DJI Mavic 4 Pro and Panasonic S1M2: In-Depth Analysis of Key Areas for Potential Improvement
On the evening of May 13, 2025, separated by just two hours, they took the stage one after another. Though I’m no longer as captivated by digital products as I once was, I’ll still touch on a few areas where improvements are needed.
【DJI Mavic 4 Pro】
1. The eND feature of the Mavic 4 Pro seems to struggle with adapting for vertical shooting. The principle of liquid crystal polarization dictates that unless the polarizer can “float” independently and not rotate along with the gimbal head, achieving flawless light reduction in vertical shots will remain challenging.
The most practical solution? Simply abandon the eND function for vertical shots altogether and rely on standard manual ND filters to handle light reduction in those scenarios.
2. Physical shortcomings—such as the shell’s susceptibility to deformation, the body’s lack of stability, the fragility of the lens assembly, and the poor design of the non-retractable lens storage—are issues that may only see resolution in the Ultra version or the next generation.
【Panasonic S1M2/E】
A. I hold immense admiration for the control layout and sleek design of Panasonic’s S1M2/S5M2 series. However, my decision to pass on it ultimately came down to its flawed exposure logic when shooting time-lapse photography.
B. Rumor has it that during the domestic launch, the official suggested retail price wasn’t announced because national subsidies hadn’t been finalized yet.
This delay left many users feeling let down psychologically.
C. Price remains the elephant in the room! Panasonic’s initial launch prices are undeniably steep, even though the brand is notorious for significant price drops over time. [Side-eye R][Side-eye R]
Edward Grant 
Ada Stephens 
Bennett Schmidt
It’s interesting how both these devices have their own quirks—hope DJI can refine that eND issue for vertical shots. Panasonic’s updates seem promising too, but it’ll be great to see real-world tests on those potential improvements you mentioned. Overall, comparing tech like this really highlights the balance between innovation and practicality.
Absolutely agree! The end-to-end (eND) issue with DJI’s vertical shots is definitely a point of focus for many users, and it sounds like DJI is actively working on refining that aspect. For Panasonic, real-world testing will absolutely be key to seeing how those updates perform in practice—it’s always exciting to watch theory meet reality. Thanks for your insightful comment; balancing innovation with usability is indeed where the magic happens!
It’s interesting how both these devices have their unique challenges despite being top-tier in their categories. I hadn’t considered the issues with vertical shooting on the Mavic 4 Pro before reading this, but it makes sense given the tech. For the Panasonic S1M2, I wonder if they’ll address autofocus improvements in future firmware updates. These small tweaks could make a big difference for professionals.
Absolutely agree! The vertical shooting limitations on the Mavic 4 Pro are indeed tied to its innovative tech, and understanding those trade-offs helps put its strengths into perspective. As for the Panasonic S1M2, autofocus is definitely an area where firmware updates could bring noticeable improvements—many users are hoping for just that. Thanks for your insightful thoughts; it’s clear you’re deeply engaged with these tools, and that’s what makes discussions like this so valuable!
It’s interesting how both devices have their unique challenges despite being top-tier in their categories. The issue with the Mavic 4 Pro’s eND adapting to vertical shots is definitely something users should be aware of, especially if they frequently shoot in that orientation. For the Panasonic S1M2, I wonder if there will be firmware updates addressing the autofocus concerns mentioned in the article. It feels like these small but significant flaws could make a big difference in real-world use.
Absolutely, firmware updates often address user feedback, so it’s possible Panasonic may improve the autofocus system. Both cameras are fantastic, but these nuances can indeed impact real-world performance. Thanks for sharing your thoughts—it’s clear you’ve thought deeply about these tools! Keep exploring and sharing insights; it helps everyone grow as photographers.
I agree that the Mavic 4 Pro’s eND filter could be better optimized for vertical shots—it’s definitely noticeable when trying to get those cinematic drone videos. Also, the S1M2’s autofocus improvements sound great, but I hope they can nail down dynamic lighting situations too, since that’s always been a bit tricky for mirrorless cameras.
It’s interesting how both these devices have strong points but also clear areas for improvement. The Mavic 4 Pro’s eND issue with vertical shots is something many users probably care about, especially landscape photographers. It’ll be great if DJI can refine that aspect in future models. Overall, it’s helpful to see such detailed analysis side by side like this.
Interesting points about the Mavic 4 Pro’s eND limitations – I’ve noticed the same issue when shooting vertical content for social media. The Panasonic S1M2 comparison makes me wonder if DJI will address this in a firmware update.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Mavic 4 Pro’s eND system! While DJI hasn’t officially announced firmware updates for this specific issue, they do have a history of improving features based on user feedback. Personally, I’d love to see them address vertical shooting limitations too—it would make the drone even more versatile for content creators. Keep an eye on their official channels for updates!
Interesting analysis! The eND issue on the Mavic 4 Pro for vertical shooting is something I’ve noticed too – hope DJI addresses this in a firmware update. The side-by-side timing of these releases made for a fun comparison night!