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Tom's Guide
6 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I gave the DJI Mavic 4 Pro 5 stars but you still can't buy it in the US — I'd recommend these 3 drones instead
The DJI Mavic 4 Pro made headlines when DJI first announced it in May just gone. I was one of the first people to review what I call the most powerful consumer drone yet, and I was floored by its 100MP Hasselblad camera, smooth 6K/60fps video, long flight time, and new RC Pro 2 controller. But the drone also made headlines for another reason... DJI announced that it wouldn't be making the Mavic 4 Pro available in the U.S. market upon its global launch. This didn't come as a surprise to many drone pilots who have been aware of talks of a DJI ban circulating for over a year, but that doesn't stop it from being an absolute bummer. The Mavic 4 Pro is a mind-blowing drone, and many users in the U.K., Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world have been lucky enough to fly or own it. But for Americans who can't get the drone (yet, that may change in the future), fret not. I'm a licensed drone pilot, and I test the best drones, and there are alternatives from DJI available. They may not all be as powerful as the Mavic 4 Pro, as that drone has set a new standard, but they're still extremely good. The first alternative on this list is, of course, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, the Mavic 4 Pro's predecessor. With the RC controller, it's priced similarly to the Mavic 4 Pro: it'll set you back by $2,199 / £2,367. While its successor captures 6K/60fps footage, the Mavic 3 Pro captures 5.1K/50fps, which is still fantastic and extremely smooth. It's got 10-bit D-Log M too to capture a wide dynamic range and 1.07 billion individual hues for more freedom in post-production and while color grading. Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance is also at play here, letting you fly with more confidence. The Mavic 3 Pro's flight time stands at 43 minutes (8 minutes fewer than the Mavic 4 Pro), so you can undertake long flights. With three cameras that capture detailed stills, 5.1K/50fps video, a three-axis mechanical gimbal for stabilizing footage, a long flight time, omnidirectional obstacle avoidance and other goodies, the DJI Mavic 3 Pro is a fantastic Mavic 4 Pro alternative. It's the drone that comes closest to DJI's latest creation. Similar to its successor, the Mavic 3 Pro utilizes three cameras (with a three-axis mechanical gimbal for stabilizing footage): 48MP Medium Tele, 20MP Hasselblad and 12MP Tele. It's excellent for any kind of landscape and nature shot, really. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The DJI Air 3S sits at the top of our best drones buying guide, and it's my favorite drone — I rarely go anywhere without it. Again, not as advanced as the DJI Mavic 4 Pr,o but I believe it's the next best thing. It's extremely easy to fly with either the RC-N3 or the RC-2 controller, and it captures stunning 4K/60fps footage, detailed RAW photos, and a wide dynamic range in D-Log M. Unlike the Mavic series, the Air 3S utilizes two cameras — 12MP/50MP Wide-Angle and 48MP Medium Tele — and the photos it captures are incredibly detailed, even while using the drone's 9x digital zoom. Its flight time is two minutes longer than the Mavic 3 Pro's, too! The new DJI Air 3S is an outstanding drone with a dual-camera system that lets aerial videographers and travel photographers capture wide-angle and medium telephoto shots. With a large 1-inch sensor, next-gen obstacle avoidance, 42GB internal storage, and superb low-light performance, this is the best 4K/60fps drone money can buy right now. You also get 42GB of internal storage and a slot for a microSD card, and omnidirectional obstacle sensors to avoid crashing into objects. The Air 3S is also a more affordable alternative to the Mavic series, so if you want to save money while waiting for the Mavic 4 Pro but still want a highly capable drone, I'd recommend the Air 3S any day. See sample footage and images in my full DJI Air 3S review. This one's a bit of a wild card, as the DJI Flip is what I'd describe as a cheap drone — its price tag is nearly a third of the DJI Mavic 4 Pro! But that doesn't mean you should underestimate the Flip. It's a great budget alternative if, again, you want to save for the Mavic 4 Pro. It's the easiest drone to get a hang of, and I'd recommend getting the RC-2 controller for it (700-nits of brightness packed into its touchscreen) for easy and comfortable flying. And if you're a Star Wars fan, I think you'll really enjoy its design as it looks like a droid. Unlike the Air 3S, the Flip has just one camera that takes 48MP stills, and they look absolutely beautiful. A three-axis mechanical gimbal is at play here, again, so you don't have to worry about footage being shaky. Again, the drone captures 4K/60fps footage or FHD/100fps slow-mo footage. The DJI Flip is a solid mid-range drone, perfect for those looking to upgrade from older DJI models. It captures detailed 48MP stills in all lighting conditions, and records gorgeous 4K/60fps footage. It's great for content creators as it features many shooting modes, plus it's built really well and sports a slick design. What I love about the Flip is that it's under 249g, so you don't necessarily need to register with the F.A.A. in the U.S. or the C.A.A. in the U.K. to fly it — unlike the other two drones on this list. Although it's lightweight, you'll have to be mindful of gusts of wind as they can knock the Flip off course. Obstacle avoidance is also limited to front-facing only, so you'll need to watch for hindrances. See sample footage and images in my full DJI Flip review. So, while you wait for the DJI Mavic 4 Pro to hopefully land in the U.S. market someday, is there any drone you'll be buying to pass the time? Or to step up your aerial photography skills before taking to the sky with the Mavic 4 Pro? Let me know in the comments below!
Tom's Guide
20-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
If I had to start my camera setup from scratch, I'd pick these 5 cameras and drones — here's why
I'm a reviews writer here at Tom's Guide, which means I get to test the latest and greatest in tech — and that includes the best mirrorless cameras and the best drones. While it fills me with joy to test these über-cool gadgets, I'm always sad when the loan units get sent back. So this morning I woke up and asked myself, "If money weren't an object, which three cameras and drones would be part of my setup?" It didn't take a lot of time for five names to pop up in my head. It all came down to which cameras I was saddest to see being picked up by the courier — almost like the 'ex-rule' for cleaning, in a way. The five cameras I thought of — the Sony A1 II, the Fujifilm X-T50, the DJI Neo, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, and the Fujifilm Instax mini 12 — would fulfil all of my shooting needs for different genres. So, without further ado, look into my mind for a second and see my vision. It's so funny that I'm including the Fujifilm X-T50 on this list because I literally bought it for myself last week — yes, around the same time the X-E5 was announced and I do not regret it. The X-T50 is a stunning camera, and even if I started my kit setup from scratch, I'd keep it in my arsenal. Its autofocus system is mighty fast, its 5-axis IBIS (up to 7 stops) works extremely well, and it takes stunning photos with its 40.2MP sensor. The Fujifilm X-T50 succeeds and improves on the X-T30 II, and it packs a punch with a huge 40.2MP sensor, excellent in-body image stabilization and reliable autofocus. Its biggest selling point is the new film simulation dial for maximum creativity. One of the things I love most about my latest possession is its film simulation dial, which lets you quickly swap between tailored color profiles for any and all shooting situations. The X-T50 packs other goodies too. It's got a 1.84M-dot touchscreen, which is very bright and detailed, there's a built-in flash for low-light, and it can shoot RAW photos. For portraits, landscapes, casual wildlife, street, travel, what-have-you, the X-T50 would be (and is) my go-to. The DJI Neo is one of my favorite drones — it's the first drone I reviewed from Tom's Guide, so I have a soft spot for it. I would, of course, keep the DJI Mavic 4 Pro in my backpack, and I'll talk about that in a second, but I'd also like a no-frills drone that I can just whip out to take some quick, short-form videos. A lightweight, compact, and minimalist drone, the DJI Neo is a fantastic option that can shoot 4K footage at 30fps, capture detailed stills, and remain stable in challenging conditions. Easy to control with the new RC-N3 controller or the DJI Fly app on a smartphone, the Neo makes drone photography more accessible thanks to its low price point. That's because the Neo doesn't really require a controller for flying. You can toggle QuickShot intelligent flight modes via the button on its body, and the drone will record short videos and return to its takeoff position. It can follow, circle, spotlight, and lots more. The Neo also captures 4K/30fps footage and 12MP photos, which is great for a drone this small (and cheap). While I'd use the Mavic 4 Pro for serious shooting, I'd use the Neo for fun when I'm out and about with my friends and family. It weighs next to nothing, too, at 4.76 ounces, so it's not like it would ever weigh me down. If money were no object (I wish), I'd break out the big guns. The DJI Mavic 4 Pro is the "big guns" in question here. I haven't stopped thinking of this mighty powerful drone ever since I tested it. It's the only drone (and one of four products) I've given a full 5-star rating to so far, as it's the most powerful consumer drone yet. The DJI Mavic 4 Pro improves on its predecessor by introducing 6K/60fps video, 100MP stills powered by a Hasselblad camera, and a brand new RC Pro 2 controller that makes flying a breeze. With a long flight time and 5-star performance across the board, it's the ideal drone for commercial and personal use, as long as you don't mind the weight restrictions. The Mavic 4 Pro doesn't give you much to complain about. With 6K/60fps video capabilities and a 100MP Hasselblad camera that takes extremely detailed photos, it's the only drone you need for capturing ridiculously stunning footage. I don't mind its heavy weight either, I'll go to the gym five days a week just so I can carry this drone and all the other cameras in my backpack. The RC Pro 2 controller, which is super bright and detailed with a 2000-nits touchscreen, also makes the Mavic 4 Pro a breeze to fly. Unfortunately, the Mavic 4 Pro isn't currently available in the U.S., but if you're in the U.K. and are a drone pilot, I'd highly recommend investing in one. If you know me or have kept up with my camera coverage at Tom's Guide, you'll know I love animals, and I often photograph birds of all kinds when I'm testing a camera. I consider myself a fairly decent wildlife photographer, which is why I'd pick the Sony A1 II with its stupidly intelligent autofocus system and sharp image quality. The A1 II has a very intelligent auto focusing system with new Auto subject-detection, and 8.5 stops of IBIS. It takes stunning 50.1MP photos, clear 4K and 8K videos, and boasts a long battery life. It's built really well and feels great to handle with a detailed viewfinder that ensures you don't miss any action-packed moment in sports or wildlife photography. When it comes to tracking fast-moving subjects, the A1 II never lets you down. That's thanks to its rapid autofocus system, which uses Real-time Recognition AF and Real-time Tracking to reliably follow humans. There's also a new Auto subject-detection mode at play here, which removes the need to switch between AF detection modes. The A1 II's massive 50.1MP sensor captures plenty of detail for extreme cropping, and when combined with the 30fps burst shooting (for up to 153 raw images and with pre-capture), the camera becomes an absolute beast. I love this camera, and if the opportunity arises, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. Here's another fun one I would have in my kitbag: the Fujifilm Instax mini 12. I love testing the best instant cameras and eagerly waiting for the photos to develop. The Instax mini 12 is one of the best cameras I've tested, as it's extremely easy to use and takes great photos with plenty of detail. The Fujifilm Instax mini 12 is an extremely easy-to-use instant camera that takes bright and detailed photos, even in low light. It comes with a handy app to scan and share your prints, a selfie mirror and a close-up mode for more versatile shots. There's a lot to love about this camera, aside from the print quality. The battery life is great, the aesthetic is cute and fun, and there's a useful app for scanning prints too. There's also a selfie mirror and a dedicated close-up mode that lets you, say, focus on a flower. In my imaginary kitbag, I'd love to have the Instax mini 12 as it's a fun camera that, like the DJI Neo, I can just take out of my backpack, take a photo and put it back in — no complicated processes here. And there you have it! If money were no object, the five aforementioned cameras and drones are what I would include in my kitbag. What camera gear, big or small, would you have in yours? Let me know in the comments!
Tom's Guide
16-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
I'm a licensed drone pilot — and I never go flying without these 3 accessories
When you're out and about flying one of the best drones, the last thing you want is, say, for your quadcopter's spare batteries to run out of charge or you not having an appropriate, even ground to land your drone. Plus, I don't know about you, but I like taking a long walk (away from civilization and, well, charging points) and coming upon a beautiful scene where I can fly my drone — which is why it's best to be prepared. There are a few accessories that can help elevate your experience or even make flying easier. Whether you see aerial photography as a hobby or a money-making gig, I would recommend investing in three things: a microSD card with massive storage, a landing/take-off pad, and a portable power bank. I fly my drone almost every weekend, and I'm a licensed drone pilot so you can trust me — and you might even thank me later. Here's how these three accessories can come in clutch when you're out and about with your drone. Have you ever been in a situation where you're trying to land your drone as it's low on battery but the rocks are too lagged or there's too much grass? And you're struggling and struggling with no end in sight? Well, I have, and there's nothing more frustrating than when I can't find the right landing spot for my quadcopter — and this is where a drone landing pad serves as a life-saver. The SYMIK LP500 20-inch Drone Landing Pad, available for £21 in the U.K., is my go-to. If you're in the U.S., I'd recommend the HZD 20-inch Drone Landing Pad ($19) which is practically the same thing. Both landing pads are weighted so they don't move unless it's extremely windy. They're waterproof and can be cleaned easily too. The HZD 20-inch Drone Landing Pad is deal for drones smaller than the DJI Mavic 4 Pro — so, basically, all consumer drones. It's waterproof and easy to clean, and is brightly colored so you can see it from most heights. It's weighted too, so it should stay in place unless it's extremely windy. 20 inches in size, these landing pads are ideal for basically any consumer drone: from the behemoth DJI Mavic 4 Pro to the tiny DJI Neo. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I use my SYMIK landing pad the most when I want to land my drone on a grassy patch. I don't want my copter's propellers to act as a lawnmower and I also don't want the grass to damage them, so this is where the landing pad comes in handy. The use cases are endless too, making it perfect for sandy or pebbly beaches and other similarly unstable terrain. Not many drones come with massive amounts of internal storage. For example, the DJI Neo features just 22GB of internal memory while the HoverAir X1 Pro comes with 32GB. Of course, if you're dropping thousands of dollars on the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, you can get 512GB of internal storage. Regardless of how many videos and images your drone can save onboard, I still believe you need to carry the SanDisk 256GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I as backup, which costs $34 / £25. Either keep it plugged into your drone's microSD slot or have it tucked away in your backpack. SanDisk's 256GB Extreme microSDXC UHS-I microSD card boasts not just massive storage space, but also fast read (190mbps) and write speeds (130mbps). Offload speeds also top at 190mbps so you can quickly transfer content between devices, making it the ideal microSD card for 4K and 5K UHD capture. SanDisk's Extreme microSD card boasts write speeds of up to 130mbps and read speeds of up to 190mbps. Offloading is quick too, as the card can transfer at speeds up to 190mbps. Most drones today can shoot 4K video and even Log (RAW), and they can capture images in RAW too. This SanDisk card supports 4K and 5K UHD capture, and it's the one card I never go anywhere without. Lastly, I think it's crucial to have a portable power bank in your backpack or drone shoulder bag when you're leaving the house. Look, I've been there. I'm flying, having fun, when all of a sudden I hear my controller warn me that my drone's battery is low. Of course, I land it to swap batteries, and that's when it hits me: that was my last fully charged battery. Catastrophe! Well, not if you have one of the best portable chargers at hand. Drone batteries require a lot of oomph to charge them speedily. I recommend grabbing the Anker Prime 27,650mAh 3-Port 250W... and I know what you're thinking. This portable charger costs $179 / £179 and I'm aware that's a lot — but I think it's worth every penny. The Anker Prime 27,650mAh 3-Port 250W is extremely portable and lightweight, and it can quickly charge large devices, such as MacBooks and drones, with its 250W power delivery. It also features three ports to charge multiple devices simultaneously. The charging time will depend on your drone. Anker's Prime 27,650mAh 3-Port 250W portable charger should be able to quickly power small drones, like the DJI Mini 4 Pro and the DJI Flip, in just under an hour, but bigger drones will take longer. Anker's offering is also extremely portable and lightweight, so you can even slip it into your pocket for easy transport! There you have it: three accessories I don't leave the house without when I go flying. You should make a habit of packing a portable charger, a landing pad and a fast microSD card in your backpack. Are there any other drone accessories you always carry? Let me know in the comments!
West Australian
24-05-2025
- West Australian
New DJI drone gets an amazing 100MP Hasselblad camera
Just when you thought drones couldn't get much better, DJI has launched a new game changer for serious content creators. The new DJI Mavic 4 Pro sports a new 100MP Hasselblad 4/3 sensor and dual tele cameras with large CMOS sensors housed in an infinity gimbal with 360 degree rotation. The advanced triple camera system has focal lengths of 28mm, 70mm and 168mm, enabling users to capture shots ranging from expansive wide-angle landscapes to detailed telephoto close-ups. The main 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera utilises a brand new 100MP sensor. It captures stunning images packed with detail and sharpness and offers unprecedented flexibility in post-processing. A versatile f/2.0 to f/11 aperture allows for clean low-light filming. The 70mm medium tele camera is equipped with a 48MP 1/1.3-inch sensor and f/2.8 aperture that delivers enhanced image quality due to a new image processing engine. The 70mm focal length can be used to create compressed perspectives which highlight subjects, ideal for dynamic portraits and footage with orbital camera movements. The 168mm tele camera is powered by a 50MP 1/1.5-inch sensor and a wide f/2.8 aperture. It uses a specifically optimised gimbal algorithm that is specifically tailored for its telephoto optics to deliver unparalleled image quality and stability in long-range aerial photography. Pro Grade Video All three cameras support 4K/60fps HDR video recording, but the Hasselblad main camera goes even further, offering 6K/60fps HDR video and an impressive dynamic range of up to around 16 stops. The medium tele and tele cameras offer dynamic ranges of 14 stops and 13 stops keep things steady, the Mavic 4 Pro gets an innovative new gimbal capable of full 360 degree rotation and 70 degree upward shots for unprecedented angles — allowing users to capture dramatic 'Dutch angles' straight from the camera and capture creative storytelling with fluid, gravity-defying movements. An advanced visual system ensures precise drone positioning and obstacle avoidance. The Mavic 4 Pro has six high-performance, low-light fisheye sensors and dual processors grant the drone high-resolution environmental awareness. It can achieve omnidirectional obstacle avoidance at speeds up to 18 m/s in low light. A new DJI RC Pro 2 remote controller has been created for a professional-grade aerial filmmaking experience. It has a powerful 7-inch high-bright Mini-LED display and a rotatable screen to instantly sync with the drone's gimbal for vertical shooting and a HDMI port. It has an up to four-hour battery life, 128gb built-in storage and high-quality audio can be recorded with the built-in mic or when paired with the DJI Mic series. DJI Mavic 4 Pro is available to order from and authorised retail partners, in the following configurations: A DJI Mavic 4 Pro with a DJI RC 2 remote controller which costs $3,099. A DJI Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo for the price of $4,039. This includes a built-in 64 GB storage module, the RC 2 remote controller, two additional Intelligent Flight batteries, a 100W USB-C Power Adapter, battery charging hub and a shoulder bag that contains it all. A DJI Mavic 4 Pro 512GB Creator Combo. This top of the line package will set you back $5,359 but it includes: built-in 512 GB high-speed storage, the new RC Pro 2 remote controller, 240W power adapter, USB-C to USB-C high-speed data cable, two additional Intelligent Flight batteries, parallel battery charging hub and a shoulder bag For more information on the Mavic 4 Pro and all the new features visit . Here are a few examples of images taken with the new Mavic 4 Pro.
Tom's Guide
18-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I just tested the new DJI RC Pro 2 drone controller — and it's a beast for content creation on the fly
As our in-house drones expert, I look after our best drones buying guide and I test the latest drones by pushing them to the limit. That includes analyzing every single feature, scrutinizing image/video quality, build quality, and checking if battery claims are correct. But what good is a drone without a controller? There are a few types of drone controllers: The last of these, the DJI RC Pro 2, is brand new, and it accompanied the launch of the DJI Mavic 4 Pro. It's the first drone I've ever given a 5-star rating too, and there are many reasons for it. 100MP Hasselblad stills, 6K/60fps video, next-gen obstacle avoidance, and the RC Pro 2. The DJI RC Pro 2 is made for professionals, and it's the brand's most advanced consumer controller yet. Its 7-inch mini LED touchscreen is highly responsive and sports a peak brightness of 2,000 nits (and a 1,600 nits sustained brightness). There's an HDMI port for streaming, built-in mics, rotatable display for instant vertical shooting, and more. The RC Pro 2 is the brand's most powerful consumer controller yet, and it doesn't come cheap. Currently not available in the U.S. (as DJI continues to assess its market strategy in line with the local conditions), it retails for £879 in the U.K. But for those who want to elevate their flying experience, it's well worth the premium — let me show you why. Unlike the DJI RC-N3, the DJI RC-2 and so on, the DJI RC Pro 2 features a flip-up screen and pulling it up reveals the collapsible joysticks and buttons. This also wakes up the controller (and puts it to sleep when you push the screen down), so you don't need to press a specific button to power up anymore. It takes a step out of the prep process so you can get to flying almost instantly. There's no sugarcoating it: the DJI Mavic 4 Pro is an expensive drone, retailing for £1,879 in the U.K. for the drone and the RC-2 controller. If you want the RC Pro 2, you can get the Creator Combo which also adds 512GB of internal storage to the drone, for £3,209. Good news is that the RC Pro 2 is compatible with other drones that support vertical shooting — like the Air 3S, Air 3 and Mini 4 Pro. What's even better is that the RC Pro 2 syncs with the drone's gimbal, so rotating it vertically puts the drone into vertical shooting mode, negating the need to manually toggle the orientation. I think this is a very underrated feature. I constantly swapped between horizontal and vertical shooting, and the RC Pro 2's screen's rotation feels as smooth as butter. The RC Pro 2 is also the brightest consumer controller. It has a peak brightness of 2,000 nits and a sustained brightness of 1,600 nits (the maximum brightness that a display can maintain for an extended period of time without overheating). For context, the RC-2 has a max brightness of 700 nits. This is why I could view the screen even on an extremely sunny day. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. It also accurately displays 10-bit D-Log/D-Log M colors just as the drone records them — and what you'd see when editing the footage in Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve. Overall, the RC Pro 2 makes for a fantastic viewing experience that's unlike any other. There's a solid reason why the DJI RC Pro 2 is part of the DJI Mavic 4 Pro Creator Combo: it's a beast for videography and content creation. First of all, it features Dynamic Home Point Support. For example, if you're controlling your drone from a moving vehicle, the RC Pro 2 will constantly update the home point in real-time so when you need to land it, it'll land close to where your vehicle has stopped. You also get an HDMI port which you can use to livestream what your drone is seeing (or your recorded footage) on to a larger screen, like one of the best TVs. There's 128GB of internal storage too as well as a slot for a microSD card. And what I really like is that the RC Pro 2 has a built-in mic so you can record audio while flying. The controller's compatible with the DJI mic series, such as the DJI Mic 2 and DJI Mic Mini, but if you don't have access to these, at least you can record directly to the controller. To top it all, for the first time, the RC Pro 2 has third-party app support which makes it work like a regular tablet. You can download video editing apps onto the controller and edit footage for quick sharing to social media. This also means that you don't have to wait until going back to your laptop to start the post-production process. Since the controller uses a custom Android OS, you can install APKs via the built-in browser or a microSD card. I tested this out by downloading Adobe Lightroom Classic for photo editing and it worked like a charm. The screen shows 10-bit colors which means it can show 1.07 billion individual hues, and it's extremely responsive too, which makes editing a cinch. I even downloaded Qobuz so that I could listen to music while editing! So, should you buy or skip the DJI RC Pro 2? It depends on a few things. If you're in the U.S., you're out of luck (for now) but I hope that changes soon. If you're in the U.K. and want a controller that makes content creation easier and flying more intuitive, then yes, it's worth the money. The fact that you can use third-party apps to quickly edit content, listen to music while doing so, or even watch some YouTube videos in between editing sprees, makes the RC Pro 2 a force to be reckoned with. I'm already looking forward to using it more over the weekend.
