Can you believe it? DJI launch a new drone ‘Phantom 4 Pro (& Pro Plus)’ – A comparison with others

by Nisbah · Published November 19, 2016 · Updated November 19, 2016

Can you believe it???? After the surprise announcement of the DJI Mavic Pro less than 2 months ago, which has not even been properly released yet, DJI have surprised us again with the announcement of the new DJI Phantom 4 Pro – These come in 2 models Pro and Pro Plus. We’ll discuss the details below.

phantom4-pro

We published a comprehensive review comparing the best drones available, namely the DJI Phantom 4 and the newer DJI Mavic Pro and the Go Pro Karma, just a few weeks ago. Please click here to view this. We concluded the DJI Mavic Pro and GoPro Karma were good alternatives for the market leader, the Phantom 4; in fact our winner was the Mavic Pro for many reasons. Just last week, we published another article because both vendors are having issues with the release of these newer editions (Mavic Pro and the Karma), with one having production issue and the other being recalled. Click here to view this.

In a surprise twist, DJI has announced the ‘New Phantom 4 Pro’. An update to the Phantom 4 was always on the cards, but we really didn’t expect it to be this soon. There is also a Pro Plus Model. I don’t think DJI has tackling the delicate balance between keeping existing customers happy and attracting new ones. However, there is a big rapidly increasing drone market out there.

We believe that the only difference between the Pro and Pro Plus models is that the Pro Plus remote control comes with an integrated screen, whist the standard one doesn’t.

Lets do a quick review of the new Phantom 4 Pro (& Pro Plus) against our previously reviewed drones, these are: the existing Phantom 4, Mavic Pro and the Go Pro Karma. We will try and summarise our reassessment and winning outcome. For maximum benefit, its highly recommended and intended to be read with our previous review on drones which can be found here .

The New Phantom 4 has the following new additions:-

Never Camera featuring a 1″ CMOS 20MP sensor – This is much better than all the other models which are at 12 MP and 1/2.3″ . The new sensor is about 4 x times bigger, with about 1.5x more megapixels, making it much better at taking stills, and its low light performance is also significantly improved. It is also capable of doing 60 fps at 4k with a 100Mbps bitrate at H.265 compression. It also has a mechanical shutter which eliminates rolling shutter distortion that occurs when taking fast moving subjects or when flying at high speed and a mechanical focus. The winner in this category is The new Phantom 4 Pro.

camera-phantom4-pro

Remote controller transmission distance: The remote controller now has a max transmission of 7km. This is an increase from the 5km in the previous Phantom 4. This now makes the transmission on par with the Mavic Pro. Winner in this category is jointly Mavic Pro / Phantom 4 Pro.
Remote Control transmission frequency. This RC now has the ability to automatically switch between 2.4Ghz and 5.8Ghz to ensures optimum range, reduce interference and image lag. Winner: Phantom 4 Pro.
Integrated Screen (on Pro Plus Version). The new Phantom 4 Pro Plus version has extremely bright, vivid built in screen, and so there is no need for an additional mobile device. This shares the same advantage as the Karma, as it also has a built in screen. The standard Phantom 4 Pro version does not come with the integrated screen, and is a a few hundred quid cheaper. However, as we had described in our earlier review, this is either an advantage or disadvantage dependant on user preference. We’re not sure about whether the Phantom has WiFi capability, as this is not confirmed and so the Mavic Pro would still have an edge over this in this respect.
Five Direction Obstacle Sensing – Both the old Phantom 4 and the Mavic Pro features obstacle sensing and avoidance using forward, side and downwards sensor. The new phantom 4 Pro has expanded this an additional set of high resolution stereo vision sensors at the rear in addition to the front pair and side IR sensors, creating 5 directions of obstacle sensing and 4 directions of obstacle avoidance, making flying easier. So in terms of flight autonomy. The winner is Phantom 4 Pro,
Active Track / Tap Fly / Way point Drawing / Return to Home. There are some new features on this model including a new technology that allows the users to draw route on the screen whilst locking the altitude, lock in speed and direction. Tapfly allows the user to tap on the screen to smoothly adjust the direction of flight whilst avoiding obstacles. It can also allow tilting the gimbal without changing the direction of flight. Active Track is already featured on both the Phantom 4 and the Mavic Pro that allows the drone to recognise and follow moving objects. The Phantom 4 Pro uses newer algorithms to enable it to recognise more objects, vehicles, animals, and will adjust flight dynamics accordingly. All these automation features allows the user to focus on the shots without worrying about flying. This drone probably has the most automation features than all of the other reviewed drones. The winner is the Phantom 4 Pro with Mavic Pro as runner up.
Gesture Control – Like the Mavic Pro, the Phantom 4 Pro now also has gesture control to allow users to fly without the remote. Great for selfies. Winners: Joint Phantom 4 Pro and the Mavic Pro.
Battery life increased. This has been increased from 28 mins to 30mins. Winner: Phantom 4 Pro

See table with additional column containing information about the new Phantom 4 Pro.

	DJI Phantom 4	DJI Mavic Pro	Go Pro Karma	*DJI Phantom 4 Pro* /Pro Plus	Winning Order
Aircraft Weight	1380 g	743 g (with gimbal cover)	1006 g	1388g (Marginally heavier than Phantom 4)	Mavic Pro Karma Phantom 4 Phantom 4 Pro
Foldable	No	Yes	Yes	No	Mavic Pro/Karma
Aircraft Size (excluding propellers)	Fixed Diagonal 350mm H = 193mm	Folded: L = 198mm, W = 83mm H = 83mm Unfolded: Diagonal 335mm	Folded: L = 365mm W = 224mm H = 90mm Unfolded: L = 303mm W = 411mm H = 117mm	Same as Phantom 4 Diagonal 350mm	Mavic Pro Karma Phantom 4 / Phantom 4 Pro
Max Speed	20 m/s 72km/h (45mph)	17.88 m/s 64km/h (40mph)	15 m/s 54km/h (35mph)	20 m/s 72km/h (45mph)	Phantom 4 / Phantom 4 Pro Mavic Pro Karma
Max wind conditions	10m/s 36km/h (22mph)	10m/s 36km/h (22mph)	10m/s 36km/h (22mph)		Same
Max ceiling	6000m	5000m	4500m	6000m	Phantom 4 / Phantom 4 Pro Mavic Pro Karma
Max transmission distance on Remote Control	5km	7km	3km	7km	Mavic Pro / Phantom 4 Pro Phantom 4 Karma
Max transmission distance on Wifi mode	No wifi mode available	Wifi only mode 80m(Distance), 50m(Height) Note: max speed limited to 14km/hr	No wifi mode available	No confirmed wifi	Mavic Pro
Fly time	28 mins	27 mins	20 mins	30 mins	Phantom 4 Pro Phantom 4 Mavic Pro Karma
Removable Camera	No	No	Yes (not included) Compatible Cameras: Hero 5 Black / Session Hero 4 Black / Silver	No	Karma
Gimbal/ Stabilisation	3 axis Gimbal	3 axis gimbal	3 axis gimbal	3 axis Gimbal	Same
Removable Gimbal	No	No	Yes – Removable (included)	No	Karma
Electronic Stabilisation	No	No	Depends on camera. Hero 5 – Yes		Karma
Camera Range of Motion	Pitch -90 to +30 degrees	-90 to +30 (pitch ) 0 or 90 degrees (roll)	-90 to 0 degrees (pitch)	Pitch -90 to +30 degrees	Phantom 4 / Phantom 4 Pro Mavic Karma
Camera Spec	1 / 2.3” CMOS 4K, 12MP	1 / 2.3” CMOS 4K, 12MP	Depends on camera Hero 5: 4k, 12MP	1’’ CMOS; Effective pixels: 20M	Winner Phantom 4 Pro Depends on what camera is used with Karma If Hero 4, Then all seem to be 12MP, 4K
Lens / Field of View	FOV 94 degree, 20 mm (35mm format eqiv) , f/2.8, focus at infinity	FOV 7 8.8 degrees, 28mm (35mm format eqiv), f2.2 Distortion < 1.5% Focus 0.5m – Infinity	Depends on camera Wide angle GoPro 5 has linear FOV correction	FOV 84° degrees 8.8 mm / 24 mm (35 mm format equivalent), f/2.8 – f/11. auto focus at 1 m – ∞	Winner: Phantom 4 Pro Depends on what camera is used with Karma FOV on Phantom is larger than Mavic Pro making it better for landscape photography.
Can you see propellers when travelling at fast speeds	YES – Sometimes	Hardly	No		Karma, Mavic Pro Phantom 4
Camera Modes ISO Range	TBC	TBC	Depends on Camera.	Video: 100 – 3200 (Auto); 100 – 6400 (Manual) Photo: 100 – 3200 (Auto); 100- 12800 (Manual)	Phantom 4 Pro
Forward Vision System Obstacle sensory range	0.7m – 15m Detectable range 15m – 30m Operating Environment: Surfaces with a clear pattern and adequate lighting (> 15 lux)	Forward Vision System Precision measurement range: 0.7m – 15m Detectable range 15m – 30m Operating Environment: Surfaces with a clear pattern and adequate lighting (> 15 lux)	N/A		Phantom 4 Pro Mavic / Phantom 4
Downward Vision system (altitude and range)	0-10m	Downward Vision system 0.3-13m	N/A		Mavic Phantom 4
Satellite positioning	GPS/GLONASS	GPS/GLONASS	YES	GPS/GLONASS	Same
Return to Home Feature	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Same
Operating freq	2.4 GHz to 2.483 GHz	2.4 GHz to 2.483 GHz & Wifi	2.4 GHz	2.400 GHz – 2.483 GHz 5.725 GHz – 5.825 GHz Unsure about wifi?	Phantom 4 Pro (dual freq switch) Mavic Pro (wifi) Phantom 4 Karma
Controller weight	Controller without mobile device X g (TBC)	Controller without mobile device Y g (TBC)	Controller comes with screen. Screen Size (127mm) Resol 720P Battery life 4 hours Weight 625g	Phantom 4 Pro Plus version comes with a built in screen. Unsure if this is replacebale
Mobile Device mountability	Mobile Device Mountable (phone size – YES Tablet Mountable – YES	Mobile Device Mountable (phone size – YES Tablet Mountable – NO	Mobile Device Mountable (phone size – NO Tablet Mountable – NO However the Karma controller has a built in screen		Phantom 4, Mavic Pro
Obstacle Avoidance	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Mavic Pro Phantom 4
Active tracking Follow Feature	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Mavic Pro Phantom 4
Picture / Selfie without controller	No	Yes With Gesture Control	No	YES	Phantom 4 Pro / Mavic Pro
Wifi mode without controller	NO, But can connect Phone, Tablet using cable	Yes. You can pair with smartphone. There is a Switch that enables you connect via tablet/mobile and fly without the controller	NO	Not confirmed	Mavic Pro
Automation features	Good	More intelligent flight modes than the Phantom 4.	Limited		Phantom 4 Pro Mavic Pro Phantom 4 Karma
Obstacle avoidance	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Phantom Pro 4 Mavic Pro / Phantom 4
Visual Positioning System	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Phantom 4 Pro Mavic Pro / Phantom 4
Battery Weight / Capacity / Energy	462g 5350mAh	LiPo 3S 240g 3830 mAh	545g 5100mAh	LiPo 2S 6000mAh	Depends
Battery Voltage / Energy	15.2V 81.3 Wh	11.4V 43.6 Wh	14.8 V 75 Wh	TBC	Depends
Charger	17.4V 100W	13.05V, 50W	TBC	17.4V 100W	Depends
Carry Case	Large	Small – Can be carried in a small bag.	MediumBackpack case available	Large	Mavic Pro Karma Phantom 4 / Phantom 4 Pro
Indicative price	£1200, but is likely to be reduced in coming weeks	£1000	£750 without camera But does come with the removable gimbal	Around £1500 Pro Plus version around £1800	Mavic Pro Karma Phantom 4 Phantom 4 Pro Phantom 4 Pro Plus

Conclusion:- The official DJI Phantom 4 replacement, the Phantom 4 Pro (& Pro Plus) is excellent. Its new camera is far superior and capable of taking breathtaking stills and video and would easily be described as ‘best in class’. The existing Phantom 4 already comes with a lot of automation features, the Mavic Pro comes with even more, and now with the new Phantom 4 pro there are even more new and improved automation features, making the Phantom 4 Pro a very capable drone with exceptional quality. Although, in our opinion, this is probably one of the best drones out there, for us the size and portability are still important issues, and the trade offs between convenience of Mavic Pro and additional capability/quality of the new Phantom 4 Pro, makes it a lot harder.

However for us as Travel Bloggers on the move with kids, for the reasons previously explained in the last review, our winner is still the DJI Mavic Pro!! From all the drones we have reviewed, the Mavic Pro is the most compact, lightest and easiest to carry. Its remote controller is also smaller with the largest transmission range. It can even be controlled via WiFi without the need of a controller. This feature still give it a massive advantage, especially when we plan to travel lite with the minimum amount of luggage.