“Whether you’re a first-time or casual flyer, the DJI Mavic Air 2 rules the sky.”
Detailed and crisp 4K 60 FPS footage
Excellent dynamic vary with HDR recording
Easy to pilot
Long-lasting battery life
Obstacle avoidance
Camera cannot deal with low mild
DJI’s dominance within the client drone market is unrelenting. Just this previous fall, the corporate wowed everybody with its lightest and smallest drone so far, the Mavic Mini. In order to realize that scale, although, the corporate needed to strip away some options, which made it enticing for first-time patrons, however to not severe fanatics.
Enter the Mavic Air 2, successor to 2018’s Mavic Air and a much more authentic contender within the prosumer market. Given its standout options, like its 4K recording at 60 frames per second (FPS), 48-megapixel high-res snapshot mode, and a 34-minute flight time, you’d assume it could price simply as a lot because the Mavic Pro 2. But it doesn’t, and that’s what makes it stand out.
Bulking up
Compared to its predecessor, the Mavic Air 2 is barely bigger and heavier (570 grams). That’s not an issue in any respect, as a result of the arms will be rapidly folded for simple storage — making it excellent for stowing away in a backpack. Sure, the Mavic Mini will be flown with out having to register it with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), however the Mavic Air 2 retains the identical portability to make it a weekend street warrior. For comparability, the Mavic Mini measures in at 160 x 202 x 55 mm unfolded, whereas the Mavic Air 2 isn’t that a lot greater at 183 x 253 x 77 mm.
As for appears to be like, I don’t thoughts that it has extra in widespread with the Mavic Pro line — it’s nonetheless a sleek-looking drone. It shares the identical onerous traces on its chassis, giving it a extra aggressive look than its predecessor. Honestly, it’s a warranted change given the upgrades beneath the hood. DJI drones have all the time set a regular for appears to be like, and the Mavic Pro retains that up. It appears to be like and appears like a high-end piece of equipment.
If you’re anxious concerning the further bulk slowing it down, don’t be. Speed isn’t impacted one bit — it’s able to reaching a prime pace of 42.5 mph, identical to its predecessor. You actually get a way for its pace in sport mode, which provides tighter controls that assist the Mavic Air 2 obtain slick acrobatics within the air.The prime pace is barely accessible in sport mode.
For most pilots, regular mode greater than suffices with its steadiness of pace and responsiveness, whereas tripod mode provides slower and smoother actions.
It’s additionally quieter than different drones I’ve flown, with its hum nearly silent when hovering at round 150 toes within the air. Most impressively, its battery is rated for 34 minutes of flight time, which is the longest within the Mavic line. Few consumer-grade drones ever attain near 30 minutes, with the overwhelming majority clocking in across the 20- to 25-minute vary.
It’s an entire lot of muscle energy in a compact physique.
Novice flyers will recognize the Mavic Air 2’s good piloting options, which protects the drone from collisions and dangerous conditions. The identical ahead and backward impediment sensors discovered within the Mavic Air are current right here as properly, although it advantages over its predecessor with the addition of downward-facing sensors. All of this helps to energy DJI’s newest obstacle-avoidance system.
In my expertise, it stopped the drone lifeless in its tracks from colliding with a tree, even in case you nonetheless have your thumb pushing ahead on the controls. When you’re forking over an enormous sum of cash for the Mavic Air 2, it’s reassuring that it’s good sufficient to keep away from these disasters.
So, when you think about all that’s on board, it’s exceptional that all the things is packaged properly collectively. It’s an entire lot of muscle energy in a compact physique.
Camera high quality
At the middle of the Mavic Air 2 is a brand new 12-megapixel, 1/2-inch Quad Bayer CMOS sensor on a 3-axis gimbal. It’s a bigger sensor than what’s discovered within the Mavic Air and Mavic Mini, in order that alone helps enhance its total efficiency.
Shutterbugs shall be particularly completely satisfied to discover a new 48-megapixel high-resolution mode. Looking at a couple of comparability photographs, there’s extra element and sharpness versus its 12-megapixel captures, however dynamic vary isn’t nearly as good. However, among the particulars within the shadows will be recovered in put up utilizing an editor. There’s positively a case for utilizing the high-resolution mode, particularly if you wish to crop pictures afterward. Beyond that, I discovered the 12-megapixel snapshots excellent for social media posts.
O the video aspect, there are marked enhancements to be discovered in all places. First and foremost, it information 4K video at 60 FPS, which bests even the Mavic 2 Pro’s 4K recording at 30 FPS. It’s additionally price declaring that it captures at a bit fee of 120 Mbps on this mode (dropping all the way down to 100 Mbps with HDR video seize), which offers extra room to retrieve particulars within the shadows and highlights in put up. I additionally choose the D-Cinelike profile for its low distinction and unsaturated colours, as a result of I can higher colour grade it to my liking in put up.
There’s no arguing that 4K 60 FPS and a 120 Mbps bit fee are distinctive choices within the Mavic line, and in addition distinctive for drones on this identical worth bracket. Some $1,000 drones provide 4K 60FPS, and also you’ll typically have to stumble upon that increased worth bracket for a aggressive video bit fee.
The Mavic Air 2 additionally options HDR video seize, a useful choice for individuals who need the perfect outcomes with out having to work on footage afterward. That’s because of the improved dynamic vary, as highlights are toned down to forestall the sky from being blown out. Colors, too, obtain a bump in saturation to spice up the general look, however noise does change into extra prevalent within the shadows. It’s not as distracting beneath excellent circumstances when it’s sunny out, although.
Other notable enhancements over its predecessor embody 1080p sluggish movement at 120 and 240 FPS, in addition to an 8K hyperlapse mode that primarily accelerates the footage into bite-sized clips. On prime of that, you might have the cool taking pictures modes — like rocket, circle, and asteroid — that DJI has perfected to present content material creators professional-grade video.
The Mavic Air 2 has the instruments and options that professionals crave to proceed producing high-quality content material, nevertheless it’s additionally great for brand new flyers. The solely draw back is that high quality takes a substantial dip beneath low-light conditions. I took it out at nightfall, with the solar already beneath the horizon. Even the bigger sensor remains to be not sufficient to attract in additional mild from the scene, leading to excessive noise and particulars loss.
There’s a disparity with the efficiency you get, from say, the bigger 1-inch sensor utilized by the Mavic Pro 2 versus this one, which is why it’s no shock its low-light efficiency isn’t a drastic step up over its predecessor. I wouldn’t count on every other drone with a 1/2-inch sensor to carry out higher.
Smarter flying
It’s been some time since I final piloted a drone, however the security requirements launched with the Mavic Air 2 make flying a breeze. Obviously, the impediment sensors I defined earlier assist to keep away from collisions, however there are nonetheless a couple of extra security options in place that can ease minds.
Landing the Mavic Air 2 is made simpler beneath tough lighting circumstances because of an auxiliary mild on the backside of the drone. AirSense expertise permits it to obtain ADS-B alerts from different close by plane and can present their places on display screen. Finally, the up to date APAS 3.0 system intelligently permits the Mavic Air 2 to keep away from collisions, and in some conditions, will enable it to find out a path round obstacles. It’s not all the time excellent in making a few of these selections, however I’ve but to come across a severe collision.
The controller filled with the Mavic Air 2 has been redesigned. This time, there’s a bit you pull out from the highest to cradle your smartphone. It generally is a bit finicky, particularly when you’ve got a thicker case in your cellphone, nevertheless, I do like how the suitable cable to attach your smartphone is neatly tucked away inside the controller. The controller is on the chunky aspect, however I discovered it comfy to make use of.
In one occasion throughout a flight, the video feed from the drone was severed at roughly 600 toes away from my location. It was a heart-racing second, however I restarted the app, moved a couple of steps away from the place I used to be, and the feed was established once more.
The Mavic Air 2 options up to date Ocusync 2.0 transmission expertise, which is alleged to ship a dependable video feed at a distance upward of 10 kilometers, nevertheless it needs to be line of sight. In my case, a small constructing might have obstructed the connection. Luckily, all I needed to do was transfer a bit to get related once more.
Our take
The DJI Mavic Air 2 is a powerful drone that’s enjoyable, straightforward, and protected to fly. Whether you’re new to the drone scene, or a seasoned skilled pilot, the Mavic Air 2 has all the things you’ll want. It’s priced at $799 for the usual bundle, however I counsel spending the additional cash to select up the “Fly More Combo” at $988 since you’re getting extra worth. You get a complete of three batteries, a set of ND filters, further propeller blades, and a carrying case for the additional cash.
Is there a greater different?
Yes and no. The DJI Mavic Mini is a wonderful drone for first-time and informal flyers, thanks partly to its small dimension and decrease price, nevertheless it doesn’t come near reaching the identical scope of options discovered within the Mavic Air 2.
Professionals who care about efficiency will need to take a look at the Mavic 2 Pro, primarily for the bigger sensor that’s higher geared up at low mild. However, it’s double the associated fee.
As for the remainder? The solely different drone to return near matching the Mavic Air 2 is the Skydio 2, which incorporates a extra refined impediment avoidance system. However, it prices extra, runs shorter with its battery life, and doesn’t collapse right into a extra compact dimension.
How lengthy will it final?
If you are taking the right flying precautions, the Mavic Air 2’s strong construct high quality ensures it’ll carry on flying easily for some time. The propeller blades might should be changed in some unspecified time in the future, however DJI does throw in an additional set within the field.
Buyers will need to additionally take into account shopping for DJI Care Refresh+ for $135, which protects the drone from water injury, collisions, and different crashes. It’s peace of thoughts for while you’re flying.
Should you purchase it?
Yes. This is a wonderful drone that packs a tons of options right into a midrange worth.
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