Mavic Pro image (1/2.3”) samples vs. 1” sensor drone samples

Hey all,

I’m debating on getting a drone and am can’t decide if I want to spring for the 1” sensor models (i.e. Phantom 4 advanced/pro, etc.), get a Mavic Pro now or wait to see what happens with the (hopefully) new, bigger sensor in the Mavic Pro II.

I intend to use the drone for aerial landscape, real estate photos, and to take with me hiking.

Portability is a big selling point for me! So is image quality.

Does anyone have samples of real-world images from these 1/2.3” drones so I can compare real-world image quality of the 1” sensor drones? Or guide me to a place where I can view these samples? I can’t seem to find anywhere where I can see original files and compare accurately. I want to rule out whether the 1/2.3” sensor size is enough for me or if I would more like the 1” sensors.

Thank you!

Down two threads below people posted their best shots. The image data has the camera model. I use Google to figure out which drone uses that camera (the cameras will be something like DJI 220). YouTube has comparisons too. I think one video compares Inspire, phantom, and mavic?

SFAIK, all drones with 1" sensor cameras are fairly large and expensive. None are as compact as the Mavic or Spark. They are more work to set up. They make more noise and attract unwanted attention.

YT abounds with video shot with a Mavic, Phantom 4, or Inspire. The latter are better, but I'd not want to carry a P4 or an Inspire on a hike.

A 1/2.3" sensor, with a good 3-axis gimbal on a drone with six-axis gyros and GPS takes good enough pictures of landscapes and buildings. However, you should not expect even a 1" sensor to yield images, shot at 400' altitude, you can blow up to recognize faces, read license plates, or peep in bedroom windows. It is only a popular delusion that consumer drones, or even police drones, can resolve tiny details from a great distance. 4k resolution has a hard time avoiding "mud" when a drone flies fast over foliage, crops, or naked tree branches. Still photos taken in bright light are sharper, but not sharp enough to see leaves or other minutiae.

for real estate, I can't foresee any improved image quality making any material impact to your business ventures. In bright light, when you'd want to take the shots, it's very little help. Same reason that camera phones do alright.

I think he did a decent job comparing two drones photo side by side, though you might call it pixel peeping.

Personally I have the Mavic pro, and I find the image just kinda bearable if compared to the dslr that I use. I think the advantage of owning a 1" sensor will be more prominent when using in lower light situation.

Seems to me 1" sensor images taken with Sony cameras are better (sharper)...if true, it's the lens or the drone's vibrations at fault...or camera firmware in the drone.

What I'd like to see is an image shot from the ground (motors stopped - no vibrations) and the same shot except hovering a few feet. Subject at infinity basically, so focus is not a factor. I can't believe vibration is not a factor. On my RC airplane I need to turn motor way down or off (I glide a LOT), otherwise the images are blurry. I surmise DJI spent a lot of effort making the props balanced whereas my 6" APC (popular brand) prop is not balanced....and the gimball mechanism is mounted/hanging from rubber isolators, right?

Those 4 props are doing a LOT of work to lift the drone. The air is not calm/homogeneous and the gimbals can't act/react at a super fast rate (propellers spin thousands of times per second).

nickels25 said:

Hey all,

I’m debating on getting a drone and am can’t decide if I want to spring for the 1” sensor models (i.e. Phantom 4 advanced/pro, etc.), get a Mavic Pro now or wait to see what happens with the (hopefully) new, bigger sensor in the Mavic Pro II.

I intend to use the drone for aerial landscape, real estate photos, and to take with me hiking.

Portability is a big selling point for me! So is image quality.

Does anyone have samples of real-world images from these 1/2.3” drones so I can compare real-world image quality of the 1” sensor drones? Or guide me to a place where I can view these samples? I can’t seem to find anywhere where I can see original files and compare accurately. I want to rule out whether the 1/2.3” sensor size is enough for me or if I would more like the 1” sensors.

Thank you!

Click to expand...

I have the Mavic Pro and the Phantom 4 Advanced. The Mavic Pro is almost always the drone that I pull out and use. Partly that is because the P4A simply can't fly as far. Probably not a problem with the P4P. But size matters and in this case I am talking about the size of the drone, not the sensor size. The Phantom's are just a lot bigger and a lot noisier. Image quality is slightly better but not as much as I had hoped.