Introduction:
As we step into 2023, drone enthusiasts are buzzing with excitement over the DJI Mavic Air 2 drone. Packed with impressive features like 48 megapixel stills and 4K video at 60P, all at a competitive price, the Mavic Air 2 looks set to be a game changer in the consumer camera drone market.
The Mavic range has come a long way since the launch of the original Mavic in August 2018. The folding design has been refined and improved, with the recent addition of the super lightweight Mavic Mini in late 2019. The only outlier was the original Mavic Air, which had some major drawbacks like poor battery life and disappointing range.
However, DJI has been paying attention to the market and has delivered with the Mavic Air 2. Its slow-motion capabilities, offered by 60fps at 4K, are exactly what customers want. This is in contrast to the Mavic Air and Mavic 2 Pro, which only offer 4K at 30fps, leaving customers wanting more.
The Mavic Air 2's natural market is people looking for a "flying GoPro" to capture family fun or content for branding. And with its aggressively-priced offering, it's no wonder why the Mavic Air 2 looks like it will fly off the shelves.
Overall, the DJI Mavic Air 2 drone is a promising addition to the DJI family, and we can't wait to see what it can do in 2023 and beyond.
Into the the DJI Mavic Air 2
New Controller
The App
The Camera
Smart Technology
Flight performance and safety
Conclution
Into the The DJI Mavic Air 2
The DJI Mavic Air 2 is a worthy successor to its predecessor, with several improvements that are difficult to ignore. While the previous model had a unique design, the Mavic Air 2 closely resembles the Mavic 2, making it more efficient and easy to use. Its compact size when folded (180x97x84mm) and expanded size (183x253mm) make it easy to handle in the air, and its 3500mAh battery, which is more powerful than its predecessor's, enables a maximum flight time of up to 34 minutes. Photographers will appreciate the 48-megapixel mode, while video enthusiasts will love the 4K at 60fps (or with HDR at 30fps), recorded in H.265 (or up to 240fps at 1080p) with a bit rate of up to 120 Mbps. The SmartPhoto scene recognition feature and automated QuickShots make it even easier to capture great shots, and the ActiveTrack 3.0 feature enables the camera to identify and follow subjects, even if they briefly disappear from view. The "HyperLapse" timelapse feature is also built-in, and an 8K Hyperlapse will be added via a firmware update in mid-May.
DJI Mavic Air 2 - New Controller
The Mavic Air 2 brings some interesting updates to the controller as well. Unlike previous models, the new controller breaks away from the compact folding grip design and instead puts the phone at the top, providing more size flexibility. The new version features a sprung grip with built-in antennas that securely holds your phone in place without pressing the side buttons. While the power indicator lights are difficult to see in daylight, there is a storage area under the grip for your chosen phone connector (Apple Lightning/USB-C/Micro-USB are all in the box). The remote is comfortable to hold and having the screen above is a significant improvement, offering a better view. The only downside is that you need to support the weight of your phone above your hands, but it is a small trade-off for the better view. The controller also features a function button that operates the LED by default, but the most significant improvement is the OccuSync 2, which automatically switches radio channels to provide up to 10km range. Though testing this range was not possible in the UK, the gorgeous HD 1080p live feedback never seemed to cut out up to 500m, which is a significant improvement over the original Mavic Air.
DJI Mavic Air 2 - The app
DJI Fly is the control software that comes with the Mavic Air 2, and it is designed to be less cluttered and easier to use, especially for less experienced pilots. The camera modes are easy to access, with a pop-up menu showing the different options to choose from, such as camera, video, quick shot, hyperlapse, and panorama. However, scrolling may be required to find some sub-options. The tutorials for QuickShots are helpful and unobtrusive, and the collision sensor hot spots are handy. The downside is that QuickShots require downloading and post-processing, which can be frustrating as it requires saving enough battery in the drone and controller for the transfer to the app. However, once the processing is complete, sharing the clips from the app is easy. Video, photos, panoramas, and time-lapse videos can also be downloaded from the SD card later, or from the drone's local 8GB storage via the aircraft's USB-C port, although this storage should be used as a last resort as some features use it.
DJI Mavic Air 2 - The camera
The Mavic Air 2 drone has a camera that can shoot in both standard and 48-megapixel modes. Despite the distinction between the two, the DJI has managed to make decent HDR video footage and 48-megapixel stills, which are saved as JPEG files that are over 18Mb. The camera has a 1/2-inch sensor, which is slightly bigger than the 1/2.3-inch sensor found on the Air. However, it is worth noting that 1/2-inch is a diagonal measurement, so the sensor is actually a quarter of the size of the Mavic 2 Pro's 1-inch sensor.
The camera provides plenty of creative control with options such as D-Cinelike for serious editors, touch-to-expose, exposure lock, and manual exposure options for both stills and video. In testing, the camera's quality was found to be comfortably above anything in its price bracket. One annoyance was that the camera didn't keep manual settings as you switched from video to stills or changed resolution settings, but this is something you can learn to keep an eye on.
The video is crisp and not over-sharpened, and exploring it on screen gives you a feeling of omnipotence. The 3-axis gimbal plays a part here too, meaning that vibration isn't picked up in photos and videos. Only if you fly in 'Sport' mode at up to 68kph/42mph and take a sharp turn might you notice the gimbal jerking to reposition the camera. However, making sharp turns at high speed is unlikely if you're looking for quality video. The camera also has an FPV mode in which it banks with the drone rather than keeping a level horizon, which can be fun for racing through an obstacle course.
DJI Mavic Air 2 - Smart technology
The DJI Mavic Air 2, comes equipped with advanced technology like DJI's FocusTrack. This smart system not only enhances pre-programmed effects like Orbit but also allows you to track a subject. By selecting a subject and enabling the camera to track it while you control the drone, even amateurs can achieve professional-quality sweeping shots. However, unlike the Inspire 2, the Mavic Air 2 does not have an always-forward FPV camera, so using this feature requires confidence in your piloting skills.
In addition, the drone's Tripod mode, which moves deliberately slowly, is easily accessible and surprisingly helpful for capturing great video footage. While less advanced than FocusTrack, this feature allows you to have more control over your shots and can be especially useful for shooting in tight spaces or getting smooth, cinematic footage.
DJI Mavic Air 2 - Flight performance and safety
In terms of flight performance, the DJI Mavic Air 2 feels more stable in the air than its junior sibling, the Mavic Mini. The new motors and speed controllers seem to enhance the drone's stability, and I wasn't concerned about being blown around even in a light breeze. Additionally, the drone is enjoyable to fly straight out of the box, with the stick settings feeling just right and the different modes well-balanced for either photography or fun flying in Sport mode.
The battery life of the Mavic Air 2 is impressive, with a maximum flight time of 34 minutes (or 31 minutes in hover mode). While this may be a tad optimistic, it's no more so than any other drone's quoted figure. During testing, the low battery warning came on around 26-28 minutes into the flight, which is still more than double the useful time of the Mavic Air 1.
When it comes to safety technology, the North American model of the Mavic Air 2 will be available with ADS-B, which warns pilots about nearby aircraft. This implementation, called AirSense by DJI, will cause the remote to vibrate and offer an on-screen warning if an aircraft with ADS-B enters nearby airspace. The other pilot will also be alerted to your presence, and the remote will say "Takeoff Permitted" if it's safe to take off. This is a significant step in drone safety, and DJI's implementation is encouraging.
The Mavic Air 2 also has collision sensors on the front, rear, and beneath the drone. While it's still possible to collide with an obstacle from the side or above, these sensors feed into DJI's ActiveTrack 3.0 technology, which allows the drone to track subjects even in complex environments. During testing, the collision sensors worked well, and I didn't experience any crashes, despite deliberately trying to fly into obstacles.
Conclusion
In summary, the DJI Mavic Air 2 is a fantastic drone that offers exceptional image quality, advanced features, and impressive flight performance. The smart technology and safety features make it easy to use, even for beginners, and the extended flight time is a significant improvement over its predecessor. While there are some limitations to collision sensors, the overall performance of the drone is impressive, and the ActiveTrack and QuickShots features will be particularly useful for content creators. Overall, the DJI Mavic Air 2 is a highly recommended choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, easy-to-use drone.
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