Reinis Kaspars's DJI Mavic 4 Pro Review

DJI · Drones · Reviewed by Reinis Kaspars · Published 2026-05-25

Rating 5/5Source quality 85/100Evidence 15Claims 13Q&A 7Pros 9Cons 5DronesIndependent creator

Based on a review by Reinis Kaspars (accessed 2026-05-25).

This page converts Reinis Kaspars's review of the DJI DJI Mavic 4 Pro into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.

Product Evidence hub pending. This is currently the only analysed source for this product. A full evidence hub becomes available once a second qualifying source is processed.

Source verdict

The reviewer enthusiastically concludes that the DJI Mavic 4 Pro is a "crazy impressive drone" with "amazing" image quality, rating it a "10 out of 10" and "A+". Despite acknowledging some negatives like its increased size, fixed aperture on telephoto lenses causing daytime exposure issues, and an unwanted auto-turn-on feature, the reviewer remains "totally happy" with the drone, asserting it is "definitely still 100% worth it."

About this source

The reviewer provides a comprehensive, year-long review of the DJI Mavic 4 Pro drone, comparing it extensively to previous Mavic models. The review covers various aspects, including image quality, 6K capabilities, low-light performance, telephoto camera improvements, and the Dlog vs. Dlog-M profiles. It also delves into hardware changes like size, weight, the updated RC2 remote, and battery life, alongside detailing specific frustrations with certain features.

Review notes

The Mavic 4 Pro is an exceptionally impressive drone, offering a significant upgrade in image quality and overall performance, easily surpassing its predecessor. Its 6K main camera allows for substantial cropping without noticeable quality loss, and its dynamic range permits the use of professional Sony a7S III power grades. While the 6X telephoto camera is now usable in most conditions, the telephoto cameras still lack adjustable aperture, limiting their versatility. If you prioritize outstanding cinematic image quality and robust flight performance in challenging conditions, this drone is highly recommended. However, if you require adjustable aperture across all lenses for precise control, you might need to wait for a future iteration.

What the reviewer liked

  • Exceptional 6K image quality on the main camera, allowing for 1.5-2x cropping without noticeable loss
  • Impressive dynamic range, comparable to Sony a7S III footage for grading
  • Excellent performance in harsh lighting conditions, with no banding or color shift on the horizon
  • Beautiful sun stars/flares emitted by light sources past F2, adding character to shots
  • 6X telephoto camera is now usable in most lighting conditions, a major improvement
  • Dual ISO feature enables good night shots where noise is nearly invisible after applying contrast
  • New RC2 remote controller is snappier with better range due to physical antennas
  • Increased weight and size make hand launches and catches safer and easier, particularly in hostile environments
  • Noticeable battery improvement, providing 20-30% longer flight times

What the reviewer criticised

  • Main camera's focal length changed to 28mm instead of 24mm, which the reviewer dislikes
  • Telephoto cameras lack adjustable aperture, limiting creative control
  • Noise on telephoto cameras appears more "mushy" and "digital" compared to the main camera's grain-like noise
  • Dlog-M is sharper and looks more digital than Dlog, and requires Auto ISO, which can cause exposure shifts during filming
  • Increased size and weight (over 1kg) makes the drone less portable and harder to fit in smaller bags

Structured claims

The Mavic 4 Pro's 6K resolution provides substantial flexibility for cropping footage, allowing for up to 1.5x or 2x zoom without a noticeable degradation in image quality.

reviewer_claimmoderate

The Mavic 4 Pro delivers an image quality that is notably superior to the Mavic 3 Pro, which felt sharper and more digital by comparison.

comparison_claimmoderate

The drone achieves a "perfect middle ground" in its image, combining softness and sharpness for a cinematic look, coupled with "really, really impressive" dynamic range that allows it to be color-graded similarly to footage from a Sony a7S III.

reviewer_claimstrong

The Mavic 4 Pro performs exceptionally well in challenging lighting conditions like harsh midday sun, eliminating issues such as banding and color shifts on the horizon that were problematic with the Mavic 3 Pro.

comparison_claimstrong

The Mavic 4 Pro produces "insane" and "beautiful" sun stars and flares when light sources pass F2, which significantly enhances the character of the footage, particularly in night scenes or when shooting against the sun.

reviewer_claimmoderate

The 6X telephoto camera on the Mavic 4 Pro has received "major improvements" and is now "actually usable in most lighting conditions," allowing for advanced post-processing like day-to-night grading.

reviewer_claimmoderate

The dual ISO feature allows the drone to capture "really good night shots" that appear fantastic, especially when combined with the star effect on lights. Noise, though present in raw clips, becomes "pretty much invisible" after applying contrast, yielding impressive low-light results.

reviewer_claimmoderate

Dlog-M, when used with Auto ISO, provides more dynamic range than Dlog, preserving more detail and reducing noise in shadows. However, it is disliked for its sharper, more digital look compared to Dlog's cinematic softness, and the Auto ISO requirement causes exposure shifts during certain movements.

comparison_claimstrong

The Mavic 4 Pro is "bigger, thicker, chunkier" and weighs over a kilogram, making it 20-25% larger than the Mavic 3 Pro. This increased size and weight negatively impacts its portability, often requiring a dedicated satchel for travel.

reviewer_claimmoderate

The new RC2 remote is a significant upgrade, being "a lot more snappier" and offering "really good range" due to its physical antennas, directly addressing the lagging, slow feedback, and poor range issues of the previous RC1 remote.

comparison_claimstrong

The Mavic 4 Pro demonstrates a "noticeable improvement" in battery life, estimated at 20-30% better than its predecessor. This improvement means that typically only two batteries are needed per shoot, compared to the three often required with the Mavic 3 Pro.

reviewer_claimmoderate

The fixed apertures on the telephoto cameras (which the reviewer believes are quite large) make it "impossible to expose properly when shooting 25 or 24 FPS" in bright daylight, even with an ND64 filter, necessitating slower shutter speeds for proper exposure.

reviewer_claimstrong

The feature that automatically powers on the drone when its arms are unfolded is a design choice the reviewer strongly dislikes, finding it inconvenient for simple tasks like swapping batteries without needing to fully activate the drone.

reviewer_claimmoderate

Evidence items

6K Video Cropping Flexibility

reviewer_claimpositivet=02:44–03:22

The 6K resolution encouraged the reviewer to crop images, sometimes up to 1.5x or 2x, without a noticeable loss in quality. They found this capability made editing and dynamic camera movements fun and effective.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicVRSc5s4I

Overall Image Quality Improvement

comparisonpositivet=03:26–03:38

The reviewer states the Mavic 4 Pro's image quality looks "so much better" than the Mavic 3 Pro, which they found to be sharper and more digital, lacking the cinematic character of the Mavic 2 Pro.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicVRSc5s4I

Balanced Cinematic Image and Dynamic Range

reviewer_claimpositivet=03:47–04:06

The Mavic 4 Pro achieves a "perfect middle ground" by being both soft and sharp, with "really, really impressive" dynamic range, contributing to a cinematic aesthetic.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicVRSc5s4I

Color Grading Compatibility with Sony a7S III

comparisonpositivet=04:07–04:47

The reviewer successfully uses the same power grades for their Sony a7S III on the Mavic 4 Pro's main camera footage. After exposure adjustment, the contrast makes the drone's footage "feel like a Sony a7S III in the air."

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicVRSc5s4I

Harsh Lighting Conditions Test

hands_on_demoneutralt=04:54–05:27

The reviewer tested the camera in "shitty lighting conditions" during the Africa Eco Race, comparing the Mavic 3 Pro and Mavic 4 Pro in the "exact same country, almost the same location, and the exact same lighting conditions" of harsh midday sun in the open desert with no clouds.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicVRSc5s4I

Mavic 4 Pro's Performance in Harsh Sun

comparisonpositivet=05:27–05:58

In harsh midday sun, the Mavic 4 Pro "absolutely shines," looking "so, so good, especially when looking at the horizon," successfully minimizing banding and color shifts commonly seen in previous models.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicVRSc5s4I

Mavic 3 Pro's Sky Banding Issue

comparisonnegativet=05:58–06:13

The reviewer noted that with the Mavic 3 Pro, shooting in similar harsh conditions often resulted in banding, color shifts, or a magenta tint on the horizon before the blue sky began, which they found consistently annoying.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicVRSc5s4I

Insane Sun Stars and Flares

visual_inspectionpositivet=06:17–06:50

The sun stars and flares are described as "insane." Light sources emit a "beautiful little flare" past F2, adding "such a character" to the camera, especially when shooting against the sun or night lights.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicVRSc5s4I

3X Telephoto Camera Performance

reviewer_claimneutralt=07:08–07:18

The reviewer states that the 3X telephoto camera has not significantly changed from the Mavic 3 Pro and is "kind of the same" in their opinion.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicVRSc5s4I

6X Telephoto Camera Major Improvements

reviewer_claimpositivet=07:18–07:44

The 6X telephoto camera has received "major improvements" and is now "actually usable in most lighting conditions," allowing for day-to-night grades on clips, which the reviewer previously thought impossible.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicVRSc5s4I

Main vs. Telephoto Camera Quality Differences

comparisonneutralt=07:46–08:12

The main camera remains "way, way better," offering 6K resolution compared to 4K on telephoto cameras. The telephoto cameras also have less dynamic range and produce "mushy, digital" noise, unlike the main camera's more "grain-like" noise.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicVRSc5s4I

Lack of Adjustable Aperture on Telephoto Cameras

reviewer_claimnegativet=08:14–08:34

The telephoto cameras lack adjustable aperture, which limits their versatility and discourages the reviewer from using them frequently, especially in certain lighting conditions.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicVRSc5s4I

Dual ISO for Night Shots

reviewer_claimpositivet=08:37–09:21

Dual ISO (stated by reviewer as a main camera feature) allows for "really good night shots" that look fantastic with the star effect on lights. Raw night clips appear noisy, but after applying contrast, the noise is "pretty much invisible," making the night footage "really, really impressive."

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicVRSc5s4I

Dlog-M for Enhanced Dynamic Range

measurement_testpositivet=09:47–10:20

Side-by-side comparisons confirmed that Dlog-M with auto ISO enabled offers more dynamic range than Dlog. This was observed by preserving more detail around the sun and showing less noise in shadows when shooting against the sun.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicVRSc5s4I

Dlog-M Auto ISO Exposure Changes

reviewer_claimnegativet=10:20–10:39

A significant drawback of Dlog-M is its reliance on Auto ISO, which causes noticeable exposure changes during movements like tilting up, making it problematic for certain shots.

Source location: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EicVRSc5s4I

Quick answers

  • How good is the Mavic 4 Pro's image quality overall? The reviewer rates the Mavic 4 Pro's image quality as "10 out of 10" and "A+", stating it looks "so much better" than the Mavic 3 Pro.
  • Does the 6K resolution offer practical benefits like cropping flexibility? Initially skeptical of 6K, the reviewer found it highly beneficial for cropping.
  • How does the Mavic 4 Pro perform in low-light and harsh lighting conditions? The Mavic 4 Pro "absolutely shines" in harsh midday sun, eliminating banding and color shifts on the horizon that plagued the Mavic 3 Pro.
  • Are the telephoto cameras useful on the Mavic 4 Pro, and do they have any limitations? While the 3X telephoto camera remains similar to its predecessor, the 6X telephoto has undergone "major improvements" and is "actually usable now in most lighting conditions," allowing for advanced grading.

Buyer questions answered

How good is the Mavic 4 Pro's image quality overall?

The reviewer rates the Mavic 4 Pro's image quality as "10 out of 10" and "A+", stating it looks "so much better" than the Mavic 3 Pro. It achieves a "perfect middle ground" of being both soft and sharp, with "really, really impressive" dynamic range, allowing for professional color grading similar to a Sony a7S III.

Does the 6K resolution offer practical benefits like cropping flexibility?

Initially skeptical of 6K, the reviewer found it highly beneficial for cropping. They could crop images up to 1.5x or even 2x without a noticeable difference in quality, which made editing and dynamic camera movements more flexible and enjoyable.

How does the Mavic 4 Pro perform in low-light and harsh lighting conditions?

The Mavic 4 Pro "absolutely shines" in harsh midday sun, eliminating banding and color shifts on the horizon that plagued the Mavic 3 Pro. Its dual ISO feature also allows for "really good night shots" where noise becomes "pretty much invisible" after grading, making low-light performance "really, really impressive."

Are the telephoto cameras useful on the Mavic 4 Pro, and do they have any limitations?

While the 3X telephoto camera remains similar to its predecessor, the 6X telephoto has undergone "major improvements" and is "actually usable now in most lighting conditions," allowing for advanced grading. However, a significant limitation is the lack of adjustable aperture on all telephoto cameras, which makes proper exposure "impossible" in bright daylight when shooting at standard frame rates, even with ND filters.

How does the Mavic 4 Pro's size, weight, and remote controller compare to previous models?

The Mavic 4 Pro is "bigger, thicker, chunkier" and weighs over a kilogram, feeling 20-25% larger than the Mavic 3 Pro, which impacts its portability. Conversely, the new RC2 remote is "really great," "a lot more snappier," and offers "really good range" due to its physical antennas, directly addressing the lagging and poor range issues of the previous RC1.

Is the battery life improved on the Mavic 4 Pro, and how many batteries are typically needed?

The battery life shows a "noticeable improvement," estimated at 20-30% better than the Mavic 3 Pro. The reviewer found that while the Mavic 3 Pro often required all three Fly More Combo batteries, the Mavic 4 Pro rarely consumed more than two batteries per shoot, suggesting two are generally sufficient for most needs.

Are there any inconvenient design features on the Mavic 4 Pro?

The reviewer "hate hate[s]" the new feature where the drone automatically turns on once its arms are unfolded. They find this inconvenient because often they just want to swap batteries without fully powering on the drone, which disrupts their workflow for charging or quick battery changes.

Specs mentioned in this review

Dlog-M for Enhanced Dynamic Range
Side-by-side comparisons confirmed that Dlog-M with auto ISO enabled offers more dynamic range than Dlog

Not covered in depth by this source

  • Not covered: Ride Feel
  • Not covered: Durability
  • Not covered: Traction
  • Not covered: Value
  • Not covered: Breathability

Why this source is included

85/100 source quality

  • ✓ Independent of the brand
  • ✓ Hands-on demonstration
  • ✓ Specific testing or measurements
  • ✓ Clear sponsorship / relationship disclosure

Transcript summary

This review offers an in-depth look at the DJI Mavic 4 Pro after a year of ownership, drawing comparisons to older Mavic models. The reviewer praises the drone's significantly improved image quality, highlighting its 6K resolution for flexible cropping and its superior dynamic range in various lighting conditions. Notable improvements include enhanced low-light capabilities via dual ISO and the usability of the 6X telephoto camera. While the new RC2 remote is a positive upgrade, the reviewer expresses frustration over the drone's increased size and weight, fixed aperture on telephoto lenses making ND filter use challenging, and an inconvenient auto-on feature upon unfolding.

Full transcript is not redistributed here to respect the original creator’s rights.

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