If you have the DJI Spark then you’ll notice that its camera can only shoot up to 1080p. 4K resolution is becoming the standard in drones today, so does 4K truly make that big of a difference compared to 1080p? When it comes down to 4K vs 1080p, let’s take a look at the pros and cons between the two. Certainly, 4K has a sharper image, but 1080p might be sufficient enough for most devices.
4K vs 1080p Resolution:
4K will give a more detailed video because its resolution is 3840 x 2160, while the resolution in 1080p is 1920 x 1080. 4K has four times as many pixels as 1080p. Depending on what you view your videos on, 1080p might actually be a better resolution to work with because it is easier to edit, and it won’t make that big of a difference if you view it on a mobile device like an iPhone. In some cases, you can only tell which is 4K if you zoom in.
AuthenTech YouTube Video Snapshot
Pros of 4K
- 4K is great for those fine details. Compared to 1080p, 4K will give you greater details in close range.
- You can shoot in 4K and downscale your files to 1080p.
- 4K videos are easier to crop and stabilize in post.
- There’s usually less noise in 4K, and low light videos are superior in 4K.
Cons of 4K
- You need to view it on a 4K monitor or TV to get the full experience.
- You also need a fairly fast computer to edit and handle large 4K files. There are some methods in which you can edit 4K on a slow computer, but at the end of the day, it’s just easier to edit 1080p. The files are also huge!
- If you watch a 4K video through a 1080p mobile screen, then there will be little to no difference.
- 4K is beneficial for those small details, but the general image is nearly the same as 1080p.
Pros of 1080p
- It’s faster to edit, and more computers can handle 1080p files easier than 4K files.
- On smaller screens like laptops or tablets, the details between 4K and 1080p are nearly the same.
- If you’re posting your files on Facebook, then 1080p will be more ideal for uploading and sharing.
- 1080p files are also smaller than 4K files, so you can record more content on your memory card.
Dylan Lierz YouTube Video Snapshot
Cons of 1080p
- 1080p is not as sharp as 4K.
- 1080p highlights and shadows aren’t as good as 4K.
4k vs 1080p
If you have the DJI Spark and post most of your content on social media sites like Instagram, then 1080p might be a better resolution to work with since most people don’t even have 4K capable devices to view it on, and 1080p will still give you great HD results at a user-friendly size!
