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Last updated: November 17, 2024

Phantom 4 Pro V2.0: Is It a Drone for Professional Photographer and Videographer? (Winter 2024)

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By
Reviewed by
Reviewed by
Last updated: November 17, 2024
Extreme Fliers is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here
Ideal for:
  • Professional photographers and researchers
  • High-quality stills or videos
  • Amazing features that add to its effectiveness
Key features:
  • Don’t buy this if you want a small, lightweight drone
  • This isn’t the best possibility for those that are just starting out
  • This is one of the higher expensive options available for drones
Editor's Rating
9.2
out of 10
  • Flight time 9.2
  • Speed 9.0
  • Distance 9.5
  • Camera 9.2
  • Overall 9.2
Users’ Rating
4.1
out of 5
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    rating rating rating rating rating
    4.1
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    57 Users’ Ratings
    • 5 stars
      42%
    • 4 stars
      28%
    • 3 stars
      25%
    • 2 stars
      5%
    • 1 stars
      0%
  • Add your rating:
Extreme Fliers is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here

Drones are excellent for taking all forms of high-quality aerial photography and video. But that’s not all. They’ve been used for research as well as for collecting vast amounts of data. Researchers use these high-resolution images to create 3D maps and interactive 3D models, which have an incredible number of beneficial uses. When it comes to high-quality drones, Da-Jiang Innovations (DJI) is one of the leading brands for professionals and amateurs alike. Among their top professional models include the phantom line, a new drone model released in the spring of 2018. The Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 is a marvel when it comes to new and improved drone models. Read below to learn more about this fantastic drone for professionals. This Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 review is one of the tops of the line when it comes to professional drone work.

Rankings

Our #1 pick for the best drone for hunting

Specifications

Flight Time
30 Mins
Max Speed
45 Mph (S-Mode)
Max Flight Distance
Eleven Miles
Camera
1'' CMOS
Video
C4K, 2.7K, FHD
Remote Controller
Standard RC

Many distinct aspects make a drone the perfect technological model. The Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 features make itself one of the most prominent and impressive models available from DJI.

What Makes Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 Stand Out?

This drone has an amazing list of features and accomplishments. The Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 is the latest model within the DJI’s Phantom 4 Pro series. This drone keeps several of the earlier features of the Phantom 4 Pro and improves upon them. Not only that, but it also includes new upgrades to the drone’s system and durability. These include DJI’s OcuSync technology as well as redesigned propellers to allow the plane to be up to 60% quieter while up in the air.

Like the Phantom 4 Pro, the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 features an impressive list of features. This list includes a 7 km range, up to 30 minutes of battery life, five directions of collision avoidance sensors, and a powerful 1-inch CMOS sensor that can shoot 4k video at 60 fps and 20-megapixel stills. All these unique features combine to make an impressive piece of equipment. This model stands out as a new and improved model from the brand DJI.

Introducing Brand Da-Jiang Innovations (DJI)

Dedicated to technology and innovation, DJI has been at the forefront of drone technology for years. This company is called DJI, but it stands for Da-Jiang Innovations. In Chinese, DJI means “Da-Jiang Innovations.” Separated, each of those has meaning. “Da大” means big. Then “Jiang疆” means boundary. This technology business gets its name from the Chinese phrase “大志无疆.” This phrase means “Great ambitions have no boundaries.” In essence, DJI stands for impressive innovation without any limits.

This brand has shown this limitless ambition with its versatility. Most drones have this innate versatility because of the innovative technology used in the field. However, DJI has taken this one step further by easing the diversity and variety of uses for drone technology.

DJI drones have been used for professional aerial and ground filmmaking, solutions for enterprises, as well as efficient and intelligent agricultural solutions. These drones have quite the success rate when combined with out-of-the-box thinking.

Review of DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0

Drones — also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) — have been becoming increasingly popular among consumers. These drones have been used by all demographics of folks. As of mid-2017, nearly 8% of all American citizens own a drone, while over half of respondents (59%) say they have seen one in action, according to a pew research center survey. Trusted Source How Americans feel about drones and ways to use them | Pew Research Center Drones are catching on as consumer goods. As of mid-2017, 8% of Americans say they own a drone and 59% say they have seen one in action, according to a Pew Research Center survey. But while drones – that is, aircraft without on-board human pilots – are more prevalent than they were a few years ago, many have reservations about where and under what circumstances their use should be allowed. www.pewresearch.org This survey shows slight differences in ownership by the consumer’s gender and age. A bit more men (11%) than women (6%) own a drone. When it comes to age, more people ages 18 to 49 (12%) own a drone compared with those 50 and older (4%).

This is a fantastic statistic showing that this is getting increasingly popular as a consumer technology instead of a purely scientific or artistic one. Drones are a fantastic way to explore the world around you in all sorts of ways. It’s been used in conservation, research, and even education. But it is not the only thing for which it’s been used. Koh, Trusted Source How Drones Are Emerging As Valuable Conservation Tool - Yale E360 Lian Pin Koh believes drones can be a key part of conservation efforts, particularly in remote regions. In a Yale Environment 360 interview, he talks about how his project, ConservationDrones, is promoting the use of drones for everything from counting orangutans to stopping poaching. e360.yale.edu an associate professor at the University of Adelaide, explains how drones can aid monitor protected ecological areas, collect data from remote regions, and even deter poachers throughout the forest.

Drones are a technology that has made important findings and vital contributions. This is especially true when you have a high-quality drone from a leading company such as DJI. DJI has been known for amazing photography stills and videography since its start. This model is a true and impressive testament to how far aerial filmmaking and videography have come in just a few short years.

Overall Performance and Functions

Phantom 4 Pro V2.0: Is It a Drone for Professional Photographer and Videographer? (Winter 2024)

One of the most impressive features of this drone is its OcuSync system.

The new drone model comes equipped with the DJI’s signature OcuSync video transmission system. When the system is turned on, the OcuSync system will automatically scan the environment finding the frequency band with the lowest interference possible. This improves the overall system and useability. This is simply impressive. With the OcuSync system, the aircraft also wirelessly connects to the user’s DJI goggles. This supports a more fun and free flight experience.

Max Speed

From a purely flight perspective, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro v. 2.0 is a dream to fly. Besides the features, it performs extremely well as an aircraft. This is fast, with speeds up to 45 mph fast when it’s in s-mode. This model is also responsive, as the maximum transmission range is 4.3 miles, up from 3.1 on the phantom 4. This is certainly a substantial improvement, with great peace of mind for pilots.

However, some people don’t take advantage of the full range. Nonetheless, having this increased maximum and range is certainly still an advantage since range will be dramatically decreased in non-ideal scenarios and conditions.

Flight Time and Distance

The Phantom 4 Pro range is very versatile. If it is flown at the preferred speed of 12 mph (19.3 km/h) in ideal and calm conditions, this drone will have approximately 30 minutes of flight time. To be clear, this is flying for 30 minutes straight out one way. Eventually, you’ll need to bring the drone back to your home point. Users are looking at flying for around 3 miles (4.8 km) before turning back. The Phantom 4 wind speed resistance can get up to 22.37 mph or 36 km/h, which makes for quite a lot of distance in a noticeably brief time. This totals approximately 32.08 feet or 10 meters per second. That’s quite the speed. In conclusion, the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 flight range will be approximately six miles (9.65 km) without wind.

It is never a great or innovative idea to push your drone or other forms of technology to their limit. Whether that’s the limit of the flight range, video transmission range, or to the max of its battery, it’s not worth it. This can cause your drone to crash, get lost, or worst. Don’t forget, and it is also not great for the owner’s nerves.

Camera

Phantom 4 Pro V2.0: Is It a Drone for Professional Photographer and Videographer? (Winter 2024)

Photographers can shoot raw files in DNG format with the 20mp 1-inch sensor available on the drone.

At maximum, the DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 can take 20-megapixel photos. This provides a better image quality than much smaller sensors. It also allows for more control over how these images are processed. The 24mm lens opens to f/2.8 at the widest and f/11 at a minimum while supplying a clean, sharp image across the model’s entire spectrum. While in photo mode, the camera handles an iso range of 100-3200 during auto mode but can use up to 12800 in manual mode. Using the drone in video mode, the iso range is identical for auto mode but can max out at 6400 while using manual mode.

We’ve seen some impressive results from the Phantom 4 Pro. However, it’s important to remember that these drones aren’t magical. The basic photography principles still apply in the air as they do on the ground. This is obvious, but an aerial platform does not make a great photographer regardless of the conditions. That said, users will notice a difference in quality coming from earlier phantoms. However, this camera is highly skilled. This camera performance is second only to DJI’s own Mavic 2 Pro.

User Modes

Once you’re off the ground, it’s time to fly. Taking this model off the ground supplies a lot more options. During the flight, you can toggle between p, s, and modes by changing the position of the flight mode switch found on the top of the remote controller.

Positioning mode, marked with a P on the device, tends to work best using a strong GPS signal while using the GPS, vision system, and infrared sensing system. Altogether, this ensures that the drone craft is stable and avoids obstacles. Only in positioning mode can you access both the tap fly and active track features.

Video

This drone’s video quality is highly improved from others in the model’s line. This improved sensor on this upgraded model is extremely impressive at only 1 inch. This allows for a high-quality video to be shot for a range of projects from educational, to artistic, to research, and much more. This specific model supplies a 4k video at 60fps. The Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 can capture 4k/60fps video, all at 100mbps. This is ideal for professional aerial videographers who require high-quality and high-definition videos. For examples of video works of the art, DJI has supplied a large user-generated showcase on their website.

Controls

Phantom 4 Pro V2.0: Is It a Drone for Professional Photographer and Videographer? (Winter 2024)

The controls and settings are really where this model excels.

This phantom is easy to fly for first-timers as the setup only requires a single button press in the app to take off and hover at an altitude of four feet. It also holds enough forms of manual control to allow for satisfying flight control for users on the more professional side of the quadcopter spectrum.

The remote controller features an extensive list, including two antennas, a display/phone mount, two control sticks, a return to home button (RTH), a series of status-led indicators, and a power button. That’s not all. On the top of the controller, there’s an enormous number of features and connectivity. This includes the asleep to wake button, microphone, flight mode, video recording, gimbal dial, micro USB port, MicroSD card slot, camera settings dial, flight pause,  HDMI port Trusted Source What Is HDMI and How Do You Use It? HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) is the acknowledged connection standard used for transferring video and audio digitally from a source to a video display device. www.lifewire.com , USB port, and shutter button.

User Adjustability

There’s a huge amount of adjustability with this drone which is extremely helpful for such a large and bulky drone. The controls available and discussed previously are a vital part of personalization. These are all fantastic ways to increase control and personalization for all kinds of flights. Control with the DJI Phantom 4 Pro v. 2.0 can be very responsive to the user’s control.

Once the length control sticks are adjusted to suit us, the user, it becomes even easier to control the craft accurately and successfully.

Durability and Warranty

Quite a few of the features are designed to increase the durability of the drone. Some notable features and improvements include features like obstacle avoidance, terrain following, and active track. These features ensure the drone can promise the overall safety and durability of the machine. The obstacle avoidance feature is one of the most crucial features that improve the ability of the drone to navigate in real-time. This specific feature is helpful for all kinds of projects. This feature makes flying smart and expensive drones easier and safer overall. The DJI phantom isn’t the only drone model to come with this particular feature. However, the DJI models combine with other features that ensure high durability no matter where you’re filming.

Battery

The battery on the DJI Phantom 4 Pro v. 2.0 is useful for up to a half-hour of flight time. We rarely see drones hit their full advertised time in outdoor scenarios, and mileage varies significantly from user to user, but this is within an acceptable range. The Phantom 4 Pro remote controller has a larger battery than the drone itself. The batteries are 6000mah and 5870mah, respectively.

 

Price Tag

The prices of drones at the consumer level as well as the professional level have risen to coincide with the advancements and improvements the models offer. Fast forward to the current day, and that means that you’re looking to spend $1,500 on a top-tier consumer-grade drone and potentially more. Professional drones are quite worth the price.

When most people consider buying drones, they expect them to be expensive machines that cost thousands of dollars. When it comes to the Phantom 4 Pro line, they aren’t wrong. This is a large investment for professional drone users. However, that doesn’t mean that all the drone models are as expensive. While quality high-end drones can be quite expensive, there are quite a several quality drones that just cost $500 or less. Some brands such as holy stone, 4drc, and Potensic have models for a steal, even under $300.

Key Features

The key features of the amazing drone models are included below.

Pros Cons
  • Solid Hover Mode
  • Simple to Fly
  • High-Quality Camera
  • Large 1-Inch 20mp Sensor
  • Fast and Powerful Drone
  • Shoots 4k/60p Video at 100mbps
  • Built-In 4k Camera Without Fish-Eye Effect
  • Pixel-Grade Stabilized Video
  • Built-In Collision Obstacle Avoidance Detection
  • Return-to-Home Mode When There Is a Low Battery Life Alert
  • Used Inside with or Without GPS
  • Sync Issues
  • Physically Large Drone
  • Pricier Than the Mavic 2 Pro
  • Longer Setup than Foldable Drones
  • Bulky Design
  • No Built-In Display for the Remote Control
  • Gimbal’s Screeching Sound

Tips for Flying with Phantom 4 Pro V2.0

  1. Always follow the local regulations of your country and county.
  2. Ensure that you’re flying your drone in open areas.
  3. Keep your drone within line of sight to limit the damage.
  4. Avoid flying above animals, people, moving vehicles, or power lines.
  5. Don’t command a drone while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  6. Keep your hands on the controls throughout the entire flight.
  7. Ensure positioning stability with a strong GPS signal.
  8. Check your drone for damage and fully charge the batteries after each flight.
  9. Stay updated on the newest tricks, trends, and techniques for easing drone flights.

FAQs

When Did the DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 Come Out?

This model came out in the spring of 2018. Announced in May 2018, this model improves on the existing Phantom 4 line. It brings forth added features with an OcuSync transmission system, enhanced ESCS, and propellers that are proven to be less noise. It was relaunched later in January 2020 after a supply and parts shortage caused the product to be discontinued.

Why Did DJI Discontinue the Phantom 4?

DJI had quite a rough start when announcing the phantom 4. Not long after they announced the drone on the market, they had a supply shortage. It was explained that a shortage of parts” meant it would no longer be able to produce its phantom drones. A year later, DJI has brought the lineup back and is once again selling the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0.

Why Is DJI Controversial?

DJI is just one of the drone companies coming under scrutiny due to privacy concerns. China’s owned and operated DJI makes most of the physical drones that Americans use. However, there’s a worry that sensitive information is being collected Trusted Source Bloomberg - Are you a robot? Critics of DJI warn the dronemaker may be channeling reams of sensitive data to Chinese intelligence agencies on everything from critical infrastructure like bridges and dams to personal information such as heart rates and facial recognition. But to Miller, consumers face plenty of bigger threats to the privacy of their data. “There are apps that track you on your smartphone 24/7,” he said. www.bloomberg.com with these drones and sent to private companies or intelligence agencies. However, DJI responded to these allegations with an official comment in 2020. As a company, they welcome the results of an independent cybersecurity audit of the DJI and its drone products. This report found no evidence that any data or information collected by DJI drones were being transmitted back to the company itself, to China, or to another unexpected and unauthorized party.

What Is Covered with DJI Warranty?

There is a limited warranty for each one of the drone models and their additions. Under this Limited Warranty, DJI ensures that each purchased product will be free from direct material and workmanship defects under normal use. DJI’s published product materials include user manuals, safety guidelines, specifications, in-app notifications, as well as service communications.

The warranty period and what is covered is slightly different for assorted products and parts. This warranty period is typically started on the day the product is delivered to the customer. Suppose there isn’t clear proof of purchase or an invoice 90 days after the shipping date that shows on the product unless otherwise agreed upon between you and the manufacturer. Some things that aren’t covered by the limited warranty include some common-sense items. Crashes or damage caused by user error, or unauthorized modifications, running the drone in unsafe and less than ideal conditions.

What Are the Regulations When It Comes to Drones?

Laws and regulations regarding drones or any kind of UAV vary widely. Depending on the location, these regulations can shift depending on the intention or licensing of the user. To help users fly more responsibly, check out this exclusive guide highlighting drone laws and policies of over 20 popular global destinations. Make sure to know the different regulations for where you’re using the drone, as each country has its form of drone legislation.

Final Thoughts

Overall, drones are a wonderful way to interact with various projects, whether you’re using a drone to explore a new neighborhood or using a DJI drone for specific video footage for a new horror movie short, or even working on conservation efforts throughout North America.nThe DJI Phantom 4 Pro v. 2.0 is an absolute joy to use and a quite easy recommendation for drone shoppers. This model is especially ideal for professional-level users. Its list of features and durability is simply impressive. If you have gotten to the point where you’re ready to buy, the only other consideration is going to be the Phantom 4 Pro or the Mavic 2 Pro. Within this Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 review, we delved into the features and improvements of the model line.

References

1.
How Americans feel about drones and ways to use them | Pew Research Center
Drones are catching on as consumer goods. As of mid-2017, 8% of Americans say they own a drone and 59% say they have seen one in action, according to a Pew Research Center survey. But while drones – that is, aircraft without on-board human pilots – are more prevalent than they were a few years ago, many have reservations about where and under what circumstances their use should be allowed.
2.
How Drones Are Emerging As Valuable Conservation Tool - Yale E360
Lian Pin Koh believes drones can be a key part of conservation efforts, particularly in remote regions. In a Yale Environment 360 interview, he talks about how his project, ConservationDrones, is promoting the use of drones for everything from counting orangutans to stopping poaching.
3.
What Is HDMI and How Do You Use It?
HDMI (high definition multimedia interface) is the acknowledged connection standard used for transferring video and audio digitally from a source to a video display device.
4.
Bloomberg - Are you a robot?
Critics of DJI warn the dronemaker may be channeling reams of sensitive data to Chinese intelligence agencies on everything from critical infrastructure like bridges and dams to personal information such as heart rates and facial recognition. But to Miller, consumers face plenty of bigger threats to the privacy of their data. “There are apps that track you on your smartphone 24/7,” he said.
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