Your Drone Choices in 2020

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Dji Mavic Mini - Released Oct 2019 - Price $399 Buy from B&H Photo | Buy from Amazon
DJI Mini 2 - Release Nov 2020 - Price $449 Buy from B&H Photo | Buy from Amazon (SOON!)
DJI Mavic Air 2 - Released Apr 2020 - $799 Buy from B&H Photo | Buy from Amazon
DJI Mavic 2 Pro - Released Aug 2018 - $1599 Buy from B&H Photo | Buy from Amazon
Skydio 2 - Releasing Dec 2020 - $999 (best drone for tracking)
Autel Evo II 8k or 6K Released Apr 2020 $1495 - $2095 Buy from B&H Photo | Buy from Amazon | Buy from Adorama

Don’t want to spend time reading or watching this video? Ok! Buy the Mavic Air 2. The Air 2 offers a fantastic feature set, great quality, and is robust enough/fast enough to be used without worrying that it will blow away.

The Affordable DJI Mavic Mini (Original Review from Alaska - Dec 2019)

$399 for the Mavic Mini is the most affordable way to get a modern DJI drone that offers easy to fly with reliable GPS hold - This means that when you let go of the controls the drone will hold it’s position very well. There are cheaper non-DJI drones on the market but they do not do this as well making it more likely you will crash. 2.7K video, JPEG photos only, no active tracking and WiFi connection are drawbacks but this small and lightweight drone provide good enough quality for beginners or travelers looking for the most compact package. Note: you do not need WiFi to fly the drone, it makes it’s own connection between controller and drone but based on your area you might find WiFi interference bad enough that you can’t fly the drone more than a few hundred feet away. In the wilds of Alaska I was able to easily control the drone over a mile away.


Releasing soon - The DJI Mini 2

The price will be around $500 for drone only and the main upgrades are 4k, Occusync 2.0 for drone to controller connection and using the new, larger style remote that comes with the Mavic Air 2. The Occusync upgrade is huge - this provide rock solid connections and a clear feed from miles away - rated up to 6 miles! So even those living in WiFi congested areas will be able to easily control and see the video feed.
UPDATES - since releasing video it has been confirmed that the Mini 2 will shoot RAW/DNG photos and will provide a follow mode that allows the drone to follow the controller - this is kind of like active track but very limited since it will only be using position of controller- not trying to keep the subject in the camera necessarily.

The Mavic Mini will remain on the market as a low priced option to get started with DJI. The Mini 2 will be positioned closer to the Air 2

With the higher price the Mini 2 sits closer to the Mavic Air 2. The Air 2 provides a faster drone with a larger sensor and excellent tracking capabilities along with smoother video. If you are looking for great quality photo/video with tracking and all packaged in a fairly portable body- the Air 2 is an excellent choice. Because of the price, size and feature set this is the drone to buy in 2020.

The Mavic 2 Pro offers a larger sensor and higher bit rate video files which will translate into more detail and better dynamic range but in my testing I saw very little difference in most real world shooting. At almost 2x the cost of the Air you will really need the absolute best or plan to often fly in lower light to make the case for the Pro.

More added soon.