GoPro ‘Karma’ Completely Outclassed By Smaller, Faster DJI ‘Mavic Pro’ Drone

Just when GoPro decided to enter the drone market with its “Karma” quad-copter in the hopes of trouncing industry giant DJI’s Phantom lineup, the Chinese company responded with the “Mavic Pro.” The newest addition to the DJI drone line is not only smaller than what GoPro has to offer, it’s also reportedly faster and can fly higher.

When the “Karma” was unveiled by GoPro, it was pretty clear that the sports camera company was trying to check some boxes that the DJI “Phantom 4” had not. The “Karma” was lighter, smaller, more versatile, and best of all, cheaper. Unfortunately, the “Mavic Pro” makes some of these accomplishments a lot less convincing, Imaging Resource reports.

The “Mavic Pro” is so small it can fit in the palm of users, making it extremely portable. It’s also foldable without needing to remove the propellers, which should make for less of a hassle. In terms of weight, the “Mavic Pro” is only at 1.6 pounds while the “Karma” weighs 2.2 pounds. This might explain its edge in terms of speed as well, reaching 40 mph compared to the 35 mph that GoPro’s drone can reach.

Then there’s the maximum elevation that DJI’s smallest quadcopter can achieve, which is a ceiling of 16,404 feet. In comparison, the “Karma” could only go as high as 14,500 feet.

Even without looking at its newest competitor, it’s clear from the specs that DJI has simply outclassed every other drone in the market with the “Mavic Pro.” At 27 minutes of flight time, 4.3 miles in range, and 4K video recording, this $999 UAV is now in a league of its own. By adding obstacle avoidance and gesture control, it’s apparent why DJI didn’t appear worried about the “Karma” at all.

Finally, as Tech Times reports, the “Mavic Pro” can live stream via YouTube, Facebook Live, as well as Periscope at 1080p resolution. Frank Wang, DJI CEO and founder, explains the significance of these features best.

"Mavic Pro is a technological triumph filled with features that once again show how DJI leads the industry," he said. "Most importantly, Mavic Pro allows you to reach the skies easily, see the world with new eyes and tell your stories like never before."