GoPro Karma vs DJI Mavic Pro: Which of the two folding drones is better?

In September, two well-known companies immediately presented their own models of drones with a large number of functions. We are talking about the KPro Karma from GoPro and its rival, DJI's Mavic Pro. One of their peculiarities makes drones look alike - these devices are added up.

Both companies are positioning their aircraft as portable systems that can easily be carried in a backpack. Looking ahead, we say that this is true: both drones really fit in a backpack or bag. In this case, DJI Mavic Pro comes with a built-in camera, and GoPro Karma can work with various models of cameras from GoPro. Let's look at the capabilities of these drones in more detail.

GoPro Karma vs DJI Mavic Pro: Design

Both devices look good, although their appearance plays a minor role for many dron-lovers. But such a design feature as the ability to fold the device to carry it is primary. How portable are these systems? DJI Mavic Pro starts and wins here. The fact is that this drone can be folded down, reducing its size to a “water bottle”, as stated on the manufacturer’s website. And indeed, folding this copter, the user can carry it not only in the backpack, but also in the pocket of the same backpack or bag.

At GoPro Karma with portability worse, although in a backpack or bag it will fit without problems, too. So the question of its transportation is solved easily.

GoPro Karma dimensions in the folded state 117 x 224.3 x 365.2 mm, weight - 1006 grams. Dimensions Mavic Pro, if folded, is 83 x 83 x 198 mm, weight - 734 grams.

GoPro Karma vs DJI Mavic Pro: features and capabilities

GoPro Karma has its own three-axis stabilizer for mounting the camera . If necessary, it can be detached and work with it separately. The stabilizer is compatible with cameras such as Hero 5 Black, Hero 5 Session and Hero 4. The camera travel is 90 degrees.


DJI Mavic Pro also has a three-axis stabilizer (gimball), which can absorb even strong vibrations, providing high-quality photo and video. The viewing angle of the main camera is 78 degrees.


GoPro Karma can reach speeds of up to 56 km / h, away from the user up to 1 km away. The maximum flight altitude is 4.5 km. The copter can fly with a fairly strong wind, whose speed reaches 10 m / s.

Mavic Pro accelerates to a speed of 65 km / h. It can rise to a height of 5 km and move away from the user to a distance of up to 7 km. This is 6 kilometers further than in the case of Karma, which is very good.



GoPro drone can work offline for about 20 minutes. Mavic will hold 21 minutes in the air, which is not much more than a competitor. True, with a successful set of circumstances (no wind, not too high a load), he can work up to 27 minutes. In any case, the manufacturer claims.

Both Karma and Mavic are smart devices for which zones can be created where flight is prohibited, they can also be returned “home” by pressing a single button. But Mavic Pro has a function to detect and fly around obstacles, while Karma does not have such a function.



In other words, the operator is much less likely to beat Mavic Pro than Karma. A DJI copter can detect and avoid obstacles at a distance of 15 meters at a speed of 36 km / h.

In addition, Mavic Pro can automatically follow the user, and Karma is not able to.

GoPro Karma vs DJI Mavic Pro: main features of

DJI Mavic Pro:
● Size: 83x83x198 mm
● Weight: 743 grams
● Flight time up to 27 minutes
● 4K camera with 12 MP
● Three-axis stabilizer
● Ability to control the quadcopter from a smartphone
● Auto track object (active track)
● Camera gesture control (for selfie)
● Obstacle
flyby system ● Auto return to the take-off point when the battery is low
● Sports mode (65 km / h)
● Flight range: 7 km

GoPro Karma:
● Size: 90x224x365 mm
● Weight: 1006 grams
● Flight time up to 20 minutes
● 4K camera with 12 MP
● Three-axis detachable stabilizer
● Possibility of changing the camera model
● Sport mode (56 km / h)
● Flight range: 1-3 km

GoPro Karma vs DJI Mavic Pro: cameras

Both drons are positioned by manufacturers as copters designed for photo and video. What do the developers offer us?

Let's start with Mavic Pro . This aircraft has a built-in camera capable of shooting video in 4K with fps = 30, or video with 1080p quality and fps = 96. The minimum focal length of the camera is 0.5 meters. Sensor -1 / 2.3 inches.

What about Karma ? It is logical that the camera manufacturer made its drone compatible with a number of models, including Hero 5 Black. Kopter, as mentioned above, can work with other models, including Hero 5 Session and Hero 4 Black and Silver.



If we take the latest model, Hero 5 Black, as an example, we will get similar video and photo specifications. This is 4K video with fps = 30, 1080p video with fps = 120. Hero 5 Black has a touchscreen display, voice commands support, GPS. The ability to change cameras in the case of Karma can be called an advantage, since video cameras are constantly being improved and it may well be that GoPro will allow Karma owners to use the next-generation camera after it enters the market.



A positive point is also the fact that the stabilizer can be removed for manual operation.

But Maveric Pro allows the user to take a selfie with a “flick of the wrist”: the built-in camera “understands” gesture control.

GoPro Karma vs DJI Mavic Pro: control

Any tool, even the highest quality, can be inconvenient if you do not take care to make management simple. What is the situation with GoPro Karma and DJI Mavic Pro?



Karma has its own controller, which looks like a game console. It stands out a 5-inch touchscreen display, which is transmitted image from the drone's karma in real time. The function buttons of the controller provide the ability to control all the functions of the aircraft.



DJI Mavic Pro also has its own controller, where you need to use a smartphone as a screen. Any smartphone of your choice. In order for the image to be transmitted to the phone, you need to install a special application.

DJI holds an ace up its sleeve - these are special video glasses to which the image from the drone's camera is transmitted. Moreover, the drone can be controlled directly in glasses, with simple tilts of the head. Note that glasses are not included in the package, they need to be purchased separately.

GoPro Karma vs DJI Mavic Pro: so what's the verdict?

What to buy - GoPro Karma or DJI Mavic Pro ? It is hard to say. For a number of parameters wins Mavic Pro. Here and portability, and the function of following the operator, and a slightly lower price. On the other hand, GoPro has interchangeable cameras, a removable stabilizer and a futuristic controller.

It all depends on what you are looking for. Hopefully, our review will help you make the right choice, and then the question to buy GoPro Karma or DJI Mavic Pro will be decided by itself. And another thing to keep in mind is that Mavic Pro will not enter the market before the beginning of January 2017. The corresponding news was published by the manufacturer on November 3rd.

It remains only to wish our readers a successful flight.