DJI has announced the Mavic Air 2 – price tag from £769/€849 – an updated version of its popular compact folding drone, which offers 8K functionality and a larger 1/2-inch camera sensor.
The Mavic Air 2 sits in the middle of the range of DJI’s drones with the Mavic 2 Pro / Zoom at the top and the ultra-compact Mavic Mini at the entry-level end.
The new Mavic Air 2 follows the same design principles as the other models, boasting a compact body with fold-out arms that are joined by an equally compact remote control. The Mavic drones are essentially designed to be taken anywhere.
Packed in a backpack, the drone adds very little in the way of weight or bulk, but despite the size, it will still enable you to capture the stunning scenes you see while out and about.
When first launched the Mavic was in a different league to the Phantom drones, but since the launch of the Mavic 2 Pro and now the Air 2, the days of the Phantom seem even more limited.
Ultimately the Mavic Air 2 is for those looking for something more than just flying for straight flying fun. The upgrades in intelligent flight features, image and video potential all help to elevate the usability of this new DJI drone and make it an exciting development.
DJI Mavic Air 2 Features
Inside the DJI Mavic Air 2 is a large Quad Bayer 1/2-inch sensor in a body that weighs just 570g.
The Mavic Air 2 is the first drone in the Mavic series to offer 4K video at 60fps and 120Mbps. Additionally, users can record content using HDR video, 4x Slow Motion in 1080p at 120fps or 8x Slow Motion in 1080p at 240fps.
Pilots can also capture 12-megapixel images or choose to use a new high-resolution 48-megapixel shooting option.
Other features include a built-in mechanical 3-axis gimbal to help minimise camera shake, even in unpredictable scenarios.
DJI’s proprietary OcuSync 2.0 transmission technology has also been upgraded to deliver a more stable HD video feed from the drone at a maximum distance of 10km.
OcuSync 2.0 supports both 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz frequency bands and uses an auto-switching feature to move between the two based on signal strength, while anti-interference technology blocks unwanted signals to keep the video feed clear.
DJI Mavic Air 2 price
The Mavic Air 2 will be available in two different purchasing options. A Standard kit, priced at $799 / £769, includes the Mavic Air 2, one battery, a remote controller and all the required wires.
The DJI Mavice Air 2 Fly More kit is price at $988 / £949 and includes all items from the standard version as well as a shoulder bag, ND filters, charging hub and three batteries.
DJI Mavic Air 2 release date
Frustratingly, the DJI Mavic Air 2 will go on sale in China not long after today’s official announcement. However, due to COVID-19, there may be delays, and DJI hopes to have the DJI Mavic Air 2 ready to ship to the rest of the world at some point during May.
We’ll, of course, keep you updated with the latest news on the DJI Mavic Air 2 release date in Europe, the USA and the rest of the world.
Mavic Air 2 specifications
- Size folded: 180 x 97 x 84mm
- Size Unfolded: 183 x 253 x 77mm
- Weight: 572g
- Max Flight time: 34m
- Faster Flight Speed 19m/s
- Max Distance: 10km
- Sensor size: 1/2-inch CMOS
- MP: 12mp and 48mp
- Focal length: 24mm
- Aperture: f/2.8
- ISO Stills (12mp): 100-6400
- ISO High-Resolution stills (48mp): 100-3200
- ISO Video: 100-6400
- Max video resolution: 4K @ 60fps
- Max framerate: 1080p @ 240fps
- Max bit rate: 120 Mbps
What’s new in the Mavic Air 2?
The image quality of the Mavic Air 2 far exceeds its predecessor with a decent 1/2-inch Quad Bayer sensor; this is up from a 1/2.3-inch previously.
Maximum video resolution remains at 4K but is boosted to 60fps at 120mbps; the previous Mavic Air shot 4K but at 30fps and 100mbps max bit rate.
Still photos are captured at 12mp and 48mp which is again impressive and all due to that larger sensor.
Built-in HDR was available in the original, but only for stills, this feature now extends to video. Another video effect which sees a boost is 1080p framerate range; this can now be shot at 4X slow motion 120fps or 8x slow motion 240fps.
One feature that is growing in popularity is Hyperlapse, and once again we see the feature added. What stands out here is the resolution of 8K. 8K hyperlapse is an outstanding feature and opens up all sorts of creative opportunities.
SmartPhoto is an all-new feature and is split into three different sections. Scene Recognition, Hyperlight and HDR Photo. Each SmartPhoto option enables the drone to do the hard work so you can concentrate on the composition and creative control.
The Smart features have all been updated with enhanced FocusTrack that feature; Spotlight 2.0, ActiveTrack 3.0 and Point of Interest 3.0. QuickShots has also been enhanced with preprogrammed flight manoeuvres.
Flight performance also sees a boost with up to 34 minutes of flight time and transmission distance of 10km, although this last feature would break the UK drone safety rules.
As with the original Air, the Air 2 features forward, rearward and downward facing sensors designed to aid with object avoidance.
Additional light and sensors are on the base of the drone to help with landing even in lower light conditions.
New Airsense technology provides enhanced safety by receiving ADS-B signals from aeroplanes and helicopters. Due to some limitations, this feature will only be available in North America.
Probably the smartest feature is the advanced pilot assistance system (APAS) 3.0 which utilises the sensors to create new paths around objects, whether that’s around, over or under the obstruction.
As ever there’s the DJI Fly app for Apple and Android mobile systems.
Early impressions
As DJI highlight the Air 2 is not just a reworking of the original but a complete rebuild. All features and technology have seen a boost, and the result looks impressive, at least on paper.
We have a review sample, and so far, the results from this lightweight and compact drone are impressive.
We’ll bring you the full review soon – for now check out the DJI Mavic Air 2 review in progress.