Autel EVO Lite+ vs DJI Mavic 4 Pro
Specs, camera quality, and ratings compared · Updated 2026
Both have variable aperture. Both have 1-inch class sensors. That's where the similarities end.
The Mavic 4 Pro costs $2,199 and has a triple camera system with a 4/3 Hasselblad main sensor, LiDAR, and 10-bit D-Log on every lens.
The EVO Lite+ launched at $1,149 but is discontinued and clearing at $800-900 with a single 1-inch camera and 8-bit video.
They're from completely different eras of drone technology, but the variable aperture comparison draws people to this matchup.
Pros & Cons
Autel EVO Lite+
- 1-inch CMOS sensor with variable aperture f/2.8-f/11 gives real depth-of-field control and lets you manage shutter speed in bright sun without swapping ND filters
- No geofencing restrictions let pilots take off in zones where DJI drones refuse to launch. This is the most-cited reason owners choose Autel
- 40-minute battery life holds up in practice, with owners consistently reporting 35+ minutes per charge
- 6K/30fps and 4K/60fps recording from the 1-inch sensor produces footage that holds up in professional editing workflows
- 12-bit RAW DNG stills and Moonlight Algorithm with ISO up to 64,000 deliver low-light photography that rivals drones at twice the price
- Level 7 wind resistance with a sturdy foldable frame that handles coastal and elevated shoots without trouble
- FAA Remote ID compliant via firmware update and EU C1 certified, keeping it legal for regulated commercial use through its support window
- Discontinued. Autel exited consumer drones in July 2025. Firmware support runs through July 2030, but no replacement is coming and stock is limited to whatever's left on shelves
- 8-bit color depth with no true D-Log or configurable color profile, making advanced color grading significantly harder than on DJI drones shooting 10-bit
- Subject tracking (Dynamic Track 2.1) only follows people, not vehicles, boats, or animals. It loses lock frequently during fast movement or with complex backgrounds
- Autel Sky app is buggy and inconsistently available on app stores, sometimes requiring a QR-code download from Autel's website
- Customer support is consistently described as poor by owners, with warranty claims denied and repair quotes that exceed the drone's clearance price
- 3-way obstacle avoidance covers only front, rear, and bottom and stops the drone rather than navigating around objects like DJI's APAS system
- FCC Covered List: Autel is also a Shenzhen-based Chinese company, facing the same US regulatory uncertainty as DJI
DJI Mavic 4 Pro
- Triple camera with a 4/3 Hasselblad main (100MP), 70mm medium telephoto, and 168mm telephoto gives three focal lengths without repositioning. Switch from wide property overviews to architectural details mid-flight
- Infinity Gimbal rotates 360 degrees continuously, enabling true native vertical video for social media, 70-degree upward tilts for building facades, and rotating shots no other consumer drone can produce
- 6K/60fps video with 10-bit D-Log across all three cameras gives editors consistent color science. The Mavic 3 Pro only offered D-Log on its main camera, forcing mismatched grades between lenses
- f/2.0 to f/11 variable aperture on the main camera controls depth of field and handles bright midday sun without ND filters. That's wider than the Mavic 3 Pro's f/2.8 minimum
- 51-minute flight time translates to 40-45 minutes in real conditions, enough to photograph an entire property exterior on one battery
- LiDAR omnidirectional obstacle avoidance works down to 0.1 lux, making twilight exterior shoots and return-to-home flights safe after sunset
- O4+ transmission holds a stable 10-bit HDR 1080p feed at 30 km. The live view quality is good enough to evaluate framing and exposure on the controller screen
- 100MP stills from the 4/3 sensor resolve enough detail for large-format prints and billboard-scale real estate advertising
- 1,063g exceeds both the 250g and 1kg thresholds, triggering stricter FAA regulations and heavier drone categories in the EU
- $2,199 for the base kit and $3,549 for the Creator Combo puts it beyond what most real estate agents will spend on a drone
- Not sold in the US officially by DJI due to FCC Covered List restrictions. Buying through B&H or third-party Amazon sellers means uncertain warranty and DJI Care Refresh access
- 28mm main camera is narrower than the Mavic 3 Pro's 24mm, and some property photographers miss the wider field of view for capturing full building facades up close
- ActiveTrack performance is weaker than expected. Several owners describe it as unreliable for consistent subject tracking, especially with vehicles
- No ProRes codec, which professional videographers expected at this price point
- Normal color profile ships with excessive contrast that requires significant correction in post. Owners who don't shoot D-Log get harsh-looking default footage
Price Range
The Mavic 4 Pro costs $2,199 minimum ($3,549 for the Creator Combo). The EVO Lite+ clears at $800-900 from remaining stock. That's a $1,300+ gap.
Neither is officially sold in the US through normal channels. The Mavic 4 Pro is available through B&H and third-party Amazon sellers with uncertain warranty.
The EVO Lite+ is discontinued, available only while clearance stock lasts. Both manufacturers (DJI and Autel) are Shenzhen-based companies on the FCC Covered List.
Specs Comparison
Swipe to see all columns →
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
3.8 | 4.7 | |
| Camera & Imaging | ||
| Camera | 6K/30fps | 6K/60fps |
| Sensor Size | 1-inch CMOS | 4/3 CMOS (main) + 1/1.3-inch (med tele) + 1/1.5-inch (tele) |
| Aperture | f/2.8-f/11 (variable) | f/2.0-f/11 (main), f/2.8 (teles) |
| Zoom | 16x digital | 6x optical (28mm + 70mm + 168mm triple lens) |
| HDR | ||
| RAW/DNG | ||
| Flight Performance | ||
| Flight Time | 40 min | 51 min |
| Range | 12 km | 30 km |
| Max Speed | 18 m/s | 25 m/s |
| Gimbal | 3-axis mechanical | 3-axis Infinity Gimbal (360° rotation) |
| Smart Features | ||
| Obstacle Avoidance | ||
| GPS | ||
| Follow Me | ||
| Return to Home | ||
| Build & Design | ||
| Price | $899 | $2199 |
| Weight | 835g | 1063g |
| Foldable | ||
| Buy Now | Buy Now | |
Camera System
- Cameras: triple camera at 28mm, 70mm, 168mm (Mavic 4 Pro) versus single camera at 24mm (EVO Lite+)
- Resolution: 100MP from 4/3 sensor (Mavic 4 Pro) versus 20MP from 1-inch sensor (EVO Lite+)
- Video: 6K/60fps in 10-bit D-Log (Mavic 4 Pro) versus 6K/30fps in 8-bit with no D-Log (EVO Lite+)
- Variable aperture: f/2.0-f/11 (Mavic 4 Pro) versus f/2.8-f/11 (EVO Lite+)
- Gimbal: 360-degree Infinity Gimbal (Mavic 4 Pro) versus traditional 3-axis (EVO Lite+)
Obstacle Avoidance
The Mavic 4 Pro has LiDAR omnidirectional obstacle avoidance. The EVO Lite+ has 3-directional detect-and-stop without pathfinding.
Battery and Weight
- Battery: 51 minutes (Mavic 4 Pro) versus 40 minutes (EVO Lite+)
Choose the Mavic 4 Pro if:
- You shoot luxury real estate or commercial properties
- You need the absolute best image quality from a consumer drone
- You want a triple camera that eliminates repositioning for different focal lengths
- You need 10-bit D-Log across all lenses for maximum editing flexibility
The 100MP stills support large-format print. It costs 2-3x more than the EVO Lite+ for a reason.
Choose the EVO Lite+ if:
- You want variable aperture on a budget and shoot primarily stills
- You need f/2.8-f/11 aperture for midday real estate shoots without ND filters
- You accept the trade-offs of buying discontinued hardware
The 1-inch sensor produces clean, sharp property photos. But the 8-bit video, discontinued status, and limited support ceiling make this a short-term value play rather than a long-term investment.
Our Verdict
The Mavic 4 Pro at $2,199 if image quality and professional capability are the priority. It's a different class of drone entirely. The EVO Lite+ at $800-900 clearance if you need variable aperture for property stills and can't justify the Mavic 4 Pro's price. The hardware is still capable. The support behind it isn't.
DJI Mavic 4 Pro
4.7/5 overall · $2199
Written by Paul Posea · Reviewed by Sarah Kim · Updated 2026-02-13