Another video quality comparison between MP and Air (not my video):


The Air footage looks very soft compared to the Pro for distant objects like the houses (the entire upper part of the frame). I also noticed this in more comparison videos, and I am starting to wonder if this is a common issue with the Air? I already returned an Air because of this after comparing videos with material from the Pro I used to own, and even photos taken with my Spark look much sharper and much more pleasing IMO. I really like all the cool features on the Air, but this is a deal breaker for me. Am I too critical about this, or have others noticed this as well? I am looking at all material on a 27" 4k monitor in native resolution.

Other comparisons:

Thank you for the comparison between the two.
I have the MP but the MA is also impressive. I thought the MP was a bit sharper.

Please note this is not my video!

You are correct ! They camera software needs some tweaking. The RAW files have so much more detail but it's such a pain to work with them.

The weird thing is that it is only in the distance that the 'air' is giving softer results.
Not sure if that is on the raw footage also.

Hi there, thank you for your support to DJI products, if there is any further issue, please feel free to let us know, we'll here for help. Hope you have a good time on flying the drone.

Pro is better than air

I looked at RAW images as well, and there is the same lack of sharpness for distant objects. I am pretty sure it cannot be solved  in software/FW. I was really disappointed by this, since both Spark and Pro gve sharp overall images!

What I just would like to know is if this only affects some (early?) units, or is just by design in the Air.

jh8 Posted at 2018-4-3 22:27
I have lookad at RAW images as well, and there is the same lack of sharpness for distant objects. I am pretty sure it cannot be solved  in software/FW. I was really disappointed by this, since both Spark and Pro gve sharp overall images!

What I just would like to know is if this only affects some (early?) units, or is just by design in the Air.

I have read reports on other fora from users that got a replacement Air because of this issue and the new one did NOT have the issue.
Can't confirm that since I don't own the Air.
But if that is true, there might be some affected batches produced.
So if you have this issue, it might be worth starting a support case.

The few reports I saw may have been actual lens errors of individual units.
But it now looks like the softness of distant objects may be a design issue.

I think there is simple answer to that Air have locked focus which is not the case with PRO

That in itself does not explain the issue, Spark is also fixed focus and produces sharp JPG photos.

Good comparative between the two.

I had the Pro but sold it because in reality I never took it with me because it was still too big/heavy for my taste. I then bought the Spark which I still like very much because of its small footprint, weight, robustness, the fact that it's ready-to-go and its sharp images. Of course the Air is much better in many other ways, so I'd really like to try one again But now I want to make sure there are also units out there that are capable of taking sharp images from close up to infinity, unlike the samples mentioned above.
(These are not my videos btw.)

jh8 Posted at 2018-4-5 09:14
I had the Pro but sold it because in reality I never took it with me because it was still too big/heavy for my taste. I then bought the Spark which I still like very much because of its small footprint, weight, robustness, the fact that it's ready-to-go and its sharp images. Of course the Air is much better in many other ways, so I'd really like to try one again But now I want to make sure there are also units out there that are capable of taking sharp images from close up to infinity, unlike the samples mentioned above.
(These are not my videos btw.)

That I would like to know too.
I have seen a lot of Air video's here and most have this distance blurred effect.
I don't believe this is because of the focus lock. I don't think with such tiny sensor the effect between infinity and 'close to infinity' will be that big.
But I'm not sure.

RimasRS Posted at 2018-4-4 06:49
I think there is simple answer to that Air have locked focus which is not the case with PRO

I don't think with such tiny sensor the effect between infinity and 'close to infinity' will be that big.
But I'm not sure.

I am glad to report that I received another unit (production date March 2018) and the lens is sharp, also for distant objects.
Maybe there is a problem with individual units, maybe a Q/C issue but at least I know images can be as sharp as with Spark/MP!