DJI Matrice 4T: 12MP vs 48MP Mode — Insights & How to Set It
- Hammer Missions
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
If you’ve recently started flying the DJI Matrice 4T (M4T), you may have noticed that the wide camera offers two resolution modes: 12MP and 48MP. At first glance, 48MP sounds like the obvious choice — higher resolution, better detail, right? But there’s more to the story.
In this post, we’ll break down what these two modes really mean, when to use each, and how to set them on your M4T for optimal results.
Understanding 12MP vs 48MP
Both image modes come from the same 1/2" CMOS sensor on the M4T’s wide camera. The difference lies in how that sensor processes light and pixels.
12MP Mode (Pixel Binning): In this mode, the camera combines groups of four adjacent pixels into one. This process, known as pixel binning, effectively increases light sensitivity, reduces noise, and produces cleaner images in low-light or cloudy conditions. The result: smoother, more balanced imagery, ideal for overcast skies or shaded structures.
48MP Mode (Full-Resolution Capture): Here, each pixel is used individually, capturing finer detail across the entire frame. This is great for bright conditions where lighting is consistent and you want maximum sharpness — such as façade inspections, roof detail mapping, or visual documentation for condition surveys.
In short, use 12MP for general surveys or low-light conditions. Use 48MP for high-detail inspections where precision matters.
When to Use Each Mode
Let’s look at a few real-world scenarios:
Building or Façade Inspections: Switch to 48MP to capture fine cracks, material defects, or paint delamination. The additional pixel density helps when zooming into structural details during post-processing.
Overcast or Low-Light Conditions: Go for 12MP to reduce image noise and improve exposure balance. Pixel binning ensures cleaner, more usable data when lighting is uneven.
Progress Monitoring or General Site Surveys: 12MP mode is typically sufficient, especially when the goal is broader context rather than high-resolution texture mapping.
Bright, Sunny Conditions: Take advantage of 48MP mode. The extra detail helps when generating high-quality orthomosaics or 3D models where texture accuracy is key.
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How to Set the Mode on Your DJI Matrice 4T
To switch between 12MP and 48MP on the M4T:
Power on your drone and controller.
Open the DJI Pilot 2 app.
Enter the Camera Settings menu.
Locate the Resolution or Image Size option under the Wide Camera settings.
Select 12MP or 48MP depending on your needs.
(Tip: In some versions of DJI Pilot 2, the setting may appear as “High” vs “Standard” image quality — check your firmware documentation for details.)
Once you’ve selected your mode, it’s good practice to capture a quick test image to verify sharpness, lighting, and exposure before beginning your mission.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between 12MP and 48MP comes down to lighting conditions, mission goals, and how you plan to use the imagery.For high-detail façade or roof inspections, 48MP mode is your best bet.For low-light, shaded, or time-sensitive missions, 12MP will produce more reliable results.
By understanding how each mode works, you’ll capture cleaner, more actionable data — and ultimately deliver more value to clients or stakeholders.
Interested in learning more about drone-based facade inspections or seeing how AI can enhance your workflows? Reach out to the Hammer Missions team — we’d love to show you how to bring this process to your next project.
About Us
Hammer Missions is a software AI firm helping companies in the built environment leverage drones and AI for assessing existing conditions. Having seen 5000+ projects, we're pleased to be working with leading firms in AEC to streamline and scale the process of facade inspections. If you're looking to learn more about how AI can automate and accelerate your building assessment projects, please get in touch with us below. We look forward to hearing from you.
