this kind of shot will remain occasional.
The tracking interface has become more sophisticated. A mini-map indicates the drone's relative position to the subject, with two concentric circles allowing you to adjust the tracking distance. The drone can orbit, position itself in front of, behind, or to the side, and adjust its trajectory in real time according to the speed and height of the subject. The settings allow you to differentiate between tracking people and vehicles, and even lower the drone to ground level for unique shots. The only notable limitation remains vertical mode, where only the Spotlight is active; full auto-tracking is not yet available in this orientation, but we imagine DJI will correct this in a future update.
All the classic automatic modes are present and fluid: QuickShots, MasterShots, Hyperlapse with automatic interval calculation. An interesting new feature uses the rotation of the gimbal to create shots with a progressive tilt of the horizon, perfect for spectacular transitions or sequence conclusions. During our tests above the cliffs of Étretat and the Mediterranean coast, the effect was striking, giving a cinematic dimension to shots that would otherwise be static. The Hyperlapse mode takes full advantage of the main sensor in 25 or 100 MP, producing timelapses of exceptional clarity, directly usable from the drone, although purists will prefer to recover the RAW for finer editing. A small downside remains the Spotlight mode, which sometimes seems to struggle to fix a GPS point on distant objects, a defect that we had noticed on the Mavic 3 Pro, corrected at the time, and which resurfaces here.
Waypoints mode confirms the Mavic 4 Pro's professional vocation. Programming a precise route, with automatic actions such as photos, videos, or rotations, and repeating it identically becomes simple and quick. During our aerial inspections of wind turbines and Alpine bridges, the drone executed its trajectories with remarkable precision. The increased inclination of the gimbal, now +70°, makes the work comfortable: filming the underside of a bridge or the top of an antenna no longer requires risky acrobatic maneuvers. We feel a real fluidity in piloting, a feeling of total control, while fully exploiting the power of the sensors and the camera.
The RC Pro 2 remote control: a giant screen
The RC Pro 2 immediately catches your eye as soon as you take it out of its case. With its 7-inch mini-LED screen and 2000 nits of brightness, visibility remains perfect even in the full Mediterranean July sun, where other radio controllers become illegible. In the field, this gigantic screen changes the way you fly: you can finely appreciate the composition, check the focus precisely, and gauge the exposure without guessing. The deployment mechanism is ingenious: the screen automatically lifts up and reveals the joysticks, which retract when closing the screen, simplifying storage and deployment in a few seconds.
The screen tilt is generous: almost horizontal for comfortable reading facing you, or completely vertical to follow the drone in portrait mode, which the device automatically tilts thanks to the 90° pivot. For vertical content creators, this is unprecedented comfort, allowing you to frame exactly what you are filming without approximation. The center of gravity, slightly offset to the front, requires some adaptation time: the remote control pulls a little backward when held in one hand, but the benefit of the giant screen quickly compensates for this small ergonomic constraint.
In terms of connectivity, everything has been thought of: microSD port for screenshots and caches, USB-C and finally a standard HDMI to connect an external monitor, practical for live broadcasts or client viewing. The antennas fold downwards and also serve as a support for placing the remote control. The new features are appreciable: 128 GB of internal storage to transfer rushes via Quick Transfer without turning on the drone, integrated microphone with noise reduction to record audio commentary in flight, correct in standard use, excellent if you connect a DJI Mic 2 via Bluetooth. The additional wheel makes it easier to adjust ISO, speed, aperture or EV: a simple turn to change the value, a press to move to the next parameter, much faster and more precise than a classic joystick.
The advertised autonomy of 4 hours translates in the field to 3 to 3.5 hours in intensive use, screen at full blast and multiple flights, more than enough for a day of filming with a recharge break at midday.
Finally, the Dynamic Home Point radically transforms piloting. Traditionally, the Return to Home feature brings the drone back to the takeoff point, which is problematic when traveling by car or on a boat. With this feature exclusive to the RC Pro 2, the drone follows the GPS position of the remote control in real time and returns directly to you, wherever you are. During our tests by the sea and on the winding roads of the Alps, the system proved reliable and practical, allowing you to follow moving subjects without worrying about the remaining distance to return to the starting point. A real revolution for vehicle tracking shots or filming in dynamic environments.
Noise and discretion: a pleasant surprise
With its one-kilogram weight and large propellers, one might expect an aggressive drone. But the Mavic 4 Pro has a pleasant surprise in store. From the very first flights over the Alpine valleys, we notice that the drone is discreet, much less so than its predecessors.
The sound level meter confirms a comparable noise level to the Mavic 3 Pro, but the acoustic signature is transformed. The new propellers and optimized aerodynamics produce a deeper, more muted sound, less nasal. In the field, this translates into less noise pollution: nearby conversations remain audible, whereas the Mavic 3 Pro completely drowned them out.
During our tests, at 17 meters with an external microphone, the drone remained clearly audible, but never intrusive. Of course, it's impossible to compete with the discretion of a Mini, but for a device of this size and power, the compromise between performance and noise is very satisfactory. This makes flying less stressful, especially in natural environments where respect for silence is important.
Mavic 4 Pro vs Air 3S: Which One to Choose?
The question that pilots constantly ask is: Is the Mavic 4 Pro really worth the extra €1,000 over the Air 3S ? To answer this question, we need to look at the actual differences and how it feels to fly.
In terms of performance, the Mavic 4 Pro proves faster and more durable. During our flights in the snowy Alps and along steep coastlines, it reached 90 km/h compared to 75 km/h for the Air 3S, with a real-world battery life that was 6 minutes longer. The transmission remains stable even behind obstacles, slightly better than that of the Air 3S, but the gap is not spectacular.
The camera marks a notable difference. The Mavic 4 Pro adds a 168mm telephoto lens missing from the Air 3S and upgrades the main sensor to 6K versus 4K, with a wider dynamic range in low light. In our twilight tests, images capture more detail in dark areas and contrasting skies. In daylight, however, the images are nearly identical between the two models.
Regulations are not neutral in this choice. The Air 3S remains light, 700g, in class C1, with few constraints. The Mavic 4 Pro crosses the kilo barrier and moves into C2: mandatory registration, respect for residential areas and passing the A1/A3 QCM. This is a point to seriously consider for flights in urban or populated areas.
Price plays a key role. In the basic package, the Air 3S costs €1,100 compared to €2,100 for the Mavic 4 Pro; in the Fly More package, the gap climbs to €1,600 vs. €2,700. A massive difference that must be justified by usage and additional features.
Our recommendation
Choose the Air 3S if you're a hobbyist or occasional creator, if the C2 regulations would be an issue for you, if the extreme telephoto lens isn't essential, or if you prioritize value for money and compactness for transport.
Choose the Mavic 4 Pro if you are a professional with multiple daily tasks, if you often work in low light, if the 168mm telephoto lens offers real creative opportunities, if the additional battery life justifies the investment over time, if you have BAPD and if budget is not your main constraint.
The reality is simple: for 95% of users, the Air 3S is more than enough. The difference in image quality doesn't justify €1,000 for occasional recreational or semi-professional use. The Mavic 4 Pro is clearly aimed at professionals who will make the investment worthwhile thanks to its everyday comfort and expanded capabilities. For recreational users with a big budget and a desire for the best, go for it, but be aware that you're paying a premium for often subtle gains.
Prices and packages
The Mavic 4 Pro comes in three packs, each targeting different needs. The Standard pack, at €2,100, includes the drone with 64 GB of internal storage, the RC2 remote controller, and a battery. This is enough to get you started with the device, but in the field, the frustration of having only one battery quickly sets in, despite the advertised 40 minutes of battery life.
The Fly More Combo , at €2,700, seems like the best compromise. With the drone, the RC2, three batteries, the 240W charging hub, the bag, and spare propellers, it allows for continuous flights without interruption and allows you to fully exploit the drone's power and flexibility. In the field, being able to swap batteries in seconds transforms the flying experience and filming sessions.
For professionals, the Creator Combo offers the drone with 512 GB of internal storage and All-Intra enabled, the RC Pro 2 with its 7-inch screen, three batteries, the 240W charging hub, the bag, and various accessories. A package designed for demanding filming and very high-quality content, but whose price fully justifies the investment only for those who regularly use All-Intra formats and the advanced functions of the remote control.
One small drawback for all packs: no ND filters are included, even in the Creator Combo. You'll have to buy them separately; an ND8/16/32/64 kit is available from DJI and most retailers. In the field, for HDR videos or in bright sunlight, these filters quickly become indispensable, and their absence can limit creativity if you don't think about it.
✔ Exceptional image quality: The best sensor ever seen on a compact drone (dynamic range, low light, sharpness).
✔ 168mm telephoto lens transformed: From gadget to professional tool (usable quality, spectacular depth of field compression).
✔ Record autonomy: 38-40 minutes of actual flight. Psychological comfort that transforms the experience.
✔ Flight performance: Impressive speed (90 km/h), excellent wind resistance, precise handling.
✔ Remarkable RC Pro 2: Bright, swiveling 7″ display with 128GB storage and Dynamic Home Point.
✔ Fast charging: 240W hub that charges 3 batteries in 1.5 hours. Essential for intensive tours.
✔ LiDAR and 360° detection: Enhanced safety in low light, intelligent RTH that memorizes the path.
✔ OcuSync 4+ Transmission: More stable signal with obstacles, flawless 10-bit HD streaming.
✔ Versatile Gimbal: +70° tilt for inspections, 360° swivel for creativity, physical portrait mode.
✔ Acceptable noise level: More discreet than expected for its size, less aggressive acoustic signature.
✖ False positives from sensors: Sun reflections causing ghost detections. Frustrating in real-life situations.
✖ Limited Vertical Mode: Tilt reduced to ±10° in physical portrait. Speed limited in this mode.
✖ 28mm focal length: Tighter than the usual 24mm. A welcome change, but one that will be divisive.
✖ Restrictive Class C2: More than 1 kg = stricter regulations. 150 m from homes without BAPD.
✖ No ProRes/ProRes RAW: All-Intra H.264 replaces ProRes Cine. Large files, variable compatibility.
✖ High price: €2,100 for the entry-level model, €3,500 for the Creator Combo. A significant investment.
✖ No C5 class: Still no parachute kit + circuit breaker for professionals in a specific category.
✖ Nacelle protection could be improved: Shell difficult to clip, risk in the event of a crash (nacelle exposed).
✖ Weight and size: Heavier, bulkier. Standard take-off mats become just right.
✖ Active Track not in vertical: Automatic tracking only works in horizontal mode. Spotlight only in portrait.
✖ Capricious spotlight: Difficulty fixing a GPS point on distant objects (fault already seen on the Mavic 3 Pro).
✖ No ND filters included: Even premium packs don't include them. You must purchase a splitter.
Our final verdict
After weeks of flying the Mavic 4 Pro across snowy Alpine landscapes, Mediterranean cliffs, and even winding coastal trails, it's time to decide. Who is this drone for? Primarily for aerial photography professionals , certified remote pilots, and discerning creators with a substantial budget .
Its strong points are striking from the first flights: reference image quality , perfect coherence of the triple camera system , autonomy which transforms the flight experience and the RC Pro 2 , a true portable cockpit offering comfort and ultimate control.
There are still some flaws, but they are tolerable: false positives from the sensors, the limited vertical mode, the high price , and belonging to the C2 class . Nothing prohibitive, just compromises that DJI fully accepts.
The Mavic 4 Pro isn't a spectacular revolution, but a controlled evolution . It methodically corrects the frustrations of the Mavic 3 Pro: finally usable telephoto lenses, camera consistency across all focal lengths, increased battery life, and a redesigned remote control to make piloting more intuitive and enjoyable.
Is this the best consumer drone of 2025 ? Undeniably. But is it the right one for you? It all depends on your profile and your usage. For a professional charging between €500 and €1,500 per day of filming , the investment quickly pays for itself. For an enthusiast who takes their drone out one weekend a month, the question deserves reflection.
DJI is consolidating its dominance, and the Mavic 4 Pro is becoming the benchmark for those seeking the best compromise between quality, versatility, and portability . It's a complete professional tool , not a mere toy. If your budget and needs justify it, you won't be disappointed.
A word of caution: Be sure to check your country's regulatory requirements before purchasing. A Class C2 requires training (A1/A3 minimum, BAPD recommended), registration, and strict adherence to the 150-meter distance from populated areas. These requirements may limit your flight options depending on where you're flying.
Where to buy? The DJI Mavic 4 Pro is available from authorized DJI resellers and online, with all three bundles (Standard, Fly More Combo, Creator Combo), all with the manufacturer's warranty and the DJI Care Refresh option for protection against accidents.
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