DJI released its new flagship consumer drone – Mavic Air 2. After months of anticipation, the Chinese manufacturer officially released the Mavic Air 2, a folding quadcopter featuring 4K video recording and 8K Hyperlapse video capabilities with 1/2” camera sensor. The new model has advanced programmed flight modes, intelligent features, and imaging technology allowing beginners to capture professional-looking content. Mavic Air 2 boasts an enhanced maximum flight time (34 Minutes) and autonomous capabilities, as well as in-app editing functionality. At a folded size of just 180mm × 97mm × 84mm, the Mavic Air 2 is incredibly portable as well.
DJI managed to increase the drone’s flight time even while increasing its weight. The Mavic Air 2 weighs 570 grams. Extra heft didn’t slow the drone down, either. It achieves the same 68.4 kilometers per hour just a hair slower than the Mavic 2’s 72 kph. A three-axis gimbal provides tilt, roll, and pan mechanical stabilization. DJI also adds electronic image stabilization for video in this model.
During the announcement event, DJI President Roger Luo said, “Mavic Air 2 is another milestone for DJI, demonstrating that our smartest consumer drone does not have to be the largest.”
Air 2 has the ability to shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second and also records video at 120 Mbps bitrate. The camera can also capture 1080p slow-motion video at 120 and 240 fps. The camera snaps still images at 12 megapixels (in JPEG or RAW) and can also stitch images together to make 48MP photos. The camera’s 1/2-inch CMOS is still far from the 1-inch sensor in the Mavic 2 Pro.
The biggest update is ActiveTrack 3.0, DJI’s latest subject tracking technology. The Mavic Air 2 is the first drone to get the tech, which DJI says uses new mapping and algorithms to follow a moving subject more accurately than in the past. This also includes the ability to recover if its view of the subject is temporarily blocked by an obstacle.
The Mavic Air 2 also inherits a mode called Spotlight 2.0 from DJI’s professional drones that keeps a subject locked in the frame as the user maneuvers the drone. To set either mode, you just tap the screen and drag a green box over the subject to be tracked. Another important upgrade is to the hyperlapse. The Mavic Air 2 is the first DJI drone to offer 8K resolution on shooting hyperlapse.
The new controller of Mavic Air 2 provides robust radio system, replacing interference-prone Wi-Fi. The system runs on both 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz frequency bands and auto-switches between the two based on signal strength. The company says this mechanism allows the controller to maintain contact and receive HD video streams (up to 1080p 30fps) at a distance of up to 10 kilometers.
Advanced Pilot Assistance System (APAS) 3.0 is another exciting feature that allows Mavic Air 2 to automatically reroute around obstacles. This drone has sensors on the front, rear, and bottom but doesn’t have sensors on the top or side. The drone is also equipped with downward-facing LED light to help with landings in low light conditions.
The Mavic Air 2 will be available for immediate purchase. The base price is $799 (the drone, one battery, controller) with a Fly More option which includes all items from the standard version as well as a shoulder bag, ND filters, charging hub, and 3 batteries for $988.